Using a Router Plane | Common Woodworking

Paul Sellers Router Plane Kit

In order to provide an affordable option, without compromising on utility and effectiveness, Paul has come up with his own Router Plane Kit. You can learn more about the kit, and the router plane that Paul now uses every day, here.

There are a couple of approaches when using a router plane to remove material to a specific depth. You can use a chisel to remove the bulk of the material and then go over it with a router, or you can make incremental depth changes with the router until the final depth is established.

Removing the bulk gallery:

Saw down the sides to stop the wood splitting when pare cutting with the chisel

Remove the bulk of the material using a chisel. You can use a hammer to strike the end, or the heel of your hand.

Though used to level out recesses, the router plane is not designed to remove a lot of material in one go.

You can use the router on both a push and a pull stroke. You can also add a wooden sole onto the plane sole, as wood on wood has much less friction when compared to metal. Metal can also mark lighter coloured woods. Adding an extension gives you a larger surface area with which to span the recesses of your work.

Tenon surfacing refers to the planing of a tenon cheek to level it. A router is often used as the final step before assembly.

Paul Sellers Router Plane Kit

Removing the bulk gallery:

Further Reading