Eric Brown
04-29-2023, 5:25 PM
I began collecting these because I wanted to put together a "Fulton" tool set. Then it snowballed into more to try to learn who made the Fultons (two companies), and then I wanted to see how they compared to the Stanleys.
Looking at the pictures, from left to right are: Stanley #130 (early type with star handle), Stanley #130, Stanley 131, Ohio Tool 0220, Millers-Falls #68, Union #137, Sargent #227, Fulton Warranted, Fulton Warranted, Fulton Tool Company, Jordan?, Kunz 130.
500445
The following is showing the same group apart.
500446
And finally set up as Bullnose configuration.
500447
What are the differences? Well there are several different clamping handles. The early Stanley #130 has a very small handle with a star on it. The Stanley #131 has a lever to lock the cap down and was also used on some regular block planes. The rest are similar in size and shape except for the second Fulton Warranted. It has a user made handle that is quite large and heavy. It's also the best feeling in my small hands.
Picture below shows the small Stanley vs the User Fulton.
500448
The Millers Falls probably has the best shaped tightening wheel. Most of them use two rails to support the blade with cross support ribs. The Union has a single post in the middle, no ribs. The last two have a center post with ribs. The earliest Stanley has thin sides that are not ground square with the bottom. The rest are square. When it comes to weights, they ranged from 1 lb 6.7 oz (Stanley #131) to 2 lbs 6.0 oz (Fulton Warranted with homemade handle). The blades of the first ten planes were all 1 5/8" wide (41.275 mm) with the last two being 1.57" (40 mm). Blade thickness ranged from .053 to .083 with most being about .080
If I had to choose a best of the lot, it would be the Fulton with homemade handle. However, that isn't fair. Picking something y'all can get, I think the Union would edge out the Millers-Falls because of the longer blade. I would not pick the Stanleys because the sides seem thinner than the rest. If I had to choose a Stanley it would be the newer 130 with a more comfortable handle. Note: The 130 Stanleys and maybe the Ohio Tool all use support rods that are threaded on one end and all three Stanleys along with the Union use little wood knobs screwed onto a post sticking out of the casting. The rest all use machine screws.
I also would not choose either the Jordon or Kunz. The Jordan has a very thin blade (.053") The Kunz also has a thin blade (.061) and the widest open mouths. The tightening wheel is drilled off-center and the support rod are roll pins (not solid).
Looking at the pictures, from left to right are: Stanley #130 (early type with star handle), Stanley #130, Stanley 131, Ohio Tool 0220, Millers-Falls #68, Union #137, Sargent #227, Fulton Warranted, Fulton Warranted, Fulton Tool Company, Jordan?, Kunz 130.
500445
The following is showing the same group apart.
500446
And finally set up as Bullnose configuration.
500447
What are the differences? Well there are several different clamping handles. The early Stanley #130 has a very small handle with a star on it. The Stanley #131 has a lever to lock the cap down and was also used on some regular block planes. The rest are similar in size and shape except for the second Fulton Warranted. It has a user made handle that is quite large and heavy. It's also the best feeling in my small hands.
Picture below shows the small Stanley vs the User Fulton.
500448
The Millers Falls probably has the best shaped tightening wheel. Most of them use two rails to support the blade with cross support ribs. The Union has a single post in the middle, no ribs. The last two have a center post with ribs. The earliest Stanley has thin sides that are not ground square with the bottom. The rest are square. When it comes to weights, they ranged from 1 lb 6.7 oz (Stanley #131) to 2 lbs 6.0 oz (Fulton Warranted with homemade handle). The blades of the first ten planes were all 1 5/8" wide (41.275 mm) with the last two being 1.57" (40 mm). Blade thickness ranged from .053 to .083 with most being about .080
If I had to choose a best of the lot, it would be the Fulton with homemade handle. However, that isn't fair. Picking something y'all can get, I think the Union would edge out the Millers-Falls because of the longer blade. I would not pick the Stanleys because the sides seem thinner than the rest. If I had to choose a Stanley it would be the newer 130 with a more comfortable handle. Note: The 130 Stanleys and maybe the Ohio Tool all use support rods that are threaded on one end and all three Stanleys along with the Union use little wood knobs screwed onto a post sticking out of the casting. The rest all use machine screws.
I also would not choose either the Jordon or Kunz. The Jordan has a very thin blade (.053") The Kunz also has a thin blade (.061) and the widest open mouths. The tightening wheel is drilled off-center and the support rod are roll pins (not solid).