Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Sargent Plane ID
John Richard
>I have recently acquired a Sargent #418, about 18 in long with a grooved face. I have not been able to find any references for Sargent, and was wondering if the grooved face has a specific purpose, and does that affect the purpose of the plane itself.
john richard
simeonzera
Re: Sargent Plane ID
Richard Gillespie
>As I understand it, Sargent & Company was a New England tool making company. They ceased making hand planes in the mid 1960's. Under their brand name they competed with Stanley and others for that market.
The grooves on the sole of the plane were meant to reduce the friction drag on the plane. They also make it easier to flatten the sole. In my experience, the cast iron used by Sargent was some of the hardest I've found.
Sargent also made many of the Craftsman planes now found in the used market.
Do a google search and you'll find catalogs that will give you much more information.
Re: Sargent Plane ID
Mike Fitterling
>A 418 Sargent is the same as a Stanley 6C foreplane according to the "Benchplane Cross Reference" article in the BP Articles section.
Re: Sargent Plane ID
walt quadrato
>Sargent was made in New Haven CT. Comparable to any of the Stanley products..their low end series was the "Hercules" series..like the Stanley Handyman line. That's a nice fore plane you have, tune it up and enjoy. I wish someone would do a type study on this brand.
walt q
type study
Dennis
>Well is a book that is now out of print,was $20 that now goes for big bucks on the bay.
Sargent & Company Planes Identification and Value Guide
David E. Heckel is the auther.
Maybe MJD will do another reprint but from all reports is good book on sargents.
Sargents,the VBM's are still a great buy for us users and the one's i have i won't part with. If your really looking a Fulton made by sargent is really a good buy.
Dennis
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Heckel Sargent Book
Bill Ward
>Dave Heckel's Sargent book is a great resource with lots of background and dating info. I bought one from Dave about a year and a half ago after he acquired some overstock. He was charging $40 back then. You might try to track Dave down to see if he still has any left. VBM stands for Very Best Made. Dave also has a relatively new book on Stanley #45's. Probably the best reference to date. Dave attends some of the big tool shows.
By the way, I think the common term for the grooved bottoms is "corrugated." The Stanley corrugated sole planes often get slightly higher prices that smooth bottoms. The usefulness of the corrugations is widely debated though I admit to going for corrugate myself.