Craftsman Planes
The first Craftsman plane produced for Sears was supplied by the Sargent Co. in 1928. The first Millers Falls Craftsman plane was in spring 1933. Both Millers Falls and Sargent would supply the finest planes under the Craftsman name for many decades. From the lists below, you will see all the different models produced by both companies. They are listed by the Millers Falls number and the corresponding Craftsman number with a date range. From this list, there may be periods when only Sargent made a particular model and other times when only Millers Falls produced the model. There is a strong possibility what both Millers Falls and Sargent produced a model at the same time or a close crossover time. Looking at the trademark stamp, features on the bench plane lever cap and known features on Millers Falls plane can put the plane in a known time range. On five of the bench planes, the catalog number changed in the fall 1943 to the spring of 1944. One year later the numbers reverted back to the previous catalog numbers. I separated the one year change for each of the five models.
A special thanks to Greg Ricketts for his Craftsman Bench plane study that was used to cross-reference the Millers Falls to Craftsman. https://aplanelife.us/
Any numbers in red are a direct link to that plane.
No. 16 - #5255(1930-1934), #3704(1935-1943)(1947-1964), 37032(1964-1969)
No. 33 - #3705(1951-1964) **, #37037(1964-1969)
No. 36 - #5256(1930-1934), #3705(1935-1937)
No. 47 - #3732(1938-1943)(1945-1960)
No. 85 - #5326(1930-1934), #3730(1935-1943)(1944-1964), #37039(1964-1969)
** The No. 3705 was previously used on the 6” knuckle cap plane from 1935 to 1937.
No. 8 —- #3715 (1935 to 1939), #3741 (1939 to 1943)(1947 to 1954)
No. 9 —- #5264 (1928 to 1935), #3716 (1935 to 1939), #3742 (1939 to 1943)(1944 to 1964), #37034(1964 to 1969)
No. 9 —--#3721(1943 to 1944)
No. 9C — #5265 (1928 to 1935), #3722 (1935 to 1939), #3746 (1939 to 1943)
No. 14 — #5266 (1928 to 1935), #3717 (1935 to 1939), #3743 (1939 to 1943)(1944 to 1964), #37035(1964 to 1969)
No. 14 —-#3722(1943 to 1944)
No. 14C - #5267 (1928 to 1935), #3723 (1935 to 1939), #3747 (1939 to 1943)(1944 to 1955)
No. 14C - #3723(1943 to 1944)
No. 18 — #5268 (1928 to 1935), #3718 (1935 to 1939), #3744 (1939 to 1943), #37036(spring/summer1969)
No. 18C - #5269 (1928 to 1935), #3724 ( 1935 to 1939), #3748 (1939 to 1943)(1944 to 1964), #37036(1964 to 1969)
No. 18C - #3724(1943 to 1944)
No. 22 — #5270 (1928 to 1935), #3719 (1935 to 1939), #3745 (1939 to 1943)
No. 22C - #5271 (1928 to 1935), #3725 (1935 to 1939), #3749 (1939 to 1943)(1944 to 1959)
No. 22C - #3725(1943 to 1944)
Craftsman 3704 Block Plane
The 3704(1935-1943)(1947-1964) is a match to the No. 26 with a nickel cap before 1944 and a match to the No. 16 with a black cap after the 1947 second release. The early planes will have a folded lateral adjuster with a solid iron landing. The next timeline versions will have the disk lateral adjuster with a recessed iron landing. Planes after the 1947 date will have a black cap.
Both Millers Falls and Sargent produced this plane during the production time shown above. More examples are needed from both manufactures to establish when each of these manufacturers produced this plane.
Millers Falls version of an early Craftsman No. 3704
No. 3704
On the right is the Craftsman No. 3704. This is an early version with the folded lateral and the solid iron landing. The plane on the left is a Millers Falls No. 26.
Trademark with a Millers Falls "BB" OEM.
Craftsman 3732 Block Plane
The 3732(1938-1943)(1945-1960) is a match to the Millers Falls No. 47 low angle block plane. Millers Falls stopped producing the No.47 from their catalog in 1948. The Sears catalog continued to display this plane or one like it until the start of 1959. Did MF continue to produce this plane for only Sears, or did Sears turn to Stanley for their version after 1948? There is one stamp that Millers Falls used that could help answer this question.
Millers Falls would stamp a sub-set of their irons with a “C” or a “DD”. The “DD” was used before 1949 and the “C” when the STS iron was introduced in 1949. If a No. 3732 with a ‘C’ stamp on the iron can be found, this would be one indication that MF continued to made this plane for Sears after 1948.
