Making your own laminated planes has become increasingly popular over the last few years and it’s now possible to build a plane with a fully adjustable cutter using the Veritas Wooden Plane Hardware Kit. The Continental style plane build detailed here uses the same techniques, but in addition there’s a fully adjustable mouth insert.

It’s recommended to view the Veritas video clip on the Hardware Kit page.

Download and print the working drawings here.

If required, convert the imperial measurements given in the Veritas instructions to metric.  Alterations may be needed to the size of the components as the build proceeds.

Greenheart is used for the sole, but other very hard wearing timbers may be used, such as sugar (or rock) maple, hornbeam, hickory or lignum vitae.

Tool Menu:

A comprehensive selection of hand tools for wood and metal, some of which are indicated:

Also needed:

Step 1

Prepare the block of material (elm used here) to 43mm thick. Mark out the various sections as required, leaving an excess for waste. Parts needed will be two cheeks (8mm thick), rear block, front sections(s) wedge, front horn and rear tote. Some sections may need to be laminated. Prepare greenheart sole oversize in length (60mm) and width, 8mm thick.

Prepare the block of material

Step 2

Mark out and cut the blade bed to 50° on Rear Block (Item 4) using the bandsaw. Plane flat with a block plane, check for squareness and the correct angle. Use an offcut (arrowed) to prevent breakout.

Mark out and cut the blade bed

Step 3

Using the Veritas instruction leaflet, measure out the dimensions for the two holes needed for the adjuster. Drill holes on pillar drill using 22mm Forstner bit (tight fit).

Measure out dimensions of the two holes

Step 4

Enlarge the two holes to create the adjuster pocket. Fit the Adjuster Cup in place with the brass screw provided in the kit. The blade should sit flat on top of the bed.

Enlarge the two holes to create the adjuster pocket

Step 5

Rout the recess on the Horn Base (Item 3) then rout an 8x8mm groove down the centre. Note the allowance for waste on the right hand side.

Rout the recess on the Horn Base

Step 6 - Optional

If required, glue an additional section onto the Horn (Item 1) to build up its thickness.

Glue an additional section onto the Horn

Route a groove in the Horn and Front Block (Item 5) to accept a birch ply tongue.

Route a groove

Step 7

Mark out and bandsaw the Horn to shape.

Mark out and bandsaw the Horn to shape

Top Tip! - where the curve is tight, make close perpendicular cuts to finish near the line.

Step 8

Use rasps, a drum sander and sandpaper to complete the Horn.

Complete the horn

Step 9

Drill the Front Block for the 25mm diameter Brass Disc using a 25mm Forstner bit, next drill through the complete block with a 15mm Forstner bit.

Drill the front block

Step 10

Prepare two clamping blocks, cover with parcel tape (prevents glue adhesion). Glue and clamp Front Block to Horn Base. Glue ¼” ply insert.

Prepare two clamping blocks

Step 11

Drill through the Horn Base with a 15mm Forstner bit. Remove waste piece on right hand side and plane flat.

Drill through the horn base

Step 12

Mark out and drill two ¼” holes in the Brass Disc, elongate with metalwork files to fit 6mm pan head bolt.

Mark out and drill

Step 13

Mark out and cut the Side Cheeks (Item 2) leaving an allowance for waste all round to be removed later.

Mark out and cut

Step 14

Glue and clamp Side Cheeks to Front Block/Horn Base and Rear Block, leaving a 16mm gap between them. Remove all traces of glue from the interior.

Glue and clamp

Step 15

Clean up the underside of the assembly with a jack plane. Wax the interior of the recess (prevents glue adhesion), prepare a strip of waste material to fit the 8mm groove. Thoroughly wax the strip of waste material. Glue the greenheart base using epoxy.

Clean up the underside

Step 16

Use a 15mm Forstner bit to drill through the sole and bearing cut the cavity with a router. Mark the limit of the cut (arrowed).

Step 17

Remove waste material.

Remove waste material Remove waste material

Step 18

Using chisels and files, level the blade bed to the cut line indicated in Step 16.

Level the blade bed Level the blade bed

Continue to Part Two