Stanley 78 or 289 DIY “Fugly” Fence

Stanley 78 “Fugly” Fence Fixture

The Stanley 78 is one of the best little rabbet planes ever made — but most of them are missing the fence. This is the solution I built instead. It locks in solid, stays put, and gets your 78 back in the shop where it belongs.

I personally love this tool for rabbeting picture frames — quick setup, clean results, and a ton of control once you’re dialed in. One customer said it reminded him of using a stanley 45. I agree.

What You’re Getting

• Includes the threaded post
• Rock-solid fence fixture — stable, strong, user-tested
• Pre-assembled and ready to install
• Wood pre-installed.

Wood this batch (Cherry)

This batch is Cherry — Hand rubbed multiple coats with Glancy #1.

Each piece is unique. Small variation is normal — it’s real wood, made for real shop work. You will love it.

Optional Add-Ons (Save a Little)

These are the parts most 78 owners are missing anyway, so I bundle them as add-ons:

• 2-pack of 10-28 screws — the commonly missing “cursed” thread
• Replacement spur & spur screw
• Second fence fixture for left/right centering setups

The Antique Doorknob (Fun + Practical)

This is the one people laugh at… until they try it.

The antique doorknob is not a handle — it’s a pressure knob. It gives you a comfortable place to apply side pressure into the fence and a bit of forward momentum through the cut, so the plane tracks steady instead of wandering.

It’s one of those “why didn’t Stanley do this?” upgrades. Once it clicks, people love it.