Craftsman No. 3732 Low Angle Block Plane
Nickel lever cap
This picture shows the Craftsman No. 3732 in the foreground and the Millers Falls No. 47 in the background.
Craftsman trademark on the top of the iron with the "BB" OEM code. Just below the scratch marks is a "DD" letter stamp. The "DD" stamp was applied on the Millers Falls irons between 1936 and 1948. When MF changed their irons in 1949 to the ‘Solid Tool Steel’ trademark, the letter stamp changed to a "C". Any Craftsman No. 3732 plane with a "C" stamp will help date the plane.
Craftsman 107-37032 Block Plane
The 37032(1964-1969) is a copy of the Millers Falls No. 16 with a nickel lever cap. During the six years of production under the Craftsman brand, the plane had two different configurations with the same model number. The early version has the depth adjusting nut to advance or retract the iron. Around the 1965/1966 timeframe, the company decided to reduce costs by standardizing on producing only one style of iron for all block planes in production. The new irons will have three oval holes replacing the groves on the previous irons. The depth adjusting nut was also replaced with a depth adjusting screw to accommodate the new iron. The spring 1968 Sears catalog shows this change for the first time, but it was made two years earlier at the factory.
initial release of the 107-37032
Depth adjusting nut used to advance or retract the iron.
The early version of the 107-37032 will have a depth adjusting nut and a depth adjusting lever which will engage the grooves on the back of the iron.
Craftsman in the foreground with a nickel lever cap and the No. 16 Millers Falls with a black lever cap in the background.
It’s not clear if the Sears catalog was late to update their image of the plane, or there was a very large inventory of the old style. Just be aware of the two different styles when looking for this plane. Based on the illustrations in the Sears catalog, the 107-37032 was no longer sold by Sears after the summer 1969.
The iron on this plane will have the three oval holes for the adjustment.
Depth adjusting screw. Also note the lateral adjustment lever is below the screw.
Breakdown of the 107-37032 after the redesign of the adjustment mechanism. The frog was changed to accommodate the depth adjusting screw. Sears kept the same model number with this new configuration.
The 107-37032 is in the front and the MF 16C in the back. Both planes have no stamp on the iron.
Craftsman 3705 and107-37037 Block Plane
The 3705(1951-1964) and the 37037(1964 - 1969) are both modeled after the Millers Falls No. 33. The only difference between the two is that the 3705 was painted black and had a trademark stamp on the iron and the 37037 was painted red and gray and had no trademark on the iron.
No. 37037 with a gray body and red lever cap.
The 37037 was bed at 45 degrees with the iron bevel down.
Craftsman 3730 Rabbet and Fillister Plane
Sears introduced the fillister style plane in 1930. The Craftsman fillister plane would continue into the 1970’s, but for Millers Falls, they were out of the game by 1969. From the time Millers Falls introduced the No. 85 fillister until the end of production, the plane did not change in any way. So, to date a Craftsman, the trademark on the iron is the only means available to help date the plane.
The only way to date this plane is to look at the trademark on the iron.
The Millers Falls model never changed any feature except of their iron.
This trademark was used from 1934 to 1943.
Craftsman 107-37039 Rabbet and Fillister Plane
In the fall of 1964, Sears changed the model numbers on all the planes carried at Sears. The previous No. 3730 was renamed 37039. The Millers Falls version would have a 107 preceding the model number. The No. 37039 would continue through the summer 1970.
This plane not only has a box with the Millers Falls model number, but it also has the model number stamped on the side. Why is this important? Ever see a Millers Falls plane painted green?
The OEM code 107 identifies this plane as a Millers Falls
The early 37039 still used the slotted iron to adjust the depth shown on the left hand version. They did away with the slots all together on the later version shown on the right hand example. Also note the casting on the right does not have an adjustment slot and the 37039 is using flat thumb screws instead of the round thumb screws found on earlier No. 3730.
Craftsman 5264 and 5265C Bench Plane
Equivalent size as the No. 9 and 9C
Spring 1928 - Fall/Winter 1934/1935
The 5264/5265C planes was sold at Sears from 1928 through the fall/winter of 1934/1935. In the beginning, only Sargent manufactured this plane. We have examples that Millers Falls would close out the model for the last couple of years.
There are five Millers Falls versions of this plane I’ll show you. You will see how quickly features on this plane changed in two years. The spring/summer 1933 catalog shows a unique trademark stamp with two stars on either side of “Craftsman Tool” in a oval. This stamp will be the start of the timeline to show the changes to the first Millers Falls Craftsman bench plane until the end of this line in the fall/winter of 1934/1935.
