Plane Spares

About Plane Spares

Plane spares are essential replacement components and repair kits designed to keep hand planes in optimal working condition. Whether you're maintaining a traditional bench plane, a rebate plane, or a specialist woodworking plane, having access to quality spares ensures your tools deliver precise, consistent results for years to come. These components include everything from lever caps, adjustment nuts and screws to complete handle kits, fence assemblies and fixing hardware.

Maintaining hand planes with genuine replacement parts is crucial for professional woodworkers, joiners and cabinetmakers who rely on these precision tools daily. Over time, components can wear, become damaged or simply go missing during transport between jobs. Tooled-Up.com stocks a range of plane spares from trusted manufacturers like Faithfull, ensuring tradespeople and serious DIY enthusiasts can restore their planes to factory-fresh performance rather than replacing entire tools.

From complete handle kits for No 4, 5, 6, 7 and No 10 planes to specialist fence kits for 778 rebate planes, the right spares can transform a worn or incomplete tool back into a reliable workhorse. These components are engineered to exact specifications, maintaining the tight tolerances required for precise woodworking. Whether you're refurbishing a vintage plane or keeping a modern tool in top condition, quality spares represent a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new equipment.

Jargon Buster

• Lever Cap: The hinged metal component that secures the plane iron (blade) in position. It applies pressure to keep the cutting edge stable during use and can be quickly released for blade adjustments or sharpening.
• Fence Kit: An accessory assembly for rebate planes that guides the tool parallel to the workpiece edge, ensuring consistent rebate widths. Typically includes attachment rods, a fence rail and mounting screws.
• Adjuster Nut: The brass or metal wheel mechanism that allows fine adjustment of the blade depth, controlling how much material the plane removes with each pass.
• Rebate Plane: A specialist plane designed to cut recesses (rebates or rabbets) along the edge of timber, commonly used in joinery for creating joints or fitting panels.
• Fixing Kit: A service kit containing the various screws, bolts, rods and fasteners needed to assemble or repair a plane, often including replacement parts for commonly worn components.
• Handle Kit: Replacement front knob (tote) and rear handle assembly, complete with mounting hardware, used to restore comfortable control and grip to bench planes.

Who Uses Plane Spares?

• Joiners and Cabinetmakers: Professionals who rely on hand planes for fine furniture work, door hanging and bespoke joinery requiring regular maintenance and occasional part replacement.
• Carpenters and Chippies: Site-based tradespeople who use planes for fitting work, trimming timber and general carpentry tasks where tools take regular knocks and wear.
• Restoration Specialists: Craftspeople who refurbish antique furniture or restore period properties, often maintaining collections of vintage planes that require period-correct spares.
• Woodworking Enthusiasts: Serious hobbyists and DIY woodworkers who invest in quality hand tools and prefer to maintain and repair rather than replace their equipment.
• Tool Collectors and Restorers: Individuals who acquire vintage or second-hand planes and bring them back to working condition using appropriate replacement components.
• Training Workshops and Colleges: Educational facilities teaching traditional woodworking skills where student tools require frequent maintenance and part replacement.

How to Choose the Right Plane Spares

The most critical factor when selecting plane spares is ensuring compatibility with your specific plane model. Bench planes are typically numbered (No 4, No 5, etc.), whilst specialist planes like the 778 rebate plane have unique part specifications. Always verify the plane type, model number and manufacturer before ordering components, as dimensions and fixing points can vary significantly between models.

Consider the quality and material of replacement parts. Browse the selection at Tooled-Up.com for spares manufactured to original specifications, ensuring proper fit and longevity. Brass adjuster nuts, hardwood handles and precision-machined metal components will outlast cheaper alternatives and maintain the plane's performance characteristics. For frequently replaced items like fixing screws and adjustment mechanisms, purchasing complete service kits often provides better value than individual components.

For fence kits and guide assemblies, verify the rod diameter and hole centre measurements match your plane's specifications. The 778 fence kit, for example, requires 8mm diameter rods with 139.5mm hole centres. Incorrect measurements will prevent proper attachment and compromise cutting accuracy. If you're restoring an older plane or working with a less common model, take careful measurements of existing components or consult manufacturer specifications before ordering.

Think about whether you need a complete kit or individual components. Handle kits provide both front and rear grips with all mounting hardware, ideal for comprehensive restoration. However, if only a single component has failed—such as a cracked lever cap or stripped adjuster nut—purchasing the specific part may be more economical. Service kits containing multiple common wear items offer excellent value for maintaining planes in professional workshop environments.

Popular Accessories

• Sharpening Stones and Honing Guides: Essential for maintaining sharp plane irons, available in various grits for different stages of blade preparation.
• Plane Blades and Irons: Replacement cutting edges in standard and premium materials for different woodworking applications.
• Blade Depth Gauges: Precision measuring tools for setting consistent blade projection across multiple planes.
• Workshop Oil and Rust Prevention: Lubricants and protective treatments to keep metal components functioning smoothly and prevent corrosion.
• Woodworking Vices and Bench Dogs: Work-holding equipment that complements hand plane use for secure workpiece positioning.
• Screwdriver Sets: Quality drivers in appropriate sizes for plane assembly and adjustment, particularly useful for delicate brass fittings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will generic plane spares fit my branded plane?

Compatibility depends on the plane's design and manufacturing standards. Many traditional bench plane designs (like No 4 and No 5 models) follow similar specifications across manufacturers, but critical dimensions can vary. Always verify measurements and model compatibility before purchasing, particularly for specialist planes like rebate models where tolerances are tighter.

How often should I replace plane components?

Replacement frequency depends on usage intensity and maintenance practices. Screws and adjustment mechanisms may need replacing after several years of professional use, whilst handles typically last longer unless damaged. Lever caps and fixing hardware should be inspected regularly for wear, cracks or stripped threads. Replace components at the first sign of damage to maintain cutting accuracy and safety.

Can I mix parts from different manufacturers?

Mixing manufacturers is generally not recommended unless parts are specifically marketed as universal or cross-compatible. Even minor dimensional differences can affect plane performance, blade stability and adjustment precision. The range available from Tooled-Up includes manufacturer-specific spares designed to maintain original tolerances and functionality.

Are complete service kits better value than individual parts?

Service kits typically offer better value if you need multiple components or maintain several planes regularly. They include common wear items and fasteners that often go missing or deteriorate together. For single component replacement, individual parts may be more economical, but kits provide convenient spares for future maintenance needs.

Do I need special tools to fit plane spares?

Most plane spares can be fitted using standard screwdrivers and spanners found in typical tool kits. Handle kits may require an appropriate spanner for brass mounting nuts, whilst fence assemblies need nothing more than a screwdriver. Ensure you have the correct driver sizes to avoid damaging brass fittings or stripping screw heads during installation.