Craftsman Planes
Both Millers Falls and Sargent would supply the finest planes under the Craftsman name for over four decades. The first Craftsman bench plane produced for Sears was supplied by the Sargent Co. in the spring 1928 catalog. The first Millers Falls Craftsman bench plane was introduced in the spring 1933 catalog. Between these two companies where would be twenty-one distinct types of Craftsman bench planes comprising of twenty different embossed lever caps, thirteen different trademark irons and seven different model number changes spanning forty-three years. For the first twenty-five years, nether Millers Falls, nor Sargent would stamp the model number on the Craftsman planes. In 1951, Sargent started adding the model number as part of the trademark on the iron. The first model number on a Millers Falls Craftsman bench plane started in 1964 with the model number stamped on the left cheek.
The first Craftsman block plane was introduced in the spring of 1930. Like the bench plane, both Sargent and Millers Falls produced the Craftsman block planes. Only Millers Falls stamped the model number on the left cheek on their block planes which makes it easy to identify a Millers Falls block plane.
Sears guaranteed the quality of the planes they sold. If a plane was returned to them for any reason, Sears would send the plane back to the manufacturer. In 1934 a unique two letter code known as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) was assigned to both Sargent and Millers Falls. Sargent received the code “BL” and Millers Falls had “BB”. Both Sargent and Millers Falls stamped the OEM on the iron as part of their trademark. Just prior to the OEM being applied to the iron, Millers Falls started stamping the cheek with the plane size based on the Stanley numbering system and the letter “C” to identify the plane as a Craftsman product. Less than six months later, Millers Falls added the OEM code to the cheek stamp. Around 1943, Sears expanded the OEM as a numeric code assigning Sargent the code 619 and Millers Falls 107.
Sargent would end their production line after the summer of 1964. Millers Falls would continue to produce craftsman planes until the summer of 1969. The Craftsman name would continue after 1969 with Stanley providing two bench planes and three block planes to Sears.
This Craftsman page will highlight the block and bench planes produced by Millers Falls for Sears under the Craftsman name. As was noted earlier, the model number was not stamped on bench planes until after 1963. To help identify the model number, the embossed lever cap and the trademark stamp on the iron will establish a timeline which will correlate to the catalog model number.
A special thanks to Greg Ricketts for his Craftsman Bench Plane Study that was used to cross-reference the Millers Falls Craftsman bench planes with the complete Craftsman production.
Skip to the block plane section.
Millers Falls Craftsman Bench Planes
Millers Falls would produce eight of the twenty-one bench plane types for Sears. The six lever caps below will link to the eight plane types produced by Millers Falls. The type 11, 12 and 15 used the same embossed lever cap, but made changes in the wood used and the metal finish.
Type 6 1933. Craftsman name has an inner ring with a gold background.
Type 7 1934. Craftsman name has an inner ring with a blue background.
Type 9 1935 - 1939. The Craftsman name on a blue oval with no inner ring.
Type 10 1936. Golden Jubilee version with a gold background.
Type 11 1939-1941 / Type 12 1942 / Type 15 1945-1950. Oversized "C" in chrome or nickel finish.
Type 21 1964 - 1969. This type will have the corduroy style cheeks with no trademark on the iron.
Type 6
1933 Spring/Summer - 1933 Fall/Winter
The type 6 was Millers Falls introduction to the Craftsman line. The iron has a unique trademark stamp with two stars on either side of “Craftsman Tools” in an oval. The lever cap has the Craftsman name in an oval with an inner ring on a gold background. The knob and tote will be rosewood, and the lever cap will be nickel plated. The type 6 was only produced for twelve months, but you will find three configuration changes two years before the same changes are seen on the Millers Falls premium line. These include:
yoke changed from cast iron to steel.
addition of a yoke pin recess.
addition of the bed knob ribs.
Near the end of the type 6 timeline, the plane size was stamped on the left cheek. Next to the size was the letter “C” which stood for Craftsman.
The catalog offered eight model numbers in either a smooth or corrugated sole.
|
Size |
Smooth |
Corrugated |
|---|---|---|
| #4 | 5264 | 5265 |
| #5 | 5266 | 5267 |
| #6 | 5268 | 5269 |
| #7 | 5270 | 5271 |
The lever cap will feature the Craftsman name in an oval with an inner ring. The background will be gold. The knob and tote will be rosewood with brass waist nuts securing them.
The initial release has a cast iron yoke with no yoke pin recess.
Initial release does not have a cheek stamp.
The first change to the frog is the addition of the yoke pin recess. The yoke will change to steel before the end of the type 6.
Before the end of the type 6, a size stamp was added to the cheek with the letter "C" for the Craftsman line.
