How to make a jack plane
Practical Action
Making the wedge
Take the 200mm x 50mm x 20mm piece prepared for the wedge. Square a line all round
100mm from one end, and mark the angle for the wedge. Square another line 130mm from
the same end to mark the top of the wedge.
Clamp the wedge vertically in the vice and use a
ripsaw to cut the angle. Plane the sawn face by
clamping it in a vice horizontally, with a small
piece of timber to support the thin end.
Saw off the top of the wedge with a tenon-saw
and round it off with a chisel and sandpaper to
prevent it splitting when struck with a hammer.
The finished wedge should look like this.
Fitting the blade
Before the plane can be used the blade will have to be fitted. If you have bought a blade from
a hardware shop it should fit easily through the mouth. If the blade you are going to use has
been made by a blacksmith it may be too thick. The mouth will have to be opened out to
allow it to extend below the sole of the plane.
Square a line on the sole, 2mm from the front of
the mouth. Use a wide chisel to pare straight
down into the front of the throat. Repeat this
process until there is a gap of about 3mm or
4mm between the cutting edge and the front of
the mouth.
Position the blade so that the cutting edge is about 5mm
inside the throat and wedge it tight.
Finally, clamp the plane upside down in a vice (without
the blade in place) and plane the sole straight and true.
The plane is now ready to use.
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