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- The standard length of factory-made
planes is 9-1/2", but earlier planes
were sometimes 10" or even 10-1/2"
long.
- Early molders sometimes have boxing,
but this is normally limited to a simple
strip at a sharp indentation in the profile, which is called a quirk. Planes with large inserts
that cover the whole profile, or planes
with elaborate keyed boxing, are of factory
origin.
- Moldings composed of circular curves
evolved out of Roman architecture, while
those based on the ellipse derive from
Greek. If you have a general understanding
of architecture, you can assign a likely
date to a plane's manufacture, and make
an educated guess about its use. As an
example, Greek revival style was popular
in the 1830s; therefore, a plane that
produces a Grecian ogee likely dates to
this period. This is only approximate,
since architectural styles overlap and
their acceptance varied regionally. The
scale of the molding indicates use—a narrow
plane might have produced a backband,
while one with a large, deep profile could
have cut a base mold.
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Tips for Collectors
Molding planes are not difficult to find, but neither
are they widely available. Local flea markets, specialty
auctions and tool shows, or dealers on the Internet
are potential sources. When examining any plane
for use, you should be aware of the following points: |
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- The iron and the profile of the sole should
match. Reshaping an iron may be an appealing
idea if the block is in excellent condition,
but it's more time-consuming than it appears.
Making a new iron, or performing major restoration,
involves annealing, grinding and heat-treating.
- Have a look at the plane's mouth. It is important
that it's close to the cutting edge (1/8"
maximum) so that the shaving is supported as
it is cut. An excessively wide mouth will result
in tear-out as the molding is worked.
- If possible, remove the iron from the body
by pulling on the wedge or tapping on the heel
of the plane. Inspect it carefully—slight surface
rust is acceptable, but the cutter should not
be pitted.
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