side rabbet planes

Re: side rabbet planes

MikeW

>Hi Kelly--that's what they are made for and do work well. They have a low cutting angle.

You'll most likely want to back up the exit of the dado as the edge grain can break out. I usually wait to cut/plane to final width until the dadoes are defined, but not always. When I don't I usually either back up the exit or come at it from both sides towards the middle. Which is why a L/R pair is nice.

Take care, Mike

Re: side rabbet planes

Jack Guzman from Maine

>I believe that particular operation is what those tools are best at.You won't use it alot but when you do need it it's the only tool for the job.Also they are quite small so they don't take up alot of space.I keep mine on a shelf behind my bench.---Jack

Re: side rabbet planes

Adam Cherubini

>The wooden side rabbets I have don't work well. The blades may not be sharp enough, but the blade is side loaded in use and seems to shift in the body. I'm sure this can be fettled and made to work. The metal planes may be better.

I use wooden dado planes to cut dadoes. They work great. All these years, I've never once had the need to alter the dado. When I have a fit problem, I alter the part that sides into the dado. In instances where the dado morphs into a sliding dovetail, I prefer a chisel.

I don't think the side rabbet is an essential woodworking tool. At best, its a slightly more convenient alternative to a chisel (isn't everything, though). I'd save my money for something I'd get more use out of, if I were you.

Adam

Re: side rabbet planes

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>I pretty much agree that side rebate planes aren't necessary; but if you currently make dados and sliding dovetails by sawing and chiselling, they are much handier than if you use planes to make dados. The side rebates, at least in the case of the 79 and 98/99, provide the ability to plane a level edge that's much more difficult using chisels.

I've also had blade problems with wooden side rebates, but usually that the blades are so used up by the time I got them that they no longer can fill the slot, they don't protrude from the wood sufficiently to get a good cut. One of these days maybe I'll make some new blades, but until then I'll stick with the 79.

Pam

Re: side rabbet planes

Kelly Anderson

>Thanks everyone. After more consideration on price vs. versatility I will probably just go ahead and fit the shelves to the dadoes. I am planning on taking some vacation next month and might just spend a day driving around to see what I can find at some flea markets. Maybe I will get lucky and find one on the cheep.

Some uses for side rabbet planes

Jim Reed @ Tallahassee

>I recently restored a Kennedy tool chest. The drawers slide on a drawer side groove which fits into a tongue glued to the side of the case. Over time the tongue gives out and has to be replaced. Mine was a little fat, so I took it down with a #90. Also cleaned up the drawer side groove with my #98/99 pair. Handy. A few years back I made a Lonnie Bird Ky cupboard. Shelves had plate racks. Plowed a groove with the 1/8" blade in a #45. Gnawed it into a proper plate grove with the same #98/99 pair. I agree that the planes are not often needed, but they sure come in handy and do tasks that a plain chisel would butcher.