Contents
What is a bench plane used for?
Bench planes are used to flatten and smooth broad wood surfaces and narrow edges. Long bench planes are best suited for smoothing very long surfaces and edges. Specialty planes, such as a shoulder plane or rabbet plane, have plane irons (blades) that come flush with the edges of the tool.
What size is a number 4 plane?
The numbers 4 and 5 are by far the most common planes available today when searching for antiques because their blades are 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide, while the 1⁄2 sizes (4-1⁄2 and 5-1⁄2 ) are 2-3⁄8 inch wide.
Which way round does a plane blade go?
Most scrub and bench planes are bevel down – that is, when the blade is secured in the plane, the bevelled edge is on the reverse side of the blade, facing down towards the workpiece.
How flat does a jointer plane need to be?
If you can consistently edge plane two boards and have them meet without gaps, you plane is flat enough. That’s why it’s called a jointer. Make sure the iron is flat – except at the corners. But it is possible to get up to almost 1/16” bow corrected.
Which is the best bench plane to use?
Bench Planes. Form Follows Function. The mid-sized planes are best for roughing work. These include the No. 5, 5½, 6, 10¼, 62, and 610. The longest planes are designed for flattening. These include the No. 7, 8, and 7½. The shortest, widest planes are ideal for finishing. These include the No.
When do you use the jointer plane on a bench?
The jointer plane is used after the fore plane but before the smoothing plane. Let’s begin at the small end of the scale and look at the smoothing planes. People tend to end up with several of these (sometimes even in the same sizes).
What should be the angle of bench plane blades?
Blades are shipped with a flat ground 25° bevel. For longer edge life in abrasive or hard woods, increase the bevel angle up to 30° or 35°. This is quickly accomplished by honing a small secondary bevel. Go to the Sharpening section of our website to learn more.
What kind of handles do Lie Nielsen bench planes have?
Precisely made, fit and finished, all Lie-Nielsen planes are ready for use right out of the box with minimal honing required. All of our Bench Planes have Manganese Bronze caps and frogs, and Cherry knobs and handles, hand shaped and buffed to a silky smooth finish.