In an effort to feature planes that are truly useful in the shop, I thought I’d highlight a plane that’s known by a few different names to include duplex, rabbet, and fillister. The plane featured below has two seats (cutting iron locations), thus allowing the user to position the cutting iron near the center of the plane, or closer to the front of the plane in the bull nose position (photos 5 and 6). Hence the name “duplex plane.” It’s a tool with two identical parts (or seats in this case) within one framework, each of which can operate alone and independent from the other. It’s also been called a “rabbet plane.” Just a quick glance at this plane clearly shows that it was made to cut rabbet joints. There’s probably not too much more explanation needed for that particular moniker being attached to the plane. It cuts rabbet joints so it’s a rabbet plane. Still, I’ve also heard this plane referred to as “fillister plane.” I believe there may be a part of traditional window sash called the fillister. As I understand it, that’s the rabbet shaped section of the sash that holds the glass and putty in place, so the term fillister makes sense. Somewhere along the line, I recall that a fillister plane was one that included attachments such as a fence, and/or depth stop, and/or nicker, also called a “spur” (photo 4). Regardless, I think one could call this plane any of the three names (Duplex Plane, Rabbet Plane, Fillister Plane) and be correct.
This plane combines several elements that make it easy to use. The cutting iron in the aft position is adjustable for a fine pass via a small toothed lever that engages grooves on the back of the cutting iron itself. In the forward (bull nose) position, the same adjustment must be made by hand or by administering a few light taps with small brass hammer on the top edge of the cutting iron. The plane also employs an adjustable fence that rides along the edge of the work piece, thus controlling the width of the rabbet. On the opposite side of the plane’s main body, a depth stop can be adjusted up and down, and is held in place with a thumb screw, thus controlling the final height of the rabbet’s shoulder. Rabbet joints are not always cut in the direction of the wood’s grain. Occasionally they must be cut across the grain. In an effort to minimize tear out at the shoulder of the rabbet joint, a nicker (or spur) can be set to lightly score across the grain ahead of the cutting iron. The nicker sits flush with the side of the plane and scores the grain leaving the shoulder smooth and the cut clean. By loosening the small screw holding the nicker to the side of the plane, the nicker can be employed or retracted just by rotating it in and out of the milled recess on the plane’s body.
Like any tool with a cutting edge, the sharper the cutting edge is, the better the tool will perform. I find myself frequently cutting rabbet joints to assemble various projects. There’s a number of different ways to create a rabbet joint with powered mechanical equipment such as a router/router table, table saw with dado blade setup, or even on a jointer. Those methods are perfectly acceptable and usually provide great results. I’ve used them many times myself. That being said, for those small one of a kind, easy to clamp to the bench projects, I reach for the duplex/rabbet/fillister plane depicted below.
Stanley #78:
This plane was one of the most successful tools Stanley ever produced! It was manufactured from 1884 well into the 1980s and possibly longer. The #78 depicted below is a Type 13, manufactured between 1925 and 1935. Stanley manufactured the #78 under several brand names, and saw its basic style copied by other manufacturers as well. When production finally ended in the USA, Stanley continued making the #78 in England. For versatility’s sake, the fence and fence rod can be mounted on either side of the plane. It should also be noted that the cutting iron depth adjustment lever was added in 1925 and was retained as a feature on all subsequent versions of the plane. To the best of my knowledge, the plane has always been finished with black japanning and nickel plated trimmings. There was a time (1925 – 1935) when Stanley manufactured an aluminum version of this plane, the #A78. The body of the plane was cast with model number “A78” and it was left unfinished with a natural aluminum color. The #A78’s attachments (fence, depth stop) were also made of cast aluminum. Those two parts are extremely difficult to find separately. Interestingly, the lever cap was still made of cast iron. If you’re ever unsure about the parts on a #A78, just test them with a magnet. It won’t stick to the aluminum. While the #A78 is a relatively scarce tool, the #78 is not. They’re practically everywhere and sell for very reasonable prices even in top condition. Be picky if you decide to buy a #78 for your shop. Get one in complete condition. Parts are readily available, but individually, they can add up. This might not be one of the first “user” planes on your want list, but it should probably be in your top twelve.
Jim C.
