🪚 How to Use a Bench Plane – Step-by-Step Guide from the Workshop
Whether you're a DIY enthusiast, woodworking student, or just curious about hand tools, you're in the right place. I'm the guy behind Bluewood Handyman, where I share real, hands-on advice straight from my workshop.
This blog goes hand-in-hand with my YouTube channel, where I create videos showing the tools, techniques, and behind-the-scenes processes that go into woodworking projects—big or small.
In today’s post, I’m taking a moment to get reacquainted with my gear and warm up for more in-depth videos. While doing that, I thought I’d walk through one of the most fundamental woodworking tools: the bench plane.
So, if you've ever wondered how to get smooth, square edges on your timber—or you're just curious how to actually use one of these tools—this quick tutorial is for you.
Let’s jump into how to properly use a bench plane, one step at a time.
🛠️ What You'll Need
A bench plane
Scrap timber
A solid workbench
Time and patience!
Step 1: Get Set Up
Before you start planing, secure your timber on a stable surface. If the wood is moving around, it's “bloody pointless” trying to use a hand plane effectively.
➡️ Tip: Use clamps or a proper bench stop.
Step 2: Stand the Right Way
Stability is key.
Plant your feet shoulder-width apart or wider. Don’t walk through the timber—stand your ground and use your bodyweight to push the plane.
Think of it like dancing—your feet stay still, and your body moves!
Step 3: Grip the Plane Properly
Use both hands:
Rear hand grips the handle (3 fingers and a thumb)
Front hand rests on the knob
⚠️ Why two hands?
Because later, when you move on to power tools, it becomes a safety habit. Always keep your hands above the blade, not near or under it.
Step 4: Understand the Parts
Toe = front of the plane
Heel = back of the plane
Sole = flat underside
Blade = cutting edge
➡️ Start planing with downward pressure on the toe, then shift to the center, and finally to the heel as you finish the stroke.
Step 5: Apply Consistent Pressure
Push the plane forward using body pressure, not just your arms. Keep the sole flat to the timber the whole time.
🎯 Goal: Create flat, even shavings
⛔ Don't lift too early or too late—this causes curved cuts in your timber.
Step 6: Adjust the Blade
Use the depth adjustment wheel to:
Increase blade depth = thicker shavings
Decrease blade depth = finer shavings
Try a few runs to see how it feels. Tweak as needed.
Some people like the blade angled slightly—it gives more of a slicing motion.
Step 7: Practice Planing
Now the fun starts. Run the plane along your timber:
Try different angles
Notice how the plane reacts to knots
Adjust based on how the wood feels
💡 This is where you really get to know your tool.
Step 8: Check Your Work
Look down the edge of the timber:
Is it square?
Is it flat?
Are the shavings thin and even?
🔍 If it’s not square, you might need to slightly tilt the plane as you work. Having pencil guide lines helps for accuracy.
Step 9: Safety & Clean-Up
- Never clean the plane with metal tools – you’ll dull the blade.
- Don't put your fingers near the mouth of the plane when adjusting.
- Store the tool with a little tension backed off the blade.
🔁 Final Thoughts
This was just a quick intro to bench planes. I’ll be doing a deeper dive into:
All the plane parts
Disassembling and cleaning
Other types of bench planes
For now, this was just me getting warmed up in a cold workshop—and hopefully helping a few of you get started with hand planing.
🎥 Watch the Video Tutorial
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