Get One of the Best Jack Planes: The Jack of All Trades!

What Is a Jack Plane?

A jack plane refers to a general-purpose, handheld woodworking tool. It has a flat, narrow base with an angled blade. As you move it along a wooden surface, the blade scrapes and shaves material.

This particular function makes jack planes suitable for two important tasks, including:

Downsizing

This scraping movement allows for removing unwanted and unnecessary wood and allows you to trim sides and edges smoothly.

Smoothing and finishing

Most wood surfaces are rough and textured. A jack plane can help remove this top layer and smooth wood for a finished look.

Both DIYers and professionals find jack planes to be versatile, productive tools. They can use this simple product for altering wood in whatever way they want. Plus, these items come at extremely affordable prices.

Are Jack Planes Smoothing Planes?

While jack planes may help with smoothing wood surfaces, they are not the same as smoothing planes. Both planes have different structures and functions. A smoothing plane is a highly specialized tool that helps produce very smooth and flat surfaces.

The smoothing plane’s fundamental objective is making wood suitable for polishing and finishing. Meanwhile, jack planes merely flatten surfaces. Some other types of planes often confused with jack planes include:

Jack Planes vs Bench Planes

Bench planes refer to heavy-duty tools used for flattening and smoothing long wood panels. Comparatively, a jack plane is a type of bench plane that is smaller and lighter, and is best for high-precision, detailed work.

Jack Planes vs Block Planes

Similar to a jack plane, a block plane falls in the fine woodworking category. However, it has a smaller and lower-angled blade. Most craftsmen use block planes exclusively for trimming edges and fitting joints.

Features To Consider When Buying a Jack Plane

Woodworking tools are not the type of products you want to buy repeatedly. After purchasing one, you will have to accept its performance or spend valuable time and money going through the buying process again. To avoid that kind of hassle, it’s good to consider the purchase an investment and choose the ideal product in the first place.

To do so, you’ll have to analyze the product’s ability to satisfy your particular needs. Does it have all the features to complete a task efficiently? Use the list of criteria below for evaluating a jack plane.

Dimensions

Jack planes are available in small, medium, and large sizes. The one you should choose depends on your particular project type. For example, if precision-cutting and detailed woodworking is your primary concern, opt for a smaller jack plane.

It will provide you with the control and stability required for precise cuts and shaping. Conversely, large jack planes are great for downsizing and smoothing wide wood panels. Meanwhile, medium sizes work well with all projects.

Apart from overall measurements, you should consider blade thickness, it determines the cut depth and a blade’s longevity. While thinner blades scrape finely, they do not withstand pressure and bend well. In some cases, a blade may even break, risking severe injury.

So, always look for a moderately thick blade around 2 mm. If your work doesn’t require fine scraping, it’s better to opt for thicker blades of 3-3.5 mm.

Blade angle

The angle of a blade has a significant impact on its performance. Generally, there are two blade positions; high-angled (<45 degrees) and low-angled (>45 degrees). The high-angled models scrape surfaces gently, making them perfect for finishing and smoothing.

Comparatively, low-angled blades shave and slice surfaces deeply. They are suitable for rough stages of woodworking, where faster speed is a priority over smooth results. All that being said, you can also find jack planes with adjustable builds.

These planes feature knobs for altering the angle and height of a blade. So, you can use one jack plane to achieve a variety of different results.

Material

The construction of a jack plane directly affects its durability. So, you should look for the ideal materials used in each part of the tool, including:

High carbon steel (Blade)

This is a rigid and strong steel type with powerful resistance against abrasion. You can expect these blades to withstand extreme force and pressure, remaining straight and rust-free for years.

Cast-iron (Base)

Cast-iron bases may be heavy, but they are also the most stable options. They won’t move or shake, improving accuracy. Plus, these bases won’t corrode or rust.

Steel (Screws)

Screws hold a structure together, so they must be hard and strong. Most jack planes feature brass screws for aesthetics. However, avoid these because brass is much weaker than steel.

For handles, wood and steelwork equally well, the material in the handle has little impact on the tool’s longevity. However, it does very much influence user comfort.

Grip

Since woodworking takes time, the handle should have an ergonomic design, so that you can hold the tool comfortably. It should also have a slight curve or angle, providing a steady hold on the tool. The presence of textured surfaces further enhances the control and works to prevent slipping.

How Much Should You Spend on Jack Planes?

Jack planes are typically affordable woodworking tools. However, considering the given brand and offered features, you will come across three price ranges, including:

Budget-Friendly

These jack planes are efficient in performance with sharp, angled blades and ergonomic handles. You can also find sturdy builds made from cast iron and steel. However, there are limitations to their functionality.

Mid-Range

Mid-range jack planes take things to the next level by offering adjustability and modifiable builds, allowing you to tune the tool according to your needs. They also feature better quality materials such as high-carbon steel.

Premium

All jack planes in the premium range are vintage. They offer well-preserved traditional builds delivering outstanding performance. However, it's better not to choose these jack planes unless you're an extremely passionate collector.