Replies

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Mar 19, 2007 04:14pm | #1

   I'm not sure of the model but about 6 months ago I finally gave up on my 50 year old MF plane. I could not tune it so it worked to my satisfaction. (My fault, I'm sure, not the plane.) It certainly seems the price is right.

   Frosty

1. 
   user-83153 | Mar 19, 2007 04:22pm | #2

   Frosty,

     Which model did you have? I did some research and it seems that MF made three classes of bench planes. They had their  top of the line model, a mid-grade and an economy line. The one that I have is from the mid-grade line.

      Rob

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Mar 19, 2007 04:50pm | #3

   RobIt is a Model 15, which I suspect refers to the length of the sole - which is 15". I suspect it is a mid, or low grade. When I got married (1953) I asked one of my contractor customers to buy me a basic set of tools at his price. (I reimbursed him.) I got the plane, some chisels, a hammer and a saw. As he bought items for his construction carpenters, I doubt the tools were top-of-the-line. But they served me well on MANY home projects.Frosty

2. 
   forestgirl | Mar 19, 2007 07:07pm | #4

   Our Mr. John White (FWW Shop Manager) knows quite a bit about the older planes such as Millers Falls, Sargent, Craftsman.  Do you belong to the FWW.com subscription group?  If so, you can go over to As The Experts and drop him a note via a new thread.  Or, perhaps he'll see this thread and respond!

   Here's a link to info on Millers Falls planes:
   http://www.oldtoolheaven.com/bench/benchtypes.htm

   I'm just starting to tackle restoring old planes and using them, and they don't have to be Stanley's to work well.  I have a Craftsman #5 (that's the size of your plane) and a Craftsman rabbet/filletster plane that both work well.  A Stanley block plane.  These are all in working order now.  A Sarget #4 to be fettled, and a Stanley #4 on its way in the mail, 'cause a friend couldn't stand the idea of my using a Sargent, ROFL. 

   Nothin' wrong with saving money as long as the plane works!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/19/2007 12:16 pm by forestgirl

3. 
   JohnWW | Mar 19, 2007 08:14pm | #5

   Rob,

   I'm not as familiar with Millers Falls planes as I am with some other brands, they aren't that common, but the few I have seen and worked with were basically identical in construction to Stanley and Sargent planes and as well made.  They are certainly a good user plane and worth buying especially if they are less expensive than the same size Stanley.  

   Tuning them up would entail the same procedures you would use on any other Bailey style plane.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine 

4. 
   nicobie | Mar 19, 2007 08:52pm | #6

   Hi Rob,

    

   I have had a few Millers Falls planes like you have pictured.

    

   When sharpened they worked fine.

    

5. 
   jeff100 | Mar 19, 2007 11:30pm | #7

   I have been buying used hand planes from Ebay and have bought two Millers Falls planes because they are reputed to be just as good as Stanley planes and are a "little" cheaper. I'm NOT comparing these to the Bedrock planes, just the standard older Stanley planes, so please, nobody go crazy on me. The planes I have bought and am using are the #14 and the #22C. Here is a link to a table for conversion model numbers comparing MF to Stanley model numbers.

   http://www.oldtoolheaven.com/bench/benchtable.htm

   Mine are tuned up and I have replaced the blades with Lie Nielsen replacement blades. They work just fine, I use them regularly in spite of owning Veritas planes as well. I love mine. As a side note, I just bought a Craftsman Rabbet plane in like new shape, it compares to a Stanley No. 78 rabbet plane, and in fact I like the handle on the Craftsman better than the Stanley. I tuned it and sharpened the stock blade and it works like a dream. I wish I'd know the collector market is ignoring the old Craftsman planes, my understanding is they are old Sargent planes and are decent quality, you can buy them on Ebay for a song. No matter, I'm glad to have my Millers Falls planes and have learned a lot about tool history.

6. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 20, 2007 04:03am | #8

   Hi Rob,

   I restored a Millers Falls #9 plane that my dad had.  It was in pretty rough shape, i.e.  lots of patina, AKA rust!  I've got it back to nearly new condition and I love it and it's all original. 

   At some point, budget permitting, I would like to try out a Lee Valley, Hock, or Lie Nielsen blade to see the difference.

   Regards,

    

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   user-83153 | Mar 20, 2007 04:46am | #9

   Thanks to all of you who have responded so far. Your enthusiasm for these planes has me really excited about getting this tool and getting it in working shape. I hope it is in as good of shape as it appears to be in the pictures.

                     Rob

7. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 20, 2007 06:15am | #10

   Rob, ya did good, now clean her up and get a good iron, chip breaker and you are in business . You probably could not buy that new today in worse quality for less than $80/90 , Enjoy, Paddy

   EDIT-Just looked again at the pics, it has a split cap like the Record "stay-put" cap, very nice. I doubt that it was the cheapo model. pfh

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/19/2007 11:28 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Mar 20, 2007 05:48pm | #11

   Paddy,

   My #9 also has the split cap and am wondering what the advantage of it is?

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

    

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Mar 20, 2007 07:00pm | #12

   Bob et al., it is their copy of the Record design to apply full and even pressure thus reducing chatter. Today you can get two piece chip breakers made by Clifton from Highland Woodworking (see Hand planes and accessories pages 20/21) .

   I have several Cliftons and I like the concept. so I put their  breaker on most of my frequently used Bailey's and Bed Rocks to good effect. Not earth shattering differences but better than the old stock. I used the new  Hock breaker and iron on a #608 and the LN #5½ came with their new breaker and they work good as well. All the best, Paddy