I need help with a Stanley 78

[Glen Canaday]

My Craftsman model has a little 'tongue' at the front. The blade has a 619 number on it. Do you know if that is the Sargent designation?

jtk

Yes. 619 was Sargent (now ARPS corp, whatever that is), 107 was MF and 187 was (is?) Stanley.

[steven c newman]

That little "tongue" is what Sargent cast on their version of the 78. Millers Falls used a different pattern on the tote part of the casting than Stanley...otherwise the same style.

[Stewie Simpson]

The Stanley #78 is still an excellent plane to use despite its early vintage; the one I have is the Duplex model with the built in depth adjuster. Mine doesn't have the depth stop, but I don't find that a real issue. More importantly, the iron and knicker that's in service need to be sharp; the adjustable fence is set to match the required width of the rebate; and that you always work the depth of rebate with the grain.

[Jim Koepke]

Howdy Stewie,

Do you always use the #78 with two blades?

To the best of my knowledge they originally come with one blade and one lever cap.

jtk

[Stewie Simpson]

Jim; I use the rear cutter (only) as it is in close proximity to the knicker (spur); the front cutter is set far forward to take any advantage of the spur's important role. An improvement in Duplex design would have seen 2 knickers in place; positioned slightly forward of the cutting edge on each iron. Attached are the instructions for the Stanley # 78 Duplex plane; within it notes the primary role of the front cutter. When the rebate is "stopped", or does not go the full length of the work, the Cutter should be fitted in the forward position in the Plane Body. http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~f...anley-078.html

Stewie;

[Glen Canaday]

I am going to try that with my MF. I have two irons and two lever caps. The second set were supposed to go to a restore, but that looks like an awesome idea.

But it might be a dumb idea. I'll find out tonight after work.

[Stewie Simpson]

The depth adjustment lever on the Stanley#78 was introduced in 1925.

Stewie;

[Glen Canaday]

I am going to try that with my MF. I have two irons and two lever caps. The second set were supposed to go to a restore, but that looks like an awesome idea.

But it might be a dumb idea. I'll find out tonight after work.

I tried it. It was horrible. It just made the plane harder to push and without a depth adjument lever on the front, it was only possible to adjust either by hand or with a hammer. I shelved the idea.