90-13.29
Object Name
Plane, Jointer
Artist/Maker
Wallace
Materials
Wood --Iron
Catalogue Number
90-13.29
Dimensions

Length 65.6cm x Width 8.2cm x Height 17.0cm
a- Length 65.6cm x Width 8.2cm x Height 17.0cm
b- Length 16.2cm x Width 6.4cm x Height 1.7cm
c- Length 17.1cm x Width 6.5cm x Height 1.0cm

Description

Large jointer leveling plane comprised of three parts, a large rectangular wooden body with a flat sole and a wooden handle on the top of the plane towards the heel of the plane (a), a rectangular wooden wedge (b), and a flat rectangular iron (c). The wedge and the iron fit together inside of an angled cutout in the middle of the plane and the wedge holds the iron in place as the plane runs across the wood surface below. Stamped on the toe of the plane is "WALLACE MONTREAL", "C. ROSS", and "I BLOWER". Stamped on the heel is "I BLOWER" and "26". Stamped on the wedge is "E. CHARLES". Stamped on the iron is "ROBT SORBY WARRANTED CAST STEEL".

History

The jointer plane, also known as the try plane or trying plane, is a type of hand plane used in woodworking to straighten the edges of boards in the process known as jointing, and to flatten the faces of larger boards. Its long length is designed to 'ride over' the undulations of an uneven surface, skimming off the peaks, gradually creating a flatter surface. In thicknessing or preparing rough stock, the jointer plane is usually preceded by the fore plane or jack plane and followed by the smoothing plane. The use of the name jointer plane dates back to at least the 17th century, referring to the process of readying the edges of boards for jointing. The terms try plane, trying plane, and trueing plane have been in use since at least the 19th century. As with other hand planes, jointer planes were originally made with wooden bodies. But, since the development of the metal-bodied hand plane at the end of the 19th century, wooden-bodied jointers have been largely superseded. Metal-bodied planes are heavier, which is particularly noticeable for planes as large as jointers. This can make metal-bodied jointers more tiring to use for extended periods of time.