On the earliest plane, the body has no casing number and no ribs on the bed under the knob. The cap has an inner ring with a gold background and a casting number of 398. The frog has a 317 casting number, a solid cast yoke, no yoke pin recess, and a folded lateral adjuster. No stamp is on the cheek.
Gold background with an inner ring lever cap.
Frog has a cast iron yoke, no yoke pin recess and no frog face recess. 1933 version.
Trademark is a match to the spring 1933 catalog. No stamp on the cheek.
This second version has the double star trademark on the iron. The frog has a cast iron yoke with the yoke pin recess on either side of the pin. No stamp is on the cheek. The Craftsman double star trademark was only sold between the spring 1933 thru the fall/winter of 1933/1934.
Gold background double ring lever cap and the double star trademark iron.
Frog has a cast iron yoke with the yoke pin recess . Spring 1933 thru fall/winter 1933/1934 version. No stamp on the cheek.
This third example is still in that twelve month window. This plane has no ribs on the bed under the knob. The frog has a folded lateral adjustment lever, no frog face relief, a yoke pin recess but now has a steel yoke. For the first time on a Craftsman bench plane the cheek is stamped with the size “4C”.
Gold background double ring lever cap and the double star trademark iron.
First time a stamp is on the cheek. The iron has the double star trademark.
This fourth example of the No. 5264 no longer has the double star trademark. The new trademark has the Craftman name with “Made In USA” and for the first time the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) stamp “BB” on the iron. This version still has the gold Craftsman lever cap
Gold double ring lever cap and the new trademark including the OEM code.
This frog has all the features you will find on the type 2 premium planes only this model has them a year earlier.
New trademark iron and the size stamp on the cheek.
The fifth and last version of the No. 5264 has a blue background on the inner ring Craftsman lever cap. This version of the 5264 has a chrome finish on the lever cap, chip breaker and iron. One more addition is the disk lateral adjustment lever replacing the folded version. This version has the (OEM) stamp “BB” on both the cheek and the iron.
Blue background inner ring lever cap. Everything up front has a chrome finish.
This was probably the version that closed out the model No. 5264.
This version has disk on the lateral adjustment lever.
The OEM is on both the iron and the cheek.
Craftsman 5268 and 5269C Bench Plane
Equivalent size as the No. 18 and 18C
Spring 1928 - Fall/Winter 1934/1935
The 5268/5269C planes followed the same timeline as the No. 5265C between the spring 1933 and fall/winter 1933/1934. This plane has a corrugated sole, the gold Craftsman lever cap and a simple Craftsman trademark on the iron. This plane has a type 6 lever cap and a type 7 trademark iron. This may be an example of using up older part when a new type is introduced.
This plane has a type 6 lever cap, but the iron stamp is not documented in the Craftsman type study.
There is no OEM on either the iron or cheek. The OEM started around 1934 and the lever cap on this plane started in the spring 1933.
This plane is a Craftsman type 6 with a date around the beginning of 1934.
Craftsman 3715 Bench Plane
Equivalent size as the No. 8
Fall/Winter 1935/1936 - Summer 1939
The smooth sole 3715 was produced by Millers Falls from the fall 1935 through the summer 1939. The fall 1936 catalog offered a “Golden Jubilee” version with gold paint around the Craftsman name on the lever cap to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sears name. The Golden Jubilee was only offered for six months. A corrugated version was never offered for the 1-3/4” plane.
The Golden Jubilee was offered for six months starting in the fall 1936.
This plane still has the sticker of the fifty year anniversary.
Breakdown of the 3C Golden Jubilee plane
A simple trademark was used on the Golden Jubilee.
The Golden Jubilee in the original box showing the 50 year anniversary tote sticker.
The original box from the 1936 plane
This Next plane has the lever cap, iron and a raised tote receiver which are features of a later Craftsman 3715, but it has “Chased” cheeks which are found on an early No. 3741 produced in 1939. This plane is being listed under the No 3715, but this plane could be a No. 3741.
The lever cap and iron match the type 9 No. 3715. The cat and iron are chromed which is a feature on the type 11 No. 3741
No. 3715 or No 3741
"Chased" cheeks are a feature on the No. 3741
Breakdown of the plane
It's hard to see, but this plane has a raised tote receiver that were on the Millers Falls type 2 No. 8 planes in the late 30's.
