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+-- Thread: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers (/showthread.php?tid=7326711)
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Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - C. in Indy - 01-05-2017
Hi All,
I recall a thread I can't find now; it was about how WW2 Stanley planes had thicker castings than other Stanleys.
Along that line, I've worked with a couple of Millers Falls 9B / 900B planes, probably from the 1960s era. I've really liked these! They are also quite thick-cast, and a nice feature is that while they are #4 size, the rear-tote part of the iron-casting is a big beefy island, sort of like what is seen on a Stanley 4-1/2 rear tote mount. A lot of mass in these planes.
They can also be had at even further discount if you don't mind private-label planes: P&C / Proto, as well as some Sears "Red" planes, have this Millers Falls latter-era construction.
Chris
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - JimReed@Tallahassee - 01-05-2017
Good observation. Most users stick to Stanleys, but there are many non Stanley diamonds in the rough just like the one you found. For years my go to #7 jointer was a Miller Falls Craftsman. It was a joy to use and I giggled when I thought about what a bargain it was.
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - Admiral - 01-05-2017
The "right" MF planes are the equal of Stanley, generally those with the two piece lever cap and frog adjustment screw. Lots were made, but not as many as Stanley, by far, but when I find them in good shape I pick them up. MF also made lines of lesser quality planes, which were not as finely finished as their top of the line and lacked certain features; some were marked MF, others Sears, Montgomery Ward, and other third party names, but I know for certain that Sears did have the MF top of the line planes, you just have to know what you are looking at. In fact i have a #9 I've been meaning to clean and tune up for the S&S but I just haven't got around to it.
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - Strokes77 - 01-05-2017
(01-05-2017, 10:46 AM)Admiral Wrote: The "right" MF planes are the equal of Stanley, generally those with the two piece lever cap and frog adjustment screw. Lots were made, but not as many as Stanley, by far, but when I find them in good shape I pick them up. MF also made lines of lesser quality planes, which were not as finely finished as their top of the line and lacked certain features; some were marked MF, others Sears, Montgomery Ward, and other third party names, but I know for certain that Sears did have the MF top of the line planes, you just have to know what you are looking at. In fact i have a #9 I've been meaning to clean and tune up for the S&S but I just haven't got around to it.
And, in my experiences, sometimes I prefer the heavier feel, and other times I prefer the light nimble feel. Depending on what I'm doing. That's why I like having choices of planes to do the work. Heavier/thicker aint always better to me.
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - Mike Brady - 01-05-2017
The early Miller's Falls planes were very nicely made (better than Stanley) with two-piece lever caps and thick japanning and nickel plating that lasts forever. I had a #9 beauty early on, but honestly, that plane would not take a decent shaving. Maybe I wasn't too savvy at that time, but I sold it. There have been some real fans of MF planes on this forum over the years. I hope yours works out.
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - bandit571 - 01-05-2017
I happen to have a few of the M-F planes. On the 2-piece lever cap ones...I have never had one chatter.
I have a "Craftsman #3C" which is the same as my M-F No. 8.......The sears one has a "gold" logo in the one piece Lever cap.....I use either one, depending on which one is closet to my hand.
I have a Mohawk-Shelburne #4 sized plane, and it works just the same as my No. 9, Type 2.
The two jack planes are also nice, the No. 11 is used the most, and the No. 14 is more of a long smoother.
Quite happy with these planes, and the Stanleys I also have...
[attachment=822]
If you can pick them out from here...
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - Timberwolf - 01-06-2017
(01-05-2017, 10:46 AM)Admiral Wrote: The "right" MF planes are the equal of Stanley, generally those with the two piece lever cap and frog adjustment screw. Lots were made, but not as many as Stanley, by far, but when I find them in good shape I pick them up. MF also made lines of lesser quality planes, which were not as finely finished as their top of the line and lacked certain features; some were marked MF, others Sears, Montgomery Ward, and other third party names, but I know for certain that Sears did have the MF top of the line planes, you just have to know what you are looking at. In fact i have a #9 I've been meaning to clean and tune up for the S&S but I just haven't got around to it................................
The "right" MF planes are the equal of Stanley, generally those with the two piece lever cap and frog adjustment screw.
...........................
I have a MF 3 and 5 size that I prefer over any Stanley I have ever owned.
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - Skip J. - 01-06-2017
(01-05-2017, 09:56 AM)JimReed@Tallahassee Wrote: Good observation. Most users stick to Stanleys, but there are many non Stanley diamonds in the rough just like the one you found. For years my go to #7 jointer was a Miller Falls Craftsman. It was a joy to use and I giggled when I thought about what a bargain it was.
My best metal planes are a #4.5 size, a #5 size and a #7 size Craftsman. The #5 size is a wartime with a plastic adjuster wheel. None of them had a single problem that needed work to use them. The chip breakers fit to the blades, and the lever caps fit to the cb's.
I don't have any pre-war Stanley's. I have a #4 from the late '50's or early '60's from my FIL's estate. It is almost NOS. He was a painter that used it very occasionally on windows and doors. It is out of square in every dimension. I've got it close to good now with my belt sander and I may put it in service for the first time to see if it works. But I use my coffin smoother and don't see a reason to change, except the personal connection.
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - C. in Indy - 01-10-2017
Here is my latest joy, the next-to-free "Sears Red" plane made by Millers Falls, heavy-cast, especially around the rear tote.
I used my trusty strip-sander to back-flatten the blade a bit and set a new grind. Also I just slightly touched the landing-pads on the frog. When done, this is a plane that works! While this piece of wood looks harmless, it's quartersawn and the grain reverses ramp-directions down the length. Not every plane I have can deal with that. Now I guess I should quit tool-fiddling and make something again.
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/C66RUPPEL/Sears_MF_Plane_zpsm2erctnx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Sears_MF_Plane_zpsm2erctnx.jpg"/>
Happy woodworking,
Chris
RE: Millers Falls equiv's for Thick-Cast Stanley Smoothers - Skip J. - 01-16-2017
(01-10-2017, 05:44 PM)C. in Indy Wrote: Here is my latest joy, the next-to-free "Sears Red" plane made by Millers Falls, heavy-cast, especially around the rear tote.
I used my trusty strip-sander to back-flatten the blade a bit and set a new grind. Also I just slightly touched the landing-pads on the frog. When done, this is a plane that works! While this piece of wood looks harmless, it's quartersawn and the grain reverses ramp-directions down the length. Not every plane I have can deal with that. Now I guess I should quit tool-fiddling and make something again.
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/C66RUPPEL/Sears_MF_Plane_zpsm2erctnx.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Sears_MF_Plane_zpsm2erctnx.jpg"/>
Happy woodworking,
Chris
Hi Chris;
My Craftsman handles don't look anywhere near that good, did you refinish the handle????