As I continue to sort through the old tools I have accumulated from my grandfather and uncle (and tune and fettle them, and use them and otherwise spend lovely quality time with myself, tools, and wood), I have one plane that has no maker ID. The plane is pretty well made. It is japanned black. On the frog is cast the number 409. On the top of the sole is cast MADE IN USA. there are no other ID marks that I can fine. I have looked and compared, and think it looks just like a Sargent.
Any idea what this might be? I really need to know, because the long screw that holds the blade. breaker and cap to the frog is missing.
Replies
Joe-
A Sargent #409 is similar to a Stanley #4.
Good luck,
Sean
Thanks, Sean.
Do you think a Stanley #4 screw will work on a Sargent, IF it is a Sargent?
The perplexing thing is that there is no maker's name. Are you aware of any Sargents that were not marked or stamped in the casting? Could they have used a decal or label that is long gone?
Joe
I have a plane that fits your desription perfectly. The cap on it says it is a Craftsman. I picked it up in an antique store so I do not know if the parts are all original to the plane. I'm interested to know more about the plane also.
Robert
Robert:
So yours have no cast or stamped maker name -- only a Craftsman lever cap? Interesting. My lever cap is blank, but like you, I don't know if it is original. I do seem to recall that Sargent made some planes for M. Wards. Maybe --pure conjecture here -- they OEM'd some for other guys as well, including Sears.
If you can, why don't you post some pix and I will try to do the same if I can figure out how. It would be both fun and useful to get to the bottom of this. I my case, I can't use or even fettle the plane until I figure our the right replacement screw (oh, I really could try to fit a machine screw -- but would rather have the real thing don't you know).
Joe
Sargent made planes for Sears and a great many other folks. The 409 on the frog is a Sargent model number. I am restoring a Sargent 409 now have used some Stanley parts without problem (threads seem to be the same 12 24). All you can do is try.Dan Carroll
Thanks, Dan and others. I have emailed Forest Girl for the screw info, and may indeed use a Stanley if necessary. I have the blade, breaker and cap, so with the screw I sould be in business.
What is the consensus on this plane once tuned up? It is a decent tool? WIll the original blade serve for serious work?
Edited 3/12/2007 11:39 am ET by Joe Sullivan
Joe, I'm not at home to check the plane or take pix. After cleaning, lapping, grinding and honing the plane cuts pretty good for $15 and a couple of hrs.
Robert
I'll try to post mine in the next day or so. You will probably be able to tell if they are the same.
I am not the best user by far, but I have had good results. It is worth cleaning up and taking for a test drive. If you have tear out problems, get a good replacement iron, The basic plane is pretty good. They do not command the prices the old Stanley do, but Sargent made some very good planes.Dan Carroll
Test drive it I will, as soon as I get that screw. If it is basically good and the blade is unsatisfactory, a new Hock is cheaper than a new plane.
Just for what it's worth, I found a reference in a Galoot web posting to the fact that many Sargents were not maker marked. In fact, the poster, who had several Sargents and seemed to know what was what, said a majority were not marked.
Not sure how to tell, but a lot of Lakeside planes weren't labeled. Stanley made planes for a lot of other names.
Alan - planesaw
I think I have the same plane, just finished getting a blade and lever cap for it. If you need any details on that screw, drop me a line (clickin on my name and email).
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
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