Parts of a Wooden Bench Plane

Wooden bench planes come with several designs. Wooden bench planes are often box-shaped and have a squarish profile viewed end on. Some wooden bench plane stocks are curved towards their toe and heel, which are known as coffin-shaped. However, the plane’s iron usually set in place with a wooden wedge, instead of having a lever cap with a cam or a wheel nut as given on many metal bench planes. Wooden bench planes are mostly given with a “single-iron,” as a consequence they have no chip breaker. However, some planes do have the chip breaker, which leads the blade less likely to bend in use, and helps by breaking the “chip” – the sliver of wood shaving – so decreasing the risk of splitting the wood being planed.

Stock

Stock is often called the “block” or “body.” The hardwood stock is the main body part of the plane, where all other parts are attached. The length and width vary depending upon which plane you are using. Smoothing planes are short and narrow; jack planes are a little longer, fore planes also longer and wider, and the jointer planes are the longest and widest among all. The longer the body of the plane, the better it will be for leveling or flattening the wood.

Sole

The sole is the underside of the plane. It has to be perfectly flat that ensures the planed edges and faces of wood are accurate.

Toe

The toe is in the front section of the plane’s stock and sole. It usually needs to be pressed down through the hand on the front handle or front of the stock in addition to planing wood.

Heel

The heel is the back or rear section of the plane’s stock and sole.

Iron

Iron is widely known as a “blade” or “cutter.” This blade is the main mechanism of a wooden bench plane. This blade is usually a hardened steel part that is sharpened at its lower end to cut the wood. It is normally bedded bevel down at an angle of about 45 degrees to the sole looking at the side, or cheek of the plane, but can be as high as 55 degrees in some wooden bench planes. You will get additional information about Top Delta Planers by browsing this site.

Chip breaker or cap iron (where fitted)

Generally, the traditional wooden bench plane does not have a chip breaker. Still, some wooden planes do have the chip breaker as an aid to breaking, curling, and shaving before it can gain any leverage, reducing the possibility of the wood splitting.

Bed

The bed is the inner area of the stock where the iron rests. It is also called as “frog” which is not similar to the usual frog in standard metal planes. It cannot be moved forward and backward to adjust the gap between the leading mouth of the plane and the blade of the plane.

Conclusion

The above parts are the main body parts of a wooden bench plane. However, other body parts of a wooden bench plane include wedge, mouth of the plane, wedge mortise or clamp bar, tote & knob, or handles, and strike button.