Products that Perform 1 Stanley #40 2, was mass ⁄ With a heavily cambered blade,produced no chipfor nearly breaker, fifty and years. an extra-large mouth opening, hand-plane design. But unlike otherthis tool planes defies made conventional to produce whisper thin shavings, a scrub plane’s sole purpose is to hog off large amounts of wood. When properly sharpened and set, a scrub plane can remove material almost as fast as a hand-held power planer. If you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, you might snag one market, but you don’t have to.at an Woodcraft antique auction now offers or flea the 1 Pinnacle 40 2–a brand new 1 American made⁄ scrub plane that Pinnacle 40 ⁄ 2 Scrub Plane takes all the right cues from its predecessor while offering A go-to tool when machines fall short noteworthy improvements. 1 By Craig Bentzley The Pinnacle 40 ⁄2 In a side-by-side comparison Flattening stock is an essential and carpenters relied on with a vintage Stanley, I step in the milling process. roughing, or scrub, planes. The discovered that the Pinnacle These days, most of us use sports some new details that electric-powered jointers, but introduced in the late 1800’s. improve longevity, performance, for centuries, cabinetmakers Thismost plane, popular the model venerable was first and feel. For starters, the body is made from ductile iron instead of cast iron. This means that it won’t break should it topple from your bench. To better withstand the demands of roughing stock, the blade is made from tough A2 steel with a Rockwell hardness rating of 60-62. The blade is also 50% 3 thicker ( 16"-thick) than the original Stanley⁄ blades, for more aggressive, chatter-free stock removal. Last but not least, Plane perpendicularly or diagonally across the high spots using overlapping the knob and tote have been strokes. Check your progress frequently; flattening is fast work. upsized for maximum comfort. 72 woodcraftmagazine.com Dec/Jan 2014 Photos: Paul Anthony Products that Perform Multi -use performer So you’re asking yourself: Do Sharpening the blade Microbevel I need one? If you work with rough stock the answer is The A2 steel blade will hold yes; if you don’t, the answer an edge for a long ti me, but is maybe. Once you learn how at some point, you’ll need this tool works and what it to resharpen the blade. This can do for you, you’ll be better cambered blade defi es common able to make a decision. sharpening jigs, but fear not: As a modern-day freehand honing and grinding is woodworker, I use electric- not as hard as you might think. powered machinery whenever Honing the micro bevel on a 3 possible, but when working ⁄16"-thick blade is easy. Rest a with boards wider than my small sharpening stone (I prefer jointer, I reach for my scrub a super-fi ne diamond honing plane. Used across the grain– paddle) on the high points usually taking diagonal passes of the hollow-ground edge, as shown at left–this plane and take six or so side-to-side quickly levels twists, bows, passes unti l a burr forms on the and cups. (After this step, I back of the blade. Next, repeat the process using a ceramic stock using my #5 and #7, or hard Arkansas stone. The orcan else continue enlist myflattening thickness the honing process will establish planer.) For this chore alone, a microbevel on the leading To touch up the bevel, rest my scrub plane earns its keep. edge as shown above right. the stone against the hollow- A scrub plane also offers a (The back of the blade doesn’t ground edge and hone using handy way to quickly remove need to have a mirror fi nish, but use a side-to-side moti on. material on the edge of a you should rub the polishing stone across the back of the the scrub to get the board to blade to knock off the burr.) roughboard. width As with and flattening, then use ause Aft er you use the plane for a while, or if you want to When used with the grain, a customize the camber (I fi nd scrubjointer plane’s plane toheavily finish cambered the edge. the 3"-radius camber a bit blade creates a hand-hewn too aggressive), you’ll need to texture. This scalloped surface regrind the edge. To do this, can add a nice tactile element darken the back edge of the to country-style furniture blade with a marker, and then or timber-frame structures. use a square to scribe a line (Note: In this instance, the blade across the edge slightly back needs to be very sharp and the from the existi ng edge. Make a depth of cut reduced, or else the template for the desired radius, plane can cause severe tear- line it up so the radius touches out, particularly in areas where the outer points of your scribed the grain reverses direction.) line, and then scribe the radius. To grind a new camber, sweep Next, set your grinder’s tool the bevel side to side in an arc, 1 Pinnacle 40 2 Scrub Plane rest to 30°, and grind the edge. working back to your scribed line. #159000, $169.99⁄ 74 woodcraftmagazine.com Dec/Jan 2014 SUBSCRIBE! 2 YEARS for $29.99! go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE -or- Complete the form below and mail in an envelope addressed to: WOODCRAFT MAGAZINE PO BOX 7020 PARKERSBURG WV 26102-9916 □ Payment Enclosed □ Bill Me Name Address City State Zip Country E-mail Best-ever DECORATIVE FINISHES Build Better Send in now to get LUMBER RACK Done Right with a CUT LIST Projects, Techniques and Products Build this 2 Years for $29.99! classic SPICE BOX And learn how to… Dovetail a case Divide a cabinet into compartments or go to woodcraftmagazine.com and click SUBSCRIBE Create a cornice By providing my e-mail address, I am indicating I’d like to receive information about my subscription and other offers from Woodcraft Magazine via e-mail. 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