The Ironbark infill block plane has been designed with an appreciation of historic block planes combined with modern materials and techniques to produce a traditionally looking tool with state-of-the-art function. The base of the plane is a single piece stainless steel sole machined to include the sides and bed for the blade. The blade, held at 12 degrees, is controlled by both a depth adjuster and a lateral adjuster. Additionally, the mouth control is via a removable brass insert that can be modified as needed.
Besides the artistic appearance, most people are surprised at the weight as compared to the larger Stanley block plane. A heavy plane is advantageous on smaller planes: too light and the plane becomes hard to control and difficult to feel feedback, while too heavy and the plane gets fatiguing and uninspired. On larger planes, weight is the enemy, but it is difficult to have enough weight on a small block plane.
There are a number of design features in these planes that you will not see in any other low angle infill plane. For example, the body (sole and sides) is a single piece of stainless steel rather than two that get joined near the mouth. This makes a more stable tool, but it is physically impossible to machine without using hand work combined with creative modern machining techniques. Additionally, the wedge/lever cap is retained to the sides of the plane by two slots in the plane body which is a method that wouldn’t have been possible in the 1600’s-1800’s when these planes were first manufactured. This feature makes the entire plane lower profile and more comfortable to hold. The plane blades are bedded at 12 degrees which makes it ideal for end grain work. A low angle, bevel up plane can also have a variable cutting angle by sharpening the blade differently, so this plane can also be used at a high angle on figured wood, making the tool incredibly versatile. The single piece sole combined with the infill, this makes the plane extraordinarily robust as compared to a cast or molded design. Secondarily, the combined thick steel sole, dense sides and dense wood infill results in a heavy plane that flows through imperfections more easily.
Standard Infill woods: Gidgee, Ebony and Yarran.
The Low Angle (12 degree) combined with the blade set to 25-30 degrees results in a less than 45 degree angle. The blade is made from 18% Tungsten HSS (M2 High Speed Steel). This makes the blades especially resilient to abrasive and tough woods like we have in Australia. High speed steel will also stay sharp for longer and can be ground/sharpened on machines without as much risk of ruining the temper. A common misconception is that high speed steel cannot take as sharp an edge as carbon steels, but this is more of a factor of the heat treat method used to harden and temper the blade. In the case of the steel used, it’s been designed from the ground up specifically to be effective for woodworkers.
- Stainless Steel Sole and sides machined as one piece with the mouth set by a removable brass insert. Sole Flatness is better than 0.050mm (50 micron).
- Blade includes depth and lateral adjustments. Blade is 30mm wide by 110mm long and 3mm thick. Each blade is ground to a 25 degree angle then honed to final sharpness and tested to produce <0.001” shavings on hardwood. The standard blade is M2 18% Tungsten high speed steel (HSS) hardened to better than 60 HRC.
- Plane body is 37mm side by 135mm long (plus adjuster screw) with the mouth 75mm from the back.
- The mouth is set very tightly to about 0.015 inch (0.4mm) but has the ability to be changed by a removable brass insert. The brass insert is attached by a single screw and can be filed to become larger. Additional inserts can be easily made or purchased and will all start with a small mouth that can be made larger. Note, the insert can be made from wood as well as brass.
- Adjuster screw is Left Hand blade lateral adjuster/Right Hand into the body.
Lever Cap and Front Infill are from the same block of wood.
All components stainless steel, brass, HSS and wood.
Made in Australia.
Kit includes all of the metal pieces machined to correct dimensions but not finished to the final cosmetic surface effect (brushed, hammered,…). Instructions are included to make the two wood pieces.
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