How to Maintain a Carpenter's Plane

Take care of your carpenters tools. They are invaluable when you are working on wood projects. In addition, if you buy quality tools, they will last for years with the right maintenance program. Follow these steps and you will be able to take care of your plane so it is always ready for the next job.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carpenter's plane
• Oil
• Sharpening stone

1. Take care of the maintenance yourself. You should not trust such an important job to anyone else. A woodworker's tools are the most important thing he owns for his trade. Just go slow and you will get the job done the right way.

2. Remove the locking mechanism that holds the blade in place. Pull the blade back so that it will not hit on anything while resting in storage.

3. Sharpen the blade with the sharpening stone by holding the blade against a hard surface to brace. One side of the stone is for sharpening to a smooth finish, while the other side takes off the burrs from the edge of the blade.

4. Oil the adjustments and screw. Wipe off excess oil. When you get the carpenters plane back together, run your hand over it to be sure all is smooth. Just don't cut yourself.

5. Maintain your carpenter's plane after every project and you will be able to use it for years.

Tips & Warnings

• It is worth the extra money to buy a guide that helps you in the sharpening process. You push the plane along the sharpening stone with the guide.
• Don't make a habit of throwing your tools around (ever). This act will not only cause you lost tools, but those you do keep will be dull and almost unusable.

Resources

• M-Power Tools Shows a Complicated Blade Sharpening System
• Article on Tool Sharpening