Type 7
1934 Spring/Summer - 1934 Fall/Winter
The type 7 has the same features as the later type 6 with the exceptions of the background color on the lever cap and a new trademark on the iron. The lever cap has the Craftsman name in an oval with an inner oval ring on a blue background. The lever cap will be nickel plated and the knob and tote will be rosewood. The tote will have a decal with the “Long C” underlining the Craftsman name. The same eight model numbers are found on the type 7 as from the type 6. By the end of the type 7, the OEM stamp “BB” will be on both the cheek and the iron trademark.
Blue background inner ring lever cap. Everything up front has a nickel finish.
Rosewood knob and tote and a nickel depth adjusting nut.
Understanding the cheek stamp. The number is the size of the plane based on the Stanley numbering system. The “C” stands for Craftsman. The “BB” is the Original Equipment Manufacturer designation. Millers Falls was assigned “BB” and Sargent had “BL”. Only Millers Falls stamped this information on the cheek. Both Millers Falls and Sargent stamped the OEM on the iron.
Changes to the type 7 include the disk lateral adjustment lever and the frog face relief.
Type 9
1935 Fall / Winter - 1939 Spring / Summer
The type 9 plane had a lever cap with the Craftsman name in an oval with a blue background without an inner ring. This type had the same iron trademark as seen on the type 7. The lever cap was nickel plated and the knob and tote were made of rosewood . The same tote decal is found on the type 9 planes as was the type 7. At the end of the 1939 type 9 production run, you may find a crossover between the type 9 and type 11 with “Chased” cheeks and a chrome lever cap, chip breaker and iron.
Sears changed the Craftsman model numbers on their planes in 1935. The type 9 had a new set of model numbers and the addition of the #3 size to the Craftsman lineup. Eight model numbers had either a smooth or corrugated sole and the #3 was only offered with a smooth sole.
|
Size |
Smooth |
Corrugated |
|---|---|---|
| #3 | 3715 | |
| #4 | 3716 | 3722 |
| #5 | 3717 | 3723 |
| #6 | 3718 | 3724 |
| #7 | 3719 | 3725 |
Type 10
1936 Fall / Winter
During the type 9 period, Sears released a “Golden Jubilee” version for six months to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sears company. The “Golden Jubilee” version will have a gold color background on a chrome lever cap and a new trademark on the iron with curved letters as opposed to the segmented letter style found on the type 9. The Golden Jubilee will have a brass depth adjusting nut and a rosewood knob and tote secured with brass waist nuts.
The fall 1936 catalog did not illustrate the “Golden Jubilee” changes so it is not clear which model numbers were offered for this six month celebration. The model numbers will be the same as the type 9 planes.
The Golden Jubilee was offered for six months starting in the fall 1936.
The Golden Jubilee had rosewood knob/tote, brass depth adjusting nut, brass waist nuts.
Breakdown of the 3C Golden Jubilee plane. The OEM will not be stamped on either the iron or the cheek.
The box will have the Golden Jubilee stamp on the top right corner.
Type 11
1939 Fall / Winter - 1941 Fall / Winter
The type 11 has a new and distinct look with a chrome lever cap, chip breaker and iron. The cheeks on this type are “Chased” to further enhance the new look. The style of the Craftsman name on the lever cap has changed with the letter C” extending over the top and bottom of the letter “R”. The name is set in an oval with a blue background. This type will have the same iron trademark and tote decal as seen on the type 7 and 9. The knob and tote are rosewood with nickel waist nuts. The depth adjusting nut will also have a nickel finish.
The type 11 will have nine new model numbers with either a smooth or corrugated sole.
|
Size |
Smooth |
Corrugated |
|---|---|---|
| #3 | 3741 | |
| #4 | 3742 | 3746 |
| #5 | 3743 | 3747 |
| #6 | 3744 | 3748 |
| #7 | 3745 | 3749 |
Type 11 has chased cheeks and rosewood knob and tote.
This type has the lever cap, chip breaker and iron all chromed.
This is an example of a number 6 corrugated type 11. Based on the cross reference above, this is the model No. 3748.
This corrugated number 7 type 11 is the model No. 3749.
Type 12
1942 Spring / Summer - 1942 Fall / Winter
The type 12 plane has the same lever cap design and iron trademark as the type 11. The difference between these two types is that the iron no longer has a chrome finish and the lever cap and chip breaker have a nickel finish. The cheeks will continue to have the “Chased” feature like the type 11. The knob and tote are rosewood with brass waist nuts. The tote decal will be the same as the type 11. The same nine models are found on the type 12 as were on the type 11.
Over time, nickel and chrome are hard to distinguish. This plane has brass waist nuts whereas the type 11 had nickel.
The type 12 had chased cheeks with a nickel plated lever cap. This type 12 plane originally had the chased cheeks, but a previous owner removed 98% of the chase marks.
