Groove Planes
Groove planes are specialized woodworking tools designed explicitly to cut uniform, parallel grooves in wooden surfaces. These grooves form integral parts of various joinery methods, enabling strong, precise, and neat-fitting components in cabinetry, furniture-making, and panel construction.
Groove Planes - Fast Facts
- Purpose: Creating precise grooves for joinery and paneling
- Key Feature: Fixed or adjustable blades aligned parallel to edges
- Classic Makers: Stanley, Record, Marples
- Common Applications: Drawer bottoms, cabinet backs, tongue-and-groove joinery
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Groove Plane
Groove Plane
D.R.G.M. No. 22
Groove Plane
Historically significant since the early days of woodworking, groove planes have been fundamental in crafting durable joinery and assembling functional furniture. Manufacturers like Stanley, Record, and Marples popularized various models equipped with either fixed or adjustable blades and fences, allowing consistent and repeatable groove placement.
Groove planes differ notably from standard planes by their specific function—cutting straight, uniform channels into wood. Their specialized design provides consistent groove depths and widths, which are crucial in traditional woodworking practices such as frame-and-panel construction, drawer-bottom fitting, and tongue-and-groove assemblies.
'The groove plane is an unsung hero in woodworking, quietly ensuring precision in every joint.'
Historical Highlights
1700s – Early wooden versions integral to joinery and cabinetry
Late 1800s – Introduction of adjustable metal-bodied models by major manufacturers
Today – Valued by traditional craftsmen and woodworking enthusiasts
Today, groove planes have experienced a revival among woodworkers who cherish traditional joinery methods and appreciate the precision these tools offer. With their quiet, dust-free operation and unmatched control, groove planes provide a satisfying woodworking experience and produce precise, repeatable results that modern power tools often cannot replicate. Groove planes remain timeless tools, celebrated for their practicality and the fine craftsmanship they enable.