Plane Cross-Reference
The table below provides a cross-reference for the common size bench planes manufactured by Stanley, Millers Falls, Sargent, and Record.
| Bench Plane Cross-Reference | ||||||
| Type | Length | Iron Width | Stanley | Millers Falls | Sargent | Record |
| Smooth | 5 1/2 in. | 1 1/4 in. | 1 | None | None | None |
| Smooth | 7 in. | 1 5/8 in. | 2 | 7 | 407 | None |
| Smooth | 7 in. | 1 5/8 in. | 2C | None | None | None |
| Smooth | 8 in. | 1 3/4 in. | 3 | 8 | 408 | 03 |
| Smooth | 8 in. | 1 3/4 in. | 3C | 8C | 408C | 03C |
| Smooth | 9 in. | 2 in. | 4 | 9 | 409 | 04 |
| Smooth | 9 in. | 2 in. | 4C | 9C | 409C | 04C |
| Smooth | 10 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 4 1/2 | 10 | 410 | 04 1/2 |
| Smooth | 10 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 4 1/2C | 10C | 410C | 04 1/2C |
| Smooth | 10 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 4 1/2H | None | None | None |
| Fore | 11 1/2 in. | 1 3/4 in. | 5 1/4 | 11 | None | None |
| Fore | 11 1/2 in. | 1 3/4 in. | 5 1/4C | None | None | None |
| Fore | 13 in. | 1 5/8 in. | None | None | None | T5 |
| Fore | 14 in. | 2 in. | 5 | 14 | 414 | 05 |
| Fore | 14 in. | 2 in. | 5C | 14C | 414C | 05C |
| Fore | 15 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 5 1/2 | 15 | 415 | 05 1/2 |
| Fore | 15 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 5 1/2C | 15C | 415C | 05 1/2C |
| Fore | 15 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 5 1/2H | None | None | None |
| Fore | 18 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 6 | 18 | 418 | 06 |
| Fore | 18 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 6C | 18C | 418C | 06C |
| Jointer | 22 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 7 | 22 | 422 | 07 |
| Jointer | 22 in. | 2 3/8 in. | 7C | 22C | 422C | 07C |
| Jointer | 24 in. | 2 5/8 in. | 8 | 24 | 424 | 08 |
| Jointer | 24 in. | 2 5/8 in. | 8C | 24C | 424C | 08C |
Virginia Toolworks 
Why not refer to the No.5 as a jack plane? That is traditional, is it not?
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Very good question. Traditionally, fore planes were about 14″ to 18″ long, which would include the Jack plane. The term Jack, as you probably know, is most likely derived from “jack of all trades.” However, it doesn’t really matter. The terms Fore, Joynter, and Smoothing plane reflect how they were used and the functions they each served. I think Jack is a slang term. So, while it’s perfectly acceptable to call it a Jack plane, it is my personal belief that the more traditional term for the 14″ plane is Fore. Of course, this is all conjecture and I could be wrong.
Technically, any length bench plane can be used for any function, as long as it’s set up correctly. So, and Jack can be set up to be a Fore plane, a Jointer, or a Smoother.
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I was reading the fine print in the picture on your terminology page. It appears in 1929 that Stanley referred to 5 and 5 1/2 planes as Jack planes and the 5 1/4 as the Junior Jack. That leads me to believe it wasn’t just a slang term. Either way is good with me, a rose by any other name….
A side note: thank you for putting together a very informative site.
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One of the earliest published references to “Jack” plane is Joseph Moxon’s Mechanick Exercises from 1703, so the term was well established (whether slang or other origin) long before 1929. It might just be one of those enduring mysteries that is never completely sorted out.
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Millers Falls did not make an 11C.
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You may very well be right. I’ve seen conversion charts both with and without.
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I note that in your table you have not listed the Record No 2 which is similar size to the Stanley No 2. I know these are around as I have a Stay set version, which is pretty rare.
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