Thread: Ripping Plane?

Luke, great plane!

Looks like it was designed to rip off strips from a thinnish board (sawing with the grain). The blade teeth look too coarse for cross- or end grain.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Luke

It looks like a dedicated slitting plane. If you have ever seen a complete Stanley #55 or Record #405, you may have noticed the slitting cutter.
Used with the fence, you can slit consistent width strips off thinner material -- I think somewhere 3/8" and 1/2" would be about the maximum thickness.

I'd love to know how the blade in the plane you linked to is mounted.

Interesting... Sounds like one of those tools which was good for the right repetitive, industrial application. Along the same lines as a sash fillester plane.

I'm not sure what kind of job would require an abundance of 3/8" maximum square stock, but I guess it was out there... Matchmakers, perhaps?

Cheers,
Luke

I think slitting veneer for stringing.

Stringing was used a lot, even in small workshops.

Hi Arron

I think that the teeth are too coarse for stringing. Even the knife attached to the #45 and #55 combination planes is too thick and likely to cause uneven splitting (a scalpel is better here).

I see the use in sawing away thin boards, such as drawer/box sides.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Modern veneers are 0.64mm and indeed split and run along the grain when you try to cut them using a marking gauge (or a combination plane or anything similar). I know this, I’ve split hundreds, or perhaps even thousands of pieces. My preference is a guilotine, but yes, scalpels are good too.

Older and shop-cut veneers were mostly about 1-2mm thick. Way too thick for a scalpel, a common way to cut them was with a veneer saw. I see that tool as being like a veneer saw with a guide. Given only hand tools, I would expect to cut 2mm veneer with a scoring cut then multiple passes, whichever way I go.

The fact that the sides of the cut veneer would be somewhat tapered would be a bonus too. Fills in any gaps when dropped in the press.

I’m not saying that veneer was what it was made for, just that I think it would do the job.

I hold the opinions of you four chaps in high regard but must say I am surprised that you haven't looked up the US patent No (229258) shown in one of the photos and read what Mr Kinney has to say about it.
Cheers,
Geoff.

Good idea Geoff!


NITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.
CYRUS KINNEY, OF WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA.
MARKING AND SLITTING GAGE.
SPECIFICATION forming, part of Letters Patent No. 229,258, dated June 29, 1880.
' Application filed April 15, 1880. (No model.)
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that l, CYRUS KINNEY, of Windsor, Essex county, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented an Improvement in Marking and Slitting Gages, of which the fol lowing is a specification.
The nature of thisinventiou relates to certain new and useful improvements in the construction of a tool particularly designed for the use of carpenters and workers in wood, for the double use of a marking-gage and rippingtool; and the invention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the various parts, all as more fully hereinafter set forth.
Figure l is a-perspective view. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section.
In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, A represents a suitable stock, provided with a handle, B, and
through the stock is mortised the gage G, which is retained in its adjusted position by means of a thumb-screw, a, as shown.
D represents a threaded boltrecessed through the heel of the stock, extending up into the handle and passing through a milled thumbnut, E, which rotates in the slot 11 in the heel of the stock. The lower end of the bolt D is provided with a head, 0, said head being slotted to receive the wheel F, which is properly journaled therein. The wheel F is provided with sharp saw-teeth adapted to pierce, cut, and sever the fibers of wood as it revolves upon it in the reciprocating movements of the I stock and near the heel thereof, said slot being coincident with the edge-of the toothed wheel,.the face of the plate being flush with the face of the stocki When it is desired to use the device as a marker only the gage is set as desired and the milled nut is turned so as to cause the sawteeth of the wheel F to slightly protrude beyond the face of the stock. ,The tool then being placed to the work,it is pushed across the same, as is a plane, which causes the sawtoothed wheel to revolve and make slight indentations in a line perfectly parallel with the gage.
When it is desired to use the device for ripping purposes the saw-toothed wheel is still farther protruded at each travel, across the work, which effectually severs the fibers of the wood, the operation being repeated until the board being operated upon is entirely out through. Should the board he of such thickness as to require it, it may be turned over, making the cut from each side, the gage assuring that such cuts shall be coincident with each other.
In practice it will be found that a board can be severed lengthwise or with the grain much quicker and with less labor than the same could be effected by the use of the ordinary rip-saw. In fact, ordinarily, a board can be severed with this device in about the time that it takes to lay out the work preparatory to the use of a saw, and it will also be found that this device will line the work exactly parallel to the gage-plate, as the saw-toothed wheel practically steps over the grain of the wood, and cannot therefore be misguided by it.
I am aware that a burnishing-iron for boots and shoes provided'at each end with a marking-wheel and gage has heretefore been employed, and I therefore lay no claim to such construction, in which the marking-wheel is not provided on its circumference with sawteeth capable of piercing, cutting, and severing the fibers of wood, as in my invention.
What I claim as my invention is l. A combined marking and ripping tool, substantially as described, and in combination with a stock, A, thereof, a toothed markingwheel adapted to be protruded beyond or retracted within the face of said stock, substan tially as described.
2. In a combined marking and ripping tool, substantially as described, and in combination with the stock A thereof, the gage O and toothed wheel E, capable of adjustment in re lation to said stock substantially as specified.
CYRUS KINNEY.

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

Interesting... Sounds like one of those tools which was good for the right repetitive, industrial application. Along the same lines as a sash fillester plane.

I'm not sure what kind of job would require an abundance of 3/8" maximum square stock, but I guess it was out there... Matchmakers, perhaps?

the beading used to retain panes of glass panes and mirrors is what comes to my mind.

Thanks for the info, Derek. Very cool! One of my somewhat founded fears about the future is that at some point I may end up without enough space, or an appropriate space, for machinery and may have to toy with the absurd notion of purist woodworking. This seems like a good one to have in that event...

Cheers,
Luke

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

........ One of my somewhat founded fears about the future is that at some point I may end up without enough space, or an appropriate space, for machinery and may have to toy with the absurd notion of purist woodworking. This seems like a good one to have in that event......

Hmmm, not sure I would put this gadget high on my list of essential tools if I were in that position, Luke. Forgive me for my sceptical view, but whenever I see something like this, I go through a little thought sequence. First, I might think "that seems like a good idea", then I think "that's the first time I've ever come across one of these - is it just my ignorance, or are they as rare as hens' teeth?" If it's the latter, there has to be a reason for its rarity, & the most common reason is that it isn't (a good idea).

I think I'd give my space priorities to a marking gauge, a good ripsaw and a plane, over Mr. Kinney's ingenious bit of kit. They are all more versatile and have multiple applications........

And don't forget to thank Geoff for suggesting such a basic & logical line of inquiry.....

Cheers,

I see that it's sold did you grab it Luke?
Cheers,
Geoff.

Originally Posted by Boringgeoff

I see that it's sold did you grab it Luke?
Cheers,
Geoff.

Nah, I didn't. As interested as I am in what it's all about, I'm not willing to drop the coin just to play with it.

Cheers,
Luke

Looks pretty similar in concept and ideals to the Fidgen Kerfing Plane.