
No. 87 Manual Adjustment Block Plane
Manufactured: |
1929 to 1964 |
Sole Length: | 7” |
Iron Width: | 1-5/8” |
Weight: | 1.2 lbs |
Bedding Angle: | 20 Degrees |
Adjustments: | Manual |
Lever Cap Type: | Tension Wheel |
Casting Number Body: | 498 and 498A |
Casting Number Cap: | 386 |
Cross Reference: | Stanley No. 110 |
No. 87
The No.87 is a basic block plane that is manually adjusted for the depth of cut and the lateral adjustment. The cap is leveraged with a rod controlled with a tension adjustment wheel. The plane has a fixed mouth and is bed at 20 degree with a bevel up configuration. The No. 87 can also be found under the Fulton name when it was rebranded for Sears.
Type 1 configuration – 1929 - 1935
Millers Falls name and model number are cast around the knob.
The iron landing has a full surface with no recess.
After the initial release, the name and number are stamped on the cheek.
The mouth is very narrow - 7/64”
Knob is a threaded rosewood knob.
Tension wheel 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 1944
Millers Falls embossed name and model number are removed from the bed.
Mouth is enlarged to 13/64”
1942 - Knob is a stained hardwood.
Type 3 configuration starting 1945 to 1964
Knob is secured to the bed with a 10-24 flat head machine screw.
Iron landing has a recessed area.
In 1949, the iron trademark was changed to include the words “Solid Tool Steel”.
1949, Knob is made of rosewood.
1956, Knob made of tropical Goncalo wood.
1964 - The May 1964 catalog no longer lists the No. 87

No. 87 type 1 block plane featuring the embossed name and number around the threaded rosewood knob. Red tension wheel lever cap. This early example does not have the name and number stamped on the cheek.

Solid iron landing on type 1 and type 2. Recessed iron landing on the type 3

On the type 1 and part of the type 2 the fixed mouth was 7/64". Later the mouth opening increased to 13/64"

No.87 type 1 with the embossed name and number(top), type 2 with the screw-on knob (middle), type 3 with the external screw to secure the knob (bottom)