Replies

1. 
   lwilliams | Jun 25, 2006 01:03am | #1

   Contrary to what you might read on this forum the traditional use for a jack plane or fore plane is for the initial rough planing. Some seem to think this use with the necessary cambered iron makes the plane into a scrub plane. European "scrub" planes have about the same iron width as a fore or jack plane. Stanley type scrub planes have very narrow irons and their early catalogs describe the use as sizing boards for width when a small amount of material is to be removed.

   I have used a Stanley type scrub plane for initial leveling but only in very localized situations. Generally areas that would suggest a Stanley type of scrub plane are the result of severe deformation during drying as in around knots. I think it's usually best to avoid pieces of stock with this kind of instability. A Stanley type scrub plane can cause problems because it is easy to cut deeper than you might have intended which will result in thinner stock than you might have wanted.

   What you have is a jack plane sharpened as a jack plane usually was. I can't tell you the value of your plane but you might be able to get a good idea by searching eBay's completed auctions.

   On edit I should add a couple things. A Stanley type scrub plane is a great tool for backing out trim, leveling framing, and a lot of other things. They can be incredibly handy tools and it's the one plane I was always able to show other carpenters to increase their interest in hand planes.

   
   

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   Edited 6/24/2006 6:11 pm by lwilliams

1. 
   mwenz | Jun 25, 2006 05:51am | #2

   That's what I use my #5 1/4 for--initial flattening on boards I have cut to rough length. But depending on their length, I may use a full #5. Both have cambered irons, but the #5 1/4 has a little more pronounced curve.

   One of my #6-sized planes has more, the other just has the corners eased as I do use it for jointing most of my rough-lengthened boards. As I don't build typically larger pieces, my jointer plane stays on the shelf much of the time.

   I think that there are symantical issues when people use the term scrub--do they mean a specific plane, or function? I usually mean function, equating scrubbing as an act to initial flattening.

   Larry's suggestion as to looking on eBay for completed auctions for similar planes is one of the better ways unless you have such a rare plane they don't appear.

   Take care, Mike