Replies

1. 
   Alan | Aug 25, 2004 11:36pm | #1

   MSTEHELIN,

   A plow plane is used to cut grooves.  For example, for making the groove that runs around the inside edges of the rails and stiles in frame and panel construction.  Plow planes also go by various other names.

   Alan

1. 
   professor | Aug 26, 2004 06:50am | #3

   another common use is cutting the grooves in the drawer sides and front for the bottoms.  If you have only one or two drawers to make it is usually quicker than setting up a dado blade or a router bit.  And certainly a lot quieter.  Handtools when they are most efficient and power tools when they are the most efficient.

   Mark

2. 
   EdHarrison | Aug 26, 2004 12:59am | #2

   Here's a metallic version of a plow plane, the Stanley #50 and a raised panel I made with handtools for practice.  (I suppose the practice panel would make a fine outhouse toilet seat cover at the point). As Alan said, the groove that accepts the raised panel is easily cut with a plow plane such as this. 

   Note:  The wooden versions of plow planes are much more elegant than this utilitarian #50.  That said, I'm fond of the #50 and find it easy to custom grind the cutting irons for it from cheap chisels.

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
   - President Ronald Reagan, August 15, 1986

   
1. 
   OrchidGuy | Aug 27, 2004 09:23pm | #4

   Hi Ed,

    I've got 2 Stanley combination planes! One is an oldie, left to me in a will. It's a Type 6 # 45. The other one is alot newer, I ordered it earlier in the year from Garret Wade, Stanley has stopped producing them. Only thing I need to add to my collection is a plow plane!

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

1. 
   EdHarrison | Aug 27, 2004 10:08pm | #5

   You da man, F4.  You can peel some serious wood with those tools.  Sometimes I wind up fiddling with those planes more than actually making things, but, it's all good,...Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. - President Ronald Reagan, August 15, 1986

1. 
   OrchidGuy | Aug 28, 2004 02:02am | #8

   Hey Ed,

    I know all about fiddling with my collection! And I love peeling wood  with them whenever I get the chance! Here is the complete list of planes that I have.

   These are the Oldies (I inhereted these in a will)

   Type 19 # 4 Smooth circa 1950

   Type 16 # 4C - Smooth circa 1940

   Type 7 # 4 1/2C - Smooth circa 1898

   Type 8 # 5 1/2C - Jack circa 1900

   Type 9 # 5 1/2 Jack circa 1905

   Type 7 # 6 Fore circa 1895

   Type 11 # 6C - Fore circa 1905

   Type 15 # 7 Jointer 1932 circa 1932

   Type 16 # 7C - Jointer  circa 1940

   Type 16 # 8 Jointer circa 1940

   Type 12 # 8C - Jointer circa 1920

   No. 10 Bench Rabbet circa 1898

   No. 12 Scraper circa 1875

   No. 60 Low Angle Block circa 1898

   Type 6 # 45 Combination circa 1895

   These are the New Breed (I purchased these)

   12 - 003 #3 Smooth

   12 - 204 #4 Smooth

   12 - 205 #5 Jack

   12 - 007 #7 Smooth

   12 - 045 #4 1/2 Large Smooth

   12 - 005C #5 Corrugated Smooth

   12 - 006C #6 Corrugated Smooth

   12 - 905 #5 Jack Fore

   12 - 906 #6 Fore

   12 -205D Combination

   Let's see did I forget anything! Oh yeah,

   12 - 960 Low Angle Block

   I'm thinking about adding to my collection. So many planes, so little time.

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

1. 
   Alan | Aug 29, 2004 02:55am | #9

   f4phanatic,

   Wow!

   How do you find the time to sharpen all of them?

   When you're beginning a project do you paralyze yourself trying to choose which plane to use first?

   That's a lot of planes!

   Alan

2. 
   OrchidGuy | Aug 29, 2004 04:35am | #10

   Hi Alan,

    Yeah, that's alot of planes! The ones I've purchased were all gotten before the ones I inherited from my neighbor. Luckily Chris, my neighbor, did a fine job of keeping his tuned up and ready to go, so I didn't have to do anything to them. As for sharpening, it's a chore. I have a slew of japanese water stones. I'm thinking Tormek. As for which ones to use, I try to limit which ones to use on each project. For one project I'll use mine, and on the next project I'll use the oldies. That's how I keep sane, I think? Of course not currently having a shop to tool around in, I'm not wondering which ones to use at the moment. But that will change once I join a woodworkers club I've checked out!

    As for maintaining them like I said Chris kept them tuned perfectly, being an old time carpenter and cabinet maker, he was more of a hand tool guy instead of a power tool type. He did have a well equipped shop with plenty of power tools though! I really miss being in his shop. Those planes were passed on to him from his father and grandfather, and they too were carpenters, cabinet, furniture makers. So there is alot of history there. I've also got a brace bit and hand dril from the late 1800's and early 19's. The auger bits were really worn out, so I got some new ones from Garrett Wade. I store all of the planes in the silicone treated storage socks from Garrett Wade.

   I just want want a plow to round out the collection! Anything more would truely be the straw!

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

   Edited 8/28/2004 9:38 pm ET by f4phanatic

3. 
   EdHarrison | Aug 30, 2004 01:49am | #11

   Wow!  This green-with-envy coloration I've taken on is probably makes me look like your average Mark I Mod 0 space alien!  It's good that your neighbor's tools went to someone who can appreciate them and take care of them.  Good luck, Ed

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. - President Ronald Reagan, August 15, 1986

4. 
   OrchidGuy | Aug 30, 2004 03:19am | #12

   Hey Ed,

    Sitting there in the lawyer's office I fell out of that chair! Shock, surprise, hypoxia, veritgo, grey out, black out! I had it all, I needed a bailout bottle most of all. Having used Chris' planes I knew what they were like and admired them. I was building my own set of planes, but this, this is the prize! Nice thing is they were kept in pristine condition by him. When he was done using them he took them apart and cleaned them and kept the irons sharp!

    I keep them just as pristine, after I use use any of the oldies or mine, I take them apart and give them a detailed cleaning. I also wax them regularly with carnauba. You should see my car! I'm always checking them over, even if I haven't used them. As for the irons I use japanese waterstones and I use that sharpening guide from Lee Valley. I put that nice micro bevel on them, and they just zip through wood like it's not there!

    Those oldies are gems, are appreciated, and well taken care of. Chris can rest easy!

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!

2. 
   Alan | Aug 28, 2004 12:01am | #6

   f4phanatic,

   One of my three combination planes is a 12-250 (which I assume is your recent acquisition).  Of the three it is the least fussy to set up and use.  It has its limitations, but generally it is a great tool.  With the resurgence of hand tool use, I think Stanley made a big mistake.

   Why do you want a plow when you already have the combination plane?  I make all my grooves and dadoes with a combination plane.  They work as well as I could want; I have no complaints.

   Alan

1. 
   OrchidGuy | Aug 28, 2004 01:35am | #7

   Hi Alan,

    A 12 - 250 it is!. Lemme see, the box says 12 - 250D. Have not used it on any projects yet, but I did quite a few tests cuts on scraps while tuning it up. It gave me really beautiful cuts. As for wanting the plow, (I can use both combination planes) I have a small collection, the only thing missing is a plow. I've used them all quite frequently.

   Those daring young men in their flying machines!