Mike Baker 2
07-12-2017, 2:45 PM
I have a Millers Falls hand plane, somewhat the equivalent of a Stanley #5. It was the first "vintage" plane I ever owned. I used it for 2 or 3 years before I got my #5C from my Dad.
It was one of Millers Falls' Economy line, with the plastic handles. Those handles are why I retired it. They are in the forefront of the pic below, and the grooves and ridges in them did a number on my hands. Very uncomfortable, and could never get them to tighten down.
I recently read a post here about the HF plane, and it was suggested that the handle and tote, even though the plane was not very good, might make a good replacement for a Stanley plane's handle and tote. I thought, "15 bucks? Might as well try it on the Millers Falls".
I think it turned out great. I had to do a little widening of a hole in the underside of the tote to get it to fit over the little nub in the MF plane body, but it tightened down solid, and will not move.
I tried to put the old knob back on the front of the HF plane body, just to see, and it would not fit. I think that the bolt is just a bit too fat for the hole. But both handle and tote tightened down solid on my Millers Falls, and will not budge, even with the use of considerable force. So I think I will be just fine.
Be nice to use this plane again. I plan to convert it to a scrub plane, which I certainly could have used flattening the top of the work bench I'm building.
IMO, for $15, it is worth it just for replacement handles, and who knows, I might just make a woodie with the iron later on.
363733
It was one of Millers Falls' Economy line, with the plastic handles. Those handles are why I retired it. They are in the forefront of the pic below, and the grooves and ridges in them did a number on my hands. Very uncomfortable, and could never get them to tighten down.
I recently read a post here about the HF plane, and it was suggested that the handle and tote, even though the plane was not very good, might make a good replacement for a Stanley plane's handle and tote. I thought, "15 bucks? Might as well try it on the Millers Falls".
I think it turned out great. I had to do a little widening of a hole in the underside of the tote to get it to fit over the little nub in the MF plane body, but it tightened down solid, and will not move.
I tried to put the old knob back on the front of the HF plane body, just to see, and it would not fit. I think that the bolt is just a bit too fat for the hole. But both handle and tote tightened down solid on my Millers Falls, and will not budge, even with the use of considerable force. So I think I will be just fine.
Be nice to use this plane again. I plan to convert it to a scrub plane, which I certainly could have used flattening the top of the work bench I'm building.
IMO, for $15, it is worth it just for replacement handles, and who knows, I might just make a woodie with the iron later on.
363733