# Smoothing plane

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{{short description|Woodworking tool used to make a workpiece smooth}}
{{Infobox tool|name=Smoothing plane|other_name=Smooth plane<br/>Smoother|used_with=[Jack plane](/source/Jack_plane), [jointer plane](/source/jointer_plane), [fore plane](/source/fore_plane), [card scraper](/source/card_scraper)|image=Garrett Wade Paragon No. 4 Smoothing Plane.jpg|types=Metal-bodied<br/>Wooden-bodied<br/>Transitional|caption=A [Garrett Wade](/source/Garrett_Wade) Paragon No. 4 Smoothing Plane|alt=A Garrett Wade Paragon No. 4 Smoothing Plane|classification=[Hand tool](/source/Hand_tool)}}
thumb|A wooden smoothing plane.|alt=
A '''smoothing plane''' or '''smooth plane''' is a type of bench [plane](/source/plane_(tool)) used in [woodworking](/source/woodworking). The smoothing plane is typically the last plane used on a [wood](/source/wood) surface, removing very fine shavings to leave a smooth finish. When used effectively it quickly produces a finish that equals or surpasses that made by [sandpaper](/source/sandpaper).<ref name=":2" />

== Description and history ==
The smoothing plane is the shortest of the bench planes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Salaman|first=Raphael A.|url=http://archive.org/details/dictionaryoftool0000sala|title=Dictionary of Tools Used in the Woodworking and Allied Trades, c. 1700-1970|date=1975|publisher=Scribner|others=Internet Archive|isbn=978-0-684-14535-8|location=New York, USA|pages=360}}</ref> Under the Stanley Bailey numbering system for metal-bodied planes #1 to #4 are smoothing planes, with lengths ranging from {{Convert|5+1/2|in|mm|abbr=}} to {{Convert|10|in|mm|abbr=}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stanely Bailey Planes Miscellaneous Data|url=http://primeshop.com/access/woodwork/stanleyplane/DataMisc.htm|access-date=2020-10-13|website=primeshop.com}}</ref> The #4 plane, which is {{Convert|9|in|mm|abbr=}} in length, is the most common smoothing plane in use. Historically wooden smoothing planes in the United States have typically been {{Convert|7 to 9|in|mm|abbr=}} long with irons {{Convert|1=1+1⁄2 to 2+1⁄2|2=in|3=mm|abbr=|frac=}} wide.<ref name="reg">{{Cite book|last=Sellens|first=Alvin|url=http://archive.org/details/woodworkingplane00sell|title=Woodworking Planes: A Descriptive Register of Wooden Planes|publisher=Alvin Sellens|others=Internet Archive|year=1978|location=Augusta, Kansas, USA|pages=18–19}}</ref>

As with other bench planes, until the end of the 19th century the bodies of smoothing planes were predominantly wooden, typically made out of [beech](/source/beech) (''[Fagus sylvatica](/source/Fagus_sylvatica)'' in Europe, ''[Fagus grandifolia](/source/Fagus_grandifolia)'' in North America).<ref name="reg" /> [Wooden planes](/source/Plane_(tool)) were largely superseded by [iron-bodied planes](/source/Plane_(tool)) and to a lesser extent [transitional planes](/source/Plane_(tool)). Despite the predominance of the heavier iron-bodied planes, vintage wooden planes remain in common use, while new wooden smoothing planes are available from a small number of manufacturers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-07-03|title=Another Great Maker of Wooden Handplanes|url=https://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/another-great-maker-of-wooden-handplanes/|access-date=2020-10-13|website=Popular Woodworking Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref>

Being smaller than other bench planes, the smoothing plane is better able to work on smaller workpieces and around obstructions.<ref name="reg" /> Since the 1700s wooden smoothing planes have predominantly been 'coffin shaped' – wider in the middle and slightly rounded – making them more manoeuvrable.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="reg" /> It has also been claimed that the coffin design exposes more end grain, enabling the plane to better adjust to changes in humidity.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Schwarz|first=Christopher|title=The Anarchist's Tool Chest|publisher=Lost Art Press LLC|year=2010|isbn=978-0-578-08413-8|location=Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, USA|pages=61, 139|oclc=875304703}}</ref>{{Rp|139}}

The [irons (blades)](/source/Plane_(tool)) on smoothing planes are often slightly rounded at the corners to minimise the risk of gouging out tracks or marks in the workpiece, and on a metal plane the throat or mouth is usually set tight to reduce the risk of tearout.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pekovich|first=Michael|title=The Why & How of Woodworking: A Simple Approach to Making Meaningful Work|publisher=The Taunton Press|year=2018|isbn=978-1-64155-051-2|location=Newtown, Connecticut, USA|pages=57|oclc=1045464261}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Schwarz|first=Christopher|title=Handplane Essentials|publisher=F+W Media|year=2009|isbn=978-1-4403-0298-5|edition=1st|location=Cincinnati, Ohio, USA|pages=23–24|oclc=326678537}}</ref><ref name="reg" />

In Britain the name smoothing plane dates back to at least the 17th century.<ref>{{Citation|title=smoothing, n. (1b smoothing-plane)|url=https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/182771|work=OED Online|publisher=Oxford University Press|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-10-13}}</ref>

== Use ==
A smoothing plane is typically used after the workpiece has been flattened and trued by the other bench planes, such as the [jack](/source/Jack_plane), [fore](/source/Fore_plane), and [jointer](/source/Jointer_plane) planes. Smoothing planes can also be used to remove marks left by woodworking machinery.

When used effectively alongside other bench planes, the smoothing plane should only need a handful of passes removing shavings as fine as {{Convert|0.002|in|mm|abbr=}} or less.<ref name=":2" /> The workpiece is then ready to be finished, or can be further refined with a [card scraper](/source/card_scraper) or [sandpaper](/source/sandpaper).<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|61}}<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wearing, Robert.|title=The Essential Woodworker: Skills, Tools and Methods|publisher=Lost Art Press LLC|year=1988|isbn=978-0-578-06044-6|edition=2010|location=Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, USA|pages=131|oclc=711676532}}</ref>

The smoothing plane is usually held with both hands, and used in a similar manner to the other bench planes.<ref>Hand Planes
Reprint from Handwork In Wood by William Noyes
</ref> 

Though designed for smoothing, a smoothing plane can be used as an 'all-round' bench tool and for rougher work depending on how it is set up.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Planes}}
{{Woodworking}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smoothing Plane}}
Category:Planes

[da:Høvl#Skrubhøvl, Slethøvl og Pudshøvl](/source/da%3AH%C3%B8vl)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Smoothing plane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoothing_plane) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoothing_plane?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.