What is Plane (tool)?
[[File:Hoevl.jpg|alt=A wooden plane|left|300x300px|A plane]] A '''plane''' is a [[tool]] for shaping [[wood]]. Planes are used to flatten, reduce the thickness of, and impart a smooth surface to a rough piece of [[lumber]]. As the name implies, the tool turns the worked surface into a smooth [[plane_(mathematics)|plane]], a level, even surface. Hand planes are generally the combination of a cutting edge, such as a sharpened metal plate, attached to a firm body, that when moved over a wood surface, take up relatively uniform shavings, by nature of the body riding on the 'high spots' in the wood, and also by providing a relatively constant angle to the cutting edge, render the planed surface very smooth. Hand planes are ancient, originating thousands of years ago. Early planes were made from wood and blades first from [[bronze]] and later from [[iron]] and even later from [[steel]]. The cutting blade or iron was held in place with a wooden [[Wedge (mechanics)|wedge]]. ==Parts of a Plane== [[File:Plane_parts.jpg|thumb|300px|Parts of a plane]] Two styles of plane are shown with some parts labeled. The top of the image is a bench plane; the bottom is a block plane. * A: The '''Mouth''' is an opening in the bottom of the plane down through which the blade extends, and up through which wood shavings pass. * B: The '''Iron''' is a plate of steel with a sharpened edge which cuts the wood. * C: The '''Lever cap''' holds the blade down firmly to the body of the plane. * D: The '''Depth adjustment knob''' controls how far the blade extends through the mouth. * E: The '''Knob''' is a handle on the front of the plane. * F: The '''Chipbreaker''' or '''Cap iron''' serves to make the blade more rigid and to curl and break apart wood shavings as they pass through the mouth. * G: The '''Lateral adjustment lever''' is used to adjust the iron so that the depth of cut is uniform across the mouth. * H: The '''Tote''' is a handle on the rear of the plane. * I: The '''Finger rest knob''' Block planes are held in the palm of the hand t