Length 24.1cm x Width 3.9cm x Height 15.2cm
a- Length 24.1cm x Width 3.9cm x Height 8.2cm
b- Length 18.0cm x Width 2.6cm x Height 0.8cm
c- Length 19.5cm x Width 2.2cm x Height 0.3cm
Wooden cove molding plane comprised of three parts, a wooden rectangular body with a cove sole/profile (a), a wooden wedge piece with a tapered bottom and a round curved top (b), and an iron with a narrow stem and a wide blade edge at the bottom (c). The blade and the wedge fit together inside of the main body, and extend out of the top of the plane. The wedge holds the iron in place so that the iron's cutting edge is exposed out of the bottom of the plane, and aligns with the sole. Stamped on the plane's heel is "I BLOWER". Stamped on the toe of the plane is "I BLOWER", and "H. SHARP DUBLIN".
Though they consist of only three parts—a body, a blade, and a wedge—molding planes are actually complex precision tools. The sole is shaped to the reverse of the molding and the bedding angle of the blade (its pitch) is directly related to the material it is intended to cut: 45º for softwoods, 50º for general use and 55° to 60º for hardwoods. Some planes have strips of a dense wood (usually boxwood, though lignum vitae was occasionally used in early planes) inserted where the sole receives the greatest wear. Known as boxing, these strips extend the life of the tool. During the first few passes, the plane may be tilted or ‘sprung’, with its fence running along the edge of the work. Springing gives greater control, but it also allows the mouth to be of a consistent width to support the shaving and take a smooth cut. Multiple passes take wider and wider shavings until the integral depth stop makes contact and the molding is complete.
