If you’re a woodworking enthusiast or just starting out in the craft, you may find yourself wondering about the essential hand planes you need. Well, look no further! In this article, we’ll explore some must-have hand planes that every woodworker should have in their toolkit. Whether you’re smoothing surfaces, shaping edges, or removing material, these versatile tools will help you achieve precision and finesse in your woodworking projects. Say goodbye to rough cuts and uneven surfaces – these hand planes are here to make your woodworking journey a breeze!
1. Smoothing Planes
Smoothing planes are a must-have tool for any woodworking enthusiast. They are primarily used for smoothing and finishing surfaces, ensuring a flawless and professional-looking result. There are two main types of smoothing planes: the low-angle smoothing plane and the standard smoothing plane.
1.1 Low Angle Smoothing Plane
The low-angle smoothing plane is a versatile tool that excels at end grain work and difficult grain patterns. It has a lower angle of attack compared to its standard counterpart, allowing for a finer cut and reduced tear-out. This makes it ideal for working with highly figured wood or when dealing with cross-grain situations. Its low angle also makes it easy to control and perfect for fine detail work, such as chamfers and delicate profiles.
1.2 Standard Smoothing Plane
The standard smoothing plane, also known as a bench plane, is a workhorse in any woodworking shop. It is designed for smoothing and leveling large surfaces, such as tabletops or door panels. With its longer body and higher cutting angle, it can quickly remove excess material and level out any inconsistencies. The standard smoothing plane is the go-to option for any general smoothing tasks and can tackle a wide range of wood species with ease.
2. Jack Planes
Jack planes are another essential type of hand plane that every woodworker should have in their arsenal. They are versatile and can perform various tasks, making them a go-to choice for many woodworking projects. There are two main types of jack planes: the fore plane and the trying plane.
2.1 Fore Plane
The fore plane, also known as a forejack, is a longer and heavier type of jack plane. It is primarily used for removing stock quickly and efficiently, making it a perfect tool for dimensioning rough lumber or flattening large surfaces. With its long sole and wide cutting blade, the fore plane can cover a larger area in one pass, saving you time and effort.
2.2 Trying Plane
The trying plane, also referred to as a trying jack or a long jack plane, is a shorter version of the fore plane. It is designed for straightening and smoothing surfaces after rough leveling. The trying plane is specifically useful for ensuring that edges and joints are straight and true. Its compact size allows for better control and precision when working on smaller areas or intricate details.
3. Jointer Planes
Jointer planes are essential for achieving perfectly flat and straight surfaces on larger woodworking projects. They are specifically designed for flattening and straightening the edges and faces of boards. There are two main types of jointer planes: the long jointer plane and the low-angle jointer plane.
3.1 Long Jointer Plane
The long jointer plane, often referred to as a jointer or a jointing plane, is a longer hand plane with a length typically ranging from 22 to 30 inches. It is used for accurately flattening and smoothing longer edges and faces of timber boards. The long sole of the jointer plane ensures that it bridges any gaps or inconsistencies, resulting in a perfectly flat surface. This type of plane is indispensable for tasks such as edge jointing or truing-up longer pieces of wood for joinery work.
3.2 Low Angle Jointer Plane
The low-angle jointer plane is a versatile tool that combines the benefits of a smoothing plane and a jointer plane. It has a low cutting angle, which makes it excellent for end grain work and reducing tear-out on figured wood. The low-angle jointer plane is shorter and more maneuverable than its long counterpart, making it suitable for smaller projects or those that require working in tight spaces.
4. Block Planes
Block planes are compact, versatile tools that excel at a wide range of tasks. They are named after their compact size and block-like shape, making them easy to handle and maneuver. Block planes are commonly used for chamfering edges, removing sharp corners, and smoothing surfaces. There are two main types of block planes: the low-angle block plane and the standard block plane.
4.1 Low Angle Block Plane
The low-angle block plane is a valuable addition to any woodworker’s toolbox. Its low cutting angle and adjustable mouth opening make it perfect for end grain work and light trimming tasks. It can easily create chamfers, bevels, and even perform light shaping duties. The low-angle block plane is compact and fits comfortably in the hand, allowing for precise control and effortless maneuverability.
4.2 Standard Block Plane
The standard block plane is a versatile tool that is commonly used for general-purpose woodworking tasks. It has a higher cutting angle than the low-angle block plane, making it excellent for smoothing and flattening surfaces. With its adjustable throat, you can control the chip ejection and tailor the performance to your specific needs. The standard block plane is the go-to choice for tasks like removing planer marks, adjusting miters, or fitting components.
5. Shoulder Planes
Shoulder planes are designed specifically for trimming and fine-tuning shoulder joints. They are essential for achieving a perfect fit and seamless connection between components. There are two main types of shoulder planes: the bullnose shoulder plane and the chisel plane.
5.1 Bullnose Shoulder Plane
The bullnose shoulder plane is a compact yet powerful tool that excels at tight spaces and intricate joinery work. Its unique design, with the blade extending all the way to the front, enables it to reach into corners and shoulders that are hard to access with other planes. The bullnose shoulder plane is ideal for cleaning up and refining mortises, rabbets, and other delicate recesses.
