“A plane is just a jig to hold a chisel.”

~Thomas Lie-Nelsen

The formula for building infill planes hasn’t changed from the early days of Norris, Spiers, and Mathieson.  Dovetails are hand cut into a steel sole and brass, bronze, or steel sides.  The sides and sole are clamped to a peening block and then the metal is cold forged into place.  The mouth for the blade is cut out.  Then the shell is stuffed with a hardwood infill, usually rosewood.  The bed for the blade is cut square to the mouth in the sole and then flattened .  A lever cap and screw are added to hold the blade in place.  The screw is tightened and the sole is lapped flat, dead flat.  An adjuster for the blade can be added.  The infill is polished with a linseed oil and varnish finish or for a presentation plane, a high gloss French polish.  Lastly, the blade is set in place and the mouth is fine tuned.

 

Most of this work is done with a hack saw, files, and chisels; one plane at a time. 

 

A Gabardi & Son plane will function flawlessly, but is much more than a jig to hold a chisel; it will inspire you!  It is a work of art.

© 2009 Gabardi & Son

 

Infill Plane Materials

Infill Plane Information