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If you’re just gettin’ started with woodworking, you’ve probably heard folks talkin’ about different hand plane types like they’re somethin’ magical.
And you know what? They kinda are!
These little tools can take a rough piece of wood and smooth it out like butter on a hot biscuit. But with so many types out there, it can feel a bit overwhelming.
Don’t you worry none, I’m here to break down the most common ones, so you’ll know exactly which plane does what.
Let’s dive right in!
Block Plane
- Size: Around 6-7 inches long
- What’s It For: Trimming edges and working on end grain (the rough ends of boards).
- When You’ll Use It: Trimming doors, shaping small parts, or smoothing out the edge of a board.
This little fella is like the trusty pocket knife of the plane world!
Small and compact, it fits right in the palm of your hand, and let me tell ya, it’s a lifesaver for all those quick little fixes and fine-tuning jobs around the shop.
At around 6 to 7 inches long, the block plane is perfect for small tasks where you need to trim, smooth, or shape wood on the fly.
One of the best things about the block plane is how it’s designed.
It’s got a lower blade angle than other planes (usually around 12-20 degrees), which makes it just right for workin’ on end grain.
You know how tricky end grain can be, it’s like tryin’ to cut through a bunch of tiny straws… but the block plane’s low-angle blade makes it slice through smooth as butter, leavin’ you with a nice clean edge.
That’s why it’s so perfect for tasks like trimming the ends of boards, adjustin’ joints, or chamferin’ edges.
It’s also a champ for those quick, on-the-spot adjustments when you’re workin’ on a project and something needs just a little tweak.
Maybe you’ve got a door that’s stickin’ or a drawer that needs a hair shaved off to fit just right—grab your block plane, and you can fix it in no time.
It’s small enough to get into those tight spaces and light enough that you can use it one-handed.
And don’t let its size fool ya… this hand plane may be little, but it’s mighty!
You can use it to ease the sharp edges on your projects, create small bevels, or even clean up glue lines.
It’s one of those tools that’s perfect for takin’ off just a whisper of wood to get everything fitting together nice and snug.
If you’re just starting out, a block plane is a must-have for your kit. It’s simple to use, easy to keep sharp, and so darn versatile.
You’ll find yourself reachin’ for it all the time, whether you’re fixin’ up a small mistake, smoothin’ out end grain, or just addin’ a little flair to your project.
It’s like havin’ a trusty sidekick that’s always ready to jump in and help you out!
If you’re workin’ on fitting joints or cleanin’ up the edges of boards, this is your go-to tool. Its low blade angle makes it perfect for tackling tough end grain without a fuss.
You can learn even more about block planes here, I’ve got a whole article for ya’.
Smoothing Plane (No. 3 or No. 4)
- Size: About 8-10 inches long
- What’s It For: Final smoothin’ and finishin’.
- When You’ll Use It: On tabletops, cabinets, or any wood surface you want to shine up real nice.
Now, if you want a finish that’s smoother than a kitten’s belly, the smoothing plane is just the ticket.
It’s the one you bring out when you’re ready to make your wood shine like a new penny!
If you’ve done all your flattenin’ and trued up your board with the jack or jointer planes, the smoothing plane is the final step to get that surface silky smooth.
It’s usually a No. 3 or No. 4, and it’s a bit shorter, about 8 to 10 inches long, just the right size for takin’ light, fine shavings.
This hand plane is perfect for getting rid of any little bumps, tool marks, or uneven spots left behind from the bigger planes.
Think of it like the polishin’ step in your planin’ process, it gives you that nice, glassy finish that’s perfect for showin’ off the natural beauty of the wood grain.
When you’re done with this plane, you can practically run your hand across the surface and feel how smooth it is, almost like butter!
What makes the smoothing plane so effective is its small size and precise blade setup.
You don’t need a lot of muscle to use it, just set the blade to take off the tiniest shavings, and let the plane glide over the wood.
And don’t worry if it takes a few passes to get things just right!
It’s all about those light, even strokes. You’ll know you’ve got it when you start seeing those long, thin shavings curling up.
Another tip: keep that blade sharp as a tack! A sharp blade is key for gettin’ that perfect, smooth finish without any tear-out or chattering.
It’s like bakin’ cookies with the right ingredients, everything comes out better when you’re prepped!
So, if you’ve got a project where you want the surface to look and feel smooth, whether it’s a tabletop, cabinet, or even a cutting board, the smoothing plane is the one you want to grab.
It’s the final touch, and it’ll take your work from good to great. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll love seein’ that wood come to life right under your hands!
Recommended Reading: 25 Basic Woodworking Tools For Beginners
This one’s a favorite of mine for getting that perfect, silky finish on wood. After you’ve used your other planes, this one leaves everything lookin’ just right!
