The fore plane is a type of
woodworkingbench plane typically used for preparing and flattening rough workpieces before using other planes, such as the
jointer plane and the
smoothing plane.[2][3] The name fore plane is sometimes used synonymously with the
jack plane, but the fore plane is usually longer in length, making it more effective at levelling larger workpieces.
Description
Under the Stanley Bailey numbering system for metal-bodied planes the #6 fore planes are 18 inches (460 mm) long, longer than the #5
jack planes and shorter than the #7 and #8
jointer planes.[4] Historically, wooden-bodied fore planes have been 18 to 22 inches (460 to 560 mm) long.[1] As with other bench planes, fore planes were first developed with wooden bodies, before the introduction in the 19th century of metal-bodied and
transitional planes.
Terminology
The name fore plane dates back to at least the 17th century in Britain, and was named fore plane because it would be used on a workpiece before other planes.[5] The name fore plane is sometimes used synonymously with the
jack plane, while in 17th century Britain the term fore plane was used more by joiners or cabinet makers, and jack plane by carpenters.[5][6]: 48
Use
When used, the fore plane is either the first plane to be used on rough sawn timber, or is used after the jack plane.[7][8][9] The fore plane is able to quickly remove material and level the workpiece before the woodworker moves on to using a
jointer plane or
smoothing plane.[6]: 19 Often fore planes are used perpendicular and diagonally to the grain, and are set to remove larger shavings. The iron can also be sharpened with a slight camber to aid this.[6]: 101
For the rough preparation and levelling of stock fore planes have largely been replaced in modern workshops by machinery such as
jointers and
thicknessers.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Fore planes.
^Austen, Stephen; Devoto, John; Toms, W. H; A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch (Firm) (1734).
The Builder's dictionary: or, Gentleman and architect's companion. London; And S. Austen, at the Angel and Bible in St.-Paul's Church-Yard.: Printed for A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, at the Red-Lion in Pater-noster Row.
OCLC889853614.
Archived from the original on 2022-07-10. Retrieved 2020-10-12.