Fig. 26. The Block Plane
13. The Block Plane. To square the end of a piece of stock the conditions are quite different from those just described where we were planing with the grain. In end planing no cap iron is necessary, the plane iron in the block plane being reversed with bevel side up.
This tool requires more care than the others, as the stroke is usually quite short, and if the cutting edge is allowed to reach the farther corner, the latter will be broken off.
Fig. 27. Method of using Block Plane
To avoid this error the plane must be lifted up before the end of the stroke, as shown by the dotted line a. The piece is then reversed, and planed as shown by arrow b. In this way the whole end is smoothed, without ruining the corners.
Besides these standard planes there are many patent and special ones for cutting tongues, grooves, beads, etc.
14. The Wooden Plane. Although the iron-bodied planes just described are now in common use, the old-fashioned wooden plane is still the favorite of many woodworkers.