The Chairmaker Part II
4. The following planes are used with the common jointer's bench (Hobelbank) p. 144. The jointer plane (Füghobel) of the cabinetmaker, p. 34, is called the great plane (Grosse Hobel) by the chairmakers. It distinguishes itself in two ways from the jointer plane of the cabinetmaker. Firstly, it is smaller, and more significantly the cabinetmaker when planing grasps the plane by the stock itself whereas the chairmaker holds two wooden handles fixed to the stock of the plane. Among the hand planes (Faustholbeln)4, the scrub plane (Schroff or Schruffhobel) p. 34 is seldom employed, while it serves for use only on rough and irregular (dirty) surfaces, its rounded plane iron good for only coarse removal but easily resharpened when dulled on a rough and dirty board. The chairmaker understands the art of easily smoothing rough or irregular (dirty) lumber with the hatchet in preparation for smoothing. The smoothing plane (Schlichthobel) along with its use has already been mentioned on page 33. The upright or hardwood plane (Steil or Harthobel)5 is different from the smoothing plane only in that its plane iron is disproportionally steeper. It therefore cuts only lightly, and smooths the wood superiorly when it is irregular or has knots. Likewise, its casing is ofttimes made of iron so that its sole does not wear. The toothing plane (Zahnhobel) is similar to the smoothing plane except that the edge of its iron has teeth. The woodworkers use this plane to roughen the surface of the wood for better adhesion of glue. The compass plane (Rundhobel), fig. V, likewise differs from the smoothing plane in that its stock makes a shallow curve along its length. The chairmaker alone uses this plane on bent and curved surfaces. Additionally among his planes he owns hollows (Stabhobel, literally, "staff planes"), moulding planes (Kehlhobel)6, jointer planes (Handfughobel), rabbet planes (Gesimshobel) and ogee planes (Karniesshobel, literally "cornice planes") of different types. These planes have already been described in the second chapter, p. 35. Alone, these planes only work in service when a moulding is to be worked out along a straight line. The chairmaker often fashions moulding in a shallow curve in which case instead of a plane he selects the gouges (Hohleissen) and other chisels which are named as follows.
4 The smaller hand-held planes all fall under the general heading of Faustholbeln, literally fist planes or hand planes.
5 The Steil (steep or upright) or Hart (hardwood) hobel (plane) is described and illustrated by Sprengel in the cabinetmaker's chapter. It is used on veneer woods and metal (brass and other soft decorative metals).
6 Reading from Sprengel's writing about the carpenter and cabinetmaker, the term Kehlhobel evidently includes rounds as well as other moulding planes. Various other references refer to these planes as cutting chamfers, hollows, fluting, and moulding in general. The commonality seems to be that Kehlhobel cut concave profiles.
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