I'm a novice hobby woodworker making a gradual shift from power tools to hand tools because I find them more enjoyable. I've got the basics down with planes like jack, smoother, and block. My workshop is small, and my projects range from boxes to coffee tables and Adirondack chairs. I'm looking to improve my joinery skills. While I have a powered router, I find it noisy and messier than I'd like. Although I'm okay with using my table saw for grooves and dados, it's quite finicky. I'm considering purchasing a hand tool at the Veritas seconds sale and debating whether I should get their large router plane or the box maker's plow plane. The router plane seems more versatile for cleaning up grooves and dados, but it's pricier. The plow plane is cheaper and might meet most of my needs but lacks the versatility for non-parallel cuts. What should I consider? Is there a better option?
3 Answers
I think a large router plane is essential for a hand tool shop, but for a hybrid setup, it's more of a luxury item. Check out Paul Sellers' videos; he demonstrates a lot of its uses beyond basic grooving. If you're building small boxes, I personally recommend opting for the smaller plow plane instead of the boxmaker's style to better suit your projects.
You're likely going to need both tools in the long run, but if you're looking for versatility, the router plane is the way to go. It works great with different size cutters and a fence. If you can get your hands on a Record 043, 044, or 050 plow plane, those are also fantastic options. It really depends on what's available at the sale, but for me, I'd lean slightly towards the router plane if you don’t already have one.
For making rebates, a rebate plane or a moving fillister would be ideal. If you're looking at dadoes that cut across the grain, you'd need a dedicated dado plane, which can be pricey if you're looking for one in perfect shape. However, if you can find a good secondhand one, that's a solid investment. A plow plane is an okay tool, but a dedicated grooving plane tends to perform much better for precision work. If you're dealing with a lot of grooves, I highly recommend finding a specialized tool that's close to what you need, as modifying a wooden one can give you real benefits in width and performance.