How big is a smoothing plane?
The smoothing plane is the shortest of the bench planes. Under the Stanley Bailey numbering system for metal-bodied planes #1 to #4 are smoothing planes, with lengths ranging from 51⁄2 inches (140 mm) to 10 inches (250 mm). The #4 plane, which is 9 inches (230 mm) in length, is the most common smoothing plane in use.
What is the recommended depth of a plane blade to achieve a fine and smooth finish?
For smoothing most hardwoods, 1/32 inch is good, though you may want to set it at 1/64 inch for difficult woods prone to tearout. For softwoods, 1/16 inch may be more appropriate.
What is the difference between a bench plane and a smoothing plane?
You can tell a lot about what a plane is supposed to do by the length of its sole. Smoothing planes have a sole that ranges from 5″ to 10″ long. The primary job of the smoothing plane is to prepare the wood for finishing. The fore plane is typically the first bench plane to touch the wood to get it to rough size.
What size is a scrub plane?
A metal scrub plane is typically between 230mm (9″) and 267mm (10½”) long, and narrower than most other planes at around 38mm (1½”) wide. Wooden scrub planes tend to be a little larger – around 280mm (11″) to 305mm (12″) long and up to 50mm (2″) wide, although lengths in particular do vary.
What number is a scrub plane?
The Lie-Nielsen No. 40-1/2 Scrub Plane is based on the Stanley 40½. With its large-radius blade and open mouth, this plane removes large quantities of wood in a hurry.
Which plane is more suitable for further smoothing a planed surface?
A jointer plane (including the smaller 14 to 20 inches (360 to 510 mm) fore plane) is between 22 to 30 inches (560 to 760 mm) long, and is used for jointing and final flattening out of boards. A smoothing plane, up to 10 inches (250 mm) long, is used to begin preparing the surface for finishing.
What is the standard length of a smoothing plane?
The #4 plane, which is 9 inches (230 mm) in length, is the most common smoothing plane in use. Historically wooden smoothing planes in the United States have typically been 7 to 9 inches (180 to 230 mm) long with irons 1 1⁄2 to 2 1⁄2 inches (38 to 64 mm) wide.
What are smoothing planes made out of?
As with other bench planes, until the end of the 19th century the bodies of smoothing planes were predominantly wooden, typically made out of beech ( Fagus sylvatica in Europe, Fagus grandifolia in North America). Wooden planes were largely superseded by iron-bodied planes and to a lesser extent transitional planes.
How to choose the right smoothing plane for your arm?
In other words; the finest smoothing plane with the sharpest of edges being pushed by the jitteriest of arm will give the finish of the arm. For tarting up your used smoothing plane you’ll need to take extra lengths than with the jack or any roughing tool.
What is the difference between bench planes and smoothing planes?
Being smaller than other bench planes, the smoothing plane is better able to work on smaller workpieces and around obstructions. Since the 1700s wooden smoothing planes have predominantly been ‘coffin shaped’ – wider in the middle and slightly rounded – making them more manoeuvrable.
