Hi, all, been many months since I was here last! I think since I was last logged on I got married, took over the family farm in Pittston, Maine, and have been generally livin’ large (insert “Enzyte” whistling here).
Today I bought one of these No. 78s for 20 bucks. A bit rusty but everything works. I thought I done good, and still do, though I discover while surfing for info that I’m missing a cutting spur and adjustable fence. That doesn’t bother me because I bought it more for its bullnose function just now.
But can anybody point me to where I might buy the missing parts in case I want to use them in future?
Replies
Sure can! The Stanley parts website. The first time I went there I was amazed by the amount of replacement parts they still make. Nice score BTW.
-Ryan C.
EDIT: Here's the site for the 78; http://stores.stanleytools.com/Planes/Rabbet%20Planes/12-078%20Duplex%20Rabbet/
Edited 3/10/2007 1:30 pm ET by RyanC
Cft3,
Good find! I think you'll have fun with that plane -- it's definitely underrated, which accounts for the fact that the prices have remained reasonable. You will certainly eventually want the spur and depth stop. If you keep your eyes peeled at flea markets, you might actually find them on a rustier plane, even cheaper than buying the parts separately.
My local old tools dealer recently told me that he can get more money for the parts of a #78 than he can for a complete plane.
-Andy
Thanks, guys! - Oh, and since I missed the "where does your screen name come from?" thread - my whole name is Charles Franklin Thorne, III; when I initial stuff at work it's cft3. My nickname, which I invariably go by, is Chad.
Is that THE Pittston Farm? Beautiful place...
Edited 3/10/2007 4:26 pm ET by beachfarm
Is that THE Pittston Farm? Beautiful place...
Nope, its the farm in Pittston. Pittston Farm is quite a bit north of me, and I believe it's what we in Maine call an unincorporated township; the town of Pittston is about 15 mi. SE of Augusta. Still beautiful, though!
"Still beautiful, though!"Indeed.
Chad,
Highland Woodworking is also a good source for plane parts. http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=674 lists both the depth stop and the spur you are looking for. I was given an old 78 several years ago. Tuned it up and it is a sweet plane.
Good Luck, George
You don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard
Wow, George, thanks! Not only did you provide a link you actually searched the parts out for me! Looks like for about 35 bucks I can get all the parts I need and have a complete #78 for about 55 bones, maybe half of what they seem to be getting on Ebay for 'em. Cool! Thanks again.
Edited 3/10/2007 6:47 pm ET by cft3
Interesting that they make you buy a lever cap along with the depth stop. Not sure how it's logical that if you've lost one, you've lost the other <grin>. I have a 78 knock-off that cuts sweet as can be, except the fence isn't 90° to the sole, so some technique to be learned to overcome that problem.
I corresponded with Mr. White about the glitch, and he wasn't sure the fence would really be effective anyway, seems like especially for shallow rabbets there might not be enough bearing surface to work. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I have my grandfather's 78, still quite sharp and usable. One of the spur points appears to be broken (it is shourter and does not touch the wood) but the other 3 are good and they seem to be able to be rotated -- is that right?
I have not yet used mine. WHat did you do to tune yours?
ALso, how does the depth stop work? I seem to be missing mine.
Edited 3/11/2007 3:08 am ET by Joe Sullivan
Joe,
Take a look at Patrick's Blood and Gore (online Stanley reference with some humorous commentary) to see the depth stop. Once you see it, it is self-explanatory how it works.There is not much involved in tuning a 78. One issue that comes up is the squareness of the rabbet. A slight bend in the bar supporting the fence can cause problems. Or the fence can be off-square vertically. Sharpen the blade, align it, and set it to take a thin shaving. Then make a test rabbet. If the rabbet comes out square, you're all set.The real "tune-up" to a 78 was Record's revision to the plane, with two bars connecting the fence. I'm still looking for one.
-Andy
I'll do it. Thanks.
Joe
An internet search revealed that Irwin is marketing the former Record 778 as the Irwin Record 778, at least in the UK. Price has gone up though.
Likewise new Stanley 78's are available.
Joe
One of the spur points appears to be broken (it is shourter and does not touch the wood) but the other 3 are good and they seem to be able to be rotated -- is that right? That is normal. The short fourth point is for when you don't want to use the spur. Not much to tuning - clean it up, flatten the sole, flatten the back of the blade and sharpen the blade.
GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->
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Aha, thanks. I went and looked, and see what you mean. I guess my nicker is in order. Does that make me a horse?
Now I just need to the depth apparatus.
Hi Joe,
One should always have their nickers in order, and razor sharp as well!
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Hmmmm. Well....
J
Any suggestions as to how to fettle these planes other than the obvious, i.e. flatten the sole.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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