Hand Planes
Hand planes are a group of timber shaping tools that are used to great effect in the shaping of timber components. For thousands of years, wooden bodied planes were used in the process of shaping timber and crafting components. In the 1800’s, industry innovations led to the development of cast iron bodied planes, in a modern format that is recognisable today. Over the course of history, different styles of hand planes have been adapted and modified for use in specific applications to create a large array of tools that are still used to this day. Whilst hand planes primarily see the most use in general woodworking and furniture making, they are still irreplaceable tools in both workshop and site applications.
The basic design of all hand planes features some type of body with a projecting blade held captive within it. When the blade is adjusted correctly so that it projects evenly from the body, fine shavings can be taken from a length of timber when the body of the plane is run along it. These tools are used to flatten boards into dimensional timber, as well as create a smooth surface finish. Other speciality planes can be used for cutting grooves, dados, rebates, and moulding profiles.
The following is a selection of the most common styles of hand planes and how they are used.
Wooden body planes
In the context of traditional European and early US carpentry and woodworking, wooden body planes were the standard planing tool of the time. These planes feature a body made from hardwood - typically Beech, Oak, or Ash - with a throat cut in the sole. An angled hole was chopped through the body of the plane to allow a metal blade to project out of the sole. The blade is held captive by a wooden wedge that is driven into the throat of the body. A hammer is used to tighten or release the wedge, as well as adjusting the blade laterally and in protrusion depth. Some styles featured handles and knobs of various styles, whilst others didn't. A large array of different shapes were available for different purposes - most of which have evolved over time to the cast bodied varieties that we’re familiar with today.
In the context of the time, whilst speciality tool makers produced these tools on a relatively large scale, a skilled carpenter/woodworker was capable of making their own body, with the only requirement being the purchasing of the blade. With that being said, there are a few downsides to wooden body planes that lead to the development of the cast iron body planes. Primarily, the sole of the wooden body plane requires frequent tuning when faced with heavy use as they would have in the past. With these tools being the primary tool for shaping and flattening timber into square stock, the sheer amount of planning performed wore away the sole of the plane through friction. This isn't a major issue in reality, as another plane can be used to flatten and reshape the sole of a worn plane, though this is an issue that cast planes don't suffer from. Once a cast plane has had an initial setup performed on it, the metal sole will remain flat indefinitely, provided the tool is cared for. Another downside to the wooden plane is the comparatively awkward blade setting and adjustment, in relation to a cast body plane. Getting the right setup to take appropriate shavings with a wedge and loose iron is perfectly possible but takes longer to achieve than the modern mechanism that current day planes have. It can also be more difficult for a beginner to get the hang of setting a wooden bodied plane. It is for that reason that the modern cast iron planes were developed, with mechanisms included that allow for the blade to be adjusted much easier.
Cast metal planes
Cast metal planes are the modern evolution of the traditional wooden bodied planes. In the age of industry, more robust, easier to maintain tools were required, and the cast iron hand plane was the upgrade to the wooden bodied plane. Note here that as of the current day, there are a handful of tool manufacturers that make swathes of different planes from other metals such as steel and brass. Some of them also mill their bodies as opposed to casting. For all intents and purposes, the information about their construction and the way that they operate is still the same.
Metal planes boast the same basic construction as the traditional style wooden bodied planes. The sole features a throat in the bottom for the plane iron to project out of. A typical metal plane features a front knob and a rear tote for holding the tool during operation. An adjustable “frog” is attached to the body of the plane via machine screws, sitting just behind the throat. The frog features an adjustable peg that is actuated via a thumb turn behind the frog. The blade assembly of the plane features a sharp plane iron, with a metal chip breaker attached to it via a machine screw. The screw is threaded into the chip breaker, with the head being passed through a hole in the plane iron. A less wide channel running off of this hole allows the shank of the screw to move freely whilst holding the two pieces together. Once the chip breaker is correctly aligned, the screw can be tightened to fully assemble the blade assembly. The purpose of the chip breaker is to force the shavings upwards out of the plane and clear of the blade as it is cutting. It also provides stability to the blade during use.
The blade assembly is installed in the body of the plane on top of the frog. A small notch in the plane iron hooks onto the peg that protrudes from the frog. This helps to align the plane iron in the body, as well as serving as the primary adjustment for the plane iron. Another lateral adjuster sticks out the back of the frog to adjust the blade once it is in situ. With the blade assembly positioned on the frog, the cap iron can be installed to keep the blade in position. This cap iron is a lever that is secured around a fixed screw protruding from the frog. The cap iron is slotted into place, and the lever is snapped shut to provide tension to the blade and hold it in place. Adjustments can then be made to the blade with the two separate adjustors.