And, if ya’ want to know even more about smoothing planes and how to buy the right one, check this out.
Jack Plane (No. 5)
- Size: About 14 inches long
- What’s It For: Rough stock removal, flattenin’, truing boards, and gettin’ rid of warp or twists.
- When You’ll Use It: Flattening boards, takin’ down high spots, or givin’ wood a general shape.
If you’re lookin’ for an all-around workhorse, the jack plane is where it’s at.
It’s one tool every woodworker needs in their shop! The jack plane (usually a No. 5) is what I like to call the “jack of all trades” because it’s just so darn versatile.
If you’re just startin’ out and lookin’ for a plane that can handle a whole bunch of tasks, this one’s your go-to.
It’s about 14 inches long, which makes it the perfect size for doin’ everything from roughin’ out boards to smoothing ‘em up before you move on to the finer tools.
What makes the jack plane real special is how it works in the middle of the planin’ process. After you’ve roughed down your board with a scrub plane or if you’ve got a rough-sawn board, the jack plane comes in to flatten things out.
It’s great for takin’ out saw marks, leveling boards, and getting rid of any twists or warps.
You can use it for truing longboards too, its length is just right for riding over those bumps and smoothing everything out nice and even.
And lemme tell ya, if you’ve got a board with a little bit of bow or twist, the jack plane is perfect for takin’ care of that.
You can run it along the grain, takin’ shavings off where needed, and it’ll get things straightened up before you move on to your jointer or smoothing plane.
Another reason the jack plane is so handy is that you can set it up a few different ways dependin’ on what you’re doin’.
Need to take off a lot of wood fast? Set the blade for a deeper cut.
Want to start smoothin’ things out? Just back that blade off a bit for finer shavings.
It’s like havin’ a few planes in one, which is why it’s another great option if you’re buildin’ your tool collection on a budget.
So, if you’re gettin’ into woodworking and want a solid, all-purpose plane that’ll help ya flatten boards, smooth surfaces, and true up edges, the jack plane is your best buddy.
It’s a workhorse, plain and simple, and you’ll find yourself reachin’ for it time and time again. It really is the “jack” of all trades… and every woodworker’s trusty sidekick!
This one’s a great all-purpose hand plane, especially if you’re just startin’ out and don’t want a whole bunch of different tools clutterin’ your shop.
It’s also perfect for straightenin’ out boards and gettin’ them good and true before movin’ on to finer work.
If you’re thinkin’ of buyin’ a jack plane after reading this, I’ve got everything you need to keep in mind written up right here!
Jointer Plane (No. 7 or No. 8)
- Size: 22-24 inches long
- What’s It For: Jointing edges and flattening big ol’ surfaces.
- When You’ll Use It: Straightening the edges of boards before gluing ‘em together or flattening wide boards.
Let’s talk about the jointer plane… now, this is the big mama of hand planes, and she’s all about gettin’ things straight as an arrow!
If you’ve got a long board that needs flattening or straightening, the jointer plane (usually a No. 7 or No. 8) is your go-to.
It’s got a long, hefty body, about 22 to 24 inches, so it can ride right over those highs and lows in your wood and leave you with a nice, flat surface.
This plane is perfect for jointing the edges of boards, especially if you’re gettin’ ready to glue ‘em up side by side.
The length of the jointer plane helps it act like a bridge, skimming over the low spots and shaving off the high spots, until your board is smooth and true.
And let me tell ya, if you want a good, strong glue joint, you gotta have edges that are straight as can be!
Now, it ain’t just for edges, neither. If you’ve got a big ol’ tabletop or a door that needs flattening, the jointer plane’s got the reach to handle it.
Its length helps it glide over the surface, findin’ those little dips and bumps and takin’ ‘em down, so you end up with a flat, even surface.
It’s like havin’ a bulldozer for your woodshop, just way more precise!
One tip I’ll give ya: when you’re usin’ a jointer plane, work in long, steady strokes along the grain. Let the weight of the plane do most of the work. And if you notice it’s only cuttin’ in certain spots, don’t worry, that’s just the plane tellin’ ya where the high spots are!
Keep workin’ those strokes until you’re seein’ shavings all the way along the edge or surface, and that’s how you know you’ve got it straight.
So, if you’re serious about flattening boards and gettin’ perfect edges for glue-ups, the jointer plane is one of those must-haves in your shop.
It’s a bit of a workout sometimes (hey, who needs the gym, right?), but there’s nothin’ quite as satisfying as seein’ a long, straight edge come together and knowing it’s gonna fit just right.
If you’re aiming for pro-level results, this plane’s your ticket!
Its length helps bridge the high and low spots, making it perfect for getting nice, straight edges for your projects.
If you’re wanting to know exactly what you need to look for before you buy, I’ve got the guide for you right here.
