Paul Sellers' Poor-man's Toothing Plane Post & Video

Making the Poor-man’s Toothing Plane

What Do They Do?
We use toothing planes to give tooth to the surface of ground wood that forms the substrate wood for our veneer work. Toothing creates perfect parallel v-shaped cuts about 1mm (1/32") apart across the surface of the wood we are veneering. Criss-crossing creates a diamond pattern to that end. This surface preparation expands the surface area to double or more because of the chamfered sides of the cuts and also allows the glue to dissipate and distribute evenly rather than puddle between the inside surfaces. It's a practical solution used in furniture making.

Do You Need a Toothing Plane?

The answer is not really and not usually,  but you might need what the tool does. I recently bought a toothing plane made by Marples because of its condition and signage. Sometimes I worry that you might want to try something without the expense and effort it takes to acquire the tools and equipment and the last thing I want is for anyone to think that they can’t do something because they are ill-equipped. John and I filmed making a poor man’s toothing plane. It’s simple and effective and works to the same standard as a regular toothing plane. You can make one from what you already have in the form of a gents saw or buy a fine-toothed hacksaw blade. In this case I used an old gent’s saw from a car boot sale and also a junior hacksaw blade which worked equally the same. The advantage of the Junior hacksaw blade is you can keep it permanently and replace the blade when worn down. Any hacksaw blade will last a long time.

The YouTube Video on Making a Poor Man's Toothing Plane

We will put up the YouTube video later today all being well. It will show how simple it is to make this remarkable tool for just a few pence and a few minutes of your time.

A Few Simple Steps

I found the centre of a piece of 22mm x 45mm (ex 1” x 2”) stock along the 45mm face in making the plane shown here but less in size will work fine too. In the video I used two different sections of stock and then ended up using smaller section, about 18mm x 40mm (3/4" x 1 5/8").
On either side of the centre line I made a mark about 2mm (1/16”) away from the centre and then joined the line across the end to give me an angle. This angle is inconsequential and can be any angle even square. I found it best to have a trailing cut in use and so that’s why I did it this way.

Slide the saw down the angled cut until you are two inches or so longer than the blade you will use if you are using a gent’s saw blade. A junior hacksaw can be shorter because the blade won’t get in the way of the screws.

With the kerf cut sawn down but not yet all the way through, drill though one side and into the other with a 3mm (3/32”) drill bit. This will take the shank of the screw and leave enough wood for the threads to bite into the walls of the holes on other side.

Enlarge the holes on one side only. 5mm (3/16”).

Countersink the holes.

Use appropriate sized screws to unite the two pieces, slip the saw blade in place and cinch snug but not too tight. You must adjust the depth of protrusion first.

Press the saw blade onto a flat surface and adjust until the teeth just protrude 1mm and tighten the screws. Your Poor Man’s Toothing Plane is ready for use.