Type 15
1945 Fall / Winter - 1950 Fall / Winter
Between the spring of 1943 through the summer of 1945 Sargent would supply the Craftsman plane line to Sears. In the Fall of 1945, Millers Falls resumed production of the Craftsman line with the type 15. This version will have the same lever cap design with a nickel finish and a new OEM stamped on the iron. The new OEM for Millers Falls will be 107.1. The cheek will continue to have the original OEM of “BB”. The knob and tote are stained hardwood with a single bolt securing them to the bed. The same tote decal used on the type 12 will be applied at the start of the type 15.
In the Fall of 1948, Sears would change the design of their tote decal with Craftsman centered in an oval with two parallel lines on either side of the Craftsman name.
Late in 1948, Millers Falls went back to producing planes with rosewood and waist nuts to secure the knob and tote. The type 15 planes will incorporate these changes near the end of production.
The type 15 will have five models at the start. The #3 will be added in the fall of 1947.
|
Size |
Smooth |
Corrugated |
|---|---|---|
| #3 | 3741 | |
| #4 | 3742 | |
| #5 | 3743 | 3747 |
| #6 | 3748 | |
| #7 | 3749 |
An example of an early No. 3741 type 15.
The #3 was back in the Craftsman line in the fall of 1947. This plane has the original tote decal.
This #3 has a brass depth adjusting nut and the new tote decal. Both of these features were started in the fall of 1948
A later type 15 with a brass depth adjusting nut and brass waist nuts securing the rosewood knob and tote.
The later type 15 will have the new decal on the tote.
This No. 3742 #4 type 15 plane has the new Craftsman tote decal. The frog on this 2" plane has a casting number 496A which started in 1945. Millers Falls returned to using brass and rosewood late in 1948.
Type 21
1964 Fall / Winter - 1969 Spring / Summer
The type 21 plane would be the last type Millers Falls would produce for Sears. The lever cap has the name Craftsman with recessed metal around the name. The iron will not have any trademark stamp. The cheeks have a corduroy design that was also implemented by Sargent on the previous types. The knob and tote will be black plastic. For the first time, the Craftsman name, 107 OEM, and the model number were stamped on the left cheek. The type 21 will have only three models.
#4 - 37034 ** smooth sole only
#5 - 37035 ** smooth sole only
#6 - 37036 ** corrugated sole (1964 - 1968), smooth sole (1969 Spring / Summer)
Corduroy design on the cheeks.
This type had a 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.
Millers Falls Craftsman Block Planes
Millers Falls provided three different block planes and one specialty plane to Sears under the Craftsman name.
No. 3704 and No. 37032
No. 3732
No. 37037
No. 3730 and No. 37039
No. 3704 and No. 37032
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 1947 timeline version will have the disk lateral adjuster with a recessed iron landing and a black lever cap.
No. 3704 has a 7" sole, a 1-5/8" iron and a cam lock lever cap. The earlier planes will have nickel lever cap.
The No. 3704 is a fully adjustable block plane that is modeled after the Millers Falls No. 26. This plane will always have a cheek stamp and the OEM on both the iron and cheek.
The 37032(1964-1966, 1967-1969) is a copy of the Millers Falls No. 16. 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 time, 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.
The early version (1964-1966) of the 107-37032 has the same configuration as the No. 3704 with a depth adjustment nut.
Breakdown of the 107-37032 after the redesign of the adjustment mechanism. The frog was changed to accommodate the depth adjusting screw to engage the iron with three oval holes. Sears kept the same model number with this new configuration.
Depth adjusting screw. Also note the lateral adjustment lever is below the screw.
The second version of the 107-37032 is clearly different from the initial release with the depth adjustment screw.
No. 3732
1938 spring / summer - 1960 spring / summer
The 3732 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 make this plane for Sears after 1948.
Craftsman No. 3732 Low Angle Block Plane
Nickel lever cap
Breakdown of the No. 3732
This picture shows the Craftsman No. 3732 in the foreground and the Millers Falls No. 47 in the background.
107-37037
1964 fall / winter - 1969 spring / summer
The 37037 is modeled after the Millers Falls No. 33. The 37037 was a red enameled lever cap and a gray body. There is 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.
No. 3730 Rabbet
1935 spring / summer - 1964 spring / summer
It is easy to distinguish the Millers Falls version from the Sargent version. The Sargent version has the finger hold in the front. Dating this plane is difficult because very few changes were incorporated into plane and it is not clear when either of the two companies produced their versions. Check the details listed under the No. 85.
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 for their iron.
The "BB" OEM dates this iron between 1934 to 1943. After 1943, the OEM will be "107.1".
No. 37039 Rabbet
1964 fall / winter - 1970 spring / summer
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 of 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.