What are the differences between the types of planes?

Bench Planes:

• The most adjustable of all planes
• Cutting iron is bedded with the bevel facing down, attached to a chip breaker. The chip breaker helps make blades more rigid

Block Planes:

• Designed to cut end grain
• Typically small enough to be used with one hand
• Has a lower angle than other planes

Jack Planes:

• Removes large amounts of wood quickly
• Generally 14 inches long

Shoulder/ Chisel Planes:

• Cutter is flush with the edges of the plane
• Allows trimming right up the edge of a workplace
• Commonly used to clean up dadoes and tenons for joinery

Smoothing Planes:

• Typically the last plane used on a wood surface
• 8-10 inches long
• Iron is usually sharpened straight across or at an angle to prevent grooves from gouging wood

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