Premium Number 15
Millers Falls No. 15/15C Jack Plane
|
Manufactured: |
1929 to 1961 |
| Sole: | Smooth and Corrugated |
| Sole Length: | 15" |
| Sole Width: | 2-3/4" |
| Iron Width: | 2-1/4” |
| Weight: | 5.6 lbs |
| Bedding Angle: | 45 Degrees |
| Type: | Bailey Design |
| Cross Reference: | Stanley No. 5-1/2 / 5-1/2C |
| Sargent No. 415 / 415C | |
| Record No. 05-1/2 / 05-1/2C |
The No. 15 premium jack bench plane was produced for over thirty-two years across five distinct types.
Type 1 (1929 to 1935)
There was one changes what can be found while the type 1 planes were in production. The patent number was stamped on the face of the lever cap at the end of the production run. The patent was approved on September 8, 1931. Sometime shortly after that date, the press was set up and ready for work.
The lever cap will have the red paint around the name.
This type 1 has the name around the knob. The type 1 will not have the name and number on the cheek.
The trademark on the iron will have a triangle that does not touch the symbol above it.
Type 2 (1936 to 1941)
The changes to the type 2 planes allowed Millers Falls to consolidate their production so that the same body and frog castings could be used on the premium line and the Craftsman rebrand line.
This plane does not have casting gates which puts it in the early type 2 timeline.
This frog does not have the yoke pin recess on either side of the yoke pin.
The type 2 should have a frog face relief. This type 2 has a type 1 frog.
This plane has a type 1 lever cap. The No. 15 was the only 2-1/4" plane. Maybe that is the reason for more stock carrying over from type 1 to type 2?
Type 3 (1942 to 1948)
The start of World War 2 limited the use of brass and the import of cocobolo. As a result of the shortages, the company switched to a single steel bolt to secure the stained hardwood knob and tote. The recessed depth adjusting nut was switched from brass to nickel or a blued surface. On the cap, the background around Millers Falls was not painted for at least the first half of the period. The frog remained red and the stamp on the iron will have the Since 1868 trademark.
The company also limited the production of the corrugated type 3 version to the public. At the start of the type 2 second release, the corrugated version was back in full production.
The majority of the lever caps will not have any paint around the "MILLERS FALLS".
The type 3 features include the one piece bolt to secure the stained hardwood knob and tote, and a blued depth adjusting nut.
This will be the last type to have the "Since 1868" trademark iron. Also note, the type 3 will always have casting gates on the bed at the toe and heel.
Type 2/2 (1949 to 1952)
Millers Falls returned to using brass and cocobolo wood at the end of the forties. The knob and tote will be secured with brass waist nuts and have a recessed brass depth adjusting nut. To distinguish this type from the previous type 2, the trademark on the iron will be stamped “SOLID TOOL STEEL” .
Type 4 (1953 to 1965)
It is easy to identify a type 4 plane with black frog, full brass depth adjusting nut and the tigerwood used on the knob/tote.
The type 4 will have a painted arch on the lever cap, brass waist nuts and a "Solid Tool Steel" trademark iron/.
The knob and tote are made from Goncalo Alves or Tigerwood. It would have been good if they finished the wood in a clear lacquer to show off the rich wood.
The No. 15 type 4 was produced for eight years ending in 1961