Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

7/7/05, 9:59 PM #1

George
Guest

Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

George@Colonel's Workshop-Havertown PA

>Good Evening Friends,

I am restoring a #78 Rabbet/Bullnose plane which I acquired recently, and intend to give it to my #3 son. I have a similar plane in my Neanderthal Shrine shop area. Mine has no lever, and is not configured to have one. My son's plane is equipped with one, and it works very well--a clever lever. I am curious about when Stanley decided to incorporate the lever into the #78. I got this plane for $5 at a flea market, and have ordered replacement depth guage and fence from Stanley to complete the tool.

George

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

7/7/05, 10:10 PM #2

William Duffield, on the Cohansey
Guest

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>They added the lever in 1925. The #78 was built from 1884 to 1984. There are other clues that could refine this plane's date ever further, including patent dates cast in the body and fish scales on the handle.

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

7/8/05, 1:05 AM #3

George
Guest

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

George@Colonel's Workshop-Havertown PA

>Good Evening William,

I am not able to closely examine the fish scales because of glaucoma. However, when Ken examines the plane after I give it to him, maybe we can get back to you for more guidance. Thanks.

George

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

7/8/05, 1:35 AM #4

William Duffield, on the Cohansey
Guest

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>Or you can go to anyone with John Walter's book on Stanley Tools. It's all in there. Here is a rundown of his notes on the characteristics and dates. The Type 1 was made from 1884 to 1901. Its handle was a completely different shape than later planes. It had two horns, like an old saw handle, instead of only an upper horn. It also had two pattent dates cast in the body. The fish tail pattern was cast in the sides of the handles beginning in 1909, to improve the grip, I assume. The cutter adjustment lever and matching notches in the back of the blade were added in 1925. That's all the dating information I have available. Evidently not a lot of changes were made to this simple, utilitarian plane over the years.

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

7/8/05, 8:52 AM #5

paul womack
Guest

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

paul womack

>...have ordered replacement depth guage and fence from Stanley to complete the tool.

IIRC I'm afraid some modern parts won't fit a tool that old.

BugBear

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

7/8/05, 1:47 PM #6

George
Guest

Re: Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

George@Colonel's Workshop-Havertown PA

>Good Morning Bug Bear,

Well, I am hopeful that the Stanley replacement parts will fit my son's plane, which is the younger of the two as evidenced by the lever. Further, I am mindful that Stanley parts ordered 15 years ago for my older #78, fit perfectly. Finally, one of my Air Force bosses told me that "assumptions kill ya". So true, so you may be right! :<)

George

Stanley #78 Iron Positioning Lever

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