Fine Woodworking

Fine Woodworking Project Guides

Handplanes

Guide Home

Video

Handplane Fundamentals: Why You Need Handplanes

Learn about the different types of planes and why you need them.

By Michael Pekovich #284-Sep/Oct 2020 Issue

Nothing exemplifies the quality of an accomplished and experienced woodworker better than the full command of handplanes. In this online video class, teacher and furniture maker Mike Pekovich leads you on the journey toward a mastery of handplanes.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.

Videos in the Series

Handplane Fundamentals: Why You Need Handplanes

October 4, 2016

Learn about the different types of planes and why you need them.
Handplane Fundamentals: Grain, Tearout, and Blade Angle

October 4, 2016

To prevent tearout, you must understand what causes it.
Handplane Fundamentals: Sharpening

October 11, 2016

You'll never get a handplane to perform the way you want it to until you get the blade truly sharp.
Handplane Fundamentals: The Block Plane

October 18, 2016

Whether for edge treatments or end grain, the block plane will be one of your most used handplanes.
Handplane Fundamentals: Shoulder and Smoothing Planes

October 25, 2016

How to set up and use a shoulder plane and smoothing plane.
Handplane Fundamentals: The Jack Plane

November 1, 2016

The last to fill out Mike's essential plane kit is the jack plane. With its longer sole, it is perfect for flattening stock quickly. You'll reach for it often.
Handplane Fundamentals: Special-Purpose Planes

November 8, 2016

The bevel up smoother and spokeshave are two tools you'll want to make room for in your tool cabinet. Mike Pekovich shows you why.
Handplane Fundamentals: The Card Scraper

November 15, 2016

The card scraper is your first tool to grab to clean up any plane tracks or minor tearout left behind by your planes.
Securing Work on the Bench

November 29, 2016

Mike Pekovich shows you the features he looks for in his workbenches and reviews some work-holding accessories that help him get the most out of his planes.
Handplane Fundamentals: Prepping Furniture Parts

December 6, 2016

How to use a variety of hand tools to fit joinery, refine furniture parts, and smooth surfaces.
Handplane Fundamentals: Flat and Smooth

December 13, 2016

Learn to add delicate chamfers to parts and to prep surfaces for a finish.
Recommended resources: Fundamentals of Handplanes

June 18, 2020

Check out our collection of articles specifically picked to help with this series.

X

X

Previous: The Types of Handplanes Next: The Essential Handplanes

Comments

jverreault | Oct 18, 2016 02:25pm | #1
Excellent intro to planes. Mike's videos are always a pleasure to watch and they always hit the learning target(s) squarely where they need to so that the lesson points are driven home. Thanks for a great video.
SanTang | Oct 18, 2016 04:10pm | #2
Any reason why I cannot see the video?

FWW Editor

BenStrano | Oct 19, 2016 10:03am | #3
Working on my end. Might have just been a glitch.

user-1092980 | Mar 04, 2018 11:58pm | #4
I can not see the video - though FW had their act together

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Handplanes

Handplanes

All you need to know about choosing and using these versatile, must-have hand tools.

View Project Guide

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Handplanes Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

All About Handplanes

Planes for Surfacing and Smoothing

Planes for Joinery and Shaping

Block Planes

Scrapers and Scratch Stocks

UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

Start Free Trial Upgrade Membership