I stumbled upon this earlier this week. Nothing fancy, but it beckoned me, "take me home. take me home."

Thanks for your undivided attention. Donations always accepted at "Save the Plane-you sentimental, senile old tool fool."

 

Millers-Falls #5~ 814B Smoothing Plane. ca. 1966-1974 as picked...$15 + 7% State of Indiana "buyer tax." The Phillips screw heads and painted tote & knob probably

make it around 1967-68??? The lever cap may have initially been painted black??? The decal is not like the Mohawk-Shelburne so may have been a hardware retailer label?

It is cast with Made in USA behind the frog which indicates the plane body may have been an early '66 or previous carry over 814 then the "B" added????

 

From what I've learned the 814B first appeared ~1966 and was discontinued ~1974 being replaced by 9814...This plane has variations of an earlier version 814 but also

has features consistent with the V(value) Line or Economy homeowner version but inconsistent in that regard with the red frog and permanent stamp of model number.

 

Lack of polishing on the sole & sides are consistent with the '67-68 & later time frame rather a 

 

 

 

Phillips head screws for the frog also indicate no earlier than 1966 as does the gray painted body and red frog.

 

Only other marking on the plane is the C116 cast into the backside of the lever cap. No evidence of black paint bleeding over from from though??? The cap iron is

more consistent with the value line but they were discontinued prior to the "B" series. It does resemble somewhat the 9814 which was produced after 1974.

 

Iron is stamped with Made in the USA, but no tri-angle. Some had no markings on the iron, others only the Millers-Falls trademark tri-angle but without any date.

 

Chip-breaker is consistent with an 814B of the '66-'74 era.  Needs cleaned but make full contact on the iron and not bent. 

 

Iron has been re-sharpened; will need some work to get the proper angle and square to edge again. Good test for my new M-Power, Fasttrack sharpening system.

 

It does look like the lever cap has been painted black??? Red frog and non-recessed, non-plated steel adjustment knob is also consistent with a later Type 5, 814(B)

The tote (& knob) are hardwood, but painted black.

 

In all honesty, this plane appears to be some "hybrid" from M-F...M-F was noted for using all parts especially as models changed. It has parts that might be from the end of the run

of the Value line in the early 1960's, later Type 5 814B parts as well as early type 5 parts. It truly appears someone at M-F cleaned out parts bins until they were used up, then began

with new runs.

 

If warm weather ever returns where my tongue doesn't stick to the plane body, this one will be fun making into a user. The frog should be robust enough to support a

thicker iron & chip breaker.

 

Thanks for looking...

Interesting write up, very informative.  Out of curiosity why the lack of polishing?  Cost cutting measure or something else?

 

19 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Lack of polishing on the sole & sides are consistent with the '67-68 & later time frame

 

14 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Interesting write up, very informative.  Out of curiosity why the lack of polishing?  Cost cutting measure or something else?

 

 

From my understanding, yes it simply was a cost reduction measure. By the late 70's hand planes were falling out of "favor" and usage especially by the general contractor and the average home owner, DIY'er.

 

Power tools were then much more affordable and produced in mass. Hand tools such as planes lost their following except for purists. By the late 80's M-F was out of business...Stanley still produced some planes marketed by themselves and branded for others (Craftsman, Montgomery Wards, 'til their demise). You won't see a hand plane of any quality at any of the BB's today.

 

Stanley has resurrected their "Sweetheart" brand which are mid-range priced. I've only seen them at Woodcraft or Rockler or on-line.  They and others have their own branded planes too which are middle of road like the Stanley's. Good planes for the average woodworker but if you want a high quality, heirloom plane, like LN, Veritas or others, it's gonna cost you today.

thanks for the very interesting write up Gramps...

Nice write up on some plane history I had never heard. Oh by the way do you lick planes when you are rehabbing ?

12 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Oh by the way do you lick planes when you are rehabbing ?

Not if it's cold...bad things can happen

13 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Nice write up on some plane history I had never heard.

Can't take credit for any of the knowledge...just regurgitating what I learned from THIS site. Volumes of in-depth information about Millers-Falls planes.

 

Also HOME to Millers-Falls (Goodell-Pratt too) in general. I've learned a lot from both. Very well done, researched and compiled. Best I've found for M-F tools.

Nice plane, Gramps. Cleaning it up and getting it back into fighting shape should be fun. I don't see any roadblocks unless a screw boss is stripped. I'll be a nice user when it is done.

Had to take my wife to beauty parlor.  Dropped in here for a look around.

 

 

 

 

So based on what I have learned thus far, this probably is not what I am looking for?

 

59 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

So based on what I have learned thus far, this probably is not what I am looking for?

Actually I seen a few guys on You-Tube take one of those, tune them, properly flatten & sharpen the irons ultimately getting some pretty amazing results considering the money spent.

Not to mention they got a free flashlite or tarp or moving blanket or multi-meter or screwdriver set or tape measure or???

34 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

considering the money spent.

Neighbor brought me one he found in a box of junk at a house he cleaned out.  He said it was inside a HF bag so when I went today I looked to see if this was indeed that one.  Is in good condition but I doubt I could use a plane of any kind with repetion.  My wrist would be very unhappy about this exercise.  The doctor on the other hand will be more than happy to have me pay for another series of treatments.

Edited February 24, 20196 yr by Woodbutcherbynight

2 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

take one of those, tune them, properly flatten & sharpen the irons ultimately getting some pretty amazing results considering the money spent.

why essentially rebuild a poor grade new item and try to make it something it isn't...

47 minutes ago, Stick486 said:

why essentially rebuild a poor grade new item and try to make it something it isn't...

the challenge

26 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

the challenge

there are many more other challenges out there that are way more worth the effort...

 

like I said..

what for???

Edited February 25, 20196 yr by Stick486

Have had that Windsor No. 33.....it is about the same size as a stanley #3....I also reground the iron into a 3" radius.....turned it into a nice scrub plane.    At the time, it was only $9.95.....price has gone up a lot since.    H-F also sells a #4 and a block plane combo......avoid that at all costs...

 

A fellow named Stumpy Nubs had a how-to video out, about how to  transform the Windsor #33 into a scrub plane...

16 hours ago, steven newman said:

A fellow named Stumpy Nubs had a how-to video out, about how to  transform the Windsor #33 into a scrub plane...

I'd forgotten about his video. He gave it a good review for that purpose considering the low investment cost and minimal time spent.

Menard's sells one nearly identical IIRC correctly for $14.99??? Maybe $17.99...well it was something .99

Menard's sells a Stanley SB4....about all it is worth IS $.99....for handles.   There was a Great Neck No. 4 there....was.  

20 minutes ago, steven newman said:

There was a Great Neck No. 4 there....was.

Was it adopted locally?

Nope....