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Norris No. 1 Dovetailed Jointing Plane (25-1/2″)
These side plate profile drawings are from a between-the-wars model Norris number 1 dovetailed infill jointer plane and are offered more as a template for cutting out the side plates for dovetailing, rather than a full and comprehensive set of plans or diagrams. The scale should be 1-1, if I’ve done things properly. I should add that the “base line” on this drawing was a little wobbly so I’ve straightened it up with a paint program.
The side plates for this plane were made from 3/16″ thick pieces of mild steel and the sole plate was around 1/4″ thick.
The dovetails are not marked here, though I may draw up a proper set of plans at a later stage.
Like many infill jointer planes, this particular plane is in excellent condition. Typically these types of planes did not see a lot of work and are, therefore, well looked after and carefully stored away when not in use. If you take into account that these planes cost, on average, about three weeks wages to a skilled cabinet maker its understandable that the craftsman would protect such an investment.
The bronze lever cap was marked “Norris London” and the screw was the earlier, and prettier, type design. The rosewood infill was clean and free of cracks, with only the occasional dent or mark here and there. The wood is a select piece, though not overly stunning.
The sole extension (past the side material and infill) seems a little shorter than usual, but has not been “cut down” (it happens!) as the toe still retains the “steel” mark stamped on the end.
As far as Norris jointers go – the longer, the better! Norris, along with Spiers, made planes up to 28-1/2″ as standard, but added that they would make them up to 36″ long if required. In all my years of collecting I have yet to see a 36″ Norris jointer however, so one would have to consider them rather scarce if indeed they exist at all.
NOTE: If anyone out there has a 36″ Norris then I’d love to see some pictures of it. I assure you I will be very discreet as far as names and details are concerned.
To download a JPEG or PDF file for this hand plane (or both of them together in a ZIP file), please click one of the links below.
Download Norris No. 1 Jointing Plane (25-1/2 inches) (JPEG)Download Norris No. 1 Jointing Plane (25-1/2 inches) (PDF)Download Norris No. 1 Jointing Plane (25-1/2 inches) (ZIP)
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