SPECIALIST PLANES

These types of Planes are very different from the previous Bench Planes, and are mainly used within a Joiners Workshop. They are titled as;

Block Plane Bull Nose Plane Rebate Plane Plough Plane Hand Router Side Rebate Plane Shoulder Plane Compass Plane Spoke Shaves

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SPECIALIST PLANES
BLOCK PLANE
A block plane is a lightweight general purpose plane which is used one handed, used for light trimming work. Available in either wood or metal. When replacing a block-plane blade, the blade is positioned with the bevel uppermost.
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SPECIALIST PLANES
BULL NOSE PLANE
This is a small rebate plane and can be obtained with or without a adjustable blade. The main advantage of this type of plane is that with the blade being so close to the front of the plane, it can work in stopped rebates, in some models the front of the plane can be removed to allow the cutting iron to trim into the corners of a stopped rebate.
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SPECIALIST PLANES
REBATE PLANE
This is a sophisticated rebate plane with an adjustable guide fence and depth gauge. The cutter can be mounted in two positions one of normal use and one near the toe for planning to the end of a stopped rebate. This type of plane is also fitted with a spur that scores ahead of the blade when rebating across the grain. To cut a rebate, start planning at the far end of the work with short strokes, keeping the fence pressed against the work, move backwards gradually lengthening the stroke. Plane until the depth gauge prevents the gauge from removing more timber.

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SPECIALIST PLANES
PLOUGH PLANE

This is a specialised plane designed to cut groves and mouldings. Square edge cutters from 3 12 mm wide are held together in the plane by a sliding clamp, and adjusted up and down by a knurled screw.
This plane is fitted with a guide fence and a depth gauge. This is used in a the same format as a rebate plane, ie start planning at the far end of the work piece working it backwards.

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PLOUGH PLANE IN USE

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SPECIALIST PLANES
HAND ROUTER
Mainly used for levelling the bottoms of housings as used in Staircase Construction. This plane is designed to be used with both hands, once a housing has been cut the main waste is removed by chiselling, then the Router is used to ensure that the bottom of the housing is at a uniformal depth.
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SPECIALIST PLANES
SIDE REBATE PLANE
This is a miniature plane that is used for increasing the width of grooves and housings.
It is used vertically with the blades skimming the sides of the groove or housing. Care must be taken with this plane to ensure that you always plane with the direction of the grain of the timber.

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SPECIALIST PLANES
SHOULDER PLANE
This type of plane is a smaller version of a Rebate Plane, it has a very accurately machined body with both sides perfectly square to the sole. This plane is best used on its side to trim the shoulders of a door rail etc. The cutting blade is set at a low angle so as to shave the end grain of the timber.
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SPECIALIST PLANES
COMPASS PLANE

This type of plane is very similar to that of a standard smoothing plane with the exception that this plane is fitted with a flexible steel sole. The position of the sole is adjusted by means of a large knurled nut to form a concave or convex curve.
This plane is used in the same manner to that of any other bench plane, except that the grain of timber has to be studied rather more carefully, it is desirable to work with the grain as far as possible.

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COMPASS PLANE IN USE

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SPECIALIST PLANES
SPOKESHAVE
These are used for the finishing of shaped work, there are two different models, one being a flat sole which is used for working convex curves or flat surfaces. And the second one being a curved sole that is used for working concave curves. Spoke shaves are used in the same manner as that of a Compass Plane, this entails using a spoke shave in the direction of the timber as far as possible.

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WOODWORKING PLANES SAFETY TIPS

Use the appropriate plane for the work in hand. Use Bench planes for stock removal, smoothing rough surfaces, truing and fine finishing Use Jack planes or longer planes for longer length planing [I.e. doors]to produce a straight edge. For maximum cutting performance, place cutters in Bench planes bevel side down and cutters for Block planes bevel side up. Always keep all blades sharp. Rest a plane on its side when not in use. Store any plane with its cutter fully retracted to avoid cutter damage.

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CANDIDATE ACTIVITY
Attempt to answer the following questions; What type of plane would you use to; 1. 2. 3. 4. Clean the bottom of a stopped housing ? Run a groove along the edge of a piece of timber? Increase the width of a groove ? Plane the outer edge of a semi-circular headed door ?

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