Can anyone tell me anything about this plane. Its 3 7/8 long x 1 " wide. The cap is marked 175 and underlined. No other marks that I can see. It was my fathers and he passed in 1977. He retired in about 1960 and I think it is safe to assume that it predates both those events. I know little about planes so any info is appreciated.

 Its a bullnose rabbet plane similar to a Stanley 75. Is cutter marked at top end ?

Thanks! No marks on the cutter that I can see.

Look at the top of the blade on the back side.  Many times the cutters are put in backwards in these planes.  A little light rub with steel wool might bring out a mark.

Jim

>Many times the cutters are put in backwards

Now there is the voice of experience :)

Rusty,

  What is that a picture of???

  Jim

That is a crop of the original picture.

A bit of cleaning turned up Jordan Germany on the blade. I need to spend more time researching it but likely made post ww1 for the American market.

I see it now...

I think you are right about the time and place.

Vastly underrated. These little beauties were made to be slipped into your apron pocket and come to the rescue when the chips are down. When fettled well they are simply a joy.
You don't need them constantly, but when you do, they shine bright!
I would never want to be without one.

I have heard it said many times,
  there would be no Disneyland Main Street without these.
Stanley made the best that everyone else copied. 

They were so popular, and so made made and sold, they are still very cheap on the collector market.
  your Scott

This one is a keeper and user for sure. I don't do a lot of woodworking but can think of a few times I could have used it in the last year. It was my fathers or possibly grandfathers so I won't part with it even if I never use it. The problem I have is that when I am gone I have no one in the family to pass it to who would give it any respect. Hopefully one of the younger generations will develope an interest.

Quote from: rusty on July 11, 2012, 08:53:24 PM
>Many times the cutters are put in backwards

Now there is the voice of experience :)

To clarify,   The bevel should be UP

Quote from: BruceS on July 19, 2012, 02:38:48 PM

Quote from: rusty on July 11, 2012, 08:53:24 PM
>Many times the cutters are put in backwards

Now there is the voice of experience :)

To clarify,   The bevel should be UP

No, down - the bedding angle on these is about the same as the bedding angle on a bench plane, on which the bevel is down.

I find these planes uncomfortable to hold - the cutting iron jabs into my hand no matter how I hold them.  I added a palm rest on mine, which helped, see picture:

Bevel up, bevel down?? That leaves us non woodworkers befuddled! ScottG can you set us NWWs straight, up or down or doesn't it matter?
Graeme

Quote from: anglesmith on July 20, 2012, 12:15:37 AM
Bevel up, bevel down?? That leaves us non woodworkers befuddled!

You know how a wood chisel is sharpened?  One side flat, the other side has an angle down to the sharp edge?  If the flat side is up, the angled side or bevel is down.  If the flat side is down, you will see the angled edge where the blade has been sharpened, and that is "bevel up."