i purchased roger k. smith's vaughan & bushnell 1927 catalog reprint
from mjdtools after purchasing a v&b 703 smoother and wanting to know
more about it. there has been the odd post here and there (here and on
woodcentral), but i've never seen anything really referencing the
catalog. so, having it in hand, i will avail v&b bench plane fans of
some minutae regarding their planes. anyone not inclined to such
minutae, bail out now...
v&b bench planes are divided into three series, the 700 series, the 800
series, and the 900 series. the 70X and 90X planes are "drop forged
from a solid bar of V & B Supersteel...[giving them] the toughness to
withstand a blow from a fall or other cause that would break a brittle
cast plane." the 80X planes are cast iron. both the 70X and 90X
series have the bedrock-style frog (it is unclear if the 80X planes do,
but seeing that the cost of the complete frog for every plane was the
same, i would assume so), and all seem to be "equipped with walnut
handles and knobs" (again, handles and knobs for all planes were the
same price).
the top o'the line were the 90X planes, with 3, 4, 4 1/2, 5, and 6
sizes in both smooth and corrugated sole versions. they have a
"non-rusting nickel finish". the catalog says "This is our full
finished line and recommended for the best carpenter trade." they came
with a "special analysis vanadium all steel blade" which has "...no
soft section...[which] enables it to be sharpened back a greater
distance and also insures greater rigidity and less chatter when
securely clamped down. each blade is tested to cut wire. v & b blades
keep their fine cutting edge longer." these blades were a dime more
expensive than the blades that came with the 70X and 80X planes, and
were only available in 1 3/4", 2", and 2 3/8" sizes.
903/c 8" L, 1 3/4" wide cutter, $4.80/$5.00 ea.
904/c 9" L, 2" wide cutter, $5.20/$5.40 ea.
904 1/2/c 10" L, 2 3/8" wide cutter, $5.80/$6.10 ea.
905/c 14" L, 2" wide cutter, $5.80/$6.10 ea.
906/c 18" L, 2 3/8" wide cutter, $7.50/$7.80 ea.
the next in line were the 70X planes, in the same size range with both
types of sole. they have a "Polished Bottom -- White Nickled Blade,
Cap, and Clamp." the catalog says "This line is similar to our 900
line but made to sell at a popular price to the general trade." they
came with a "supersteel" blade.
703/c 8" L, 1 3/4" wide cutter, $4.25/$4.45 ea.
704/c 9" L, 2" wide cutter, $4.65/$4.85 ea.
704 1/2/c 10" L, 2 3/8" wide cutter, $5.30/$5.60 ea.
705/c 14" L, 2" wide cutter, $5.30/$5.60 ea.
706/c 18" L, 2 3/8" wide cutter, $6.80/$7.10 ea.
and, at the bottom of their line, in body, was the 80X planes. they
were called "Lincoln Cast Planes", had a "polished finish", and were
available *only* in the 7 and 8 sizes (both soles). they also came
with a "supersteel" blade.
807/c 22" L, 2 3/8" wide cutter, $7.80/$8.20 ea.
808/c 24" L, 2 5/8" wide cutter, $9.30/$9.75 ea.
the 3 and 4 size planes have a single-screw tote (handle), while the
rest of the sizes (for all three series) have double-screw totes. the
knob on all v&b planes has a characteristic "hot-air balloon" shape,
which is one way to tell if it is original. certainly not a
low-knobber!
blades were available separately, as were all the parts. they also
made vrious block planes, including low- and regular-angle, as well as
adjustable throat knuckle cap and screwcap models.
anyway, it interested *me*, so i thought i'd share. let v&b lovers
revel!
best,
bill
felton, ca
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