This is the basic assembly of most metal planes, with all the different shapes and sizes being available. We will now look at all the different styles and sizes of hand planes, both wooden and metal.
Bench planes
Bench planes are the standard wood shaping tools that are used in traditional and modern western hand tool woodworking. They are built to standardised sizes and patterns and are intended for specific activities. When the change from wooden bodied planes to cast planes occurred, standardised sizes and number patterns were created for use in a sale catalogue. Companies like Stanley and Bailey sold these planes with replacement blades and accessories from their catalogues, with a wide array of other woodworking tools. Note that these modern sizes have often evolved from an earlier wooden bodied counterpart.
In terms of bench planes, the standard sizes ranged from the No.1 to the No.8, with a few half sizes thrown in the mix. We shall briefly look at the different features of each size here.
● No.1, 2, and 3- The No.1, 2, and 3 planes are on the smaller end of the scale, being used for lightweight activities and reaching into smaller areas. they were also historically marketed towards children or those with smaller hands. The smallest of the selection is the No.1, being comparable in size to a block plane. Original no.1 planes are very rare due to their limited production. In application, they are used for planing smaller components or reaching into tight spaces. The No.2 is the smallest practical bench plane, with the size increase up from the No.1 making it more suitable for two handed uses. This plane is used for surface finishing and reaching into tight spaces. The No.3 plane is a smaller smoothing plane that possesses most of the practical utility of the No.4, with a slightly smaller profile and lighter weight body.
● No.4 - The No.4 plane is a smoothing plane that is very flexible and versatile within woodworking. It is not overly large or heavy but is still large enough to perform more heavy-duty tasks. Due to its comfortable size and weight, it is amongst the most common hand plane sizes, being used for most smoothing and surface finishing applications.
● No.4 ½ - The No.4 ½ is a wider and heavier variant of the No.4 plane, with the length remaining more or less the same. This increased weight and width of the sole lend the No. 4 ½ to large surface planing and rough work. This style of plane can commonly be seen converted to a “scrub plane”, with the mouth on the sole being filed wider to allow larger, rougher shavings to be taken. This is useful for the quick but rough shaping of unprocessed timber.
● No.5 ¼ - This hand plane falls in between the No.4 ½ and the No.5 in terms of its length, though being smaller in width than both. The length of the sole is appropriate for all general applications, being well suited to general use as well as jointing. The smaller footprint of this plane in combination with the reduced weight was marketed directly towards schools for use in workshop activities.
● No.5 - The No.5, also known as the “Jack plane” (as in “Jack of all trades”) is amongst the most commonly used and available hand planes in the world. The length and weight of the plane sits just under the threshold of becoming unwieldy for most tasks. The length of the sole allows the plane to be used for lightweight jointing, as well as most heavy-duty planing applications. That being said, it is still small enough to be effectively used for chamfering and surface planing. In terms of site carpentry, this is the only plane that really needs to be carried, as it is suited to all tasks. Cheaper models can be converted to scrub planes also.
● No. 5 ½ - The No. 5 ½ is another half step plane that is wider and heavier than the No.5, though only marginally, if at all longer, depending on the model. The extra weight and width make this plane well suited for surface planing the faces of wide boards. The weight can become cumbersome over extended periods of time though. Cheap models may be converted to scrub planes.
● No.6, 7, and 8 - These planes are on the larger end of the scale, reaching a whopping 2’ in length as is the case with the number 8. These planes are known collectively as jointing planes and were used for the purpose of jointing and flattening long and wide boards. The long length of the sole allowed the plane to effectively flatten large areas, riding over the bumps and hollows in an unmilled board, taking shavings from the high spots until the board was flat. The job of jointing can be achieved with smaller planes like the No. 4 and 5, though the increased weight and sole length of the larger planes makes it easier. That being said, they are very heavy for extended periods of use, much heavier than their wooden bodied counterparts.
Note here that there are many other unique styles that are specific to certain time periods. The above collection is the most widely accepted standard sizes that are still in use today.
Rebate planes/Fillister planes
Rebate planes are similar in construction to shoulder planes, though they often feature a fence or depth stop in their assembly. The rebate plane is intended for planing rebates into the edges of boards. Traditional wooden bodied rebate planes were formed from single timber bodies, with different sole and blade widths being created for different repeated applications. Modern metal body planes often feature adjustable stops to combine these multiple styles into one plane. Different types of blades can be fitted into this plane making it capable of cutting profiles, as well as tongue and grooves for joining boards.
