> I can't pretend that I know the answer, but I have seen an odd number of
> Millers Falls No. 209 planes with some seriously F'ed up totes. Could be
> degradation from poorly made polymer.
>

I agree...if I might offer a suggestion.  Once upon a time someone built a
garage for their model A.  They put windows in the end because it is cool.  In
the end of it they placed some long pine boards for a series of shelves and
a workbench of sorts.  This was the sort of pine that was commonplace then
straight grained and clear, I would kill to be able to buy such pine at the
lumberyard today.

However over the years a veritable amount of crap was accumulated (as my
garage attests to) including in that some woodworking tools.  These tools
along with stiff paint brushes and broken shovels and hedge trimmers made
up the accumulation.

At some point in time someone removed the plane from the shelf along with a
considerable amount of dust and without any tuning processed to use it on a
pinewood derby or to trim a door.  Unpleased with its performance they
tossed it on the bench and walked away.

Spring to summer to fall to winter.  The sun rises and sets.  The tote is
exposed to light and darkness.  The knob is protected by a mountain of
garden hose that covers it for years.  The tote witnesses the sun rising
and setting.  The heat of summer the cold of winter.  That's what happened.

123...GO!

Champ