Metal Hand Planes Archives - Handplane Central

DID YOU KNOW…

To some people, learning a new skill can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Handplane Central has information for beginner woodworkers on the many different types of planes and what they’re used for. Why are some planes longer than others, and why do the blades all have different angles? What hand plane is best for your needs and what are the essential planes you simply can’t work without?

Handplane Central also has information on how to set up your plane properly so that it works the best way possible. Want to know the correct way to use a plane, such as for shooting the end of a board or thicknessing down to a line, then Handplane Central can help with that as well. We also have information on blade sharpening, flattening a sole or repairing a handle.

The Metallic Plane Company of Auburn, N.Y. – Manufacturer And Builder (April 1878)

The article below first appeared in “The Manufacturer And Builder” in April, 1878, and highlights the benefits of metal planes produced by the Metallic Plane Company of Auburn, N.Y. While these articles were little more than advertisements in the trade papers of the day they…

Planemaking – Casting An Iron Rebate Plane

Fig. 1. — Section through Rebate Plane.NOTE: Click on image to enlarge. An Iron Rebate Plane. By A Foreman Pattern Maker. Purpose of Rebate Plane – Why Skew-Mouthed – Effect of Skew-Mouth – Pattern for Rebate Plane – Core Box – Prints – Mouth –…

Planemaking – Casting An Adjustable Block Plane

Fig. 1. — Casting for Block Plane, in Section. Fig. 2. — Section through A A.NOTE: Click on image to enlarge. A Block Plane And Plane With Lever Adjustment. By A Foreman Pattern Maker. A word in season – Shell of Block Plane – Patterns…

Planemaking – Casting An Iron Chariot Plane

Fig. 7. — Chariot Plane, in Section. Fig. 7 A. — Ditto, in Plan.NOTE: Click on image to enlarge. Home-Made Tools. By J. H. III. – An Iron Chariot Plane. In this article I will describe and illustrate a common iron chariot plane. The remarks…

Planemaking – Casting An Iron Smoothing Plane

Fig. 4. — Casting for Iron Smoothing Plane: Section. Fig. 4 A. — Ditto: Plan.NOTE: Click on image to enlarge. Home-Made Tools. By J. H. II. – An Iron Smoothing Plane. In this article I will describe and illustrate a common iron smoothing plane. Fig….

What To Know About Planes – Choosing The Basic Tool Kit

The following article first appeared in the British magazine ‘The Woodworker’ in July, 1939. It was part of a series of articles which would run throughout the rest of that year — Part 1 being on the subject of choosing the basic tool kit. While…

Planemaking – Casting And Making An Iron Trying Plane

Home Made Tools. Fig. 1. — Iron Trying Plane: Longitudinal Section. Fig. 2. — Ditto: Transverse Section. Fig. 3. — Ditto: Enlarged Section Of Mouth.NOTE: Click on image to enlarge. The following article is taken from the 1889 trade publication “Work” (Saturday, April 13, 1889…

Interview With Plane Maker John Economaki

John Economaki is widely known amongst fine tool aficionados for his wonderfully crafted woodworking tools, made from brass, steel and exotic rosewoods, which he first started to produce as a one-man enterprise way back in 1983. Since then the business has grown from strength to…

Stanley Victor No. 1105 Jack Plane

Manufactured: Two manufacturing periods — 1936 to 1942 & 1952 to 1953 Length: 14 inches Blade Width: 2 inches Construction: Cast iron, hardwood handle & knob Finish: Japanned or grey enamel Uses: General purpose bench plane Average Dealer Price: $15 to $75 Average eBay Price:…

The Howkins Plane

As anyone who has collected or used hand planes for a few years knows, the hand plane world is full of many oddities. Planes that probably should never have seen the light of day due to poor design, poor marketing or a combination of both…

Stanley No. 66 Hand Beader

Manufactured: 1888 to 1941 Length: 10 inches Blade Width: 8 blades provided Construction: Cast iron Finish: Nickel plated Features: 2 fences (1 straight & 1 round) and 8 interchangeable cutters Uses: Used for beading, reeding, fluting, stinging and very light routing Average Dealer Price (with…

Stanley No. 43 Miller’s Pat. Adjustable Plow Plane

Manufactured: 1871 to 1897 Length: 10-1/2 inches Blade Width: 9 provided: 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 5/8 inch, 1/4 inch tongue cutter and slitter Construction: Cast iron, rosewood handle Finish: Japanned Features: Adjustable fence and depth stop, removable filletster bottom and 9 cutters…