Block & Specialty Models 45 through 67

Much of the information provided below is derived from a study of Millers Falls catalogs. Please realize that the collection used as a resource is not comprehensive and that M-F catalog copy could be astonishingly inaccurate. Understand that the Stanley equivalents listed are what might be termed "close matches" and that some details of the planes are not necessarily identical.

No. 45

Adjustable Block Plane

Equipped with cam-lock cap and screw-type depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at twenty degrees. Finger grips machined into cheeks. Body is black-enameled. Earlier production features rosewood knob—tropical hardwood comes later. A smaller version of the no. 75.

1. 1929—cam-lock cap is painted red.
2. by 1936—as above, but cam-lock cap is painted black. Model number and manufacturer's name stamped on left cheek.
3. by 1949—knob is now attached to body by an externally visible screw.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 45	No. 203	5 1/2 inches	1 3/8 inches	1929	1964

No. 46

Adjustable Low Angle Block Plane

Equipped with an adjustable throat, cam-lock cap, and screw-type depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at twelve degrees. Finger grips machined into cheeks. Body is black-enameled. Although catalog illustration depicts black enamel, cap is nickel plated. Identical to the early no. 56 save for plating on cap.

1. 1929—manufacturer's name cast into bed in front of adjustment knob.
2. by 1936—as above, but manufacturer's name stamped on left cheek rather than cast into bed. Model number stamped on left cheek.

Millers Falls used the same illustration for the low-angled nos. 46 and 56. The author has done so as well. Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 46	No. 60	6 inches	1 3/8 inches	1929	1942

No. 47

Adjustable Low Angle Block Plane

Equipped with an adjustable throat and screw-type depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at twelve degrees. Fitted with nickel-plated, knuckle-joint lever cap. Finger grips machined into cheeks. Body is black-enameled.

Jointed lever caps, prone to unlock with careless use, were referred to as "knuckle busters" by generations of woodworkers. Identical to no. 57 save for knuckle-joint cap.

1. 1929—manufacturer's name cast into bed in front of adjustment knob. Trademark stamped on lower front of lever cap.
2. by 1936—trademark disappears from lever cap. Manufacturer's name is now stamped on left cheek rather than cast into bed. Model number stamped on left cheek.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 47	No. 65	7 inches	1 5/8 inches	1929	by June 1948

No. 55

Adjustable Block Plane

A small plane equipped with a wheel-type cap clamp, and lever-type depth adjustment. Sides are not milled. Iron is bedded at twenty degrees. Body is black-enameled. Similar to No. 5 but with depth adjuster.

1. 1929—cap is painted red. Manufacturer's name and model number cast into bed around button.
2. by 1936—as above, but manufacturer's name no longer cast into bed. Cap is painted black.
3. by 1956—model number no longer cast into bed.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 55	No. 103	5 1/2 inches	1 3/8 inches	1929	1960

Nos. 56, 56B (Low Angle)

Adjustable Low Angle Block Plane

Equipped with adjustable throat, cam-lock cap, and screw-type depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at twelve degrees. Finger grips machined into cheeks. Body is black-enameled.

1. 1929—cam-lock cap is painted red. Manufacturer's name cast into bed in front of adjustment knob.
2. by 1936—as above, but cam-lock cap is painted black. Manufacturer's name stamped on left cheek rather than cast into bed. Model number stamped on left cheek.
3. 1966—as above, but screw-type depth adjustment engages one of three holes in redesigned cutter. Plane is stamped 56B.
4. by 1976—the knob on the depth adjustment is now made of plastic.

Millers Falls used the same illustration for the low-angled nos. 56 and 57. The author has done so as well. Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 56	No. 60 1/2	6 inches	1 3/8 inches	1929	1976

No. 56 (Standard Angle)

Adjustable Block Plane

Equipped with an adjustable throat, cam-lock cap, lateral adjustment lever, post-and-wheel depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at twenty degrees. Finger grips machined into cheeks.

A generic plane generic plane made elsewhere and purchased by for resale by Millers Falls ad others. Adhesive label applied to bottom edge of cap identifies it as sold by Millers Falls. The plane was released in a variety color combinations. Black and navy-blue bodies have been observed, as have black, gray, red, and navy blue cam-lock caps.

Illustration from 1979 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 56	No. 17	7 inches	1 5/8 inches	1976	after 1984

No. 57

Adjustable Low Angle Block Plane

Equipped with adjustable throat, cam-lock cap, and screw-type depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at twelve degrees. Finger grips machined into cheeks. Body is black-enameled.

1. 1929—cam-lock cap is painted red. Manufacturer's name cast into bed in front of adjustment knob.
2. by 1936—as above, but cam-lock cap is painted black. Manufacturer's name stamped on left cheek. rather than cast into bed. Model number stamped on left cheek.

Millers Falls used the same illustration for the low-angled nos. 56 and 57. The author has done so as well.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 57	No. 65 1/2	7 inches	1 5/8 inches	1929	1964

Nos. 64, 65

Scraper Plane

Features an adjustable cutter holder. Body is black-enameled. Earlier production with cocobolo double-grip handle—hardwood comes later. No. 65 is identical to no. 64 but features a rosewood bottom.

The Millers Falls Company used a single illustration to depict both planes. The author as done so as well. Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 64	No. 12	6 1/4 inches	2 7/8 inches	1929	1942
No. 65	No. 12 1/2	6 1/4 inches	2 7/8 inches	1929	1942

No. 66

Adjustable Low Angle Block Plane

Equipped with nickel-plated cam-lock cap, and screw-type depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at twelve degrees. Finger grips machined into cheeks. Body is black-enameled. Earlier production features rosewood knob—tropical hardwood comes later. Was re-introduced, ca. 1956, as the no. 1455.

1. 1929—nickel-pated cam-lock cap. Manufacturer's name and model number cast into bed at rear of the plane.
2. by 1936—as above, but cam-lock cap is painted black. Manufacturer's name and model number stamped on left cheek rather than cast into bed.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 66	No. 61	6 inches	1 3/8 inches	1929	1943

No. 67

Open-Throat Router

Includes an attachment to close the throat for use on narrow surfaces. Cutter can be reversed for bull nose work. Earlier models shipped with 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch cutters. Shipped with additional pointed cutter (1/2 inch wide) and fence by 1949.

1. 1929—nickel-plated frame, rosewood knobs.
2. by 1936—knobs now mahogany-finished hardwood
3. ca. 1941—frame and knobs are now painted black
4. ca. 1950—frame again nickel-plated; mahogany-finished knobs return.
5. by 1956—frame now painted gray and knobs painted black.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 67	No. 71	7 1/2 inches	N/A	1929	1964

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