Hand Planes

Hand planes are tools for shaping wood. They are used to flatten, reduce the thickness of, and smooth the surface of a rough piece of lumber. Planing is also used to produce horizontal, vertical, or inclined flat surfaces on work pieces usually too large for shaping. Many special types of planes are designed to cut specific shapes of moldings or to cut joints.

Hand planes are generally a combination of a cutting edge or plane iron held in a firm body that when moved across the surface of the wood, takes a relatively uniform and thin shaving. Depending on the length of the plane, when moved over the surface, removes the high spots in the wood.

Planes are designed so the the cutting edge or plane iron is held at an angle to the surface of the wood. The plane iron extends beyond the bottom surface or sole of the plane and slices off thin shavings of wood when pushed across the surface.

History of Hand Planes

Hand planes have been around since ancient times. Early planes were made of wood with a mortise (rectangular slot) cut across the plane body so the blade could protrude below the surface of the base. The depth of cut was adjusted by hand and the blade was held in place with a wooden wedge.

In the 1860's, Leonard Bailey (Bailey Planes) began producing a line of cast iron-bodied hand planes. Bailey was later bought out by the Stanley Rule & Level Company. An employee at Stanley Rule & Level Company, Justus A. Traut and others are largely responsible to improvements to the iron bodied planes. Traut's name is on many hand plane patents on behalf of Stanley.

The Bailey and Bedrock designs are the basis for most hand planes manufactured today and they have changed little since the early 1900's. The Bailey design is still manufactured by Stanley Tools today. There were many differently types of hand planes originally manufactured. The advent of many power tools such as the portable router, made many hand planes obsolete and they are no longer in production.

Parts of a Hand Plane

Most iron body planes consist of the following parts:

Mouth - the mouth of the plans is the opening at the bottom of the sole down through which the plane iron extends. When the plane is pushed or pulled over the surface of the wood, the shavings pass up through the mouth of the plane.

Plane Iron - the plane iron is a plate of steel or blade with a sharpened edge which cuts the wood.

Lever Cap - the lever cap replaced the wooden wedge. It holds the plane iron securely in place and against the body of the plane.

Depth Adjustment Knob - the depth adjustment knob controls how far the plane iron extends through the mouth. This determines the depth of cut.

Knob - Many planes have a wooden or metal know at the front of the plane.

Cap Iron or Chipbreaker - the cap iron serves to make the blade more rigid. It breaks the chips or curls the shavings as they pass up over the blade through the mouth of the plane.

Lateral Adjustment Lever - the lateral adjustment lever is used to adjust the plane iron by skewing it so the depth of cut is uniform across the mouth of the plane.

Tote - The tote is the handle at the back of the plane. On early iron planes it was typically made of rosewood or Cocobolo hardwood.

Finger rest knob - small block planes typically have a finger rest instead of a knob. The planes are so small they are typically used with one hand. The plane is held in the palm of the hand while the index finger rests on the finger rest to help guide and control the movement of the plane.

Frog - the frog is an iron wedge that is fastened to the body of the plane. The plane iron rests on the wedge which holds the plane iron at the proper angle. It slides forward and backward to adjust the gap between the cutting edge and the front of the mouth. The frog is usually screwed in place on the inside of the sole of the plane. On some planes it is only adjustable with a screwdriver when the plane iron and cap iron are removed. Other planes have a screw mechanism that allows the frog to be adjusted without removing the plane iron.

Types of Hand Planes

Depending on their size, most planes are categorized as either bench planes or block planes.

Bench planes are characterized by the plane iron with the bevel facing down and attached to the cap iron.

Block planes are characterized by the plane iron with the bevel facing up. It also does not have a cap iron. The block plane is usually a smaller, shorter tool that can be held with one hand.

Different types of bench and block planes are designed to perform specific tasks with the name and size of the plane being defined by its use. Bailey and later Stanley planes were designated by a number respective to the length of the plane.

Scrub Plane - Scrub Planes are for planning down to a rough dimension any board that is too wide to conveniently rip with a hand saw, an operation that is sometimes called "hogging." This is made possible by the shape of the extra heavy cutter, the cutting edges of which is round instead of square.

Jointer Plane - A Jointer Plane is a finishing plane for large surfaces and is invariably used to true up the edges of boards so that they can be closely fitted or joined together.

