mrstark44

i am interested in getting my father a shoulder plane for christmas. we were building a cabinet yesterday and had to sand the inside of a joint. if he had a shoulder plane it would have been much easier. i almost bought a medium shoulder plane, but then saw a rabbet plane. i am wondering what the differences are, and what would be the best thing to get for him. he mades mortice and tenon joints for tables and also makes dados. i thought the shoulder plane would be better since its narrower, but would like all of your input. thank you very much.

steve mackay

Shoulder planes are VERY cool. I'm sure if I had one (LN of COURSE !) I'd use it, at least, a couple times a year. Most folks would say they're over-rated though. The more versitile tool is a #78. For the average woodworker it'll do more stuff and do it as good as a shoulder. Very simple, usefull and elegant tool. To compliment it the #289 will do everything the #78 shys away from. Namely cross grain. I too, spent many an hour trying to clean rabbets with sandpaper or chisel. Got a 78 and wondered where it had been all my life. Once you've got one you'll wonder how you lived without it.

jeffreythree

I have one these, and a couple of other planes from him. Converting to chisel means no cross grain cutting and it will get into corners. Good stuff . Ebony Chisel Shoulder Combo Plane - eBay (item 170286901472 end time Dec-19-08 09:30:02 PST)

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