This plane has features from three type study models. The lever cap is a type 9 (3715) from fall 1935 to the summer 1939 with a chrome finish (type 11-3741). The iron is a golden jubilee stamp, but what makes this different is it has an OEM "BB" that the original jubilee did not have. The Chased cheeks are from a type 11 (3741) from fall 1939 to 1941. This plane was probably a crossover between the summer and fall 1939. Millers Falls did not add the model number on the cheek, only the size and OEM, so without the box, we'll never know if it was a 3715, or a 3741.
Craftsman 3741 Bench Plane
Equivalent size as the No. 8
Fall 1939 - Summer 1943, Fall 1947 - Fall/Winter 1953/1954
The 3741 had two separate production runs. The first was from the fall 1939 through the summer 1943. The second run started in the fall 1947 through the fall/winter 1953/1954. The 3741 was not available from the fall/winter 1943/1944 through the summer 1947. The current research may indicate that Millers Falls produced the 3741 from the beginning through the fall/winter 1950/1951. Starting in the spring 1951, Sargent would finish the production run for Sears.
The plane below is a type 15 with a single bolt to secure the knob/tote which puts it at the beginning of the second production run because in 1949 the waist nut was used to secure the knob/tote and the second run had an OEM of 107.
The premium line at Millers Falls used the same hardwood knob and tote.
The type 15 had a large segmented "C" with a blue background on the lever cap. The trademark iron stamp has a segmented Craftsman with a 107 OEM
This plane was released in the beginning of the second run before 1948 because of the single bolt used in the 40's and the OEM 107. The casting number does not help dating the plane because the No. 8 size never changed casting numbers in the mid 40's.
This plane used a nickel or blued depth adjustment nut.
Craftsman 3742 and 3746C Bench Plane
Equivalent size as the No. 9 and 9C
Fall 1939 - Summer 1943, (3742 only) Fall 1944 - Summer 1964
Both the 3742/3746C were in production from the fall 1939 through the summer 1943. Starting in the fall 1943, the 3746C was discontinued and the 3742 was renamed 3721. The fall 1944 catalog had the 3721 changed back to the 3742 and would continue through the summer 1960. Both Millers Falls and Sargent produced this plane.
This first plane below is a No. 3746C type 11 with a 317 frog casting number and brass waist nuts. The type 11 was produced between the fall 1939 and fall/winter 1941/1942. Based in the Craftsman study, this plane should have “Chased” cheeks. The “Chased” marks on the cheeks were probably removed when the plane was cleaned, or conditioned at some point.
The type 11 had a chrome lever cap, Craftsman with a large straight edge "C" with a blue background and brass waist nuts
The type 11 should have Chased cheeks. If this was a very early release, it could be possible this plane was released before the process started.
The model number was never stamped on the cheek. It is difficult to know the model number without a Craftsman type study.
This next No 3742 is a type 15 with a 496A frog and brass waist nuts. This plane never had the “Chased” cheeks.
Craftsman 3745 and 3749C Bench Plane
Equivalent size as the No. 22 and 22C
Fall 1939 - Summer 1943, (3742 only) Fall 1944 - Fall/Winter 1958/1959
Both the 3745/3749C were in production from the fall 1939 through the summer 1943. Starting in the fall 1943, the 3745 was discontinued and the 3749 was renamed 3725. The fall 1944 catalog had the 3725 changed back to the 3749 and would continue through the fall/winter 1958/1959. Both Millers Falls and Sargent produced this plane.
This first plane below is a No. 3749C type 11 with a chrome lever cap, “Chased” cheeks, and brass waist nuts. The type 11 was produced between the fall 1939 and fall/winter 1941/1942.
Type 11 with chrome lever cap, "Chased" cheeks, and OEM "BB" on both iron and cheek.
The Craftsman model had the rosewood knob and tote with brass waist nuts.
Millers Falls did not stamp the model number on the cheek. The only stamp was the size and the OEM.
Craftsman 37034, 37035 and 3736 Bench Plane
Equivalent size as the No. 9, 14 and 18
These three planes were in production from the fall 1964 to the summer 1969. The 9” No. 37034 and the 14” 37035 only had a smooth sole. The 18” No 37035 would have a corrugated sole until the last six months when it was only offered with a smooth sole. The three planes would have plastic knobs and tote and lengthwise groves on the cheek.
All three models will have the horizontal groves on the cheeks.
No. 107-37034 with the black plastic knob and tote.
An early release with the full size iron and the original frog face on the right. A later release on the left has the shorter iron and the metal removed above the frog locking screws.