hand & block planes?

[Brandon Maxwell]

never used either one but i have seen videos of them and i have looked at them and noticed that they have different numbers like 4 or 5 etc. just wondered what the difference was between a hand plane and a block plane and what the numbers meant?

[Kerry Drake]

Generally the large the number the larger the plane

 

3 an 4 are "smoothing" plans for putting a finished surface on your material

5 is called a "Jack" plan because it is a Jack of All Trades.  If set up right it can Smooth or it can remove a lot of material and it is long enough that it can be used to "joint" a board

6 is often called a "try" plane because it is used to make edges and surfaces "tried and true"

7 is called a jointer plane it is used (like a 6) to flatten boards and true up edges for joinery.

[kenny from Sundre]

Very infomative, I have learned something new for this day!

 

.

[Brandon Maxwell]

o ok. thanks for the info. is there a special technique to using them?

Kerry Drake said:

Generally the large the number the larger the plane

 

3 an 4 are "smoothing" plans for putting a finished surface on your material

5 is called a "Jack" plan because it is a Jack of All Trades.  If set up right it can Smooth or it can remove a lot of material and it is long enough that it can be used to "joint" a board

6 is often called a "try" plane because it is used to make edges and surfaces "tried and true"

7 is called a jointer plane it is used (like a 6) to flatten boards and true up edges for joinery.