Making a Wooden Plane
Introduction
Purpose
A lot has been written on the subject of building wooden planes. It's hard to know what I can really add to the subject, since it's been covered very well by people far more experienced. Still, there are some areas where more information might help. Where my treatise really differs is that it's targeted at people who have limited access to power tools, but who have a few basic hand tools, and the patience to use them in planemaking. I will also try to address the stumbling blocks that I encountered, that are not well documented by others.
Why should I bother?
I'm not attempting to convert metal plane users, or to convince anyone that wooden planes are superior - although they do present a subtly different way of working, and provide a great deal of control and flexibility.
Making them can be a challenge. Even with the proper tools and experience, it can be a lot of work - and there are bound to be dissapointments along the way. But, if you pay attention to a few important details, you'll probably be suprised at how good (and simple) it actually is.
I started making wooden planes at a time when I had more time than money, and needed more flexibility than what my #4 smoothing plane would provide. I was intrigued and inspired by James Krenov in The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking, and I was eager to take on the challenge of making a plane. When I had finished, I not only had a fine tool, but a much better understanding about what differentiates a good plane from an excellent, or even great one. That learning process continues to be more and more valuable to me.
The process notwithstanding, my latest planes have convinced me that wooden planes can provide outstanding performance on the most stubborn woods, and a way of working that is more intimate than with metal tools.
Why A Sandwich?
There are lots of methods for making a wooden plane, and I encourage you to read up on the alternatives. The method that I will describe is called the "sandwich" method, and has become popular with the Krenov fans. This method has both advantages and disadvantages.
One advantage is that it can be built quickly and accurately, and I find the pin/wedge system works very well. At the risk of offending tradionalists, I'd hazard to say that this system is as reliable as the more elaborate wedge within a tapered mortise, with the pin providing excellent holding power. The disadvantages of the sandwich are that you have to rely on a good glue joint to maintain body integrity. More on that later.
Other planemaking options are to mortise out the mouth and bed, and hold the blade with a wedge, a pin/wedge combination, or a pivoting cap iron. Traditional planes have a fairly complex mortise to hold the wedge. It's not really that difficult to cut, but it does take a fair amount of expertise with a chisel. It's more difficult to visualize the ramps and more prone to marking errors, but Leonard Lee's book does an excellent job of explaining this process.
A simpler, non-ramped mortise, combined with a cap iron is preferred by Cecil Pierce. I like this method for several reasons, the foremost being that his cap iron does not put stress on the relatively thin sides, like a wedge can do. The pivoting cap iron applies controlled, but firm pressure on the iron. Even with those advantages, I will still recommend the "sandwich" as the starting point. Mr. Pierce's fine planes take some amount of metalworking skill to make, and my intention is to focus on woodworking.
Other Resources
- The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking, James Krenov
- Fine Woodworking On Planes And Chisels
- Making A Wooden Plane, Lenoard Lee
- Fifty Years A Plane Maker and User, Cecil Pierce
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Steve Spodaryk
Medford, MA
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article
12.10.2008
- Making a Wooden Plane
Introduction
Tools
The Iron
The Chipbreaker
Wood
Marking Out the Blank 1
Marking Out the Blank 2
Forming the Plane Bed
Drilling the Pin Holes
Making the Pin
Test Fit
Glue Up
Post Glue Cleanup
Adjusting the Mouth
Making the Wedge
Test Run
Shaping the Plane Body
Troubleshooting
Advanced Topics
- Making a Wooden Plane
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