Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Chariot & Thumb
Patrick Gibbons, Houston, TX
>I'd like to have some more info on the differences between the chariot and the thumb plane. Would a woodworker have both in his kit? Bevel up? Bevel down? 45 degree bedding? 50? 47 1/2? Any good internet sites concerning these? Comparison to the obvious, the block plane?
Re: Chariot & Thumb
John Fitzpatrick
>Patrick-
I'd say the difference between the two is mostly length, and where the mouth is. All of the chariots and thumbs that I've seen are low-angle, bevel up planes with iron widths mostly in the 1.25" to 1.5" range. But the chariots have a very short sole in front of the mouth (for 'close-up' work), while the thumbs tend to be longer planes, with the mouth further back, much like block planes. Many (most?) of the old chariots that you'll come across were user-made, so there's a lot of variation in bedding angle, length, etc.
I think there's a good photo of some factory-made thumbs and chariots (Norris) in Hack's Handplane book, and in Taunton's 'Art of Fine Tools'. And to view some really sweet examples, check out the Inchmartine Tool Bazaar websight (Andy's personal collection).
Do you need both? Of course-- without both a minty Norris adjustable Thumb and adjustable Chariot, your kit just isn't complete!
Re: Chariot & Thumb
Patrick Gibbons
>Thanks, You may have been the only one to answer, but at least it was a complete and informative answer. That's about everything I wanted to know.