Workshop view
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

Mouse-Shaped Rabbet Plane

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°
Auction picture of Brese 812-50S

812-50S Smoothing Plane

Ron Brese c. 2009

Ex-collection of Fred West Jr.

Sole
8" x ?"
Iron
?"
Pitch
Spiers Ayr Early Smooth Plane

Screw-Sided Smoothing Plane

Spiers (Ayr) c. 1840

Dovetailed shell, rosewood infill

Sole
7 1/2"
Iron
2 1/4"
Pitch
45°