Rabbet Plane
- Size: About the same as a block plane
- What’s It For: Cutting rabbets and grooves.
- When You’ll Use It: Creating joints, trimming down tenons, and cutting grooves.
The rabbet plane… now there’s a tool that every woodworker needs in their shop if they’re serious about makin’ strong, clean joints!
This little beauty is built for one main purpose: cutting rabbets, which are those nice, clean grooves or recesses along the edges of boards that make for some mighty sturdy joinery.
The magic of the rabbet plane is that its blade goes all the way across the width of the tool.
That means you can cut right up to the edge of your workpiece, leavin’ you with a perfect, squared-off groove every time.
It’s just the thing when you’re workin’ on joints like tongue and groove or lap joints, where you need to remove material along the edge to get that perfect fit.
Picture it like this: you’ve got a board, and you want to create a ledge along the edge so it fits snugly with another piece, maybe for a cabinet or a frame.
That’s where the rabbet plane shines. You can work along the length of the wood, shaving off just what you need until you’ve got a nice, even ledge that’ll line up perfectly with its partner piece.
And, don’t think it’s just for big joints, neither.
You can use it to adjust smaller details too, like trimming down tenons or cleanin’ up the edges of a dado. It’s all about giving you control, so you can fine-tune those joints until they fit just right.
What I love about the rabbet plane is that it’s got a fence and depth stop you can adjust, so you can set it up to make consistent cuts every time.
No guessin’ or eyeballin’… just set it, and let it do the work for ya! That way, you get nice, clean rabbets that look sharp and professional.
Recommended Reading: Woodworking Basics For [Total] Beginners
So, if you’re workin’ on a project where joinery matters, like a door frame, a drawer, or even a box, a rabbet plane is a must-have.
It helps you make those perfect grooves and edges so everything fits together tight as a tick. Trust me, once you’ve got one in your toolkit, you’ll find yourself reaching for it all the time!
It’s got a blade that goes all the way across, so it can cut right up to the edges of your wood without missin’ a spot.
If you wanna know what to look for before buying your first rabbet plane (or rebate), I’ve got ya’ll covered!
Shoulder Plane
- Size: Small and narrow
- What’s It For: Fine-tuning and cleaning up joint edges.
- When You’ll Use It: Perfecting rabbets and tenons or making adjustments on other joints.
The shoulder plane, that’s one of those tools that’s small but mighty, and it’s a must-have when you’re workin’ on fine-tunin’ your joints.
If you’re makin’ mortise and tenon joints, lap joints, or rabbets, the shoulder plane is your best buddy for gettin’ those edges crisp and clean. It’s all about precision with this one!
Now, what makes a shoulder plane special is its long, narrow body and a blade that goes right to the edges.
This lets you get into tight spots and trim right up to the shoulder of a joint, hence the name!
You see, when you’re cutting a tenon, you want those shoulders to be straight and even so everything fits together just so.
And this little hand plane makes sure of that by shaving off those tiny bits that might be throwin’ your joint off.
It’s also perfect for trimming down rabbets or even adjustin’ the edges of a dado.
Let’s say you’ve cut your joint, but it’s just a smidge too tight for the piece to fit, grab your shoulder plane, and you can shave off just the right amount to make it fit like it was meant to be.
And because it’s so compact, you’ve got total control over where it goes.
You can hold it steady and work on those small, detailed areas without worryin’ about takin’ off too much. It’s all about those fine adjustments… getting the fit just right so your joints look clean and professional.
So, if you’re serious about gettin’ your joinery tight and your pieces fitting together like a dream, the shoulder plane is a tool you won’t want to be without.
It’s perfect for cleaning up the details and making sure everything’s snug as a bug. Once you’ve got one in your tool belt, you’ll wonder how you ever made joints without it!
If you’re workin’ on a mortise and tenon joint, this one helps you get those edges just right!
Router Plane
- Size: Compact, with a depth adjustment feature
- What’s It For: Levelin’ out grooves and recesses.
- When You’ll Use It: Adjusting the depth of dadoes, leveling grooves, and workin’ on inlays.
The router plane is a handy little gadget that’s all about precision.
If you’re workin’ on grooves, dadoes, or recesses, and you need to make sure they’re good and level, the router plane is your best friend.
Think of it like a mini carpenter’s helper, making sure those tricky spots are nice and flat so your joinery fits like a glove!
It’s got a flat, broad base with an adjustable blade that you can set to the exact depth you need. You pull it across the wood, and it shaves down just enough to level out the bottom of a groove or recess without takin’ off too much.
It’s especially useful when you’re workin’ on things like mortises, housings, or inlays, anywhere you need a clean, even bottom so pieces fit together snug as a bug.
Now, what makes the router plane extra special is its adjustable depth feature.
