Hand Planes | Choosing the Right Plane for the Task

A Guide to Hand Plane Types

Understanding the Types of Hand Planes

Each hand plane is designed with a specific purpose in mind. Here's a breakdown of the most popular types:

Smoothing plane

Jack plane

Fore plane

Block plane

• Smoothing Planes
  Ideal for final surface preparation, leaving timber silky smooth and ready for finishing.
• Jack Planes
  A versatile all-rounder used for rough dimensioning and general flattening.
• Fore Planes
  Longer than jack planes, they’re great for flattening large boards and preparing surfaces for finer work.
• Block Planes
  Compact and easy to handle, perfect for trimming end grain and small adjustments.

Router plane

Rebate plane

Shoulder plane

Bench plane

• Router Planes
  Used for cleaning out recesses like dados and grooves with precision.
• Rabbet (or Rebate) Planes
  Designed to cut rabbets along the edge of a board.
• Shoulder Planes
  Similar to rabbet planes but with finer control, ideal for trimming tenons and shoulders.
• Bench Planes
  A category that includes jack, fore, and smoothing planes—your go-to tools for general planing tasks.

Plough plane

Model making plane

Scraper plane

Specialist plane

• Plough Planes
  Used to cut grooves and slots, often for drawer bottoms or panel work.
• Model Making & Miniature Planes
  Small-scale planes for intricate or delicate work.
• Scraper Planes
  Excellent for dealing with tricky grain or tear-out, leaving a polished finish.
• Specialist Planes
  Includes compass planes, bullnose planes, and others designed for niche tasks.

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Choosing the Right Plane

The best plane for the job depends on the task at hand. For example:

• Preparing rough stock? Start with a jack or fore plane.
• Finishing a surface? Reach for a smoothing or scraper plane.
• Cutting joinery? A shoulder or rabbet plane will give you clean, accurate results.

Understanding the characteristics of each plane helps you work more efficiently and achieve better results.

Maintenance & Sharpening

A well-maintained plane is a joy to use. Here are a few tips:

• Keep blades sharp
  Regular honing ensures clean cuts and reduces effort.
• Check the sole
  A flat sole is essential for accuracy. Flatten it if needed using abrasive paper on a flat surface.
• Lubricate moving parts
  A light oil prevents rust and keeps adjustments smooth.
• Store properly
  Keep planes dry and off metal surfaces to avoid corrosion.

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Quick Tips at a Glance

• Smoothing planes are perfect for final surface prep.
• Jack planes are your go-to for general-purpose planing.
• Fore planes excel at flattening large boards.
• Block planes are ideal for trimming end grain.
• Router planes clean out grooves and recesses.
• Rabbet and shoulder planes are essential for joinery.
• Plough planes cut grooves for panels and drawers.
• Scraper planes tame difficult grain with ease.
• Keep blades sharp and soles flat for best results.
• Choose the right plane for the job to save time and effort.

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