Jointer plane facts for kids
A jointing plane is a special tool used in woodworking. It helps woodworkers make the edges of wooden boards perfectly straight and smooth. This is important so that two boards can fit together very tightly, like puzzle pieces.
What Does a Jointing Plane Do?
Imagine you have two pieces of wood you want to join together. If their edges are not perfectly flat, there will be gaps. A jointing plane shaves off tiny bits of wood. It makes the edge super straight. This way, when you push the two boards together, they meet without any spaces. This is called "jointing" the wood.
How Big Are They?
Jointing planes are usually quite long. They can be between 18 to 24 inches (about 45 to 60 centimeters) long. This length helps the plane stay straight as it glides along the wood. It has a sharp blade that is about 2 and 3/8 inches wide. You use your hands to push and guide the plane.
The Fore Plane
There is also a slightly shorter version of the jointing plane. It is called a fore plane. A fore plane is usually around 18 inches (457 millimeters) long. It can be used for similar tasks. Sometimes, it is used to remove more wood quickly before using a longer jointer plane for the final, precise cut.
