Monday, September 5, 2011

Study of Moving Fillister Plane


My antique moving fillister plane, showing a corner I've rabbeted with it, and the shavings it produces. It can be used with the grain like a rabbet plane, or with the nicker down, across the grain.

A reader in the UK saw my moving fillister plane in use while I was building a Portable Toolbox (the post also includes details of preparing the iron and nicker). He was interested in more detailed photos to help him answer some questions he has restoring a sash fillister plane. So here in excruciating detail is a photo study of the plane.

According to John Whelan's The Wooden Plane: Its History, Form and Function, "fillister" is the English term, while "filletster" is the US term. Because "standing fillisters" with a fixed fence were largely unknown in the US, "filletster" alone generally refers to one with a moving fence. This one is marked "G.W. Denison and Co. Winthrop Conn." I don't know the year, but I assume late 1800's. Part of the boxing is loose and needs to be reglued; I've removed it for several of the photos so you can see how it fits.

I've uploaded slightly higher resolution photos than usual. Click on any photo to see that larger image.


Right side view. The wooden folding rule is 12" long, and the metal square is 4".


Left side view.


Bottom view.


Another view of the bottom with the loose boxing removed.


Detail of one of the screws that hold the fence, with square brass washer and wear plate.


The plane disassembled, except for the depth stop adjuster.


Closeup of the depth stop assembly.


With the depth stop adjuster removed. Note the hole in the bottom of the mortise; it accepts the end of the adjustment screw.


The depth stop adjuster assembly. The unthreaded end of the screw fits in the hole noted above. The screw has a garter underneath the plate; a pin secures the garter through the screw.


Right angle view of the adjuster.


Another view.


The adjuster with the depth stop attached. The flat back of the stop rides up and down the adjustment slot as the nut travels along the screw.


Right side of the bare body.


Top view of the body.


Bottom view with the boxing removed.


Detail showing how the boxing fits.


Another view from the top.


Detail view of the body cuts for the iron, nicker, and depth stop.


View of the cuts from the top. Note that the iron is bedded at a skew.

Some of the photo angles can be a little misleading, so if you have questions about specific angles or dimensions, let me know and I'll add them to the post. It would be great to see someone build a reproduction. I know there are people out with the machining skills to make the depth stop assembly. The rest is largely just a typical moulding plane, plus the fence.

(Continue to part 2)

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