Toothing Planes

On more than one occasion have I demonstrated the toothing plane, an antique tool used in veneering and marquetry. What is a toothing plane? It is a specialty plane that has an iron with serrated teeth which is used in preparing groundwork for the reception of veneer. Brought into existence during the age of hide glue it is still used today, but only by those that believe in its usefulness. During the 1920‘s, the Forest Product Labratories tested blocks of wood that had been laminated with and without their surfaces scored before gluing. In the majority of the samples that had scoring - they also survived a shear test longer. Modern glues, however, have rendered it as an unnecessary tool.

Still, there are applications where it is essential in giving the glue a good bite on materials that are non-porous such as brass. In those cases both the groundwork and the material being laid are worked over. This is done by stroking the toothing plane perpendicular to the sides and diagonally until the surface is evenly scored. Another instance of its use is the removal of high spots or gnarl-wood on an otherwise flat board. It can remove a lot of material in a short period of time.

Below is my toothing plane made in England during the 19th-century. It is made of Beech and the iron is stamped Moulson Brothers. I bought it 15 years ago and today it is valued at twice that much. Old tools never die, they live on in another man’s hand.