August 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.

Building A Shepherd Smoother

While in business, the Shepherd Tool Company sold some 1000 kits and 450 finished infill planes of various descriptions, including smoothers, jointers, chariot planes and shoulder planes. The kits proved to be an affordable way for many woodworkers and beginner plane makers to embark on…

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…

Spiers No. 1 Dovetailed Panel Plane (13-1/2″)

These side plate profile drawings are from a later model Spiers No. 1 dovetailed panel 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. Typically the side…

Joh. Weiss & Sohn 1909 Catalog – Part I

The scans below are from the Joh. Weiss & Sohn 1909 Catalog of 1909. The company is one of the oldest planemakers still in existence, and was founded 1820 by a Bavarian carpenter, Johann Baptist Weiss, who emigrated to Vienna, Austria, in 1809. Weiss was…

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…

Sauer + Steiner Toolworks

While there have been a few dedicated makers of infill planes over the past 60 years there has been somewhat of a resurgence in the “lost art” of infill planemaking within the last decade or so. One of the best makers carving a niche for…

Hand Planes – Where To Begin?

The Stanley Plane – A benchmark in metal hand planes for the past 140 years. For the beginner, choosing which type of hand plane to buy first up can be a daunting task. Furnituremaker Wesley Johanson looks at what’s available in hand planes and offers…

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…

Making A Dovetail Plane (Part II)

Infill plane maker, C.R. Miller, takes a departure from building dovetailed planes to a plane made solely for the creation of sliding dovetails. Fig. 10 – The basic body of the plane glued up. Note the angle of the bed and the tight mouth. Where…

Stanley No. 39-3/8 Dado Plane

Manufactured: 1900 to 1950 Length: 8 inches Blade Width: 3/8 inches Construction: Cast iron Finish: Japanned Features: Skewed cutter, adjustable depth stop and spurs Uses: For cutting a rectangular groove or channel Average Dealer Price: $75 to $200 Average eBay Price: $80 to $180 Type…