Thread: Router plane

Gino, I have a Veritas small router plane, which is $115 at Carbatec. It has not been used in a couple of years, as I have a few other router planes, and I was planning on putting it up for sale (too many tools!). I would want $75. Look around, check prices, and contact me if you are interested.

Regards from Perth (Rossmoyne)

Derek

Hi Ginop,

This is a nice little router. Very useful. Excellent for detailed and small work.... box mortices, frames, edges.

I've messaged Derek and should you choose to pass, then I've asked if I may be put next in line.

Hope this doesn't upset - nor any time pressure! I'm certainly in no rush

WP

For a first router plane, I'd go for a stanley #71 or equivalent. As far as router plane goes, it's the equivalent of Bailey Stanley #4 in bench plane, a bit of a all rounder.
It comes up here from time to time and is on ebay as well
Good luck.
PS. Since you're in WA, the Hand tool preservation Society of WA often has tool sales, in fact. I just saw one is being organized on 10th Oct at Quairading Machinery Rally Show. I totally have no idea where it is. It might be worth your while to give them a tingle. I got my stanley #71 from just a tool sale.

Originally Posted by justonething

For a first router plane, I'd go for a stanley #71 or equivalent. As far as router plane goes, it's the equivalent of Bailey Stanley #4 in bench plane, a bit of a all rounder.
It comes up here from time to time and is on ebay as well
Good luck.
PS. Since you're in WA, the Hand tool preservation Society of WA often has tool sales, in fact. I just saw one is being organized on 10th Oct at Quairading Machinery Rally Show. I totally have no idea where it is. It might be worth your while to give them a tingle. I got my stanley #71 from just a tool sale.

A Stanley #71 is a decent router plane. Their prices have been going up. Check the completed auctions on eBay for an idea of pricing. They go for around $200.



I have plans for building a router plane on my website: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMad...uterPlane.html



Blades start at $30 from Carbatec.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Gino, I have a Veritas small router plane, which is $115 at Carbatec. It has not been used in a couple of years, as I have a few other router planes, and I was planning on putting it up for sale (too many tools!)
Derek

Thanks Derek!

What depths would I be able to plane to? I could not easily find this info
Basically I need a router plane for my next project which involves dados of about 15-20 mm in both depth and width. Is the small router okay for that kind of work, or should I just look for a regular sized one?

Cheers,
Gino

Originally Posted by ginop

Thanks Derek!

What depths would I be able to plane to? I could not easily find this info
Basically I need a router plane for my next project which involves dados of about 15-20 mm in both depth and width. Is the small router okay for that kind of work, or should I just look for a regular sized one?

Cheers,
Gino

Hi Gino

Router planes are not really for depth of 15-20mm. They can be done, but this is rather inefficient. I should ask why you wish to go down that deeply for a dado? Generally, anything between 3-5mm is more than sufficient for vertical sections. I suspect that you want the dados to rest shelving. In which case I would cut them with a table saw and add a face frame. Even then, I cannot imagine anything 20mm deep as that would suggest a very thick case (I generally go 1/3 deep).

I am n my workshop this afternoon (Sunday 11th), and you are welcome to look at the router plane and see what it can do. I am in Rossmoyne. Let me know if you want to do so, and we will find a time to suit us both. Happy to discuss and show you joinery.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by ginop

Basically I need a router plane for my next project which involves dados of about 15-20 mm in both depth and width. Is the small router okay for that kind of work, or should I just look for a regular sized one?

As Derek says that's a bit of a big ask for a router plane.

Have you considered a wooden dado plane?

Dado plane.jpg
These are available in all the normal traditional widths and often very cheaply; $30-$50 is quite normal. If the dado you need is a bit bigger you can then widen it with a side-rebate plane; either a metal one like a Stanley 79 or a wooden one; again available quite cheaply.

Side rebate.jpg

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Hi Gino

Router planes are not really for depth of 15-20mm. They can be done, but this is rather inefficient. I should ask why you wish to go down that deeply for a dado? Generally, anything between 3-5mm is more than sufficient for vertical sections. I suspect that you want the dados to rest shelving. In which case I would cut them with a table saw and add a face frame. Even then, I cannot imagine anything 20mm deep as that would suggest a very thick case (I generally go 1/3 deep).

ok, I clearly need to study this topic a bit more, as my idea was that a router could be a little more versatile. Yes, dados for shelving, on this next project around 6-9mm deep. But, in the longer term, I thought a router can be handy to clean up recesses of different sizes/shapes, and definitely more accurate and quick than working those out with chisels/files (yes, I am still that rough...). Unfortunately I can't have a table saw now, so if anything I would use saw/chisels/router or the likes.

I am n my workshop this afternoon (Sunday 11th), and you are welcome to look at the router plane and see what it can do. I am in Rossmoyne. Let me know if you want to do so, and we will find a time to suit us both. Happy to discuss and show you joinery.

I really appreciate your availability Derek, unfortunately I have seen your message this morning only (a two years old man keeps me busy to great extents). However, I think that I am happy to get this from you, I will send you a message.

I've also found that the max depth is still up to 20 mm or so, link.

Originally Posted by Chief Tiff

As Derek says that's a bit of a big ask for a router plane.

Have you considered a wooden dado plane?
...
These are available in all the normal traditional widths and often very cheaply; $30-$50 is quite normal. If the dado you need is a bit bigger you can then widen it with a side-rebate plane; either a metal one like a Stanley 79 or a wooden one; again available quite cheaply.

Wow, I did not know about those! It surely looks the way to go for larger bookcases or similar, though I would still do my little project with a router for now. I will definitely keep an eye out for those planes, and get one sometime in the future. Thanks for your comment

Cheers,
Gino

One thing that I have absolutely a new appreciation of is the power of handtools.

Previously, for a thing like a dado, it would be a full-on setup of many machines, cables, noise and dust.

Now, using hand tools, I get a serene enjoyable experience. One in which there is no fear of having a hyper-rotating screaming router grabbing some innocuous splinter and wrenching said tools flying... screaming, blood and ruined work... tears

NAY! It is a controlled cut, one that goes sssnnniiiccckkkk as it takes a lovely little curl off just at the right place.

Just lovely.

Originally Posted by ginop

ok, I clearly need to study this topic a bit more, as my idea was that a router could be a little more versatile. Yes, dados for shelving, on this next project around 6-9mm deep. But, in the longer term, I thought a router can be handy to clean up recesses of different sizes/shapes, and definitely more accurate and quick than working those out with chisels/files (yes, I am still that rough...). Unfortunately I can't have a table saw now, so if anything I would use saw/chisels/router or the likes.

Gino
shame you did not see Derek's message till this (Monday) morning.

However, on his website www.inthewoodshop.comDerek has much info that is both informative and provided in great depth.
You can easily loose yourself for a few weeks if you are not super focused.

Personally, I find that I need both the large and small router planes.