5.2 Chisel Plane
The chisel plane is a specialized tool that combines the functions of a shoulder plane and a chisel. It has a flat, narrow sole, which allows it to get into tight areas and work flush with adjacent surfaces. The chisel plane is perfect for cleaning up and refining the shoulders of tenons, paring end grain, or achieving a precise fit in joinery work. Its small size and precise control make it an indispensable tool, especially for fine furniture makers.
6. Rabbet Planes
Rabbet planes are specifically designed for creating rabbets, a type of recess or groove on the edge or face of a piece of wood. They are essential for tasks like fitting panels, building drawers, or making frame-and-panel joinery. There are two main types of rabbet planes: the bench rabbet plane and the fillister plane.
6.1 Bench Rabbet Plane
The bench rabbet plane, also known as a moving fillister plane, is a versatile tool used for cutting rabbets along an edge or across the grain. It has an adjustable cutter that allows for different widths and depths of rabbets. The bench rabbet plane is commonly used for tasks like fitting panels or creating rebates for drawer bottoms.
6.2 Fillister Plane
The fillister plane, also referred to as a sash fillister or a fillister rebating plane, is designed specifically for cutting rabbets along the grain. It features a fence that guides the plane along the edge of the workpiece, ensuring accurate and consistent results. The fillister plane is the go-to tool for tasks like making the rebates for traditional sash windows or adding a decorative edge to a piece of furniture.
7. Router Planes
Router planes are versatile tools that are specifically designed for creating precise and controlled mortises, grooves, and other recesses in wood. They can be used for tasks like inlay work, hinge mortising, or leveling out surfaces. There are two main types of router planes: the open throat router plane and the closed throat router plane.
7.1 Open Throat Router Plane
The open throat router plane is a flexible tool that allows for easy access to recesses and areas that are difficult to reach with other tools. Its design enables it to be used for shallow or deep cuts, making it suitable for a wide range of tasks. The open throat router plane is commonly used for inlay work, fine-tuning mortises, or creating recesses for door hinges.
7.2 Closed Throat Router Plane
The closed throat router plane, also known as a closed mouth router plane, is preferred for tasks that require precision and fine control. Its closed design prevents the shavings from clogging the mouth, ensuring a clean cut throughout the process. The closed throat router plane is perfect for leveling out surfaces or creating precise grooves and mortises that require a high level of accuracy.
8. Scrub Planes
Scrub planes are rough and aggressive tools that are used for removing large amounts of material quickly. They are primarily used for rough shaping and initial stock removal. There are two main types of scrub planes: the curved sole scrub plane and the flat sole scrub plane.
8.1 Curved Sole Scrub Plane
The curved sole scrub plane, also known as a compass plane, has a rounded sole that allows it to remove material quickly and efficiently. It is ideal for working on uneven or irregular surfaces, such as shaping chair seats or leveling out rough lumber. The curved sole scrub plane is typically used in a pushing motion, making it effective at hogging off material in a controlled and precise manner.
8.2 Flat Sole Scrub Plane
The flat sole scrub plane, also referred to as a foreman’s plane or a fore plane, is designed for heavy stock removal and shaping tasks. It has a flat sole that allows it to remove large amounts of material in a straight line and flatten surfaces effectively. The flat sole scrub plane is commonly used for tasks like preparing rough lumber or leveling out twisted or cupped boards before further refinement with other planes.
9. Compass Planes
Compass planes are specialized tools that are used for shaping and smoothing curved surfaces. They are particularly useful for creating concave or convex shapes, such as chair seats or curved moldings. There are two main types of compass planes: the circular sole compass plane and the compass rabbet plane.
9.1 Circular Sole Compass Plane
The circular sole compass plane, also known as a hollowing plane, has a rounded sole that matches the desired curvature of the workpiece. It is used for shaping concave surfaces and removing material in a controlled manner. The circular sole compass plane is commonly used by chairmakers and woodturners to shape seats, bowls, or other curved components.
9.2 Compass Rabbet Plane
The compass rabbet plane, also referred to as a snipe bill or a moving snipe bill, is a versatile tool for creating curved grooves or rabbets along the grain. It features an adjustable sole that allows it to follow the desired curvature of the workpiece. The compass rabbet plane is commonly used for tasks like shaping curved moldings or creating rabbets and curves in furniture components.
10. Plow Planes
Plow planes are specialized tools that are specifically designed for creating grooves, dados, and other types of recesses in wood. They are essential for tasks like joinery work, building cabinetry, or creating decorative elements on furniture. There are two main types of plow planes: the combination plow plane and the single iron plow plane.
10.1 Combination Plow Plane
The combination plow plane is a versatile tool that allows for the creation of different types of grooves and rabbets. It features interchangeable blades and fences that enable the user to adjust the width, depth, and position of the cut accurately. The combination plow plane is commonly used for tasks like making grooves for drawer bottoms, creating recesses for paneling, or cutting dados for shelves.
10.2 Single Iron Plow Plane
The single iron plow plane, also referred to as a plough or a moving fillister, is designed specifically for cutting grooves and rabbets along the grain. It has a single, dedicated blade that can be adjusted for different widths and depths of cuts. The single iron plow plane is the go-to tool for tasks like creating grooves for drawer slides, making housing joints, or cutting dados for cabinetry.
With these essential hand planes for woodworking, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle a wide range of projects. Each type of plane serves a specific purpose and offers unique benefits, ensuring that you have the right tool for every woodworking task. So, invest in a diverse set of hand planes to achieve professional results and elevate your woodworking skills to the next level. Happy woodworking!
