How to make a jack plane
Practical Action
Making the jack plane
A jack plane is an invaluable tool for all joinery work. The stock in this example is made from
two identical pieces of timber. This method is slightly easier to make than a one-piece stock,
and it should be easier to find timber. Care is needed when preparing and gluing the joint
between the two halves, as there is a danger that the glue will fail. The design is similar to
the traditional European pattern that was used for centuries before the introduction of mass-
produced metal planes.
Handle
Blade
Wedge
Crossbar
Stock
The stock of the plane is made of two pieces of timber. The mouth and throat are cut equally
from both pieces. The crossbar passes through holes in the side of the throat and acts
against the wedge to hold the blade in position. The wedge fits behind the crossbar and holds
the blade in position. A blade can be bought from a hardware shop, or it can be forged by a
blacksmith from high carbon steel. A cap iron can be fitted, but it is not essential.
Cutting list
Item
Quantity
Stock
2
Wedge
1
Crossbar
1
Handle
1
Also needed:
50mm-wide plane blade
PVA wood glue
MaterialL
Hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood
Hardwood
W
(mm)
400
200
80
100
T
65
50
18
115
40
20
18
25
Preparing the joint between the two halves of the stock
Take the two 400mm x 65mm x 40mm pieces prepared for the stock. Choose the faces to
form the joint between the two halves, and mark the front and the sole of the plane. The grain
should rise towards the front.
Plane the two inside edges to form a well-fitting joint. There should be no visible gaps
between the two pieces.
Marking out the stock
Gauge each piece to a thickness of 38mm. The
waste will be planed off after the stock has
been glued together.
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