Paragraph 87. The following illustration shows a modern iron plane, which is typical of the present-day method of plane construction. This is a No. 5 bench plane, which you have just learned is frequently called a jack plane. In size and general construction it is adapted to almost any kind of general purpose work for which you will require a plane in the shop. It is long enough to render good service as a jointer and for the class of smoothing work which you will need to do it will be very convenient.

While this style of plane has a great many different parts, there are really only a few with which you need to concern yourself. Such parts as the handle, the knob and the bottom or sole, are so evident that they are not pointed out to you in the illustration. You should study Figure 65 with your bench plane before you and thus thoroughly familiarize yourself with the nature and function of each of the parts which are pointed out in this illustration.

Figure 65.

Arrow No. 1 points out the clamp iron, the purpose of which is to hold the blade, or bit, firmly in position. Notice that this clamp is fastened by a little lever at the top. To loosen the clamp for the purpose of removing the bit the little lever should be raised. This portion of the plane is frequently broken by beginning students because they attempt to force down the lever when the blade is not in its proper position. It should not require much force to push down the lever; if you are having such difficulty with your plane make sure that the plane blade is resting properly in its position and that there are no chips under it. If the lever still refuses to operate properly, the little screw which holds the clamp in position may be slightly loosened. However, this screw should not often require adjusting.

Arrow No. 2 points out the plane blade, or plane iron, as it is sometimes called. This plane iron is composed of two parts, firmly clamped together by a set screw. If you remove the clamp and take out the plane iron you will find that the cutting blade is clamped in the stock, with the bevel on the bottom side of the blade; the cap iron, or break bit, as it is more properly called, is fastened to the blade on the top side. Before separating the break bit from the cutting blade, you should notice the manner in which the two blades are adjusted. If the plane is set for fine finishing work the edge of the break bit will come very close to the edge of the cutting blade (perhaps within 1/64 of an inch). If the plane is set for rougher work, where it will be required to take a thick shaving in planing away stock, then the break bit will be considerably farther from the cutting edge, perhaps as much as 1/16 of an inch, or even more. A little experimenting will enable you to adjust the break blade properly for any kind of work which you may care to do. You should be very careful when putting the break blade in position to avoid striking it against the cutting edge of the blade.

Arrow No. 3 points out the adjusting lever. The purpose of this lever is to adjust the plane blade so that it will extend through the throat of the plane evenly at each side. If one corner of the bit extends too far through, push the lever the proper direction to adjust it. By examining the sole of the plane and watching the movement of the blade as you move the adjusting lever you will learn just how to control it.

Arrow No. 4 points out the adjusting nut which regulates the depth of the plane blade and thus controls the thickness of the shaving to be cut. By turning this bronze nut either to the right or to the left, the blade will be raised or lowered. You will have to experiment with your own plane in order that you may know just how to adjust the blade with this nut.

A mistake frequently made by beginners is in attempting to cut too thick a shaving; where a thick shaving is removed the wood is not left perfectly smooth. You should adopt the rule of keeping your plane blades very sharp and set to take only a very thin shaving. This will insure good work and the proper use of the tool.

In laying down a plane it should be laid on its side rather than on its sole. In laying it on the sole there is danger of nicking the extreme cutting edge of the bit which is extending through the throat. If, after thoroughly studying these points regarding your plane, you are, for any reason, unable to get satisfactory results, you should consult someone who is thoroughly familiar with plane construction. It is not well for you to attempt the adjustment of any of the parts other than those already explained.