A rabbet plane is a type of special-purpose plane used for cutting rabbets, which are recesses for joining two pieces of wood together. A rabbet plane has a cutting iron that extends wider than the plane’s body, enabling the plane to reach deeper into the rabbet.
The blade is adjustable, allowing different widths to be cut. Many rabbet planes also have a ledge along the sole, called a ‘depth stop’, which can be adjusted to control the depth of the rabbet. They are often used in conjunction with other planes such as a shoulder plane, for shaping the sides of the rabbet.
Rabbet planes are an essential tool for joinery in furniture and cabinet-making, as well as for making frames, decorative mouldings, and other timber projects.
What are the two types of rabbet planes?
The two types of rabbet planes are side rabbet planes and shoulder rabbet planes. A side rabbet plane is used to create stopped, or closed, rabbets in the edge of a board. It is essentially a small hand plane used to create a channel in a board that can accept another piece of wood.
Shoulder rabbet planes are used to create open rabbets, which lie flush with the surface of the wood. The plane removes part of the wood between the edge of the board and the rabbet, creating an opening that can accept a different piece of wood.
The shoulder rabbet plane is typically larger than the side rabbet plane and can also be used to shape and bevel the rabbet.
What is the difference between a shoulder plane and a rabbet plane?
A shoulder plane and a rabbet plane are both types of hand planes used to create and work with wood joints. However, they are designed for different purposes. A shoulder plane is designed to create and delineate 90 degree squares or rectangles in corners and other areas.
Its blade has a short bed that allows it to level edges or make angle cuts. A rabbet plane is designed to create rabbets or tongues along the edge of a piece of wood. It features long sides, enabling it to be used along an edge and its blade is also longer than a shoulder plane’s to make deeper rabbets.
The rabbet plane is also called a rebating plane, as it is used to create recesses, tenons and other joints in the woodwork. The shoulder plane typically has a shorter blade than the rabbet plane, making it more suitable for edge detailing and fine finishing.
How do you use a wooden rabbet plane?
Using a wooden rabbet plane is a simple yet effective way to create rabbets, which are grooves cut into wood, to add strength and stability to wood joints.
To use a wooden rabbet plane, start by clamping the workpiece firmly to a secure surface. Place the blade of the plane into the corner where the rabbet is needed and adjust it until it is at an optimum cutting angle.
Use a try square to make sure the angle of the blade is 90 degrees in relation to the edge of the board. Make sure the throat of the plane (the distance between the front of the blade and the edge of the plane body) is adjusted to the desired depth.
While holding the plane firmly, begin to push it along the wood, adjusting the blade as you push it. If the blade finds resistance, adjust it to a slightly shallower angle or add some pressure to the plane body or the wood being cut.
Take your time and keep adjusting the blade angle and pressure to ensure it cuts through the wood smoothly. Continue to push the plane until you reach the end of the rabbet.
After making the rabbet, remove any debris from the plane and then use a chisel to neaten up the edge of the rabbet. Finally, if desired, you can use a block plane to smooth the rabbet for a more professional finish.
What is a rabbet in woodworking?
A rabbet is a type of joinery commonly used in woodworking. It is a recess or groove cut into the edge of a board or panel that allows two pieces of wood to be joined together. Rabbets can be cut with a router and a rabbeting bit, or with a table saw or circular saw.
They are often used for making a corner joint, for joining two pieces of wood together flush, or for creating an Eastham scarf joint. The rabbet’s depth and width will vary, depending on the application and the size of the wood being joined.
Rabbets can also be routed in the interior of a piece of wood to create dados, or grooves, allowing for the insertion of a shelf, drawer, or other piece of wood.
How does a Moulding plane work?
A moulding plane is a woodworking tool used to cut, shape and smooth a stretched wooden surface. The plane consists of a flat base with a raised edge called a rabbet along the front and sides. In the middle of the plane is a slot, where a cutting iron is inserted.
The cutting iron can be set at various depths depending on the desired thickness of the moulding. As the plane is pushed or pulled, the cutting iron cuts away the wood, leaving behind a curved or straight moulding, depending on the shape of the cutting iron being used.
The advantage to using a moulding plane over other types of cutting tools is that the plane cuts into the wood with a steady movement. This prevents any chipping or splintering of the wood and helps create a smooth finish.
The plane also helps to achieve a consistent level of depth in the moulding and can be used to create more intricate details, by making multiple passes with different cutting irons.
Whilst a moulding plane is not essential for most woodworking jobs, if you frequently work with mouldings or other shaped woods then it can be a very helpful tool to have.
What is a sash fillister plane?
A sash fillister plane is a type of hand plane used to cut rabbet joints. Rabbet joints are an essential part of woodworking that join two pieces of wood together. The sash fillister plane is used to cut the rabbet into the face of the wood, which is known as a blind rabbet.
This allows the two pieces of wood to fit together flush. The sash fillister plane usually has a long sole with a long, thin throat and a thin blade. It often features a depth stop mechanism for setting and maintaining the depth of the rabbet, as well as a lateral adjuster for fine-tuning the angle and width of the rabbet.
The sash fillister plane is a versatile tool that can be used for a variety of tasks in woodworking, from making frames and drawers, to preparing door and window jambs.
What is a dado plane?
A dado plane is a type of woodworking plane that is designed for making grooves, dadoes, splines, and rabbets. The blade of a dado plane is shaped differently than the blade of a regular woodworking plane, which is shaped like a semi-circle.
Instead, the blade of a dado plane is shaped like a rectangular with two sharp edges. These edges are used to cut the desired groove or dado into the wood. The blade is also angled so that when it is pushed into the wood, it creates a groove that is the same size as the blade.
