Welcome! / Forums / General Woodworking Discussions / Rabbet Planes – which one?
I’ll have to clear a decent sized space in the living room for a full hand plane display, but I am down 12 planes since my son “borrowed” them for use at work and put a dent in my selection. lol π
I’ll not mention my block planes, spokeshaves, saws, etc. lol Β Although the upstairs ceilings are heaving from the weight of tools I have stored in the loft. π
Hi Juryaan,
I tend to use my side rebate plane if trimming joints (More so dovetails for guitar necks when fine tuning alignment and fit), but frequency depends on the style of work being carried out and/or whether I need to adjust the sliding fit of a dovetailed housing joint/dado, or door rebate.
Ok buddy, I’m pleased you did not mention block planes, spokeshaves, saws, etc π
Yes, one of it’s intended uses is for refining fit when producing sliding dovetails once bulk has been removed using a plough/dado plane. π
A scewed rabbit plane helps the fence to stay against the shoulder of the wood
Yes, a skewed blade can help pull the plane into the side with the leading edge, but it’s all too easy to rely upon this happening while forgetting to apply adequate lateral pressure on the fence. Β Skew ironed planes can certainly help, but aren’t necessarily a solution if problems are rooted in technique related issues. Β It still pays to have a shoulder plane handy for cleanup once a rebate has has been formed. π Β The skew iron can prove a liability if for some reason you find yourself needing to plane with a rebate’s shoulder on the opposing side of the plane, because the skew tends to push the plane away from the shoulder and you find yourself needing to force the fence into the work instead of simply guiding it.
It’s a great excuse for owning multiple tools π π