Q: What is a spill plane used for?
It produces long, tightly curled wood shavings called spills, which were historically used before matches to carry a flame from a fireplace to a candle, lantern or stove.
Straight-grained softwood is pushed over the plane to produce a long, tightly curled shaving.
Before matches became widely available in the 1860s, long, coiled wood shavings known as spills were used to transfer a flame from one location to another, such as from a fireplace to a candle, lantern or stove. Typically made using a special inverted plane, spills burn more slowly and consistently than paper, and also double as a convenient tinder material. We based the design of our spill plane on an 1850s Edward Preston spill plane in our collection.
You simply push a piece of straight-grained softwood 5/8" to 3/4" wide over the blade, guiding it along a channel in the sole, to produce a long, tightly curled shaving. A 1/2" tall, 2 1/2" wide fence projects from the base to register against the edge of a bench, table or hearth; a screw-hole in the fence also allows it to be fastened to a block of wood and clamped in a vise.
Made from ductile cast iron with an O1 tool steel blade, the plane measures 8” long overall and weighs 1 lb 9 oz. For those with fireplaces or woodstoves, using the spills made by this plane will help start a fire and rekindle old traditions.
Made in Canada.
It produces long, tightly curled wood shavings called spills, which were historically used before matches to carry a flame from a fireplace to a candle, lantern or stove.
You push a piece of straight-grained softwood 5/8" to 3/4" wide over the blade, guiding it along a channel in the sole, to produce one long curled shaving at a time.
Yes, a screw hole in the fence lets you fasten the plane to a block of wood, which can then be clamped in a vise for stationary use at a bench.
| Materials | Ductile cast iron body; O1 tool steel blade |
| Dimensions | 8" long overall; 1/2" tall × 2 1/2" wide fence |
| Compatibility Dimensions | Accepts softwood stock 5/8" to 3/4" wide |
| Weight | About 1 lb 9 oz |
| Includes | Replica spill plane |
| Package Quantity | 1 item |
| Country of Origin | Canada |
| Warranty | Lee Valley Satisfaction Guarantee |
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Lee Valley Replica Spill Plane
Before matches became widely available in the 1860s, long, coiled wood shavings known as spills were used to transfer a flame from one location to another, such as from a fireplace to a candle, lantern or stove. Typically made using a special inverted plane, spills burn more slowly and consistently than paper, and also double as a convenient tinder material. We based the design of our spill plane on an 1850s Edward Preston spill plane in our collection.
You simply push a piece of straight-grained softwood 5/8" to 3/4" wide over the blade, guiding it along a channel in the sole, to produce a long, tightly curled shaving. A 1/2" tall, 2 1/2" wide fence projects from the base to register against the edge of a bench, table or hearth; a screw-hole in the fence also allows it to be fastened to a block of wood and clamped in a vise.
Made from ductile cast iron with an O1 tool steel blade, the plane measures 8” long overall and weighs 1 lb 9 oz. For those with fireplaces or woodstoves, using the spills made by this plane will help start a fire and rekindle old traditions.
Made in Canada.
