Jo Fuller Planes
Joseph Fuller (1746-1822)
Planemaker, Providence, RI
GAWP5 imprint sequence, early to late: A, B, C, D1, D2, E
Five Jo Fuller molding planes have been reported with the A mark, tapered chamfer stops and rounded, non-relieved wedge finials. (Courtesy of Mike Humphrey.) These planes are thought to be Jo Fuller's earliest planes. Of the five planes, one has a smaller, fully rounded finial while four have larger, slightly elongated finials. The plane with the smaller, round finial is believed to be the earliest Jo Juller plane known.
These early wedge profiles are not included in GAWP5. The "rounded" non-relieved wedge profile reported in GAWP5 is a later, post 1800, swept back form.
A mark. 10" length, birch. This is believed to be the earliest Jo Fuller molding plane known with a smaller round, non-relieved wedge finial and tapered chamfer stops. Photo courtesy of Mike Humphrey.
A mark. 10" length, tapered chamfer stops, birch. This molder is one of the four early Jo Fuller planes with the rounded, non-relieved, slightly elongated finials. Photos courtesy Early RI Toolmakers & Tradesmen.
A mark. 10" length, birch. Slight relief to wedge finial while retaining the earliest tapered chamfer stop form.
A mark. 10" length, birch. Slight relief to wedge finial with the more common chamfer stop form ... a tapered step and flute.
A mark. 10" length, birch. A second example of the more common chamfer stop form of a tapered step and flute.
A mark / C mark combination, not reported in GAWP 5. This jointer has the tapered step and flute form of the chamfer stop.
C mark, 10" birch. This example is still showing a limited finial relief.
C mark, 10" birch. Wedge finial relief is more pronounced with a slight curvature seen on the cut-out below the finial.
C mark, crown molder, birch. Chamfer stops without flutes.
D1 mark with clear arrow decoration following 'Fuller'. 10", birch. Flat chamfers and chamfer stops with tipped step and flute continue with the molders. The wedge final relief and the cut-out curvature below the finial are more pronounced while the wedge finial height is reduced.
D1 mark with clear arrow decoration following 'Fuller'. 10", birch.
D1 mark plow. 10", birch.
Second D1 mark plow. 10", birch.
D1 mark jointer. Applewood, 27 1/4 long. Flat chamfers with simple turnout on ends.
D1 mark with arrow decoration following 'Fuller'. 10", birch. Decorated shoulder edge believed to be mid 1790's.
D1 mark with very faint arrow decoration. 7", birch.
D1 marks (earlier and later) based on the strength of the arrow decoration as exhibited in two toted tongue planes. Both planes are birch with flat chamfers. The later D1 example (below and left respectively), has a later open tote design which is more upright and less graceful in form (editor's tote description).
Late D1 mark with very faint arrow decoration, round chamfers on top of body, flat on ends. 10", birch. GAWP 5 describes a continuum between the marks D1 and D2 based, in part, on the strength (presence) of the arrow device which follows "Fuller". The editor has chosen to designate the following examples as 'late D1', as each has "a very faint arrow decoration" which is visible. (In certain cases, a hand lens was used to verify the presence / remnant of the arrow decoration.)
Late D1 mark with very faint arrow decoration, round chamfers on top of body, flat on ends. 10", birch.
Late D1 mark with very faint arrow decoration, round chamfers on top of body, flat on ends. 8", birch.
Late D1 mark on crown molder with very faint arrow decoration, round chamfers on top of body, flat on ends. Birch with later styled open tote.
Late D1 mark on jointer with very faint arrow decoration, round chamfers on top of body, flat on ends. Birch. The tote is less 'ornate' than the early D1 example. The tote remains offset with the heel undercut. Round top wedge with chamfer is consistent with earlier D1 example as is the chamfer on the wedge abutment cheeks.
E mark example courtesy of Early RI Toolmakers & Tradesmen.
E mark molder with round chamfers on top of body, flat on ends. Courtesy of Early RI Toolmakers & Tradesmen.
Bench planes. Comparison of wedge abutment chamfers. Top to bottom: A / C imprint (cheek length 2 3/4"), C imprint (cheek length 1.6"), D1 imprint (cheek length 1 3/4").
