I just got this hand plane from a friend & I don’t know much about it. I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on if it’s a good plane or not, or anything else they might know. I am currently cleaning it up and tuning it up – it was pretty grody. I’ll post a picture of it later if anyone wants to see it.
It is a 9″ plane and the blade has “Metal Products Corp” & “West Haven” over a diamond that contains the word “Parplus”. I can get more info if it will help. Thanks for your thoughts.
Edited 2/26/2009 10:04 am ET by Eireannach
Replies
Not one I've heard of, but that doesn't mean much. This will bump up the tread to give some of the very knowledgeable folks around here a chance to show off.
I have done a bit more research & it seems to be a #3 smoother plane, but I still don't know a whole lot about Parplus planes - it seems like they are copies of Stanley planes. Anyone know anything else?
The "Directory of American Toolmakers" lists the "Metal Products Corp" as a maker of metal planes and plane irons from West Haven, Ct. (but I guess you knew that allready). It gives no dates or other information. That's an interesting find and one that I've never seen or heard of and when the DAT entry is that sketchy it must be obscure.
I got a Parplus plane in a box lot an an auction 8 or 10 years ago. It was a smoother size and the most distinquishing feature about the plane was that it had a stamped steel frog. I didn't try to tune or use the plane because of the poor prospects of the frog. I took it all apart and the plane body/sole sits on a shelf in my shop intended to be a project to stuff some sort of infill wood into it <<<<some day>>>>.
I have heard of one or two guys spending time to tune a plane like this and I believe one posted that he got acceptable results.
Not much value to these things.
T.Z.
Parplus
I also have one of these from my father in-law, and just got done cleaning and tuning
pretty happy with the results
Just picked one up on ebay, seller didn't know which manufacturer, was pretty rusted on the surface. During cleaning I discovered the Parplus label on the iron. The fixed frog kind of threw me as I'd never seen one like that. Went ahead and tuned it up and am pleasantly surprised with the results. Fixed frog appears to be accurately machined, iron is good steel, getting very nice smooth, thin shavings. the blade controls are opposite of Stanley/Bailey/Miller Falls. Clockwise pulls the iron back while counterclockwise increases depth of cut. Different, but effective in this design. Pretty pleased with results.
Acckkk! I don't know if I could handle reverse depth controls!
Can anyone help identify this plane? It was in my dad’s toolbox and I would love to use it, but it’s missing parts and I don’t know the manufacturer. Any insight would be appreciated!
I first thought this was a Millers Falls, but it isn't. The adjustment knob is a Stanley style. The striations on the side and the red frog and the grey paint indicate to me that it may be a Craftsman plane, probably made by Stanley. The initials on the base are most likely from a previous owner.
The fellow at Time Tested Tools might be able to help.
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