A groove plane is a woodworking tool used to make grooves in wood for joints or gaps. It features a small, angled metal blade in a handle that can be adjusted for depth. Grooves can also be made with routers and chisels. The term “rabbet” comes from a French word meaning recess. Groove planes come in different sizes and can be sharpened or have replacement blades. Woodworking shops and instructors can provide recommendations for beginners.
A groove plane is a type of woodworking plane designed to be used to make grooves. Grooves (not to be confused with bunnies) are grooves cut into the edge of a piece of wood for the purpose of creating a necessary joint or gap. For example, a rebate could be cut into a window frame to accommodate glazing, or a rebate could be used to make a very simple corner joint. Jokes are one of the first cuts woodworkers learn to make, because they’re relatively simple and can be used in a variety of ways.
This plane, also known as a batting plane, features a small, sharp piece of metal secured in a wooden or plastic handle. The metal is angled slightly, allowing someone to cut cleanly and sharply to create a clean L-shaped groove. People can adjust the depth of the cut by varying the pressure on the plane. A closely related woodworking plane is the chisel plane, and some groove planes can be converted to chisel planes as needed. Some models even have features designed to make cornering easier.
The term “rabbet” comes from a French word, rabbat, used to indicate a recess. The grooves can be cut with routers and other woodworking tools in addition to planes. Planes are used by people who like to do their work by hand or who are working on a project where another tool might not quite fit. Learning to make good grooves by hand takes practice with a groove plane to get the feel of the plane and learn to handle it properly.
Typically, the gouge plane is sold fully sharpened and ready to use right out of the box. As the blade dulls, it will need to be re-sharpened periodically to continue functioning smoothly. Resharpening can be tricky due to the angle and size of the blade, with some woodworkers preferring to send tools for sharpening to make sure it’s done right. Some companies include sharpening guides with their groove planes so woodworkers know what to do, and it’s also possible to purchase replacement blades.
Many hardware suppliers and shops that stock woodworking tools carry impact planes. These planes come in different sizes for various tasks. When selecting a grooving plane, people may want to think about how it will be used. For beginning woodworkers who aren’t sure which groove plane would be best for them to start with, staff members can provide recommendations based on their experience and the type of woodworking someone will be doing. Woodworking instructors usually have tool suggestions as well.
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