Bullnose planes
A bullnose plane is a small plane that features a plane iron that protrudes either out the front of the plane body, or out of a throat that is very close to the front of the plane body. This allows the plane to take shavings from inside a closed area, with a much smaller tolerance up to the surfaces that stop the body of the plane. That being said, they are also used in the same applications as shoulder planes, as the plane iron and cutting edge typically span the full width of the body of the plane.
Moulding planes
Moulding planes are wooden bodied, profile planes that are used for creating mouldings in wood. The sole of the plane is shaped in the negative of the intended moulding, with a matching shaped blade protruding from the mouth of the plane. In traditional woodworking, a workshop would feature a large selection of these inexpensive planes in order to create all of the different common mouldings. Both historically and in the modern day, custom moulding planes can be made with relative ease in order to match an existing profile for restoration purposes. The blade of the plane is set in place with a wedge as is typical with wooden bodied planes. This type of plane never saw a wide scale move over to metal bodied planes, as the creation of moulding machinery like routers and profile cutters removed the necessity for them. That being said, if mouldings are required to be cut by hand, these traditional planes can still be acquired at second hand markets.
Block planes
Blocks planes are small, low angle planes. They are much smaller than regular bench planes and can be held comfortably in one hand. They are typically used for planing smaller components, as well as chamfering the edges of boards. The low angle of the blade enables end grain and irregular grain to be cut more cleanly. In site carpentry, they are used for planing in the edges of doors and chamfering the edges of components such as door linings. Their convenient size and low weight makes means they can be carried within a tool belt.
Low angle planes
Low angle planes are bench planes that feature an alternative blade angle in comparison to regular bench planes. The blade sits in the body of the plane in a similar way to a block plain, creating a shallower cutting edge when presented to the timber. This plane can be used in the same ways as a regular bench plane, though the low angle aids in planing end grain and irregular grain. For general woodworking and carpentry, they are a luxury and expensive tool, though are worth the investment for fine woodworking.
Japanese hand planes
These are an eastern style of wooden bodied plane that are still used today in modern Japanese and eastern woodworking. For all intents and purposes, they feature all of the same parts that we’re familiar with, though they are intended to be pulled through the work instead of pushing like a western plane.
Router planes
Router planes are wonderful tools that can be used in similar ways to modern plunge routers for accurately removing material. The body of the plane is wide and ovular in footprint, with a small knob to hold onto on each side. The middle of the sole features an opening in which the height adjustable blade can be raised or lowered to a specific depth. The sole of the plane is used as a reference surface, riding along the primary plane of the timber. The blade can be extended into a dado or onto a tenon to evenly plane the inside of the joinery flat in relation to the reference surface of the timber. Whilst fun to use, they are also a luxury tool, as the same outcome can be achieved with other less expensive tools.
Shoulder planes
Shoulder planes are planes that feature a full width mouth and throat, with the plane iron spanning the full width of the plane body. This allows the plane to take shavings right up to the edges of the body. In practical applications, the plane can cut right up to the shoulder of a tenon and cleanly remove material close to the edge. These planes are often much thinner in width than the larger bench planes, as they are not intended for taking wide shavings. They are also able to fit inside dados to clear them out, as well as rebating dados.
Scraper planes
Scraper planes are specialty planes that utilise the smoothing properties of a card scraper in more practical and prolonged applications. Whilst a sharp card scraper is capable of producing an incredibly smooth surface finish on timber, prolonged use by hand can become uncomfortable, putting unnecessary pressure on the fingers and thumbs. The scraper plane sees a comfortable plane body that is adapted to receive a card scraper. This design allows the scraper to be used more comfortably, and consistently, for extended periods of time.
Shooting planes
Shooting planes are specialty hand planes designed for use with shooting boards. A shooting board is a piece of workshop equipment, typically homemade, that is used for truing the ends or edges of boards square, or to a specific angle. Typically, a bench plane is used to take the shavings off of the material, running against a stop and sliding sideways on the surface of the shooting board. This technique works perfectly but can be a little uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time. With that in mind, modern speciality tool manufacturers have developed shooting planes with an offset handle for this specific application. With the handle upright in the traditional position of a plane, the sole and blade is oriented sideways. They are an expensive luxury tool, definitely not essential.