Jack Plane - A Jack Plane is used to true up the edges of a board in the rough and prepare it for the Fore or Jointer Plane.

Junior Jack Plane - A Junior Jack Plane is a smaller lighter version of the Jack Plane. Its size makes it especially desirable for all work requiring a lighter jack plane than the full size version.

Fore Plane - A Fore Plane is simply a shorter jointer, and begin lighter, is preferred by some woodworkers to the longer plane.

Smooth (Bench) Plane - The smooth plane is used for finishing or smoothing off flat surfaces. Where uneven spots are of slight area, its short length will permit it to locate these irregularities, leaving the work with a smooth surface when finished.

Planes may also be classified by the material of which that are made.

Wooden planes are made entirely of wood except for the blade. The plane iron is held in place by a wooden wedge and is adjusted by striking the plane with a hammer or mallet.

Transitional planes have a wooden body with a metal casting attached to it to hold and adjust the plane. These first appeared as a transition from the early all wood planes to the iron plants.

Metal or iron planes are made mostly of wood except the handles and knob which are typically made of Rosewood or Cocobolo or plastic.

Specialty Hand Planes

There are many type of cutting tools that are also know as planes.

Spokeshave - a tool with a very short sole, either flat or curved. A spokeshave is used for smoothing curved surfaces.

Shoulder Plane -

Moulding Plane -

Rabbet Plane -

Plow Plane -

Router Plane -

Chisel Plane -

Finger Plane -

Bullnose Plane -

Combination Plane -

Circular or Compass Plane - Compass planes have flexible steel faces which can be accurately adjusted for planing the inside or outside of circles. The cutters are adjustable endwise and sidewise.

 

 

 

All Other Old Woodworking Tools Articles

Delta Homecraft Tools Delta produced a series of woodworking machines for the homeowner called the Delta Homecraft Power Tools

Delta Homecraft Jointer The Vintage Delta Homecraft Jointer was a welcome addition to any shop.

Delta Table Saw Jointer Combination Unit The Delta No. 34-500 8 inch Table Saw Jointer Combination machine offered a compact table saw jointer unit on one stand that used a single motor.

Delta Homecraft Shaper The Vintage Delta Homecraft Shaper No. 43-110 performed all of the operations commonly done on larger more expensive shapers of its type.

Delta Homecraft Drill Press Model No. 11-100 The Vintage Delta Homecraft drill press was one of the most versatile tools in the wood shop. It wasn't limited to just drilling holes.

Delta Homecraft Band Saw - Mod. 28-110 10" Saw The Delta Homecraft Band Saw Model No. 28-110 was first introduced along with the Homecraft Power Tool line in 1949. This bid 10 inch Delta Homecraft Band Saw was for curved and straight line cutting.

Delta Woodworking Tools Information and resources about Delta Woodworking Tools and Machinery.

Delta Unisaw - 10" Tilting Arbor Circular Saw 1949 The Delta Unisaw has been a mainstay of woodworking shops for the past 60 years.

Delta Band Saw Rip Fence The Delta Band Saw Rip Fence made the popular Delta 14 Band Saw and even more versatile tool.

Delta Band Saw (1949) Model No. 28-207 The Band Saw Restoration page is a place for you to share your old band saw restoration tips and stories and upload photos.

Delta Jointer 6 Inch The Delta Jointer was the standard 6 Inch Jointers in shops of all types.

Delta Finishing Machine - 4" Belt & 12" Disc Sander The Vintage Delta Finishing Machine No. 31-700 with a 4 Belt & 12 Disc was capable of performing 90% to 95% of all you finishing operations.

Craftsman Tool Stands Vintage Craftsman tool stands - were available for almost every Sears Craftsman power tool offered. Two sizes of stands were easily adjustable and provided rock-steady support.

Woodworking Machine Manuals Download free woodworking machine manuals.

Craftsman Tool Manuals Craftsman tool manuals and catalogs that can be downloaded for free.

Rockwell Tool Manuals Download free Rockwell tool manuals and catalogs

Delta Tool Manuals Download free Delta tool manuals and catalogs

Contribute Content to Old-Woodworking-Tools.net Help contribute to Old-Woodworking-Tools.net

Share Your Woodworking Machine Photos Share a photo or information about woodworking tools and machines.

