Plough plane for groove and dado’s. Fillister planes have fixed rebate width but I believe have a depth stop. Moving fillister plane has a ajustable fence and depth stop. Sash filister plane has two sides to it and has a fence and a depth stop one side is for doing a rebate the other is to do to moulding like an ovolo. Use to make sash bars for windows.
A combination plane can perform grooving beading and sash bars basically all the above. I think On the Record 405 combination plane you could also buy kits so that you could also do hollows and rounds.

Not to forget, the one plane to rule them all, the universal plane. Stanley 55, with 55 cutters to take the place of all the previously mentioned wooden planes and moulding profile planes.

My question is, at what point do these combination/universal planes become machines? I know they are human powered, but with all the fences, spurs and depth gauges, doesn’t kind of take the “real” woodworking out of the equation and enter the machine operated woodworking?

Nonetheless, these planes are very cool!

I have a Stanley 45 Combination Plane with all the cutters and attachments. I find that I only use it in its stripped down mode as a plough plane. I don’t have the attachments for the hollows and rounds, and last time I checked, the prices were outrageous on eBay. So, for me, I think a basic plough plane would suffice.

Ken, this wasn’t intended on being a question like that. As, I continue to learn the craft I try to find a balance between time in the shop developing a skill and cost of the tools. And I wonder if sometimes a machine is a better option than using a tool. Just thoughts I ponder in the car to and from work.

Steve, that’s primarily what I use my Stanley 50 for, but I would like using the beading profiles and also the tongue and grove blades .

Craig, that’s a nice quote. I used the Stanley 78 last weekend to make a small cabinet and even with the depth stop and fence it still requires a bit of skill and attention to detail to ensure the rabbets are square and flat.

cheers!

Dan,Steve,
If you go here:
http://www.stanleytoolparts.com/plblir.html
You can search around for the cutters.
They’re marked as discontinued, BUT with a link to Servicenet that shows quite a few items are still available.
Dan,
One thing that helps in using the rebate plane which wants to wander even with good side pressure, is to set the blade slightly proud (about the thickness of a business card) on the inboard side. Charles Hayward covers this in at least two of his books. Really helps.
Best,
Craig

Dan,
I assume you’re using the fence with the 78.
I’m using a Record 778–same diff.
I’ve added a 3/8 x 1″ aux. fence to mine and position the work level with the edge of the bench so that the fence has more surface to run against. This seems to help with the tendency to lean over. Still it does take some extra concentration and deliberation for each swipe not to get off track.
Best,
Craig