The English Woodworker

Learn Woodworking Online

  • Blog
    • Video Posts
    • Hand Tools
    • Techniques
    • Workbenches
    • All Posts
  • The Videos
    • The Nest of Tables
    • Build A Danish Stool
    • The Trestle Table
    • The Industrial Desk
    • Build A Retro Sideboard – Online Video Series
    • Build A French Workbench
    • The Raw Edge Coffee Table
    • Chair Building – The Basics.
    • Build A Hall Table
    • Get Sharp – Sharpening Edge Tools
    • The Side Table & Bridle Guides
    • How To Build A Workbench – Online Video Series
    • The Spoon Rack – Hand Tool Course
  • About Us
  • Gallery
  • LOGIN

18th Century Cornice Plane (Video)

October 3, 2012 By Richard Maguire 1 Comment

We had a great time at the recent European Woodworking show and have a few snippets to share with you over the coming weeks. My favourite moment was trying out an antique moulding plane brought along by Richard Arnold. This was my first encounter with Richard and what a fantastic chap he is! He’s genuinely passionate about what he does, collecting and researching old planes, if you have a query about a makers mark than he’s the man to know!

At 5 ½” wide this particular plane was fascinating just to look at but Richard had been curious about whether it would still perform so what else could we do but give it a go? To cut a full cornice moulding with one plane takes some doing so there’s a rope attached which the apprentice would use to pull (in this case me) to aid the craftsman (Richard A) pushing the plane through the cut. Richard (Arnold) roughly cut away some of the waste material with smaller planes first and we finished up the cut with the beast. The plane did a cracking job resulting in a very crisp finish on the moulding (and a cracking job of pulling our backs out!).

Working with planes like this would no doubt have required a tank of a workbench. I’m imaging specialist benches built for this purpose, 12’ or more in length to allow full runs of cornice. That’s our 6’ Artisan workbench and Maguire Wagon Vice being tested in the video. I was half expecting this little bench to move at least a smidge under this use but I was pleasantly surprised to see it didn’t even shift a mil!

There’s some great photos and more details on David Barron’s blog about this plane Monster Moulding Plane

Richard Arnold has a website here which is definitely worth a look Old Wood Planes He puts a lot of his time in to researching these old planes so if you can offer any other unusual finds I’m certain he’d be very interested. The woodworking world needs more chaps like him!

 

Filed Under: Woodworking Hand Tools

Related Posts

What hand saw is best for ripping?
Which Saws Are Best For Ripping Thick Stuff? [Video]
Fillister plane for accurate breadboard ends
My Posh Fillister Plane is Just a Roughing Tool
Make your own woodworking clamps
Quick Homemade Clamps – Small & Large [with video]

About Richard Maguire

As a professional hand tool woodworker, Richard found hand tools to be the far more efficient solution for a one man workshop.
Richard runs 'The English Woodworker' as an online resource and video education for those looking for a fuss free approach to building fine furniture by hand.
Learn More About Richard & The English Woodworker.

« Does it Hold?
Workbench Designs »

Comments

  1. patrick anderson says

    October 23, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    I remember Jim Kingshott mentioning about huge all in one moulding planes and that the apprentice would have to pull while the master pushed.

    He also mentioned about the puller getting clouted with a bit of 4×2 if he didn’t pull straight 😉

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to future posts:

 

Subscribe to future posts:

  • Blog
  • The Videos
  • Sign Up!
  • Contact Us
  • Keep Up To Date
  • LOGIN
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Latest Posts

  • Which Saws Are Best For Ripping Thick Stuff? [Video]
  • How do I Sharpen a Router Plane? [Q & A Video]
  • Bench Top Edge Jointing [with Video]
  • Blog
  • The Videos
  • Sign Up!
  • Contact Us
  • Keep Up To Date
  • LOGIN
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2023 · The English Woodworker

Scroll Up