Do you use Shoulder or Router Planes?

[Bugsysiegals]

I received my Lee Valley Winter 2023 magazine and noticed these items but wondered ... why would anybody even need these?  If you're making a Rabbit, Dado, Slot, etc. whether with Dado stack or router bit, don't they turn out good enough to throw some glue in there and assemble?

 

[luvmytoolz]

I don't really use shoulder planes much, but do find router planes extremely handy when I need to quickly cleanup a rebate or groove.

They're the sort of thing if you have one lying around, you end up finding many uses for it.

 

[derekcohen]

Shoulder planes are extremely useful when fine tuning rebates, or for when small parts need to be tuned or squared up, such as moldings I have a few different sizes, as some are best to fit the space. My favourite is a 1/2” Veritas.

Ditto on a router plane. For example, even if a dado is made with a dado stack or a router bit, you will want to level the surface. Only a router plane will give you the quality level (sic) needed.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[waho6o9]

" why would anybody even need these?  "

To fine tune your work. 

 

[DynaGlide]

If you're only building with plywood, probably not much need for them as machines will get you close enough.

When you start doing stuff like traditional M&T joints, I think both tools are pretty essential. The router plane excels at equally dimensioning both faces of the tenon and sneaking up on a perfect fit, like so:

The shoulder plane excels at sneaking up to your scribe line on the (wait for it) shoulder of the tenon.

As someone who only ever did sheet good work up until recently I found they weren't necessary. As I get more into the fine furniture side of things, I find them essential.

[2cents]
Matt

 

[derekcohen]

Actually Matt, I do not use a shoulder for either the shoulders or the cheeks of a tenon.   A chisel works better for tuning shoulders, and the cheeks are best tuned with a rasp or router plane (if out-of-parallel).

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[DynaGlide]

Actually Matt, I do not use a shoulder for either the shoulders or the cheeks of a tenon.   A chisel works better for tuning shoulders, and the cheeks are best tuned with a rasp or router plane (if out-of-parallel).

Regards from Perth

Derek

Different strokes for different blokes  ;D

 

[flair woodworks]

Yes, to both.

 

[hdv]

I use and love both types of plane. I notice there's a trend to use router planes like shown in the picture. There's nothing wrong with that of course, but somehow I still prefer to use a shoulder plane for that.

 

[ChuckM]

I don't quite recall using any of these two planes for fine-tuning something done by a machine. If a power-tool oriented joint is too critical to fail, I make a test cut with scrap instead of relying on the joinery planes to fix it. Call it luck. Most, if not all, of my machine-cut joints don't quite need any fixing as I take great care to get the machine setting right.

Paul Sellers even uses the router plane for scribing (like a marking gauge). I use these joinery planes only when I do projects by hand, such as:

Hinge recess:

[attachimg=1]

Removing waste before using a moulding plane:

[attachimg=2]

Shaping and making a door handle/knob:

[attachimg=3]

Like Derek, for the shoulder planes, I like and own the Veritas medium one. It can do the job of the large shoulder plane (in passes if needed), but not necessarily vise versa.

 

[Bugsysiegals]

My mind is still stuck on making cabinets with plywood and haven't even begun to make other projects so thanks for opening up my perspective!

 

[Oilers]

I own both, from Lee valley. 

They’re both brilliant and now that I have them and know how to use them properly, I wouldn’t be without either.

The medium shoulder planer is a do-it-all-fix it all tool that fits well in the hand.  Could you do similar work with a chisel?  Sure.  Is it as quick, easy, or accurate, no. 

The router plane is an effin wizard.  Exact depth for a glove like fit on both mortises and tenons.  .    That video shows you all you need to know.  No substitute once you’ve used one. 

Do you need them?  No.  But, you’re on the festool site.  We’re often not here for need, but rather for the most enjoyable, efficient means to do the work.  These two tools absolutely excel at purpose. 

 

[derekcohen]

Well said Oilers!

Your video is, however, missing.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[GoingMyWay]

Here's the video from [member=78841]Oilers[/member] post:


The full URL (youtube.com) and not the shortened URL (youtu.be) needs to be used in order for the video to load properly on the forum.

 

[derekcohen]

You may prefer this jig I made …
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/MorticingGuide.html

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Mini Me]

An interesting use of a router plane but I think a Domino can be used in sort of the same way. Make the mortise to the with the Domino and most of the time it will not be anywhere big enough but you now have a well laid out start with good straight parallel sides to guide a chisel so it can be completed by hand. Derek's jig is also a good way to guide the chisel and a lot of Japanese WW's use guide blocks along the same lines.