A dado plane can be used to cut different shapes into the wood, depending on the shape of the blade. The most common shapes range from quarter-inch round to half-inch flattened, but dado planes with more complex shapes are also available.
One advantage of using a dado plane is that the grooves and dadoes that it cuts can be made narrower or wider than those that can be made with a traditional plane blade. This makes it possible to cut tighter grooves and dadoes.
In addition to its various shapes, a dado plane also comes with other features that make it a great choice for woodworking. For example, the handle allows for different grips to be used, depending on what is being cut.
The size of the plane also helps to determine how deep a groove or dado can be cut. And finally, the blades used in some dado planes can be easily replaced, which helps prolong the life of the plane.
What type of plane is suited for cutting grooves in timber?
The type of plane that is best suited for cutting grooves in timber is a Grooving Plane, also known as a Slitting Plane. The reason for this is that grooving planes have a long, thin body and a single cutting iron specifically designed for making precise cuts in timber to create grooves.
Grooving planes are not as wide as regular planes, allowing them to make a more precise and consistent cut than a traditional plane. They can be used to cut across the grain as well as with it, creating a clean, even groove.
Additionally, the cutting iron on a grooving plane is typically beveled on both sides, giving it the ability to make a smoother cut in the timber.
Is a block plane useful?
Yes, a block plane is a very useful tool for maintaining accuracy and precision when it comes to making woodworking projects. A block plane is a small, hand-held tool with an adjustable blade. It can be used to flatten, reduce, or shape a surface.
It can be used to clean up the edges of a piece of wood and to straighten joints. It can also be used to create a bevel on edges or joints of the wood. Its small size makes it extremely versatile, allowing it to get into tight corners or curves that a larger tool wouldn’t be able to reach.
Additionally, it is also very useful for final leveling of surfaces, such as countertops. Its low profile and adjustable design allows it to easily finish off the surface without leaving any marks or imperfections.
Finally, a block plane is also very useful for general cleaning and sharpening. It can help to keep wood surfaces smooth and clean, as well as providing a tool for sharpening fine edges before use in projects.
When would you use a low angle block plane?
A low angle block plane is a must-have tool for any woodworker. It has a low blade angle (12 degrees as opposed to more traditional angle block planes at 21 degrees) ideal for shooting finer shavings.
This low angle design helps reduce tear-out when planing end grain and gives better control in working with difficult grains. Additionally, because the blade angle is lower, less pressure is needed on the iron for the same amount of cutting action.
Low angle block planes are typically used in the following situations:
• For very fine finish-planing, such as smoothing out a door edge or joint.
• On figure-grain woods it’s often necessary to plane with the grain to avoid tear-out.
• For ALC, or Assistive Leveling Cutter – this is a special blade mounted flush to the sole of the plane which is used to level out glue lines or other low spots.
• For shooting end grain on door parts or any small, delicate projects. The heavier cut of a standard block plane can take grain out too fast and leave unlevel surfaces.
• On really hard woods, like walnut, a low-angle plane can reach the grain easier, preventing it from skipping and tearing out.
• For projects that require a finer cut and smoother finish, where a normal block plane wouldn’t do the job.
• On figured woods it’s often necessary to plane with the grain to avoid tear-out.
• Smooth cuts and finish-trimming difficult grain patterns such as figured woods, burls, bird’s eyes etc.
• To plane small, complex and intricate areas such as the dovetail of drawers and the flush fitment of smaller components.
How do you sharpen airplane molding irons?
To sharpen airplane molding irons, you will need a file, sandpaper, and various grits of abrasives. The first step is to carefully inspect the iron for any damage or irregularities. If you find any, work to repair them as best as you can.
Once inspected and repaired, use a file or small-grain sandpaper to start sharpening the iron. You may need to use several passes with different grits of sandpaper to achieve the desired edge. While sharpening, make sure you keep the file and sandpaper at an angle that is perpendicular to the edge of the iron.
Also, be sure to use light and even strokes. Once you are finished sharpening, use a piece of leather or a buffing cloth to polish the edge. This final step will ensure that the edge is smooth and free from burrs.
Can you smooth with a block plane?
Yes, you can use a block plane to smooth surfaces. Block planes are small, hand-held tools with a 45-degree beveled blade that can be used to create a flat surface and achieve an even finish. With the help of a block plane, you can level out joists and fix warps in wood.
In addition to smoothing, they can be used to shape, trim and chamfer wood, making them a versatile tool for a variety of woodworking jobs. Most block planes come with adjustable depth, so you can set and maintain the depth of the cut during the smoothing process.
When using a block plane, it’s important to use long, steady strokes to maintain a consistent depth and finish.
Can you plane a 2×4 on edge?
Yes, it is possible to plane a 2×4 on edge. Typically speaking, a 2×4 is used in its flat orientation, but there may be certain situations that require the use of the 2×4 in an edge orientation. In this situation, you will need to use a specialized planer that is particularly designed for this type of job.
Generally, these planers have an adjustable fence that will allow you to position the 2×4 on edge and then guide it as it is being planed. You should be aware that when planing a 2×4 on edge, the grain of the wood should be going in the opposite direction that your planing pass is moving.
Also, if possible make sure to use a sharp blade when planing the piece to ensure a smooth cut. Safety should always be taken into consideration when using any type of power tool, especially when using a planer.
It is important to use protective gear including eye protection, hearing protection, and gloves. It is also good to take extra caution when working with a planer as the blades are very sharp and capable of causing serious injury if not used properly.