You can set that blade to just the right height, so you’re in full control of how much material you’re takin’ off.
That way, you don’t end up diggin’ too deep and messin’ up your workpiece. It’s all about accuracy with this one!
And let me tell ya, if you’re doin’ cabinet work or makin’ furniture that needs tight-fitting joints, a router plane is worth its weight in gold.
It makes quick work of any unevenness, leaving you with smooth, flat bottoms in your grooves so your boards fit together real nice.
It’s kinda like havin’ your very own mini-plow, carving out paths and makin’ sure everything is good and straight.
So, if you want to get those joints just right and your inlays nice and even, keep a router plane handy, it’s one of those tools you don’t know you need until you try it, and then you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it!
It’s a neat tool to have if you’re doin’ any fancy work with grooves or joints that need to fit snug as a bug.
If you wanna learn what to look for when pickin’ our your own router plane, click here.
Spokeshave
- Size: Small, with handles on both sides
- What’s It For: Shaping and smoothing curved surfaces.
- When You’ll Use It: Making chair legs, tool handles, or anything with a curve.
Oh, the spokeshave!
Now, this little tool is a gem when you’re workin’ on anything with curves or rounded edges. If you’re makin’ chair legs, spindles, or even a fancy handle for a tool, the spokeshave is your go-to.
It’s kinda like a plane, but it’s designed to shape and smooth those tricky curves where a flat plane just wouldn’t work.
Picture this: it’s got two handles on either side with a small blade right in the middle.
You pull it towards you (or push it, if that’s your style), and it takes off fine shavings, lettin’ you shape wood with a whole lotta control.
It’s great for refining those curves so they look smooth and even, and it works wonders on edges that need a little softening.
The best part is that it gives you that hands-on feel, almost like you’re sculptin’ the wood. You get to really see the shape comin’ together as you work, and there’s just somethin’ special about that.
And because it’s so compact, you can get right up close and personal with your workpiece, perfect for detail work and getting into tight spots where bigger tools can’t go.
So, if you’re ever workin’ on a project with curves, like a rocking chair, tool handle, or even some decorative trim, a spokeshave is just what you need to make those curves smooth as a river stone.
It’s a must-have for any woodworker who likes to add a little extra flair to their pieces!
If you’re building furniture or anything with a round shape, this little guy is a lifesaver.
Scrub Plane
- Size: Smaller than a jack plane, with a curved blade
- What’s It For: Quick, rough stock removal.
- When You’ll Use It: Removing saw marks, roughing down boards, and starting to flatten wood.
When you’ve got a rough piece of wood and need to take it down quick, the scrub plane is your best bet. It’s got a curved blade for hoggin’ off material fast.
This fella is the rough-and-tumble, get-it-done type of tool that every woodworker needs when dealin’ with rough lumber.
The scrub plane’s got a smaller body than the jack plane, so it’s easy to maneuver, and it’s got a curved blade, which helps it dig in deep and take big ol’ shavings off your wood real fast.
Think of it as the first responder in your tool lineup.
When you’ve got a piece of wood that’s all rough and uneven, the scrub plane jumps in to knock down those high spots, smooth out saw marks, and get that board closer to flat in no time.
It’s perfect for when you’re workin’ with rough-sawn lumber or even an old piece you’re reclaimin’ for a new project.
Because it’s all about hoggin’ off material, you don’t need to be delicate with it, just put some muscle behind it, and it’ll do the heavy liftin’.
But keep in mind, it leaves a rough surface behind, so you’ll want to follow up with a jack plane or a smoothing plane to really get that wood surface nice and tidy.
In short, if you’ve got a board that looks like it just came off the back of a wagon, the scrub plane’s gonna help you tame it and get it ready for the finer work.
It’s like the brawny big sister of the plane family, strong, quick, and gets the job done!
This one’s all about speed… getting your wood down to size in no time flat!
Combination Plane
- Size: Varies, with interchangeable parts
- What’s It For: Cutting grooves, rabbets, and decorative moldings.
- When You’ll Use It: Making joints, molding edges, and cutting custom grooves.
If you’re lookin’ for a jack-of-all-trades plane, the combination plane is like having several tools in one. It’s got different attachments so you can cut all kinds of things!
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It’s a great tool to have if you want something that can handle all kinds of projects without needin’ a whole toolbox of planes.
Well, there ya have it… a rundown of the most common hand plane types you’ll find in a woodshop.
Each one has its own job, and once you get the hang of ‘em, you’ll be planin’ wood smoother than a hot knife through butter!
Whether you’re flattenin’ boards, trimm’ edges, or smoothing out a finish, there’s a hand plane that’s just right for the job.
If you’ve got any questions or need more tips on hand planes, just give me a holler in the comments. I’ll be back quicker than a squirrel up a hickory to help you out. Happy woodworkin’!