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