Block & Specialty Models 68 through 206B

Much of the information provided below is derived from a study of Millers Falls catalogs. Please realize that the collection used as a resource is not comprehensive and that M-F catalog copy could be astonishingly inaccurate. Understand that the Stanley equivalents listed are what might be termed "close matches" and that some details of the planes are not necessarily identical.

No. 68

Double-End Block Plane

Equipped with two throats and two cutter seats. Cap and cutter can be repositioned for use as either a bull nose or a standard block plane. Non-adjustable, with screw-operated cap clamp. Iron is bedded at 20 degrees. Black-enameled body. Earlier production features rosewood knob—tropical hardwood comes later.

1. 1929 production—cap is painted red. Manufacturer's name and model number and cast into bed around knob.
2. by 1936—cap is painted black. Manufacturer name and model number stamped on left cheek rather than cast into bed.
3. by 1949—knob is attached to body by an externally visible screw.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 68	No. 130	8 inches	1 5/8 inches	1929	1961

Nos. 75, 75B, 75-01B

Adjustable Block Plane

Non-adjustable throat, cam-lock cap, and screw-type depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at twenty degrees. Body and cap are black-enameled. Earlier production features rosewood knob—tropical hardwood comes later. A larger version of the No. 45.

1. 1929—cam-lock cap is painted red. Manufacturer's name and model number cast into bed around knob.
2. by 1936—cam-lock cap is painted black. Manufacturer's name and model number stamped on left cheek rather than cast into bed.
3. by 1949—knob is attached to body by an externally visible screw.
4. by 1966—plane is stamped 75B.
5. 1969—plane is stamped 75-01B.
9. by 1976—sides of plane are no longer milled. Depth adjustment knob is made of plastic. Body is painted deep navy blue. The depth adjustment knob is made of plastic. Cam-lock cap released in a variety number of color combinations—deep navy blue, gray, and red. Adhesive labels bear

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 75	No. 220	7 inches	1 5/8 inches	1929	after 1984

No. 77

Closed-Throat Router

Cutter can be reversed for bull nose work. Earlier models shipped with 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch cutters. Shipped with additional pointed cutter (1/2 inch wide) and fence by 1949.

2. 1929—nickel-plated frame, rosewood knobs.
3. by 1936—knobs now mahogany-finished hardwood
4. ca. 1941—frame and knobs are painted black
5. ca. 1950—frame again nickel-plated; mahogany-finished knobs return.
6. by 1956—frame painted gray, knobs painted black.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 77	No. 71 1/2	7 1/2 inches	N/A	1929	1961

No. 85

Rabbet and filletster plane

Equipped with two cutter seats—rear seat with a lever adjustment for cutter depth and forward seat for bull nose work. Adjustable fence on steel arm can be used on either side of plane. A three-point spur and depth gauge are standard equipment. Black-enameled body with screw-operated cap clamp.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 85	No. 78	8 1/2 inches	1 1/2 inches	1933	1971

No. 87

Non-Adjustable Block Plane

Equipped with screw-operated cap clamp. Iron is bedded at 20 degrees. Black enameled body. Earlier production features rosewood knob—tropical hardwood comes later. Identical to No. 97 but lacks depth adjuster.

1. 1929—cap is painted red. Model number and manufacturer's name cast into bed around knob.
2. by 1936—cap painted black. Model number and manufacturer's name now stamped on left cheek rather than cast into bed.
3. by 1949—knob is attached to body by an externally visible screw.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 87	No. 110	7 inches	1 5/8 inches	1929	1964

No. 95

Weather Strip Plane

Designed for rabbeting window sash prior to the installation of metal weather stripping. Identical to No. 85 except for addition of polished steel runner which can be clamped in place by a knurled thumb nut. Equipped with two cutter seats—rear seat with a lever adjustment for cutter depth and forward seat for bull nose work. Adjustable fence on steel arm can be used on either side of plane. A three-point spur and depth gauge are standard equipment. Black-enameled body with screw-operated cap clamp.

Illustration from 1936 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 95	No. 78W	8 1/2 inches	1 1/2 inches	1935	by 1944

No. 97

Adjustable Block Plane

Equipped with screw-operated cap clamp and lever-type depth adjustment. Iron is bedded at 20 degrees. Black enameled body. Earlier production features rosewood knob—tropical hardwood comes later. Similar to No. 97 but with depth adjuster.

1. 1929—cap is painted red; model number and manufacturer's name cast into bed around knob.
2. by 1936—cap is painted black. Model number and manufacturer's name now stamped on left cheek rather than cast into bed.
4. by 1949—knob is attached to body by an externally visible screw.

Illustration from 1938 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 97	No. 120	7 inches	1 5/8 inches	1929	1960

No. 206

Adjustable Block Plane

Often used in shop classes as stamped steel body does not break when dropped. Nickel-plated cap has screw-operated clamp. Body is black-enameled. Iron bedded at 20 degrees with post and wheel depth adjustment. Identical to 206B save for depth adjustment and bedding angle.

Illustration from 1949 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 206	none	6 1/4 inches	1 5/8 inches	ca. 1940	1959

No. 206B

Adjustable Block Plane

Often used in shop classes as stamped steel body does not break when dropped. Nickel-plated cap sash screw-operated clamp. Body is black-enameled. Bedding angle is 12 degrees with screw-type depth adjustment. Identical to 206 save for depth adjustment and bedding angle.

Illustration from 1960 catalog.

Model	Stanley Equiv.	Length	Cutter	Start Date	End Date
No. 206B	No. 118	6 1/4 inches	1 5/8 inches	1959	1971

Copyright ©2023 by Randy Roeder. All rights reserved.