Making a Rebate Plane
Posted 24 September 2014
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Make yourself a rebate plane to use for your upcoming projects using materials you will probably have readily available. Paul goes into the details of making sure the wedge and blade fit accurately and how to use a chisel as the blade. Used in the picture frames project.
THAT !,… deserves a round of Applause.
Thank you,
Craig
thank you,great insperion for me .
Thanks Paul. Can’t wait to get started on my own plane … or two.
Bob . B.
WOW! That was beautiful! I almost think I can make one.
I’m wondering Paul if you and your team have any plans to doing a moldingplane?
Thank you very much
/ Kim
Paul and team,
Definitely, from two years ago, on Wednesday has become my favorite day of the week.
This master classes is sparking my inspiration all the time, absolutelly wonderful classes.
Thanks for your great work an generosity.
–Óscar
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
Simply elegant……. Thank you.
Very nice Sir. I really learned something today. Thank you.
That sure smells of liberty !
Kind Sir,
I really do highly appreciate the sharing of knowledge that you do.
Every single one of your lessons is a genuine pearl.
Super! Thank you so much for your inspiring work.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is, indeed, a master class.
The techniques are wonderful. (I’m in the process of making your workbench), but the best thing about this series is your reverence for the wood and for the skill to shape the wood.
Absolutely fantastic video !!
Very good indeed! I know what I’ll be doing tomorrow… Thanks you guys so much.
Wonderful, can’t wait to make one and hopefully get the same pigtail shavings.
Really well done. Thank you for your time and effort that you put into the videos. They are enjoyable.
Well paint me blue and call me Bob… Me thinks I’ll be making a plane this Christmas holiday but possibly a beading plane using the same principle. I could make several irons with different beads, or any other variants of moulding irons…
At least if the shape isn’t to complicated you needn’t shape the underside of the plane to the iron which seems to be the most difficult point in making a moulding plane, right?
Thanks a lot!
/Martin
What a wonderful and practical project! Thank you.
Cool!
Paul,
As always, Great video!
I would also be interested in seeing how hollow and rounds are made.
Thanks
i have a #78 but i would like to make one of these “poor mans rebate Plane’s if it bring half the smile it brought Paul i’d be happy another gift from the man that keeps giving Thank you
Paul Thank You so much for this one, this is defiantly on my short list and thanks to you I have a new appreciation for The Big Box’s pine. I am so looking forward to the picture frame series.
Steve
Just awesome!!!!
One more item to the poor man’s tool box! Bravo!
I know what I’ll be making in my shop this weekend.
My very own handmade wooden rebate plane. GREAT FUN and a very useful tool.
Thanks, Paul you are the best!!!!
Being a poor college student, these “poor man’s” tools are a life saver!!! THANKS PAUL!!!!
This may be your best video yet. Bravo. I couldn’t be more impressed.
After watching this video I was excited for the first time I thought I could make myself a whole set of hollows and rounds and go even further with a collection of specialty moulding planes but my excitement came crashing down when I saw the prices of iron blanks on LN’s website. On average it would cost me around $400 for the blanks alone, I can buy a set of antique hollow and rounds for the same price. Just when you think your winning you get a reality check.
Excellent video Paul I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you know any carpenters who throw out circular saw blades it is amazing how easily a blade blank can be cut out with a zip disc on a small grinder. Doing it carefully means there is little working required after and if you don’t overheat it I have found the edge retention to be very good without any retempering. The bigger the saw blade, the thicker the blank. I made a spokeshave replacement blade for an old stanley I have that had a worn out blade and it works a treat.
I KNEW I was holding onto those circular saw blades for a reason!
Great suggestion!
I know this is an old post that I’m replying to but you could pick up some tool steel make your own irons and then harden and temper them yourself. A bit of work but it could be really nice in the end.
Absolutely fantabulous and amazing! To think I could have invested all of my hard earned money (and a bit of time) in the “Poor Man’s” brand/line of tools, which give as comparable if not better results than some of my rather pricey high end tools, is, well…….rather humbling and astounding. Most of all it is inspiring as you have shown us that there really is very little holding us back from working in wood. Thank you yet again Mr. Sellers et al !!
Awesome So much fun!!
Dear Paul,
This sort of video is exactly what is needed to encourage people to start woodworking. You are single handedly empowering woodworkers around the globe with your “Poor Man” series. I think you should make a special heading in the project series.
