Stanley 97 Review By: I.Ball
Category: Specialist Planes
Extra Info: What is a Chisel Plane? Chisel Plane Videos
Manufacturer: Stanley
Plane Type: Cabinet Makers Edge
Model No: 97
The Stanley cabinet makers edge plane number 97 is also known as the
'Stanley piano makers plane'.
The 97 plane was made from cast iron with a front knob made from Rosewood,
a black lever cap and a depth adjuster mechanism. The upper surface
of the plane was finished with a black japanning.
The plane has a distinctive shape and design with the walls of either side
slanting down to the surface. At the centre of the wall on each side
there is a semi-circle removed.
There is an open mouth at the front which in effect makes this plane
like a large chisel; this plane is therefore sometimes referred to as
a chisel plane.
At the time of production in the early 1900's, this plane was advertised saying there is no
other plane which can work into small spaces or so close to corners.
The Stanley 97 plane blade rests on a solid bed for nearly the entirity
of the blade.
The 97 has a blade fine adjustment mechanism to allow the user to simply
and easily make small adjustments to the depth of cut. The blade can
be adjusted by using the blade fine adjustment wheel, to use this the
first thing to do is loosen the lever cap slightly (turn the lever cap
screw anti-clockwise) so the blade is not locked firmly in place.
Next locate the depth adjuster knurled wheel which can be found under
the top-end of the blade. Turn the depth adjuster clockwise to move
the blade forward for a deeper cut or turn the adjuster anti-clockwise
to move the blade backwards for a finer cut.
Once the blade is in the
desired position, secure the blade by tightening the lever screw (turn
the lever cap screw clockwise) ensuring not to knock the blade.
Sometimes the front corners of this plane are very slightly rounded
off in a similar way that the corners of side rebate plane blade are.
At the time of writing this there are a few new makers of similar chisel
planes including the
Veritas Edge Trimming Plane,
also referred to as the Veritas Chisel Plane.
Width: 57mm (2 1/4 inch)
Length Of Sole: 250mm
Knob: wooden, usually Rosewood
Plane finish: black
Stanley 97 Plane Blade / Cutter
Bottom Width: 56mm (2 1/4 inch)
Top Width: 32mm (1 1/4 inch)
Blade Thickness: 3mm
Top Of Blade Shape: Curved
Blade Markings: markings depending on time made, one of which is 'Stanley, SW, Made In U.S.A' (SW is inside a heart)
"Stanley, No 97, Made In USA" - found on the top face at the rear, between knob and blade.
"Stanley, Made In USA" - found on the face of the knurled blade adjuster.
1906 - 1943
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