January 2006 - Handplane Central

DID YOU KNOW…

Just starting out with handplanes? Don’t know the difference between a block plane and a jointer? Confused about jacks, smoothers and fores? Fear not! Handplane Central has information on the different types of planes, what they look like and how to use them. We also have articles on how to choose a hand plane and exactly what you need to know beforehand. From the bare bones basic kit right up to the complete workshop, what planes are luxuries and what planes you just can’t do without!

We also feature the occasional handplane review, along tips and tricks on general handplane use and what accessories are available. So before you go anywhere else, check out what we have to offer on Handplane Central.

Practical Plane Making (Part III)

Practical Planemaking 3 By W. J. Armour Stop Work: the Plough Ploughs are generally made in lots of from three to six; the reason is that the mouldings on the ends of the stems and fences are stuck together, and could not be stuck so…

Practical Plane Making (Part II)

Practical Planemaking 2 By W. J. Armour Moulding Planes As a rule, all moulding planes are made 9 1/2 in. long, and as they mostly work on the spring, they are not required to have the grain of the wood so straight as in a…

Practical Plane Making (Part I)

The following article by William J. Armour was originally published in four parts in “Work, The Illustrated Journal for Mechanics” in early 1898. Armour was a plane maker from the Pimlico area of London and is noted in W.L. Goodman’s book “British Planemakers From 1700”….

HNT Gordon Planes – Good Wood Down Under

After several years of development H.N.T Gordon and Co sold their first classic hand planes in 1995. Since then the business has concentrated on making a range of high quality hand crafted woodworking planes at an affordable price which have now sold to woodworkers and…

Using Hand Planes – The Shearing Cut

When you have to plane end grain or a specially hard wood you no doubt skew the plane at an angle so that it makes a shearing out. Why? Because you have found from experience that it eases the work. But have you considered just…

Dovetailing Infill Planes (Part II)

Continuing on from yesterdays article on dovetailing, today we talk about the peening side of making an infill plane. Peening dovetails Diagram of a former for a smoothing plane. The easiest way I’ve found to peen dovetails together is to not use a vice at…

Dovetailing Infill Planes (Part I)

To many people the British style infill plane symbolizes the epitome of high class plane making. The 19th century hand planes manufactured by Stewart Spiers, Thomas Norris and others are coveted and prized by collectors and users alike for their workmanship, their beauty, their solidness…

Plane Works – Gunmetal Infill Panel Planes

The following text was taken from a three-page promotional leaflet which was acquired in 1992. Originally there were no pictures with the leaflet and the ones here were sourced from the magazine “Australian Wood Review”. While it is understood that the company no longer produces…

C. R. Miller Planes – Pamphlets

These advertising pamphlets are from the Australian maker of dovetailed infill planes, C. R. Miller Planes. The first is from around 1996 and features original “old style engraved” illustrations of some of C. R. Miller’s range on one side, with a background on the maker…

Henley Optical Company – Best English Mitre Plane

Thoroughbred: A Best English Mitre Plane from the Henley Optical Co. By Antony Talbot In a quiet Oxfordshire town comes exciting news of a venture that will delight all woodworkers. Once again planes, English planes made to the highest standards of quality workmanship and finish,…

George Adams 1923 Catalog

The following images are taken from the George Adams “Woodworking Tools” catalog of 1923. George Adams was a tool and hardware merchants located at 255/6 High Holborn in London. While most of the planes and spokeshaves featured on these pages are manufactured by Stanley, there…

Ashby Tool Company – Gunmetal Infill Block Plane

NOTE: The following text and scans are taken from a brochure released by the Ashby Tool Company sometime in early 1996. I’ve included it on this site because it’s always nice to have brochures, catalogs, advertisements and other historical documents from the manufacturers themselves, as…