How to make a jack plane
Practical Action
Finally, carve the handle smooth and round. The chamfers
should help to make the curves even. A fine half-round file
and some sandpaper will help to finish the handle well.
When the handle is finished it should look like this.
Cutting the mortise for the handle.
Square one line across the top of the stock, 50mm from the
back, and another 140mm from the back.
Gauge two lines in the centre of the stock, 24mm apart,
between the two pencil lines. Mark the waste.
Check the gauge lines by holding the handle up to the stock. Chop out the mortise to a depth
of 20mm. Carefully pare the sides of the mortise to the gauge line. Fit the handle into the
stock, but do not glue it in place yet.
Chamfering the stock
To help make the plane comfortable to use, the sharp edges around the top of the plane need
to be removed. Thumb-gauge a line all round the top of the stock, 4mm from each edge, to
mark the chamfers.
Mark radii on the top, the sides, the front, and
the back of the stock. Tracing around a small
tin will help to make the curves even.
Plane the chamfers down to the pencil lines on
both sides. You will have to use a chisel on the
curve in the middle of the stock. Then use a
wide chisel to round off the corners.
The handle can now be glued into position. Use
a clamp to push it tightly into the mortise. The
finished stock should look like this.
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