Re: MF No 7 or MF 07 ??? *LINKS*
William Duffield, on the Cohansey
>The Millers Falls numbering system can be a bit confusing to the neophyte, especially in this case. Do you have a No. 7 bench plane (about 8" long) similar to a Stanley #2, or do you have a number 07 skew rabbet block plane, similar to a Stanley #140?
MF Bench planes are described here: http://www.public.coe.edu/~rroeder/main/bench/benchtable.htm
MF Block planes are described here: http://www.public.coe.edu/~rroeder/main/blok/blok01.htm
The Stanley #140 is described here: http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan12.htm#num140
I suspect from your description that you have the skew rabbet block plane, which is a very useful plane. Note that there as two screws that allow you to remove the right side plate, thus exposing the right side of the blade, allowing it it to be used to make rabbets, trim tenons, and even raise panels.
Also, you will note that it does not have a lateral blade adjuster. Precisely maintaining the skew angle at which the bevel-up blade is ground is very important to the proper performance of the plane in rabbet mode. A couple of months ago, Derek Cohen did a review of the new Veritas MKII honing guide, and also provided some additional information on using it to easily keep the #140 blade angle correct.
Note also that you should keep the side plate in place when you are not using it in rabbet mode, as the front of the sole flexes, and is a bit fragile without the plate in place.