Thread: Scrub Plane

Hi Luke,
I have a European wood scrub plane that works a treat, I think it is similar to the size iron used in the Stanley #40. There is no finesse at all required in grinding or using it. I have also used a well cambered blade in a #4 or #5, but that does not do bulk removal anywhere near as fast as the scrub plane. There is some discussion of different opinions over in this thread.
Cheers, Franklin

Ah, yes. That's pretty much all of the information I needed summed up.

I like how chook was so much more open about his desire to just buy another plane. I try to be a bit more clandestine than that... but I don't think anyone is buying it

I think I'll shoot for the #40, unless Henry Eckert wants to give me a killer deal this weekend at the TWWW show.

Hint hint, Henry... Ahem...

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Franklin.

Cheers,
Luke

I had the LN scrub plane, and then the LV scrub plane. i never really used, either. I don't like a plane with a metal sole for that work, and it's not often you actually need one more than you'd need a rank set jack plane (a jack and not a smoother).

I use a jack continental plane set rank now, as well as a copy of a mathiesen jack that I made. Those scrubs are long gone and I can't think of a single situation in the last 5 years where I wish I had either of them. I have no power jointer, and thus do a fair amount of coarse work (sometimes to include thicknessing, depending on the project), and still no use for a scrub.

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

I've decided to get a scrub plane. At first I thought I would just take the next beat up number 4 to come by way and convert it, but I think I'll get a dedicated scrubber.

At first I was considering getting the Lie Nielsen. It's cheaper than most of their other planes.

But then I thought that, since a scrub plane is kind of a brute force tool, I would just refurb an old Stanley #40.

So what do I need to know about buying a scrub plane (aside from their basic principles)? Does anyone have any experience with either of these planes? What are the thoughts on converting an existing bench plane to scrub?

Thanks in advance,
Luke

Hi Luke,

I have the LN version. It performs really well but using it is a lot of work. Add in summer heat and a squadron of mosquito's and the fun never ends. I use it for shaping the outer contours of carved bread bowls.

Cheers,
Rob

I looked around a while back, and was tempted to buy the Veritas, but decided an old Stanley #40 would be better (financially if not physically) and struggled to find one locally, and shipping on top of the going rate on eBay would have pushed it close to the cost of a Veritas one.I took advice from some helpful types on here and re-ground the blade on an old Record #5 that I accumulated with a job lot of tools and have been using that. I'm happy with its performance, but can't compare it to either a #40 or the Veritas scrub plane.

edit: here's my thread trying to justify spending the money on a new scrub plane https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/thinking-scrub-plane-181065

On a quick search, I found a number of old 40s in the $160-180 (US) range on epay. For once the Veritas example seems cheaper ($139), but maybe you can snuffle out a 40 at a more attractive price? There really isn't much to go wrong with the 40 and its rellies, they are very basic tool, entirely devoid of finesse, and they don't need any. Unless it's been damaged, anything you find ought to be able to be made functional with minimum effort. The sheer variety of planes used as scrubs amply demonstrates that there is almost no plane that can't be press-ganged into the job!

I got by for 20 plus years with a converted #4, and only bought a LV scrub because some cash was burning a hole in my pocket at the time. I'm sure I could have gone on using the old 4 for the rest of my w'working days & not felt too deprived. However, I do like the LV a bit more, especially once I replaced those excressant bits of wood they call a tote & knob. It's an absurdly simple & functional tool, with just the right heft for me (others' mileages clearly vary), & that heavy blade is a distinct advantage when you want to really hog great chunks off very rough stock.

I use my scrub plane pretty often. Much depends on what you work with, but I frequently have need to make chainsawn or split stock fit for further hand-planing or at least as often, make chunks level enough to safely feed them to the power jointer, so I do like having a dedicated scrub plane ready to go...

Cheers,

I gave up any pretence of need long ago. When I look at a new tool I ask1. Does it have lots of knobs and shiny bits.2. Can I afford it3. How long will it take to save for it.A scrub plane is also good for taking the width of a board down a bit. You can use a table saw but a plane is much quieter.

Luke

I was lucky enough to be given a Stanley #40 and I love it! For my pet projects I generally aim to use my hand tools only thus love the scrub for all the hard work.

I reckon if you are not restricted by budget get the Stanley #40, unless you are into brand new looking tools than need polishing There is nothing more pleasurable than squaring rough sawn timber into a beautiful square and silky smooth lengths! Starting with the scrub and ending with the smoothing plane!

I acknowledge to the other readers that a modified smoother or jack can do the same job, but, having a nice "little " scrub punctuates the process by the it's dimensions and feel in the hand to increase the enjoyment of the job at task....

Friends to be cliché, please note that I'm more about the journey and not the destination thus love the subtle differences between each plane ! ask predicted my vote is get a scrub!

Cheers
Bunya

Thanks for the help, everyone. I've decided to go with the #40. I've got one in the mail from The Tool Exchange.

It needs a bit of love, so I'll be making a restoration post in the Antique Tools forum soon.

Stay tuned...

Luke,

I modified a stanley no 5 - it works nicely. I also have a ece emmerich - very nice. Recently i got. Lee valley scrub with pm v11 blade. Outstanding

Originally Posted by Luke Maddux

I've decided to get a scrub plane. At first I thought I would just take the next beat up number 4 to come by way and convert it, but I think I'll get a dedicated scrubber.

At first I was considering getting the Lie Nielsen. It's cheaper than most of their other planes.

But then I thought that, since a scrub plane is kind of a brute force tool, I would just refurb an old Stanley #40.

So what do I need to know about buying a scrub plane (aside from their basic principles)? Does anyone have any experience with either of these planes? What are the thoughts on converting an existing bench plane to scrub?

Thanks in advance,
Luke

Luke, occasionally I find a use for my LV scrub plane, and then I am pleased I have it. But I would not purchase a scrub now. I find far more use for a jack plane with a 8" radius blade (the scrub has a 3" radius). Frankly, a scrub is a very coarse tool and leaves behind a mess, unless used carefully - which does not fit in with its purpose.

Of the scrubs, I found an ECE-type woodie and the Stanley #40 too light for our Aussie hardwoods, especially here in West Oz. The LN is actually a #40 1/2 (not a #40), and a similar size to the LV Scrub. There is a review and comparison here (written 10 years ago): http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolRev...b%20Plane.html

You need to answer why you think that you need a scrub plane. If you plan to flatten a warped tree I would understand, but most furniture making only requires the removal of discreet amounts of twist, etc and a jack is a better deal. Base this on the Stanley #5, or look for a woody around 15" long. There is also a build on my website if you want to make your own ..



Regards from Perth

Derek

I use an ugly no 4 Stanley as a scrub plane. It has a 7 inch radius on the blade, cost me nothing and works okay.

Let's drop the pretences, justifications and post decision recommendations. I like my woodworking and I enjoy making my tools make something, but regardless of actually achieving anything - using my scrub plane is FUN and I can't say that about most of the rest of the tool box.

Luke, you made the right decision buying that #40!

Derek

I had a look at your build for a scrub plane and it set me thinking. How long is the blade in your plane? I have two possible candidates for the blade: One 6mm thick and the other 7mm thick.

I also have this lump of pseudo Ebony; New Guinea something or other (can't remember it's name) 405mm long. It occurs to me that I probably have the materials and only need the time/inclination.

Just what I needed; Another project! Thanks a bundle .

Regards
Paul