Master the Art of Woodworking with Different Types of Woodworking Planes
Are you a beginner woodworker and want to take your woodworking to the next level? Then, you need to master the art of using different types of woodworking planes. Woodworking planes are essential hand tools that help you shape, smooth, and trim wood.
There are different types of woodworking planes available in the market, and each one has its unique purposes. In this blog post, we will walk you through the different types of woodworking planes to help you make an informed decision when purchasing a woodworking plane for your DIY project.
Jack Plane
A jack plane is the most versatile woodworking plane and is one of the first planes you should own as a beginner. It is a general-purpose plane that helps you rough out and size lumber, flatten boards, and level tabletops.
A jack plane has a long body, a sharp blade, and an adjustable mouth that allows you to vary the thickness of the shavings you remove. It is a versatile plane that can be used for both rough and smooth cuts.
Smoothing Plane
A smoothing plane is a woodworking plane used to smooth and finish wood surfaces. It is used after a rough cut has been made with a jack plane. A smoothing plane helps you achieve a final, smooth surface, ready for a finish.
It has a short body and an adjustable blade that allows you to make smooth finish cuts. A smoothing plane is perfect for small, delicate, and intricate woodworking projects.
Jointer Plane
A jointer plane is a long woodworking plane designed to flatten a board’s face and straighten its edges. It is predominantly used for large, long boards and edges of glued-up boards to create a flat surface before joining.
A jointer plane has a long, straight blade that cuts away high spots to create a flat surface. It is perfect for preparing edge-to-edge glue-ups without gaps or irregularities.
Block Plane
A block plane is a small, hand-held woodworking plane that comes in handy for working on smaller pieces of wood or making adjustments to larger pieces. It is a versatile tool that allows you to make chamfers, smooth edges, and even trim a door.
A block plane has a low-angle blade that provides a shallow angle of attack, perfect for cutting end grain. It is small and portable, making it perfect for trimming and straightening various woodworking projects on the go.
Router Plane
A router plane is a woodworking plane useful in making precise cuts and joints in a piece of wood. It is perfect for cutting dadoes, trimming tenons, and making grooves on the face of the board.
A router plane has a blade that projects out of the plane’s base, and it also has an adjustable depth stop that enables the user to make consistent and precise cuts. It is a useful hand tool that every beginner should have in their woodworking tools collection.
Compass Plane
A compass plane is a woodworking plane used for shaping curved surfaces on a piece of wood like chair legs or table legs. It is also called concave plane because of its concave blade that is designed to shape curves.
A compass plane is perfect for shaping convex surfaces and getting rid of rough spots in curved surfaces. It is a specialized woodworking tool used mainly by experienced woodworkers.
Conclusion
Choosing the right woodworking plane for your project can be daunting, but with the help of this guide, you can select the perfect hand tool for your next woodworking project. As a beginner, start with a jack plane or a block plane, and as you keep practicing, invest in other woodworking planes like a smoothing plane, jointer plane, or compass plane.