A hand plane is a simple tool used for shaping wood using muscle power to force the cutting blade over the surface of the wood. While some people choose to use rotary power planers, these tools are generally too large for fine-scale planing tasks. In such cases, a hand plane is an excellent choice.
Scrapers
Handplane scrapers are a useful tool for finishing larger surfaces. They can be adjusted to take the finest shavings. The Veritas scraper has a 73mm blade that is 1.4mm thick. Its pitch is adjustable from vertical to 25deg forward, so it’s possible to achieve the desired depth of cut. The blade is also adjustable so that you can make fine adjustments as it wears down.
Scrapers for hand planes are sharpened using a special process. The blade is sharpened to a point and the edge of the scraper is angled to create a consistent cutting angle. The angle also prevents the scraper from digging into corners.
Block planes
Block planes are an excellent tool for making thin, precise cuts. These planes can be found in two basic types: standard and low-angle. The standard plane will cut thin pieces, while low-angle models will remove a lot of material and produce a rougher finish. Depending on your needs and budget, block planes can be an excellent investment.
Block planes are often used to fine-tune woodwork pieces. Because they’re so small, they’re easy to use and can be easily carried around. These planes are particularly useful for finishing soft woods and chamfering miter joints.
Bullnose planes
Bullnose planes are designed to make cuts in narrow spaces. The short leading edge of a bullnose plane makes it suitable for use in confined spaces, such as inside corners. They are also used in rebates and shoulder joints where the cutting edge is flush with the sides of the plane. This ensures that little material will be missed in corners. Then, you can use a chisel plane to do the final tidying up.
Bullnose planes for hand planes have different applications. The first one is for carving rabbets and grooves. It can also be used for finishing dadoes and gaps in joinery. A double rabbet hand plane has two rabbets on the blade, so you can use it like a traditional rabbet plane. These hand planes also feature an adjustable nose.
