Eric Brown
04-30-2023, 4:54 PM
Continuing with my madness series, here are my duplex planes.
First two are both Stanley 78's. The one in front is an early type in process of being cleaned. Note it has a low right side with the blade supports extending above. Also, there is no blade adjuster like on later models. This one has had the nose broke off and a knob put onto the front blade position Behind it is a newer 78 with the right side even with the top of the blade supports. It also has a blade adjuster on the rear position. On both these planes the rod for the fence is threaded 1/4-28 on the end. The blade screws that go into the body are 10-27 as are the depth stop screws. The depth stops will work on either model. Has a three-point spur on right side.
500507
This next group consists of a Union 43 and Craftsman (Sargent made). The Union is virtually a copy of the early Stanley with all the same screw sizes. Depth stop and fence are also interchangeable. The Craftsman #3738 is only marked on the blade. The plane was made by Sargent. It is more like the modern Stanley except the dept stop screw is a 10-24 and it has a different spur that is disc shaped with six spurs. Because of it's size it extends into the groove that aligns the depth stop. This requires the depth stop to be different from the Stanleys. A Stanley will work if modified. The metal handle on the end is a good idea but the way this was made very uncomfortable to hold. There is no blade adjuster.
500508
Finally we have a Millers-Falls #85 and a Record #778. The M-F has been polished, nickel plated, painted and an auxiliary handle installed. While it looks like the later Stanley, it uses different screws. The fence rod is threaded 1/4-20. The blade screws that go into the body are 9/32-24 and are the same as used on normal plane lever caps. The depth adjuster uses 10-32 and the depth stop itself has a different groove spacing. The Record has a two-rod fence and the fence itself is drilled to accept an auxiliary fence The blade has a screw adjuster for depth which requires a special blade. It also has an auxiliary handle in the front blade position.
500514
My preference would be for the Record 778 because of the better fence and blade adjustment. However, the Millers-Falls has a tighter mouth which may help at times.
First two are both Stanley 78's. The one in front is an early type in process of being cleaned. Note it has a low right side with the blade supports extending above. Also, there is no blade adjuster like on later models. This one has had the nose broke off and a knob put onto the front blade position Behind it is a newer 78 with the right side even with the top of the blade supports. It also has a blade adjuster on the rear position. On both these planes the rod for the fence is threaded 1/4-28 on the end. The blade screws that go into the body are 10-27 as are the depth stop screws. The depth stops will work on either model. Has a three-point spur on right side.
500507
This next group consists of a Union 43 and Craftsman (Sargent made). The Union is virtually a copy of the early Stanley with all the same screw sizes. Depth stop and fence are also interchangeable. The Craftsman #3738 is only marked on the blade. The plane was made by Sargent. It is more like the modern Stanley except the dept stop screw is a 10-24 and it has a different spur that is disc shaped with six spurs. Because of it's size it extends into the groove that aligns the depth stop. This requires the depth stop to be different from the Stanleys. A Stanley will work if modified. The metal handle on the end is a good idea but the way this was made very uncomfortable to hold. There is no blade adjuster.
500508
Finally we have a Millers-Falls #85 and a Record #778. The M-F has been polished, nickel plated, painted and an auxiliary handle installed. While it looks like the later Stanley, it uses different screws. The fence rod is threaded 1/4-20. The blade screws that go into the body are 9/32-24 and are the same as used on normal plane lever caps. The depth adjuster uses 10-32 and the depth stop itself has a different groove spacing. The Record has a two-rod fence and the fence itself is drilled to accept an auxiliary fence The blade has a screw adjuster for depth which requires a special blade. It also has an auxiliary handle in the front blade position.
500514
My preference would be for the Record 778 because of the better fence and blade adjustment. However, the Millers-Falls has a tighter mouth which may help at times.