93-12.54
Object Name
Plane, Fillister
Artist/Maker
Way & Sherman
Date Made
c. 1850
Materials
Wood --Metal
Catalogue Number
93-12.54
Dimensions

L: 23.8cm W: 11.5cm H: 14.3cm
a- L: 23.8cm W: 2.5cm H: 8.1cm
b- L: 23.8cm W: 3.4cm H: 8.5cm
c & d- L: 17.0cm W: 2.4cm H: 0.7cm
e- L: 18.0cm W: 2.0cm H: 0.3cm
f- L: 18.0cm W: 1.7cm H: 0.3cm
g & h- L: 12.0cm W: 2.5cm H: 2.5cm
i & j- L: 5.0cm W: 3.8cm H: 3.8cm

Description

A wooden sash fillister plane consisting of 10 parts.
a- The first half of the body is rectangular and made of a dark brown hardwood. A cheek protrudes from the bottom 2/3 of the piece. The throat is exposed through the cheek. Two hole on either side of the throat run widthwise through the body and hold the screws (g&h). The backside has two dowels sticking out to fit into the other half of the body (b). The sole is flat. Stamps on the toe read: "N.YORK"; "(J) HUTTON"; "I BLOWER"; "I BL". Stamps on the heel read "I BLOWE(R)"; "WER".
b- The second half of the body is almost identical to the first. The back side has two shallow holes to fit with the dowels from part (a). The sole is slightly curved concavely with two wooden fences embedded into the sole. Stamps on the toe read: "WAY & SHERM(AN)"; "OWER"; "L S"; "I BLOWER". Stamps on the heel read: "I BLO"; "S"; "I BLOWER".
c & d- Identical wedges made of the same hardwood as the body. They taper to a point on one end and are rounded on the other. They come to a sharp corner at the very top. A shallow cut-out below the head allows for easy handling.
e- The first iron is a narrow strip of grey metal. It abruptly widens near the cutting edge. The cutting edge is straight and perpendicular to the length. the width of the cut is 13/16".
f- The second iron is a narrow strip f grey metal. It abruptly widens near the cutting edge. The cutting edge is flat and perpendicular to the length, with a small concave curve along the right edge. The width of the cut is 5/8".
g & h- Identical large wooden screws. They are made of the same hardwood as the body. A wooden cylindrical cap sits at one end while the other is rounded. There are 8 threads per inch.
i & j- Identical wooden knobs. They are threaded inside to fit the wooden screws (g & h). Their profile is a simple ogee curve with a small bead at the top and a straight base.

History

These sash planes are used to build sash window frames. Two blades work simultaneously on a single workpiece. One, the grooving or rabbet iron, cuts a groove for the glass window pane to sit in. The other, the sash or other molding plane, cuts the decorative profile of the window frame. In some cases, the distance between the cutting irons can be adjusted, so the plane can be used for several different projects.