Sargent No. 718 C Auto-Set Fore Plane

Sargent No. 718 C Auto-Set Fore Plane
Sargent No. 700 Series “Auto-Set” Iron Bench Plane
as illustrated in the Sargent Planes catalog of 1916.

Sargent V.B.M Adjustable Iron Planes

Patented January 12, 1915.

All Tools bearing the V.B.M stamp are the Very Best Made and can be depended on as being made from the Very Best Tool Steel. They have justly obtained an enviable reputation for excellence of material, temper and workmanship. They are fully guaranteed, and all dealers are authorised to take back or exchange if found defective in any particular.

Iron Bench Planes

Polished Trimmings, East India Mahogany Handle and Knob.
With Patent Side Adjustment for exact
adjusting of the Cutter with the face of the Plane.

No. 718C, Fore, 18 Inches, 2⅜ Inch Cutter.

One in a box. Full cases contain 30 planes.

These planes have the superior features described below:

Thin Cutter.

These Planes have a thin cutter, but the support for the cutter is so solid below and the clamp so firm above that there is no tendency to chatter, hence it is possible to use the thin cutter (No. 14 gauge), and so get the slight advantage of the quicker grinding.

Auto-Set.

When once set, the clamp may be removed and when replaced it it will always return to its original position until reset. This feature is a great time saver. The clamp is provided with a regulating screw by the use of which the clamp is always set at just the same position after having removed it to grind the cutter. The clamp may be easily adjusted, by means of this screw, down close to the cutting edge when a fine cut is required, away from the cutting edge when a course cut is desired and may be set in as many intermediate positions as may be needed.

Rigidity.

The Frog is very rigid and the Frog and Bed at the mouth are in alignment so that the cutter has an even bearing down to the bevel of the cutter. The Plane combines solidity, compactness and simplicity. The meeting surfaces of the Frog and Bed are all machined so that the fit is absolute.

Ease Of Adjustment.

The lateral adjustment may be secured without removing the hand from the handle and the vertical adjustment obtained through a direct acting thumb screw at the back of the cutter, is positive and rapid.

Purpose.

The plane is intended for both heavy and very fine cuts. It is especially adapted for working against the grain on cross-grained hard wood where the absolute rigidity of the cutter avoids any tendency to chatter.

With Adjustable Knob. Patented August 10, 1915.

In addition to the features described above, Nos. 718, 718C, 722 and 722C have an adjustable Knob. This Knob is high, to give a full grip for the hand and is adjustable so that the user may regulate the position of the Knob, bringing it closer to the handle or further away, as he may prefer. This feature makes it convenient for use by carpenters with long or short arms and allows the forward hand plenty of clearance when the Plane is used close up to a projecting surface.


Note: The above information has been reproduced from an original catalog listing.


Specifications:

Plane Type:Fore Plane
Features:Adjustable, with Auto-Set screw adjustment for cutter. Tilting front knob. Corrugated bottom
Manufactured:From 1916 to 1943
Patents:January 12, 1915 (design of plane) (Albert A. Page)
August 10, 1915 (tilting front knob) (Bertel F. Vaughn)
August 24, 1915 (refinement of Page’s design) (William E. Sparks)
Length:18 inches
Cutter Width:2⅜ inches
Construction:Cast iron body, East India Mahogany handle & knob (1916 to 1924)
Cast iron body, Mahogany handle & knob(1925 to 1943)
Finish:Japanned. Polished Trimmings (1916 to 1941)
Japanned. Nickel Plated Trimmings & Lever Cap (1942 to 1943)
Uses:General purpose bench plane

Please check the Value Guide For Sargent Planes page for relative prices.


Additional Notes:

The patents for the Auto-Set planes predate Stanley’s patents for their Gage brand planes. The VBM era planes have straight knurling on the screws, while latter planes have diamond knurling. Some early planes have a lever cap with a triangular shaped piece to control the depth of cut from fine to coarse. This is numbered with three different settings (1-2-3). The lever cap also acts as a chip breaker. The lever caps on some Auto-Set planes were nickel plated in latter years.

The cutting iron has no vertical slot. Instead, it has a recessed groove on the back to engage the adjustment pin.

The body casting has a raised locational boss for the rear handle. Beware of replaced front tilting knobs.


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