Late 1940's early 1950's Craftsman Plane

[Bill Fleming]

My brother is restoring a Craftsman carpenter's tool kit that came in a large tool box with a folding side, etc. This tool kit was purchased new by our father in the late 40's or very early 50's. Anyway, I am tuning up the Craftsman smoother that came with this kit. And frankly I have been a little surprised at the quality of this plane. All parts have cleaned up very nice and easy. The fit of all the pieces is nice after minimal tuning. Even the blade seems nice, flattened and sharpened well and seems to be good steel.

Anyway I am wondering if anyone know who the manufacturer was. Other than "Craftsman" and "Made in USA" the only other markings are "BL" on the body casting and on the blade.

Thx in advance for any info.

Cheers - Bill

[steven c newman]

Sometimes Sargent would make these, sometimes Millers Falls, and now and then a Stanley made one would show up. 260071the M-F kind260072this one I THINK was either a Stanley, or a Sargent made one260073and this was by Stanley. Very heavy casting, almost a #4H.

[Joe Bailey]

Pictures, Bill, we need pictures!

[Bill Fleming]

Steven

Hey thx for the insight. Mine looks pretty much exactly like the middle jpg you posted - corrugated type sides, slotted screws, and even the handle finish looks similar now that most of the very heavy varnish has been removed. Mine has "BL" stamped on the blade right with the other markings and the casting has it on the bottom of the sole under the section protruding to catch the rear handle.

Anyway, thx again. A nice and simple plane.

thx Bill

[Peter Pedisich]

Bill, I have a Craftsman 18" plane made by Sargent, although I'm not sure of the age. Here are pics:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nXuZuU-wfX8/UF-o48M6xBI/AAAAAAAABG4/4AaXGooNrkc/s640/IMG_7229.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pKe31WMuc9I/UF-owKWohFI/AAAAAAAABG4/TOf4GZHEl9Y/s640/IMG_7231.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UQyT953lRh0/UF-o1bf7UMI/AAAAAAAABG4/sIBMaoklSbw/s640/IMG_7237.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9RE9DeOA7O8/UF-oyJIOICI/AAAAAAAABG4/yFud2O4jT20/s640/IMG_7236.JPG

And here is a link to help identify yours: PLANE ID (http://www.brasscityrecords.com/toolworks/graphics/plane%20id.html)

good luck, pete

[Tom Bussey]

The Keen Kutter K series has a blade adjusting lever that look like union. The K series was madeby stanley, I believe union was too.