How to Repair a Jack Plane

Jack planes are simple hand tools that smooth the surface of boards. The jack plane has two handles, one for each hand, to push the blade across the board and chisel the roughness out. There are few things that go wrong with jack planes. Most of the time the problem lies in the adjustments of the plane. If you need to repair a jack plane, check the adjustments first.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Safety glasses
• Test wood
• Vice to hold wood
• Screwdriver
• Bench grinder
• Water
• Fine-grit sharpening stone
• Lubricant or light oil
• Clean rag

1. Wear safety glasses any time you work with tools, regardless of whether they are hand or power tools. Bits of wood fly when you use a jack plane and have the potential to cause blindness.

2. Test the jack plane before you begin to cut to be certain you don't have to make a minor repair to the jack plane. Draw diagonal lines across a piece of test wood. Secure the test wood in a vice or grip and run the plane over the surface.

3. See if the cut is even throughout the width of the plane. You can tell that it isn't if only part of the line you drew is gone. If the jack plane only cuts on one side of the board, you need to check the lateral adjustment lever. The lateral adjustment lever is right above the rear handle and moves side to side.

4. See if chunks of wood catch in the mouth of the plane. Use the adjustment nut that is directly in front of the back handle. Turn the circle to make the cut smaller and test to see that it cuts correctly.

5. Look to see if the blade on the jack plane is loose. If the blade gouges then you need to tighten it. Take off the cam lever cap to expose the screw. Use a screwdriver to tighten the blade down.

6. Wait for a nice roll of wood to appear. If the blade still doesn't give you the cut you want, you need to sharpen the blade. This repair to the jack plane is a little more complicated. Remove the blade and inspect it closely for nicks and burrs. If you find any, grind the edge on a bench grinder and use a medium-grit for the wheel. As you hold the tip on the wheel, move the blade side to side and keep it square to remove the nick. Cool the blade if necessary, with water.

7. Begin a rough grind on the beveled edge. Frequently cool the blade in water as you grind the bevel to a 25-degree angle. Finish the honing process with a sharpening stone. Put oil on the stone as a lubricant and pull the blade across at a 25-degree angle as you keep the bevel flat to the stone. Lift after each pass. Wipe the stone and reapply oil when necessary. Once the blade is sharp, replace it and complete the repair to the jack plane.