L: 24.2cm W: 1.3cm H: 13.3cm
a- L: 24.2cm W: 1.3cm H: 8.4cm
b- L: 13.1cm W: 2.3cm H: 0.6cm
c- L: 12.5cm W: 1.2cm H: 0.2cm
A wooden dado plane consisting of 3 parts.
a- The body is rectangular and made of a brown hardwood. The width is consistent throughout. The throat cuts diagonally through the body just right of centre and the mouth is exposed on both sides. There is a small hole in the top of the body near the toe. The mouth is bell-shaped. The sole is flat. A metal nicker is embedded in the sole at the toe end to cut two spurs ahead of the blade. Stamps on the toe read: "GABRIE(L)"; "J. BREMRIDGE"; "I BLOWER". A stamp on the heel reads "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 a parabolic form on the other. A curved cut-out below the head allows for easy handling.
c- The iron is a narrow strip of dark-grey metal. It abruptly widens near the cutting edge. The cutting edge is flat and perpendicular to the length. The width of the cut is 1/2".
Dado planes are used to cut dado grooves, strict rectangular grooves with straight bottoms and shoulders. Dado grooves are worked across the grain. 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.
