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

Small Infill Rabbet Plane

Unknown Maker • late 19th century

Cast shell; rosewood stuffing.

No maker's mark appears on the plane or blade. The curved edge of the side wall elegantly mirrors the bullnose on the top of the stuffing. This one is on my short list to replicate.

Sole: 2.82" x 0.45"
Iron: 0.45"
Bed Pitch: 23°

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.

812-50S Smoothing Plane

Ron Brese • c. 2009

Ex-collection of Fred West Jr.

Sole: 8" x ?"
Iron: ?"
Pitch: ?°