Moulding plane

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End-on shot of 15 different moulding planes. A highly detailed description of each plane is present on the image page itself

In woodworking, a moulding plane (molding plane in US spelling) is a specialised plane used for making the complex shapes found in wooden mouldings. [1]

Traditionally, moulding planes were blocks of wear resistant hardwood, often

Stanley No. 55 Universal Plane[2] and the English Record No. 405 Multi-Plane with a wide variety of interchangeable cutters, integral fences, and "nickers", small cutting edges which score the grain fibers when working across the board.[3]

Large

apprentice or other worker to pull the plane ahead of the master who guided it.[4]
: 132 

Stanley No. 55 Universal plane with wide array of interchangeable cutters.

While generally considered outdated, a modern furniture shop doing reproduction or restoration work might keep a collection of moulding planes to match original work, or to build in an authentic manner.

The earliest known record of a moulding plane is a moulding plane iron of Roman origin unearthed in Cologne, Germany.[4]: 116 

In modern industry, the work of the moulding plane has been taken up by the electrically powered

router bits
of a wide variety of profiles and is readily available to the small business or home craftsperson.

Notes

  1. . Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  2. ^ Bernard E. Jones, edit.:"The Complete Woodworker". page 243. Ten Speed Press. 1998
  3. ^ C. W. Hampton and E. Clifford:"Planecraft". Page 151.C. and J. Hampton Ltd. 1959
  4. ^ a b Henry Chapman Mercer:"Ancient Carpenters' Tools". Bucks County Historical Society. 1975