How to make a jack plane
Practical Action
The hand hold: The plane must be comfortable to hold. This means that there should be no
sharp edges on the upper surface, and if a handle is to be fitted it should fit the hand and not
get in the way of the blade.
Adjusting a wooden plane
Hold the stock of the plane with one finger underneath the mouth. Put the blade into the
throat and let it rest on your finger, so that it does not project below the sole of the plane.
Place the wedge between the blade and the crossbar. Tap the wedge gently with a hammer to
tighten it.
1.) Test the setting
2.) If the plane is not cutting, hit the top of the blade gently and tap the wedge to tighten it
again.
3.) If the plane is cutting too deeply, hit the back of the plane to bring back the blade, and
tap the wedge gently to tighten it again.
Look along the bottom of the plane to make sure the cutting edge is parallel to the sole. If
one corner is too high then tap the opposite side of the blade. Repeat these actions until the
plane cuts a fine, even shaving.
To remove the blade, simply hit the back of the stock until the wedge becomes loose.
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