What is a planer? Features of the tool, device and purpose

A plane is a tool that is available in any carpentry workshop. It is used for planing wooden parts by moving in a straight line back and forth while applying a certain amount of force. Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain a polished, smooth surface. The structure of the device and its types are described in this material.

Tool structure

It is not difficult to understand what a planer is. This is a tool based on a metal block (less often a wooden one). The following elements are attached to it:

1. Handles (go from the back and front) – used for comfortable work (the tool is held tightly with your hands).
2. The sole is the lower part, it is perfectly flat and smooth, which allows you to glide over the surface being treated.
3. A slot is a special hole into which a knife blade is installed. The chips also escape through it.
4. The knife is the main working element that cuts the surface layer of wood on workpieces. It is always made of metal.
5. The screw, as well as the clamp - devices for fixing the blade, guide the element for removing chips. In new models, the blade is also fixed with a dovetail.

Main types and purpose

You can say this about what is done with a plane. This is a mechanism for woodworking and planing.It rolls over the surface and makes it smooth or imparts the desired roughness. It is also used to reduce the size of workpieces or form various recesses, such as “quarters” or “rabbet”.

Today, many models of instruments are produced, their classification is varied. For example, there are mechanical devices and electric planers for floors and other surfaces. The former are driven manually, the latter by an electric motor.

The main classification is related to the purpose of the tools, that is, for what planing they are used:

• planar (creating a flat, smooth surface);
• figured (with relief, grooves of different shapes).

Within each category, there are several types of mechanisms - all of them are discussed below.

For figure planing

We can say about a plane that it is a tool for leveling the surface. The following models help to make it curly, for example, rounded:

1. Zenzubel equipped with a blade that has 3 cutting edges. Used for planing a perpendicular plane, rebating, and cleaning quarters. The design is designed in such a way that it allows you to adjust different angles of inclination of the cutter.
2. Kantenhobel – if we talk about why a plane of this type is needed, then first of all its purpose is related to the processing of edges and chamfers. This model has a double blade and is shaped like a trapezoid.
3. tongue and groove – the device of this type of plane is distinguished by the presence of 2 blocks connected together with screws. By loosening or strengthening them, you can adjust the location of the cutter of the wooden part that is to be processed. Thanks to this, it is possible to obtain even grooves of a longitudinal shape.
4. Federgubel – with its help they do finishing figure processing.The device resembles a tongue and groove tool - it is also equipped with two blocks, and they are connected in a movable way. But the cutting element in this case is represented by 2 parallel blades, with the help of which a longitudinal spike is obtained. This is what this type of plane is used for.
5. Mold is a tool with which you can get a multi-level base with steps. This tool helps in finishing cornices, making slopes for doors, baseboards or moldings.
6. Falzgebel – used for stripping this type of part such as a quarter. The device can also be used to make a strip along the edges, and in this case the carpenter does not make preliminary markings. If we talk about what a wood planer of this type is needed for, the main purpose is figure processing in a finishing form.
7. Shtap – such a tool is used to work with convex and, conversely, concave workpieces. Semicircular shape, special type blades. It has a semicircular sole and specially shaped blades. Therefore, using the tool, you can also round off the ends, adjusting the desired diameter in advance.

For planing

The main purpose of a plane, for which the tool is used, is related to planing, that is, obtaining a fairly smooth surface of a wooden part. This class is represented by the following tools:

1. Single plane, the purpose of which is related to rough processing of wooden blanks. The result is beautiful chips of the same size, quite long. Moreover, the part needs further processing, since defects in the form of chips remain on it.
2. Double planer carpenters are also used for rough work.But in this case, the cutter is straight, the device is equipped with a chipbreaker. Therefore, the surface is relatively smooth.
3. Sherhebel – the device of a hand plane of this type helps to create the desired shape for the workpiece. In appearance it looks like a single plane. Moreover, it is distinguished by the presence of a blade with rounded edges. They are directed at 45o to the straight sole. Thanks to this, you can work with such a tool both along the grain and across it.
4. Sander - a small plane, the use of which is associated with finishing the part. Equipped with a cutter and chipbreaker, so the surface is clean and smooth.
5. Jointer – another tool for finishing. Used at the last stage of work. If you look at the device, it is clear what this type of plane is intended for. It is equipped with an extended sole and 2 blades. Therefore, the treated surface is almost perfectly smooth.
6. Zinubel - a device used to perform finishing processing. The structure of a wooden plane of this type is as follows: it has a blade with grooves, it goes at a large angle to the surface (80 degrees). Therefore, after processing it turns out rough. This is useful for applying varnish - the contact area increases.

Now it’s clear what a plane is, a photo of which is presented in the article. This is a common tool that is present in any workshop. It allows you to get a smooth, even or shaped surface. At home, hand-held devices are usually used, and for professional purposes, electric ones are used. With their help, you can complete a large amount of work in a short time.