Hand Planes - finewoodworkersofaustin.org
Transcription
Hand Planes - finewoodworkersofaustin.org
Hand Planes Their History and Evolution Purpose • A plane is a simply a chisel that takes a continuous shaving of controlled thickness. – Simple concept – Complex execution Fundamental Components • Flat surface to register against work • Cutting edge • Means of securing cutter • Means of controlling plane movement and applying force • Exit path for shavings Egyptian Tools • No evidence of Egyptian planes • Well documented use of copper and bronze adzes and chisels from 2500 B.C. forward • Sandstone blocks used for smoothing Roman Planes • Many examples recovered – Discovered in 2000 A.D. near Goodmanham, East Yorkshire, England – Constructed circa 400 A.D. – Ivory body with iron cutting blade, sole, and rivets Medieval Planes • Few surviving examples • Creation of trade guilds preserved knowledge of joinery techniques Renaissance Planes • Designs remained largely unchanged – Engraving by Albrecht Durer, 1514 A.D. • Dominance of Trade Guilds • Innovation stifled • Craftsman-made • Horn-style foregrip adopted Modern Planes Two main factors in U.S. hand plane development 1. Technology • • • Mass production of complex iron castings possible Bessemer process improves steel – cheap, plentiful, and of consistent quality Transportation networks – canals, roads, and rail 2. Economics • • • Weak trade guilds Shortage of skilled labor Rising demand for wooden items Leonard Bailey’s Patents • Most modern planes incorporate his 1867 patent – Moveable frog – Lever cap – Depth adjustment yoke – Improved lateral adjustment lever • Effective, robust designs that were inexpensive to manufacture Types of Modern Planes Wooden Planes • • • • • Simple Inexpensive Easy to make Traditional feel Easiest way to make complex or custom mouldings • Unstable in use – Humidity – Wear Transitional Planes • Manufactured for approximately 75 years alongside iron planes • Combined best features of wooden and iron planes Iron Planes • • • • • Stable in use Durable Easily adjusted Inexpensive Archetype of the modern hand plane Brass/Bronze Planes • • • • Stable in use Durable Easily adjusted More robust than iron • Stylish • Expensive European Steel/ Gunmetal Planes • Exotic wood infill • Sides typically dovetailed into sole • Highest quality • Very expensive Block Planes • Typically cast iron • Introduced in the mid-19th century • Developed to cleanly cut end grain (e.g. butcher blocks) • Superb for small parts and detail work What planes should you have? Need to Have Nice to Have • No. 4 smoother • Fore or jointer • Block • Cabinet scraper • No. 4½ smoother • Jack • Low-angle block • Finger • Shoulder • Rabbet • Scrub • Moulding TROPHIES • No. 1 & No. 2 • Combination plane • Patternmaker’ s • Floor scraper • Carriagemaker’s • Anything old costing more The Plane of the Future? • James Krenovstyle plane – – – – Simple Effective User-made Gaining in popularity The End