I'm a bit confused about hand planes and what I have on hand versus what I might need. I inherited a couple of planes from my father-in-law: a Stanley C557B, which I think is a smoothing plane, but it feels quite large, and a Stanley 12-220 block plane. I'm trying to wrap my head around their differences and get a better grasp on the basics of hand planing. Every source I check seems to have a totally different way of naming these tools!
I believe the C557B is meant for making already planed boards really smooth instead of sanding, while the 12-220 is designed for more precise, smaller work. However, I feel like I need something for actually removing material. I had a mishap with some poplar that I over-sanded, and it left the wood raised and rough. The advice I got was to plane it, but I had trouble getting the planes to work as I intended. I'm not looking to make complex furniture, just simpler projects like a milk crate-sized box. I want my wood to be as smooth as my thoughts!
Also, I've read that scrub or jack planes could help with material removal, but can't the C557B also do that? I've tried adjusting it but it doesn't seem to remove material as much as the block plane, which really just shaves off small bits. Is the angle of the blade something I should be paying more attention to?
3 Answers
You might want to check out Wood by Wright and Rex Krueger on YouTube. They break things down pretty well. If you share pictures of your planes and the board, the community would love to help!
LOL, I love your analogy about wanting your wood as smooth as your brain! The C557B is a modern version of the Bailey-pattern No 4 smoothing plane, and it's mainly for making already flattened boards smooth—there's a big difference between flat and smooth! For actual material removal, you should look into jack planes (like the #5) or scrub planes, which can take off a lot more material quickly.
The block plane is good for smaller, touch-up work, so it makes sense that it’s doing better at shaving compared to your C557B. As for the blade's angle, a lower angle can help with cutting into wood better, especially for tricky grain. You may find tuning your planes can enhance their performance, but it can take some practice.
This makes so much sense! So the C557B definitely shines as a smoothing plane, while I should look for a jack plane for actually removing wood? Thanks for clarifying that!
You're on the right track! The block plane is great for finer work. For material removal, definitely consider a jack or scrub plane for that extra bite. And don’t get discouraged—plane tuning can be tricky, but it’s worth investing time into learning. Once you find the right tool, it’ll make a world of difference in your projects!
Thanks for the encouragement! I guess I’ll start hunting for a good jack plane then.
I've been watching videos non-stop! I try the tips for the C557B, but it still just smooths the surface rather than really removing material. I think I'm using it correctly, but maybe I'm missing something?