Planes & Chisel: Wood Work Hand Tools – JSS1 Basic Technology Lesson Note (Third Term)

Planes and chisels are woodwork hand tools used to smooth, shape and cut timber.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. name the five types of plane;
2. state the uses and lengths of the jack plane and the smoothing plane;
3. define a chisel and say what it is made from;
4. name four types of chisel and state the use of each;
5. list safety rules for using planes and chisels.

What is a plane?

A plane is a hand tool with a sharp blade (cutter) set in a body, used to smooth timber surfaces and prepare timber to size.

• Main job: removes thin shavings from rough timber.
• Cutting edge: the blade sticks out slightly through a slot in the sole.
• Result: a flat, smooth surface ready for joining or finishing.

What are the types of plane?

There are five types of plane: the jack plane, smoothing plane, spokeshave, fore plane and trying plane.

Jack plane

• Meaning: a general-purpose plane, which is why it is called “jack”.
• Use: planes rough surfaces of timber and prepares timber to size.
• Length: 250 mm to 380 mm.

Smoothing plane

• Use: used after the jack plane for the final cleaning up of wood surfaces.
• Length: 140 mm to 250 mm.

Spokeshave

• Use: shapes and smooths curved surfaces, such as chair legs and handles.
• Handling: held with both hands, one on each handle, and pushed or pulled along the work.

Fore plane

• Use: longer than the jack plane, so it straightens long edges and surfaces after rough planing.

Trying plane

• Use: the longest of the bench planes, used for the final truing of long edges and surfaces.

Summary table of planes

How do you use a plane correctly?

1. Fix the timber firmly in a bench vice or against a bench stop.
2. Check that the blade is sharp and sticks out only slightly.
3. Look at the direction of the grain.
4. Push the plane forward along the grain with steady, even pressure.
5. Lift the plane on the return stroke.
6. Check the surface with a straight edge or try square.

What is a chisel?

A chisel is a chipping tool made from high-carbon steel, used for shaping wood.

• Blade: hard steel with a sharp cutting edge at one end.
• Handle: holds the tool and may be struck with a mallet or hammer.
• Finishing: used where finishing by other means, such as filing, can be carried out.

What are the types of chisel?

There are four types of chisel in this lesson: the flat, cross-cut, round nose and diamond nose chisels.

• Flat chisel: used for general purposes in the workshop, such as levelling surfaces and removing rough surfaces.
• Cross-cut chisel: used for making narrow grooves, keyways and slots in a shaft or a hole.
• Round nose chisel: used for making oil grooves in a shaft or a hole.
• Diamond nose chisel: used for cutting inside corners and “Vee” grooves.

Which chisels are used mainly on wood?

• Firmer chisel: a strong, general-purpose chisel with a flat blade.
• Bevel-edged chisel: has sloping sides, so it reaches into tight corners and joints.
• Mortise chisel: has a thick blade for chopping deep slots (mortises).
• Gouge: has a curved blade for cutting hollows and curves.

What are the safety rules for planes and chisels?

• Keep tools sharp: a blunt tool slips and causes accidents.
• Clamp the work: never hold the timber in your hand while cutting.
• Cut away from the body: keep both hands behind the cutting edge.
• Rest the plane on its side: this protects the blade when not in use.
• Store tools properly: keep them clean, dry and in the tool rack.

Evaluation

1. Mention the five types of plane.
2. State the use and length of the jack plane and the smoothing plane.
3. Define a chisel and name the material it is made from.
4. Mention four types of chisel and state their uses.

Assignment

Draw a table with two columns. In the first column write the five types of plane. In the second column write the use of each.