I thank you again for being an excellent teacher and mentor to thousands of people.
Incredible!
Thank you Paul yet again for imparting your knowledge and shedding light on real woodworking!
That was wonderful. I’m not sure why but that really put a smile on my face. Quite inspirational, thank you.
May be a stupid question, but what’s the difference between a rebate plane and a Plow plane?
not a stupid question Tom but a plow plane creates a groove with two walls and a flat base while a rebate plane creates a single wall with a flat base at right angles the best way i can explain
I enjoyed watching this, but when the fence was on and the plane set my tummy leaped for joy watching those shavings. It’s a rich man that has an experience of building such a tool and seeing it work. Marvelous.
I feel like Paul was as excited as I was when that plane started working so beautifully on the first shot.
thanks Paul, really liked that. Have been considering a shoulder plane but hesitating spending the money for it. maybe this would work. I wanted to cut a small cross grain rebate on the inside of tailboards.
There is no adrenaline like this video. I found myself smiling…not just a small smile but ear to ear with the thought of being able to make my own tools! Brilliant. Absolutely, Brilliant! Thank you Paul, Joseph and all.
brilliant
Just phenomenal! The knowledge that you transfer is simply priceless!
Absolutely brilliant Paul, I agree Craig a round of applause.
Thank you
Those are skills. It would take me an hour just to chop the plane bed.
So how do you make a router plane?
Have you seen the poor man’s router video on Paul’s youtube channel? If not, it’s worth watching.
Thank you very much Paul,
It is astonishing how easily you can make a good plane just using just a srcap of wood and old chisel. Your enthusiasm for making things like that is absolutely fantastic to watch! Thank you for sharing that!
Hi Paul, this is the first time I have ever felt the need to put a comment on a video that I have watched! That was the best and at the end of the video when you started to get the shavings slide out of the plane for some reason it made the hair on the back of neck stand on end! And even more I could see your excitement coming through as well. You have got to go on Youtube with this one. Thank you very much I will follow you to the end of the world!
Stumper
I agree with Stumper. In fact I was going to suggest it myself:
Please take this video to YouTube it is by far the most inspirational video you have yet produced. I see it’s not just me – reading the comments above you somehow actually brought a smile to people’s faces. Who would have thought that possible watching a woodworking tutorial ?!!!
Thanks again Paul.
The man is an inspirational tutor, , why oh why has he not been given a TV programme, not only should he be, it would kick out one of the naff cookery shows that infest everything
Hi Paul, thanks for the video.
When I saw this I thought that this technique could be combined with the poor man’s router to make a router plane you could add and remove a chisel from with a wedge.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9437DFTHpNCNzVUM0V0SlpZaEU/edit?usp=sharing
It’s a bit tricky to set the depth on but works pretty well other than that.
I’ve since learned that this is sort of a traditional construction for a Granny’s Tooth plane.
Thanks for the inspiration.
This is why this site is rather a sanctuary than a public place…
Thank you , master , for everything
Great video Paul love the way you did not tell us to go to a high end blade maker to buy an expensive blade before we make the plane.I will have a go at making one.
Thanks. Tom Moore
Absolutely. Simple and very easy thank you
Awesome job as always. Seems like this would be a nice carryover to making a moulding plane perhaps?? We’ve done the Small hollow plane when you made the stool, which sort of talks about shaping a making a blade, then the rabbet plane, which looks like with just a little bit more work and combining the skills the from both of these, you could make a set of hollows and rounds or even a full moulding plane ;). I’d love to see an episode on that. There companies that are making nice hollow and round sets of moulding planes out there, but they cost near $1000 for the set. And ebay is a crapshoot of rolling the dice on those types of planes.
Quite superb – I agree with an earlier comment – come on Paul, get a TV slot – you would change so many peoples lives, as you have mine. 6 Months ago I would not have believed I could do what I now can, and I’ve lost 3 stone into the bargain because I am now active, with an interest and don’t spend my retirement time looking at and practising cooking programmes! I now use wood! What an enjoyment!!
Thank you very much, great work as usual.
Thank You This shows the possibilities are endless. Any width you need and also shows the basic principal to make any plane. That was a wonderful video.
Hi Paul!
