curved plane

[sunnybob]

went to the market yesterday, found two crates of old planes, from 2 ft right down to 6" rebate planes as well. most of them not really worth repairing.
But in there was a small plane I have never seen before. the base was convex curved side to side, and also the blade, but the blade was a bit wider than the base curve.

I cant work out why you would plane a hollow.
Any body know?

 

[Jacob]

went to the market yesterday, found two crates of old planes, from 2 ft right down to 6" rebate planes as well. most of them not really worth repairing.
But in there was a small plane I have never seen before. the base was convex curved side to side, and also the blade, but the blade was a bit wider than the base curve.

I cant work out why you would plane a hollow.
Any body know?

Architectural joinery. Staircases (handrails) in particular. And other trades - music instruments etc

 

[sunnybob]

handrails are the other way. This plane cut hollows, not rounds.
think groove, 2" across but fairly shallow, 1/4" maybe at the deepest.

The curve was shallow enough that when i first picked it up i thought it was a normal plane that had been very badly abused. only checking the blade matched the base made me realise it was a special tool

 

[D_W]

Gutter plane?

 

[AndyT]

Bob, maybe you're thinking of very simple handrails, like a modern 'mopstick' - but historically they were much more elaborate, with multiple curves, in and out, curving round elegantly.

It could also have been a pattern maker's plane.

 

[sunnybob]

Must have been one of those. Once I realised the base was supposed to be that shape, it was in quite good condition. Dont suppose something that specialised got used very often.

 

[bugbear]

Must have been one of those. Once I realised the base was supposed to be that shape, it was in quite good condition. Dont suppose something that specialised got used very often.

I recall a Fine Woodworking article where a sculptor made a special plane for the particular curve
on a large geometrical sculpture.

I you understand enough,you can make your own specialised planes for tasks.

BugBear

 

[whiskywill]

As Jacob has already suggested, they are used by musical instrument makers and are still available including these pretty Veritas versions. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Veritas-Detai ... io-Uiy3SJQ

 

[MIGNAL]

Don't think it's musical instruments, unless it's convex both across and along the length of the sole. That's the standard pattern for carved top instruments. I can't think of a use if it's just convex across the sole.

 

[D_W]

Don't think it's musical instruments, unless it's convex both across and along the length of the sole. That's the standard pattern for carved top instruments. I can't think of a use if it's just convex across the sole.

Gutters or large architectural mouldings.

 

[MIGNAL]

Sorry, I meant as a use in musical instrument making. Every such plane that I've come across has had the double convex sole.

 

[Trafalgar]

Convex end-to-end planes are used to saddle the seats of Windsor chairs. I think a few makers use ones convex in both planes - end to end and side to side. Some just use a large gouge and then a series of shaped scrapers which is the most direct approach IMO.

 

[bugbear]

As Jacob has already suggested, they are used by musical instrument makers and are still available including these pretty Veritas versions. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Veritas-Detai ... io-Uiy3SJQ

The musical instrument ones are notably different - in size; if you follow the linked you posted, you'll
find the blades are a teensy 3/8" wide.

I don't think you'd get very far using the OP's plane with its 2" blade on anything as delicate as a violin plate!!

BugBear

 

[sunnybob]

wow, dint think I'd start a riot!

Cant remember if it was curved in both planes (lol) or not. If it was, then front to back must have been very shallow or i think I would have noticed it.

The blade was not 2" wide, from memory i would guess at 1 1/2".

 

[bugbear]

wow, dint think I'd start a riot!

Cant remember if it was curved in both planes (lol) or not. If it was, then front to back must have been very shallow or i think I would have noticed it.

The blade was not 2" wide, from memory i would guess at 1 1/2".

Oh, OK, you said 2" wide, 1/4" sagitta earlier.

No probs.

BugBear

 

[sunnybob]

ah, went back to read my earlier post and I see the confusion. The PLANE was about 2" across, not the blade.

 

[Trafalgar]

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/compassplane.aspx

 

[Paddy Roxburgh]

As Jacob has already suggested, they are used by musical instrument makers and are still available including these pretty Veritas versions. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Veritas-Detai ... io-Uiy3SJQ

The musical instrument ones are notably different - in size; if you follow the linked you posted, you'll
find the blades are a teensy 3/8" wide.

I don't think you'd get very far using the OP's plane with its 2" blade on anything as delicate as a violin plate
BugBear

Double bass?
Still would be curved in both directions, I'm just being facetious