I've been hearing a lot of mixed opinions about surform planes lately. Many say they're not worth it, but I think the idea of a hybrid tool that combines aspects of a rasp and a plane sounds like it could be really handy. I've also heard good things about Shinto rasps, which seem similar to surforms. Can anyone share their experience? How efficient are they at removing material? Do they work well on hard woods? What kind of finish do they leave? Should I consider getting one?
5 Answers
I don’t use surforms much for woodworking, but they do an excellent job for shaving drywall. So, they might be more versatile than you think!
I have a couple of surform tools, and I find them really handy for quickly removing wood, especially before using a block plane or sanding. They really shine when working with materials like wood Bondo for shaping. Just like with any tool, a bit of practice makes a huge difference.
In my experience, surforms remove material quite fast if they're good quality and the wood is soft enough to work with. Personally, my favorite tool is the Shinto saw rasp! It offers a great balance between fast material removal and nice surface shaping.
I've been using Stanley Surform planes for over 40 years, and I haven't had any issues. They're definitely reliable tools.
Honestly, surforms can be quite effective, but it really depends on your project. I got a newer Stanley model that features a yellow plastic and aluminum holder, and while it’s not too pricey, it's great for shaping odd wooden pieces. Just keep in mind that you'll probably need to follow up with a finer rasp or some sanding because the finish can be a bit rough.