Plane Making

I have been fascinated with antique handplanes, and people making modern reproductions of and new takes on them, for years. I have a modest collection of planes, and am taking early steps into making some of my own. Plow planes of all types, wooden planes, and infill planes are my favorites.

Here I collect notes from my projects, document in-progress planes, and offer drawings and measurements of some of the antique planes in my collection.

Featured Planes

No. 4 Molding Plane Pair

A.W. Gibbs • 2022

Matched pair of No. 4 hollow and round molding planes built in beech.

Mouse-Shaped Rabbet Plane

Unknown Maker • 19th century

Cast shell; mahogany stuffing.

An absolutely delightful little rabbet plane in the shape of a mouse. The touch of whimsy seems out of step with the major commercial makers of the time, which makes me think it might be craftsman-made. It appears to have been well-used as the blade has only 0.43 inches of meat left. No maker's mark appears on the plane or blade.

Sole: 5.475" x 0.480"
Iron: 0.480"
Bed Pitch: 13.25°

STEP Model

View 3D model

Brass Infill Rabbet Plane

A.W. Gibbs • 2025

Mini infill rabbet plane with dovetailed brass/steel and rosewood infill. Created as an exercise in replicating a particular antique plane. The original had a cast shell; this one is dovetailed. Other than that, and the choice of metal for the sides of this iteration, it is as dimensionally close to the original as could be achieved.