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  1. #1
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    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default Combination plane v. Skew Rabbet planes (of the Veritas variety)

    Further to my earlier attempts to understand what I really want (or need) on handplanes, I've a hopefully quick question.....

    Veritas sell their all singing and dancing Combination Plane. It is a beast. It was recommended to me here.

    I've the Veritas Skew rabbet plane thanks to a forumite.


    The question! Is the Skew Rabbet distinct in its capacities, or is every function covered by the Combination plane?


    My thoughts flow from the fact I'm all weird in my handedness. Leftie for some tasks, right for others, ambo in a few. It gives me a few problems (it is absolutely NOT an advantage!). Secondarily, I'm keen to minimise the number of tools I have due to Itty Bitty Living Space issues

    The combo planes sales pitch seems to push the fact it can replace all 621 speciality planes with one, plus it has a nice selection of blades.

    As an aside, the Veritas planes are absolutely astonishing in their quality and presentation. It is astounding the difference in hand feel and finish they have to ALL of my other planes. They are a SOLID investment in my woodworking and I thank everyone for pushing me down this rabbit hole

    If anyone has any thoughts they'd care to share, I'd love to hear them.


    For those who may be unfamiliar with these planes, here are some pictures....

    COMBO
    veritas combo plane.jpg
    SKEW RABBITS

    veritas skew rabbit.jpg

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  3. #2
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  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    Bundaberg
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    Default

    Essentially the combination plane will do the same job as the rebate plane; but it's performance is compromised by a couple of factors:

    No mouth. Combo's run on skates so they have an open mouth; this means that cranky grained timbers are more prone to tearing.
    Blade is presented at 90 degrees to the skates. A skewed blade cuts smoother and cleaner, especially against end grain.
    Loss of depth. A rebate plane has one side ground to allow the plane to run down the rebate to an unlimited depth; a combo will bottom out around an inch.
    More fiddly to set up and the opportunities for Mr Cock-up to pay a visit are a magnitude greater.

    No combo plane replaces a single use plane; combos can rebate, plough, fillister, bead, T&G and mouldalmost as well as a single use version of any of those. Almost...

    Saying that; I have several because I enjoy their complexities and find them fun to use! When they work, anyway....
    Nothing succeeds like a budgie without a beak.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    731

    Default

    It can do the same job as the Chief says but you’d need to be very organised to say, cut all your grooves at once, then all your rebates without having to go back. To re-set it all up again is going to suck (although I’m sure set up and efficiency isn’t foreign to you). There’s no way you won’t end up with both so just get them now
    You boys like Mexico ?

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    Hi Evan

    The strength of the Skew Rabbet Plane lies in the ability to plane rebates both with- and across the grain. This also enables it to be a good choice for raised panels (as in box lids).

    The Combination Plane is a jack-of-all-trades, and will plane rebates, but not with the power and control of the Skew Rabbet. It has straight blades, which will not produce the same finish across the grain. It is a plane that excels in grooves and beads, and does a damn fine job of dados, none of which the Skew Rabbet can do.

    Come for a visit to Perth, and I will happily demonstrate them

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  7. #6
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    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default It started with just one.....

    This gives me a headache!

    My wife used to complain about the way I bought sandpaper! The range of sizes, types and grits occupied moving boxes!

    Now, I fear it will be a crate of planes! Sam, you are right.... the wisdom of Mr Cowan and Tiffo have twisted my arm... (I must be a person easy to bribe, or convince).

    Who would have thought that something with a function as basic as a plane had so many applications... so many reasons for so many types to exist.

    Overall, I've found the writings of Derek on his site to be both enlightening and entertaining. SWMBO was looking at me, while all night I was reading something intently. No doubt she felt I was looking at Fouler Things On The Internet... but alas, only a form of entertainment which threatens my bank balance, unlike gambling or a decent drug addiction....

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    68
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    12,006

    Default

    Take Derek up on his offer.


    I recall from a slightly earlier post that you have purchased a wardrobe with drawers to store your tools.
    May I suggest that you install tills in the drawers. Tills -- aka sliding trays -- will allow you to massively increase the effective capacity of the draws
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Canberra
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    Default

    I would take up Derek on his offer..... but I get to the local shops only rarely, let alone Perth! .... (wife is pretty crook and is full time care ATM).

    Next year (!!! Where did it go!) I fully intend getting to a few conferences, get-togethers, shows and exhibitions. One needs to have an ambition, dont they.

    I'm really enjoying this adventure with hand tools. I'm falling quite in love with it. I like the EFFORT and muscular action. At 50 (in January) I'm starting to feel my muscles weaken (and I'm a fairly....errr... big lad), so this will be good.

    Its interesting how just one sentence can clinch a decision....
    The strength of the Skew Rabbet Plane lies in the ability to plane rebates both with- and across the grain. This also enables it to be a good choice for raised panels (as in box lids).
    .... well, I DO do box lids, so this solves a problem for me!

    Now to learn to be more right handed

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    Evan, I know you do boxes - that's why I mentioned it

    Here: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furnitu...ingapanel.html



    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  11. #10
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    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    I recall from a slightly earlier post that you have purchased a wardrobe with drawers to store your tools.
    May I suggest that you install tills in the drawers. Tills -- aka sliding trays -- will allow you to massively increase the effective capacity of the draws
    Not quite yet. I'm looking around on Gumtree....

    Im hoping to find a good, sturdy, rustic, heavy duty wardrobe with the characteristics of ... a workbench

  12. #11
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    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    I'm looking around on Gumtree....

    Im hoping to find a good, sturdy, rustic, heavy duty wardrobe with the characteristics of ... a workbench
    Good luck

    and I mean it.
    I can't recall ever seeing a wardrobe that is "sturdy" or "heavy duty" enough to even come close to being suitable for use as a workbench.

    The best option I am aware of is this Apartment Workbench Plan - Lee Valley Tools
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  13. #12
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    Feb 2016
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    Canberra
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    Default

    Oh my God I love it!!!

    Add a couple of detachable wood thread vices and I'd be quite happy.

  14. #13
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    The best option I am aware of is this Apartment Workbench Plan - Lee Valley Tools
    Quote Originally Posted by woodPixel View Post
    Oh my God I love it!!!

    Add a couple of detachable wood thread vices and I'd be quite happy.
    Well there you go. Time to start building one.

    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

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