Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet Plane – The Iconic Stanley Filletster & Rabbet Plane for Joinery and Edge Work

1. Introduction

The Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet Plane is one of the most iconic and widely used specialty planes ever produced by Stanley. Designed for cutting and cleaning rabbets, trimming tenons, making grooves, and general joinery work, the No. 78 became a staple tool in cabinet shops, carpentry toolboxes, and patternmaking benches around the world.

With its dual-position cutter, adjustable fence, depth stop, and nicker (spur cutter), the No. 78 excels at both with-the-grain and cross-grain work. Its rugged bullnose and standard configurations make it one of the most versatile joinery planes ever created.

This guide provides a complete overview of the Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet Plane—including history, features, usage, restoration, and collector value.

Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet Planes for Sale on Ebay

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2. History of the Stanley No. 78 Plane

Introduced in the late 19th century, the No. 78 quickly became Stanley’s most popular rabbet and filletster plane. It was produced from about 1885 through 1973 and a similar version of it s still sold today.

Historical Highlights

• Introduced around 1885–1888
• Called the “Duplex Rabbet & Filletster Plane”
• Equipped with a reversible, dual-position cutter for versatility
• Produced for more than 100 years (a testament to its success)
• Manufactured in the U.S., England, and other Stanley markets
• Later versions sold under Handyman and Record (English) lines
• Sweetheart-era models are especially collectible
• A mechanical adjustment lever was added in 1925

Due to its long production run and worldwide adoption, the No. 78 remains one of the most common—but also most beloved—rabbet planes ever made.

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3. Manufacturer Background – Stanley Rule & Level / Stanley Works

Stanley built its reputation on practical, durable, and versatile woodworking tools. The No. 78 embodies this philosophy more than almost any other Stanley specialty plane.

Stanley Engineering Features Seen in the No. 78.

• Strong cast-iron body
• Dual cutter positions (standard & bullnose). The standard position is for regular rabbeting and the bullnose position is for working into corners and stopped rabbets.
• Adjustable fence with precise width setting
• Depth stop for repeatable rabbets
• Nicker for clean cross-grain cuts
• A simple lever cap with a thumb screw holds the cutter in place

The No. 78 is a masterclass in functional, practical design.

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4. Design and Features of the Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet Plane

The No. 78’s design is built entirely around rabbet precision, adjustability, and versatility.

Specifications

• Length: approx. 8½ inches
• Iron width: approx. 1½ inches
• Weight: approx. 2½ lbs
• Blade orientation: bevel-down
• Fence: adjustable, removable
• Body: cast iron

Core Features

• Duplex cutter positions
  • Standard position for normal work
  • Bullnose position for working into corners
• Adjustable and reversible fence for controlled rabbet widths. This can be attached to either side of the plane and allows for left or right-handed use.
• Depth stop for consistent cut depth on the right side and secured with a thumb screw.
• Nicker (spur cutter) a three pronged spur for clean cross-grain rabbets
• Bevel-down blade with cap iron
• Large handle for comfortable push strokes
• Reversible fence rod for left- or right-hand use

Why the No. 78 Stands Apart

• More versatile than fixed-sole rabbet planes
• Excellent for both cross-grain and long-grain work
• Combines filletster plane, rabbet plane, and bullnose plane in one tool
• Affordable, durable, and highly effective

This is the rabbet plane most woodworkers reach for—traditional or modern.

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5. Usage & Applications

The No. 78 is an essential joinery plane used by carpenters, cabinetmakers, and furniture builders.

Ideal Uses

• Cutting rabbets (rebates) of all sizes
• Trimming and fitting tenon cheeks
• Cleaning up dados and grooves
• Cross-grain rabbeting (using the nicker)
• Fitting doors, windows, and casework
• Adjusting joints during assembly
• Bullnose trimming into corners or stopped joints

Technique Tips

• Engage the nicker for cross-grain cuts
• Use the fence for consistent reveals
• Keep the depth stop locked firmly
• For fine cuts, retract the blade slightly and take multiple passes
• Switch to bullnose mode when trimming into tight corners

Few hand planes offer this level of joinery control.

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6. Restoration of a Stanley No. 78 Plane

The No. 78 is easy to restore but requires attention to its small parts.

Typical Restoration Steps

1. Disassemble all components—fence, rod, nicker, depth stop, iron, lever cap
2. Remove rust using Evapo-Rust or citric acid
3. Lap the sole lightly (flatness is helpful but not critical)
4. Sharpen the bevel-down iron with a slight camber
5. Hone the nicker to a clean, sharp edge
6. Clean the depth stop and fence mechanisms
7. Preserve japanning whenever possible
8. Lubricate screws and fence rod

Optional Upgrades

• Hock or Veritas replacement blades
• Custom wooden fences for improved glide
• Waxed sole for smooth cutting action

Restoration Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-flattening the sole (not needed for rabbet planes)
• Misplacing or losing the nicker—very important for cross-grain
• Over-oiling fence rod (can collect sawdust)
• Over-polishing original japanning

Properly restored, the No. 78 is a superb joinery performer.

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7. Collectability & Value

The No. 78 is widely collected because of its long production history, many variations, and practical usefulness.

Typical Value Range

• User-grade: $35–$65
• Good condition: $65–$100
• Sweetheart-era: $100–$150
• Complete boxed examples: $150–$225+

Value Factors

• Fence, rod, depth stop, and nicker intact (missing parts lower value)
• Japanning condition
• Sweetheart or early logo blade
• U.S. vs. English manufacture
• Overall completeness and originality

A No. 78 missing its nicker or fence is far less valuable than a complete example.

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8. Finding Manuals, Parts & Additional Resources

Documentation Sources

• Stanley type studies
• VintageMachinery.org
• Blood & Gore plane reference
• Early Stanley catalogs
• Tool collectors clubs and forums

Replacement Parts

• Hock & Veritas replacement irons
• Reproduction depth stops and nickers
• eBay for original fence, rods, and hardware
• Modern reproduction fences available from specialty makers

Because the No. 78 was produced for so long, replacement parts are still easy to find.

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9. Final Thoughts

The Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet Plane is a true classic—versatile, durable, user-friendly, and capable of handling a wide variety of joinery tasks with ease. Its dual cutter positions, adjustable fence, nicker, and depth stop allow it to perform multiple roles that would otherwise require several different planes.

Whether you’re a collector, a traditional joiner, or a modern hand-tool enthusiast, the No. 78 is a tool that earns its place on the bench. Properly tuned, it remains one of the best and most practical rabbet planes ever made.

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Quick Reference Summary

Category	Details
Model	Stanley No. 78 Duplex Rabbet Plane
Manufacturer	Stanley Rule & Level / Stanley Works
Era	1885–Late 20th Century
Length / Iron	~10″ / ~1½″
Key Features	Duplex cutter, fence, depth stop, nicker
Best Uses	Rabbets, filletsters, tenon trimming, joinery
Rarity	Common but variations collectible
Typical Value	$35–$225+
Restoration Difficulty	Moderate
Collectability	Strong for complete Sweetheart examples

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Related Links on Old Woodworking Tools

• Vintage Metal Planes – History, Types, Features & Restoration
• Stanley Hand Planes
• Stanley Smooth Planes

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Stanley No. 78 Open Throat Router Plane Photos

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