bench planes – how flat does the sole need to be?

bench planes – how flat does the sole need to be?

Given the main purpose of bench planes is to smooth and flatten wood it is unsurprising that the sole of the plane should be flat, but views differ on exactly how flat it needs to make them work optimally. Flatness standards To understand why flatness is important we can consider the mechanics of the plane:...

Given the main purpose of bench planes is to smooth and flatten wood it is unsurprising that the sole of...

bench planes
bench planes - the cap iron

bench planes - the cap iron

The cap iron is the part of a bench plane that is held on top of the cutting iron with a shallow bolt.  These two parts are then secured to the frog by pressure from the lever cap. In old books, planes with this arrangement are often referred to as double irons for reasons that...

The cap iron is the part of a bench plane that is held on top of the cutting iron with...

bench planes
Setting up and sharpening bench planes (intro)

Setting up and sharpening bench planes (intro)

Here is what I learned about setting up and sharpening bench planes. If you participate in any woodworking internet forums at some point you will stumble upon a debate about the best way set them up and sharpen the blade for use. Sadly these debates are often marred by ill humour and repetitive argument. Unsurprisingly...

Here is what I learned about setting up and sharpening bench planes. If you participate in any woodworking internet forums...

bench planes
How to refurbish a bench plane

How to refurbish a bench plane

This post describes how to refurbish a bench plane. To show what can be done with even the most unpromising looking specimen, here is the worst example I purchased: …it was made at some point between WWII and the mid-1950s and, as you can see from the photo of it dismantled, it has been painted...

This post describes how to refurbish a bench plane. To show what can be done with even the most unpromising...

bench planes
Starting out with bench planes

Starting out with bench planes

The plan was to acquire hand tools as I needed them and since I had to remove about 5 mm from the top of my bench vice  jaws which, per the instructions from the vice manufacturer, I had left slightly proud of  the top so they could be planed flush after installation, the starting point...

The plan was to acquire hand tools as I needed them and since I had to remove about 5 mm...

bench planes