When would you use a low angle block plane?

The low-angle block plane is also ideal for working end grain, such as squaring or trimming. Cutting end grain is very different from planing with the grain; it calls for a lot of pressure and control. In fact, cutting end grain requires nearly three times the force that it takes to cut parallel to the grain.

What is the difference between a bench plane and a block plane?

The differences between the Bench Plane and Block plane is mainly where the direction the Bevel is Facing, having the Bench Plane’s bevel facing upward with a shallow angle, and the Block Plane with a bevel facing downwards and has a steep angle.

What is the advantage of a low-angle block plane?

Q: What advantage does a low-angle bench plane have over a standard bench plane? A: A Low-angle bench planes allow you to change the blade’s effective cutting angle to suit specific tasks. Because the bevel points up on a low-angle plane, the effective cutting angle varies on the iron’s bevel angle.

Are low-angle planes better?

Low angles tend to be better for end grain, and high angles better at avoiding tearout. That said, be careful when comparing “low angle” planes to others. Flip the same blade over so its bevel faces up and lay it down on a low-angle 15-degree bed, and the cutting angle is still 45 degrees.

Are block planes Bevel Up?

A block plane is a small metal-bodied woodworking hand plane which typically has the blade bedded at a lower angle than other planes, with the bevel up. It is designed to cut end grain and do touchup or finish work.

What hand plane should I buy first?

Your first purchases should be a low-angle block plane and a shoulder plane, above. Both help you put a refining touch on the less-than-perfect cuts produced by your power tools. For example, with a few strokes, a finely tuned low-angle block plane shaves burn marks or fuzz off end grain that saw blades leave behind.

What is a low angle block plane?

A low angle block plane is different from a smoothing plane in the fact that it has an adjust­able mouth, there’s no cap iron, and the cutting blade is installed bevel up.

What is the bed angle of a low angle plane?

What angle is a low angle block plane? A low angle block plane has a bed angle of 12 degrees, usually, when you buy a new low angle block plane the blade is already honed at an angle of 25 degrees. With the blade being used in the bevel up position, this gives a cutting angle of 37 degrees.

How do you tune a block plane?

Tuning benefits any plane, old or new. On a block plane, you should check two main points—sole flatness and iron bedding. Check the sole with a sheet of 180-grit wet-or-dry sandpaper laid abrasive side up on a flat surface. (A cast-iron saw table or piece of glass would do.)

What is the blade angle of a low angle plane?

In addition to superior end-grain-cutting ability with a 25° blade angle, a low-angle plane can be outfitted with replacement blades ground to suit other work. For example, grind a replacement blade to 33°, and you have duplicated the 45° cutting angle of a standard-angle block plane for planing with the grain on most woods.