Great! It would be also nice to see how to make ” dovetail plane”
Thank you. Sven
Excellent video Paul, as always.
Another excellent tutorial Sir. Thanks!
By the way: what is this ‘new’ knife you’re using?
Cheers,
Wil
Paul made a number out of old kitchen knives: https://paulsellers.com/2014/07/upcycle-for-a-good-layout-knife/
could you show how to sharpen the hand router cutter please as I have no idea on how to do this many thanks keep up the good work
Have a look here: https://paulsellers.com/2014/10/routing-the-past-developments/
Kind Regards, Phil
That is so brilliant. And we all have old chisels and scrap laying around. My next project for sure.
My next project! Thank you!
I just got around to watching this fantastic video. I just couldn’t help but smile when those shavings started peeling out. The only problem now is that it is too cold in my Colorado garage to make one! I have to wait till Spring.
Thanks, Paul.
This might be my favorite video yet. Paul amazes me every time he simplifies something that looks so complex! +1 for the request for hollows and round plane construction, or simple molding planes.
In order to make the fence last longer, could you use brass inserts in the body of the plane to hold the fence on?
I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t. Or even just use a denser wood like white oak or hard maple.
Absolutely wonderful! So fun to watch. Thanks!
Pure genius!
Excellent video! Thank you for all you do to instruct people on the craft of woodworking! Can’t wait to try this!
awesome!!, i had seen others make a rabbet but not as pristine as yours, even though its in pine!, and your explanation is unmatched. The best teacher is Paul Sellers.
I made this plane and it worked great. The only problem is I followed you chisel sharpening video and got the chisel a little too sharp. When making the plane my thumb got in the way and I had to make a trip to the doctors office for a glue job.
I once slipped and jabbed a chisel quite hard into my thumb. Looked worse than it felt lol
Another time I was sharpening all my chisels and putting them to the side once I sharpened them. One of them fell and slashed the side of my foot. The scar is still there after all these months.
I would add a fence on the side too. A large flathead screw that is filed sharp might make a working nicker? If not you could inlay a spear pointed piece of steel on the side and hold it down with two screws on the sides or make a slot in the middle of the steel and put a screw through it. It would be easily lifted up when cutting with the grain. I would call this tool the economical man’s fillister plane!
Hi Sami
You can make nickers from a Saber saw (jig saw) blade.
Grind the teeth off shape it , cut a saw kerf in line and anchor the blade with a small screw
Frankj
Indeed, I have done that and those little blades keep a very good egde, for very long. I made a kebiki (marking gauge) with that blade and haven’t so far been in the need for resharpening it.
Outstanding video Paul, I’m goint to make one Rebate and then a Filister plane with this same technique, but instead of using a chisel, i will try to cut in half the replacement blade of a #4 plane.
Great video!! Thanks a lot for the masterclass…
Saludos desde Puerto Rico!!!
Thanks!
A true work of art!!
hey paul, its me arnold the old time plumber , would you belived I just followed you and made one of those planes and you nwhat?>? it works perfectly thanks again paul. this wood working is making me very happy.
Superb..!!! i have to agree with all the other comments, this is just priceless,
i was thrilled to see how well it worked , cant wait to make one,
Keep up the good work to paul and all the team… thank you..
Absolutely impressed, I intend to try and make this.
What a GREAT video….outstanding!!!!!
This is fabulous, Paul! Watching those spiral curls of shaving peel off the plane is inspiring!
I like the idea that you can make short planes, long planes, whatever special size you need. Pine is easy to work while I’m learning, later on a harder wood will leave tools for later generations.
Tom
I firmly believe this is your best video Paul. Such a wonderful topic, making something few would imagine could be so easily created in the shop. But the best thing about this video is how infectious Paul ‘s excitement is.
This was the perfect combination of informative, inspirational and entertaining.
Fantastic! Thank you!
Thanks so much for this Paul. I went at it hap hazardly because to be honest I didn’t think I could pull it off but to my amazement it worked beautifully and I had a smile so large I thought my head would split in two. Now I think I’ll make another only I’ll do a better job on it’s appearance. and maybe add a depth gauge.
Thanks again,
Peter
Great craftmanship and unique teaching ability. I can watch Mr. Sellers videos for hours and hours.
“This is REAL woodworking!” (cit.)
