Originally created to replace innumerable wooden moulding and joinery planes, early combination planes were often over complicated and difficult to set up. However, a combination plane can be invaluable for restoration work and an ideal choice when you need to make a short run of moulding. It is often easier than taking the time to set up a machine.
Veritas designed their combination plane from the ground up to eliminate problems that made using the originals so frustrating. This modern example is precisely machined, quick to adjust and holds its settings securely.
The straight cutters used together with the fence mean it can tackle fundamental joinery such as rebates, tongues and grooves. With a homemade wooden guide, the plane can cut through dadoes. To prevent tear-out in cross-grain work, adjustable scoring spurs on both the main body and sliding section score the grain ahead of the blade.
The two-part design (a main body and separate sliding section) lets you accommodate blades of different shapes and sizes to make cuts ranging from grooves as narrow as 1/8
A 1/4
You can use the blades individually or in sequence to create a variety of decorative profiles, from simple to complex, from furniture edge treatments to architectural details.
The 45
The plane is 267mm long and weighs 1.8kg. Made of stress-relieved ductile iron with brass fittings with a torrefied maple tote and fence facing.