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30th July 2013, 09:31 PM #1
The Howkins Plane, Engineering Wonder.
Not often seen is the Howkins Plane. Made for a short period after the First World War.
The plane was invented by John Howkins a British engineer. He first Patented the plane
in 1913. The patent itself has little resemblance to the plane that went into production.
But the main feature of the blade setting mechanism can be seen.
It's thought that the time lapse of over a decade between the patent and the planes
production, was due to the First World War and the lack of raw metrials there after.
This is a Howkins Model B.
IMG_0759.jpg
GB191315336-7.jpg GB191315336-8.jpg GB191515336-9.jpg
IMG_0767.jpg IMG_0768.jpg
As you can see to say it's a little different is an understatement.
The hole thing is not much larger than the palm of your hand.
But it is surprisingly comfortable to hold.
IMG_0765.jpg IMG_0766.jpg
The two photos above show how amazingly precise the blade ajustment is.
To raise the blade the distance shown in the two photos, took 22 turns of the
of the adjuster at the top of the plane.
Although it looks a bit like theres two blades, the top one acts as the spurs.
They travel just in advance of the blade, which is underneath.
IMG_0761.jpg IMG_0762.jpg
It's easy to see that the plane was designed by an engineer and not a carpenter.
Maybe thats part of the reason it didn't take off.
Howkins made three versions of the plane Models A,B and C.
Howkins Ad.jpg IMG_0760.jpg
They don't come up for sale very often. It took me three years to find this one.
It cost about $350, pretty good I think for a plane that is not often seen.
In the end it's a great little talking point, and if you ever get the chance
grab one.
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30th July 2013, 09:49 PM #2
How odd! What was its particular purpose, being that small?
Very good pics btw. The critical part is the lighting - good work.
Cheers
Brett
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30th July 2013, 11:56 PM #3
How Odd! is a good way of looking at it.
Howkins claimed the plane was suitable for Dado, Rebating, Ploughing, Matching, Moulding, inlaying,
Chamfering and Dovetailing.
With Howkins being an engineer, I think he was looking at the idea of working the timber more like
he would a piece of steel.
Trying to make a plane that work like a lathe or milling machine.
He was probably the only person who ever really new how to use it.
He could see outside the square, thats for sure.
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31st July 2013, 12:52 AM #4Senior Member
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That is a really nice looking plane.
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31st July 2013, 10:08 AM #5
I thought I might add the rest of Howkins Patent.
The hole thing is just brilliant, whether the plane could do all he claimed or not.
GB191315336-1a.jpg GB191315336-2a.jpg GB191315336-3a.jpg
GB191315336-4a.jpg GB191315336-5a.jpg GB191315336-6a.jpg
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31st July 2013, 10:26 AM #6
I was staring at it trying to figure out what it was meant to do - seems like everything bar putting the kettle on for smoko!
I take it that it works like a sash fillister when rebating, i.e. the fence is on the opposite side from that being cut?
And how does it work as a plough? It looks like the sole is at least 25mm or more wide, & certainly wider than the blade so the only way it can cut a groove is by extra blade projection.
Certainly a fascinating bit of engineering!
Cheers,IW
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31st July 2013, 11:41 AM #7
Very interesting.......and I'm still slightly confused about how it works.
I wonder if Bridge City Tools knows about this plane?
We don't know how lucky we are......
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31st July 2013, 12:45 PM #8
Ian, I don't think Howkins ever ment to imply that his plane could put the kettle on for smoko!
But I'm pretty sure he did think it could mow the lawn, and then take the dog for a walk!
And you know I've got a funny feeling it probably could, at least in his hands.
I use the plane quite alot, it makes for a great little matching and rebating plane when doing light cabinetry work.
It takes some time to set, and there's alot of planes that can do the same job faster.
But where's the fun in that.
When the plane first came on the market the instructions on how to use it, were handwritten on a swing tag
tied to the plane with a piece of string. "No Joke".
I wish I had one, it would make for some interesting reading.
Although the plane itself is quite well known to a lot of collectors.
It seems odd that there is so little known about how it all worked and the man who made it.
I mean to say it was made less than a hundred years ago and in London.
Still it's a very interesting little plane, and i think I'm very lucky to have one.
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