No. 17 Full Adjustment Block Plane

No. 17 Manufactued:

1929 to 1964

No. 17B Manufactured: 1964+
Sole Length: 7”
Iron Width: 1-5/8”
Weight: 1.54 lbs
Bedding Angle: 20 Degrees
Adjustments: Fully Adjustable
Lever Cap Type: Cam Lock
Casting Number Body: 346
Casting Number Cap: 344
Cross Reference: Stanley No. 15

No. 17

The No. 17 has an adjustable mouth, a depth adjusting nut and a lateral adjustment lever. The front knob and the adjustment nut are usually nickel platted, but for a short time in the thirties these two apparatus had a brass finish.

The iron is 1-5/8” so the eccentric lever will have its end bent down. Only the 1-3/8 have the eccentric lever end bent up.

The No.17 was last listed in the January 1964 catalog. By the May 1964 catalog, the No. 17 is no longer available. Examples have been found as a “B” and “BG” versions with the updated three hole iron and frog configuration using a depth adjustment screw knob. Very few examples have been found in the “B” configuration possibly due to the fact that Millers Falls only produced this version for government use.

Type 1 configuration – 1929 - 1935

  • Millers Falls name cast in front of the finger rest knob.

  • The iron landing has a full surface with no recess.

  • After the initial release, the name and number are stamped on the cheek.

  • Lateral Adjustment lever has the metal folded to engage the iron slot.

  • Cam lock lever cap is painted red (1929-1932), later, the lever cap is painted black (1933-1964)

  • “Since 1868” iron trademark (see irons for more details)

Type 2 configuration starting 1936 to 1964

  • Millers Falls embossed name is removed from the bed.

  • Iron landing has a recessed area.

  • Lateral adjustment lever has a solid disk to engage the iron slot.

  • 1949 - the iron trademark was changed to include the words “Solid Tool Steel”.

  • The May 1964 catalog no longer lists the No. 17

Type 3 configuration starting 1964 (Government Issue only)

  • Examples found as No. 17B and No. 17BG.

  • The frog is redesigned from the depth adjusting nut to a depth adjusting screw.

  • The depth adjustment screw knob has a straight pattern knurling.

  • The iron is redesigned with three oval holes

  • No trademark is present on the iron.

Both of these planes are No. 17 type 1. The plane on the left is a very early release with a red lever cap and no name or number stamped on the cheek. Shortly after the initial release, Millers Falls changed the color of the cap from red to black and

Both of these planes are No. 17 type 1. The plane on the left is a very early release with a red lever cap and no name or number stamped on the cheek. Shortly after the initial release, Millers Falls changed the color of the cap from red to black and stamped the cheek as shown on the right plane.

The older plane on the left was used until the enamel paint was removed from the lever cap.

The older plane on the left was used until the enamel paint was removed from the lever cap.

The bottom plane is a No. 17 type 1 with the embossed name, solid iron landing, and the folded lateral adjustment lever. The top plane is a type 2 with the embossed name removed, a recessed iron landing and a disk lateral adjustment lever. Both plane

The bottom plane is a No. 17 type 1 with the embossed name, solid iron landing, and the folded lateral adjustment lever. The top plane is a type 2 with the embossed name removed, a recessed iron landing and a disk lateral adjustment lever. Both planes have the name and number stamped on the cheek.

The No. 17 has adjustment on the mouth, lateral and depth.

The No. 17 has adjustment on the mouth, lateral and depth.

This type 2 has the brass knob and adjustment nut, but most of the planes produced had a nickel finish.

This type 2 has the brass knob and adjustment nut, but most of the planes produced had a nickel finish.

The No. 17 engaged the iron with a depth adjustment lever which would pivot as the nut was adjusted up and down on a threaded bolt.

The No. 17 engaged the iron with a depth adjustment lever which would pivot as the nut was adjusted up and down on a threaded bolt.

This is an example of the No. 17BG. The No. 17 was no longer available in the catalogs after May 1964. Around the time the No. 17 was discontinued from the public, the company was reconfiguring all the block planes to use the same iron with three ova

This is an example of the No. 17BG. The No. 17 was no longer available in the catalogs after May 1964. Around the time the No. 17 was discontinued from the public, the company was reconfiguring all the block planes to use the same iron with three oval adjustment holes with a "B" added after the model number on the cheek. The company continued to made the redesigned No. 17B and No. 17BG probably under an existing government contract. The "B" version is very difficult to find.