Just finished my poor man’s rebate plane. Looks like the one by Mr. Sellers, but mine only produce nasty, uneven shavings 🙁
Anyway, A very instructive (and constructive) exercise.
Thank you Mr. Sellers.
Pure joy of creation. Thank you a lot.
Once again, Paul shows what a master he really is. I watched this today and just had to attempt one myself. It wasn’t quite as good but works quite well and I know I will make another with even better results…thanks so much for the fantastic instruction and the inspiration.
Thank you sir. You make it all look so easy I have to try several times to get it right . makes good practice
Wonderful! Brilliant, simple, useful. Many thanks for such inspirational teaching!
Thank you Paul I made my first rebate plane it took a lot of refining but i finaly got it to work. there is a little more refining to do with the wast port . Need to do some sharpining to . thanks so very much Bob
Poetry in motion! Thank you, Paul. Now, where can I get me one on those wonderful router planes…or can you make one of those as well?
Everytime I watch the last minute of this video I grin shamelessly. BRAVO!
I really find that the idea of making your own tools like the old masters did long ago is very educational. I would love to see more on making bench planes like a jointer or smoothing plane.
This video illustrates perfectly the reason I am a member. Just awesome!
Awesome Video Paul…Made me a fully functional plane out of an old 2×4….I think it is time to make a more permanent version out of beech.
good job
Hi great lesson very informative and looks easy, if we stick t,o your instructions.
Guess what the grandchildren and wife are getting for Christmas.
Regards Larry.
I love this plane. However, I do not like planning against the grain. My first plane was “right handed” by which I mean the blade was on the right side of the plane. Because Paul made it so easy to make these planes, I also made a “left handed” plane which I use when the grain is going against me when I use the “right handed” plane. You can use the same chisel blade or buy a second chisel and use its blade. I did the latter because the wedge does not fit tight without a blade and I did not want to lose the wedge.
Paul, you are the king. This is great. Can’t wait to try it.
Well, I made my plane, and got it to where it cuts a pretty decent rebate. Takes considerable fiddling to get the depth of cut shallow enough. (around 1/64″ or less at a pass.) Cutting a 1/4″ rebate with a 1/2″ sharp chisel, bevel-down to the 45 degree bedding side of the recess. Problem I’m having is that my shavings seem to want to come off in a tight roll rather than the pigtail spiral that Paul gets on the video. I’ve fiddled with the curved cut-out on the end of the wedge to the point that I may need to make a new wedge. Noticed that the end of that taper is very fractious. Should the wedge be made of a harder wood than the pine plane body to help? Wondering if the face of that shaving-ejector be square to the cutter edge, or skewed to the outside to form the pigtail shavings? Any ideas appreciated. Mike
About 32 minutes into the video Paul demonstrates the scooped feather edge taper that should cleanly eject the shaving out the side. He used pine.
If the very tip seems fragile, you can make a steeper secondary bevel in the last 1/8” or so and the shavings will still eject just fine.
What are the signs that the plane needs to be replaced? Also do you have any videos on using chisels I’m having trouble being accurate with them and getting an accurate depth such as in mortising hinges on a box. Ive also heard Paul talk about reading the grain when using chisels what does that mean?
Thanks Alec
Hi Alec,
Thank you for getting in touch.
I passed your question on to Paul and he said:
There is no reason why the plane should need replacing.
———
Our free exercise on Common Woodworking should help you when setting hinges: https://commonwoodworking.com/setting-hinges/
Paul has done a video on reading the grain on YouTube which I have linked below:
https://youtu.be/NZqYh-6c0m8
Kind Regards,
Izzy
For anyone else that finds them helpful, here are the dimensions Paul used. As he says, any of these could be changed as you see fit.
Plane Body:
1 1/4 by 2 3/4 by 10 (30 x 70 x 250 mm)
Wedge Piece (before cutting):
5/8 by 2 1/4 by 10 (15 x 55 x 250 mm)
Fence:
3/8 by 1 1/4 by 10 inches
Fence:
When you gave the dimensions for the body and wedge, is it in inches or metric?
Paul gives dimensions for all the parts in both metric and Imperial/UNC.
https://woodworkingmasterclasses.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/THE-PAUL-SELLERS-ROUTER-PLANE.pdf
Stick with one system and you will be fine.
This is just a fantastic video. Oh yeah, I really want to make one of these!