Reply To: Information request about wooden tongue and groove planes
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Generally T & G planes come in 3 configurations:
First, double ended, or ‘come-and-go’ planes, where each cutter is mounted at opposition to each other. With two handles, you cut the first component, say the tongue on one board, mount the other board and reverse the plane to cut the groove. They come in wooden and metal versions. I think that they were a compromise design intended to economise on tool-box space for itinerant carpenters.
Second, matched pairs, generally wooden bodies.
Third, Metal swinging fence planes. Made by Union, Stanley and latterly Lie-Nielsen who have copied the Stanley pattern.
Usually each type was configured to centre on a particular width of board, plus a little lee-way, which means that you need two or three sets of planes if you want to work the full range of boards. In general these planes would go up to about 1 inch or a little over. Wider T & G planes do exist, but are rare.
It is possible to make T&G joints with a plough and a rebate plane, but it’s very long winded compared to dedicated planes.
However, to get these planes to work accurately so that the joints fit and are in line, demands careful preparation of the stock and meticulous care when sharpening blades.
It’s important to get the edge of the tongue dead flat across and at right angles to the action of the plane, and on both blades to pay attention to the sides of the blade and the corners. Raggy, blunt or rounded corners will, on any blade, ensure that it wanders as it descends in the cut, or even stops cutting altogether after a few strokes.
Hope this helps……