L: 23.3cm W: 2.4cm H: 14.0cm
a- L: 23.3cm W: 2.4cm H: 8.4cm
b- L: 14.3cm W: 2.0cm H: 0.6cm
c- L: 15.6cm W: 1.3cm H: 0.3cm
d- L: 15.0cm W: 2.2cm H: 0.7cm
e- L: 18.7cm W: 1.3cm H: 0.3cm
A wooden 1/2" dado plane consisting of 5 parts.
a- The body is made of brown hardwood with a yellow tint. It is rectangular in shape. The front side is completely flat, whereas the back side has a rabbet at the bottom to accommodate the blades. The mouth is wide and bell-shaped. On the back side, a brass plate is attached near the toe and acts as a fence. It is secured with a slotted iron screw. Stamps on the toe read: "DRYBURGH/N.E. HOPE/ONT"; "J.H."; "I BLOWER". Stamps on heel read: "I BLOWER".
b- The wedge is made of a hardwood similar to the body. It tapers to a point on one end and is rounded in an elliptical form on the other.
c- The double spur iron is a long, narrow piece of dark grey metal. It widens abruptly near the cutting edge. On the bottom, there are two spurs on each end of the width. The metal between them is slight convexed.
d- The wedge is made of the same hardwood as the body. It tapers to a chamfered point on one end and is rounded in an elliptical form on the other. A small cutout beneath the head allows for easy handling.
e- The cutting iron is a long narrow piece of dark grey metal. It abruptly widens near the cutting edge. The cutting edge is straight and perpendicular to the length. The cutting width is 1/2".
Dado planes are used to cut dado grooves, strict rectangular grooves with straight bottoms and shoulders. A double spur is installed in front of the cutting iron, and cuts two trenches on either side of the blade. This way, the blade can dig out material with minimal tear-out and exceptionally clean lines. This plane was traditionally used for preliminary work in wood floors or to cut grooves for bookcase shelves. When working across the grain, the artist must first make a reverse stroke to ensure the double spur cuts through the surface of the wood.