Vintage Delta Tools Share a photo of your vintage Delta tools.

Share Your Vintage Craftsman Photos Share a photo of your vintage Craftsman tools.

Antique Woodworking Tools Old Woodworking Tools provides information and resources for collectors and restorers of antique woodworking tools and machinery.

Walker Turner Woodworking Tools Information and resources about Walker Turner Woodworking Tools and Machinery.

Old Woodworking Tools & Machines Old Woodworking Tools provides information and resources for collectors and restorers of antique woodworking tools and machinery.

Delta 1460 Wood Lathe The Delta 1460 Wood Lathe was offered by Delta in two models; a 4-speed version for wood turning and a 16-speed version for wood and light metal work. Pictured here is the one with the counter shaft unit for wood and metal. This lathe is rigid and accurate and appears to the the perfect lathe for general wood working applictions.

Woodworking Community Join the Woodworking Community for discussion, sharing, networking and more!

Vintage Oliver Woodworking Machine Photos Information and resources and photos of vintage Oliver Woodworking Machinery.

Delta 15" Utility Drill Press Information and resources for the Delta 15 Utility Drill Press 1963)

Old Woodworking Tools Information and resources for Internet Network Marketing success and using the web for your Internet network marketing and MLM business. Includes a case study.

Delta 43-205 Heavy Duty Shaper (1951) Information and photos about the Delta 43-205 Heavy Duty Shaper. Includes model numbers, parts list, and machine manual.

Delta 1160 Table Saw Information and photos of the Delta 1160 Table Saw. Includes description, parts list, recommened motors, and machine manual.

Delta 1426 Disk Sander Information and photos about the Delta 1426 Disk Sander. This Delta woodworking machines was produced in 1939. Includes parts list, motor recommendations, and more.

Craftsman 3 Wheel Band Saw Information and photos about the Craftsman 3 Wheel Band Saw. Includes photos, parts list, manufacturing information

Vintage Powermatic Tools Share a photo of your vintage PowerMatic tools.

Jet Woodworking Tool Photos Share a photo of your Jet Woodworking Tool Photos.

Powermatic Model 221 Planer Information and photos of the Powermatic Model 221 Planer

Powermatic Model 66 Table Saw Information and resources about the Powermatic Model 66 Table Saw

Boice Crane Woodworking Tools Information and resources about Boice Crane Woodworking Tools and Machinery.

Boice Crane 14" Band Saw Information and resources about the Boice Crane 14

General Woodworking Tools Information and resources for General Woodworking Tools, table saws, band saws, jointers, shapers, sanders, etc.

Woodworking Tool Reviews Read or write a review of the Woodworking tools listed here.

Old Woodworking Tools Network A place for old woodworking tool enthusiasts to share photos, stories, and more

Woodworking Supplies & Equipment Woodworking-Supplies & Equipment including tools, hardware, supplies, woodworking plans and more.

Wood Lathes Information about wood lathes including a description of the features and considerations for purchasing one as well as links to a variety of vintage and modern wood lathes.

Jointer The jointer can machine a face or edge of a board perfectly flat and straight. This page provides information about wood jointers.

Craftsman Table Saw Information and resources about the Craftsman Table Saw

Delta Table Saw Information and resources about the Delta Table Saw.

Best Woodworking Shop Tips Contest 2010 Enter the Best Woodworking Shop Tips Contest and win a $100 gift card from Rockler Woodworking

Woodworking Shop Notes Learn more about woodworking, tools, projects, supplies and more.

Woodworking Machinery Information and resources about woodworking machinery.

Woodworking Machine Manufacturers Information and resources woodworking machine manufacturers.

Old Woodworking Tools Information and resources about the drill press, one of the most versatile pieces of equipment in the shop.

Belt Sander and Disc Saner Information and resources about abrasive tools including the belt sander and disc sander.

Wood Shaper or Spindle Shaper Information and resources about the wood shaper also known as the spindle shaper.

Hand Planes Information, resources, and photos about woodworking hand planes, history of planes, types of planes, uses of planes.

Stanley Hand Planes Information, photos, and resources about Stanley Hand Planes.

This site proudly build with Site Build It!