Tutorial: How To Use A Jack Plane?

1.

How To Setup A Jack Plane?

YouTube video tutorials showing how to setup an iron jack plane (Stanley No. 5) - the tutorial applies for any similar iron jack plane...

YOUTUBE VIDEO: General Bench Plane Information (Anatomy)

YOUTUBE VIDEO: How To Setup A Jack Plane

2.

Using A Jack Plane

YouTube videos showing iron bench planes in use - the tutorial applies for any similar iron jack planes/bench planes...

YOUTUBE VIDEO: General Bench Plane Information (In Use)

The Stroke

At the beginning of the stroke the hand holding the front knob pushes down tightly in order to prevent 'dipping' at the rear end; this pressure is relieved as the stroke is being completed.

3.

Adjusting The Blade On An Iron Jack Plane

The same blade setup and adjusting process is used for nearly all common iron planes such as the Stanley No. 5 & 5 1/2, Record No. 05 & 05 1/2, Woden W5 & W5 1/2, Marples M5 & M5 1/2, Millers Falls 14 & 15, and many other similar types of iron jack plane.

The process for adjuting the blade is as follows...

* See the ‘jack plane parts’ diagram for parts identification

The blade is secured to a cap iron with the use of a cap iron screw.

The blade (and cap iron) is laid on top of the frog and through the locking screw with the cutting edge protruding through the hole (mouth) in the sole of the plane; the blade cutting edge should be set with the bevelled side of the cutting edge facing downwards.

The blade (and cap iron) is locked in place with the use of the lever cap; the lever cap is locked by pushing the lever at the top of the lever cap towards the blade until the lever cap locks and it feels like the blade is locked firm with no movement. If there is movement tighten the locking screw.

The blade can be adjusted laterally by moving the lateral adjuster from side to side; the lateral adjuster is located just behind the top of the blade. This is useful if the blade cutting edge is protruding slightly more on the left or the right.

The blade can also be adjusted using the depth adjuster wheel/nut; the adjuster wheel is located behind the frog. This is useful for setting the blade cutting edge to protrude to the required depth of cut.

Precautions

Planes have sharp blades, always wear appropriate clothing and take the necessary precautions.