Planer Sets

About Planer Sets

Planer sets provide woodworkers, carpenters and DIY enthusiasts with a carefully curated collection of hand planes designed to tackle different woodworking tasks. Rather than purchasing individual planes separately, these sets combine complementary tools that work together to deliver professional results across a range of planing operations. Typical configurations include combinations of block planes for end grain work, smoothing planes for surface finishing, and specialised planes like bullnose or scraper planes for detailed joinery and finishing work.

The planer sets available from Tooled-Up.com feature precisely engineered cutting irons and accurately ground sole plates that ensure consistent, tear-free cuts across various timber species. Most sets include planes with different blade angles and mouth openings, allowing users to switch between aggressive stock removal and fine finishing cuts. Quality sets arrive with tool steel or high carbon steel blades that maintain their edge through extended use, whilst robust cast iron or pressed steel bodies provide the necessary weight and stability for controlled planing.

These curated collections represent excellent value for those establishing or expanding their hand tool kit, as purchasing planes as a set typically offers significant savings compared to buying each tool individually. Many sets come packaged in wooden presentation boxes or durable storage cases that protect the tools during transport and keep them organised in the workshop or on site.

Jargon Buster

• Block Plane: A compact, single-handed plane designed primarily for end grain work, chamfering edges, and fitting doors. Features a lower blade angle (typically 12-20 degrees) and can be used with one hand for quick adjustments.
• Smoothing Plane: A medium-length bench plane (typically No.4 size, around 250mm long) used for final surface preparation and removing planing marks. Ideal for flattening and smoothing timber surfaces before sanding or finishing.
• Mouth Opening: The gap in the sole plate directly in front of the cutting blade. A narrow mouth provides better support for the timber fibres during cutting, reducing tear-out, whilst a wider mouth allows for heavier cuts and thicker shavings.
• Blade Angle: The angle at which the cutting iron is positioned relative to the work surface. Lower angles (around 20 degrees) suit end grain, whilst standard angles (45 degrees) work well for general purpose planing.
• Sole Plate: The flat bottom surface of the plane that rides along the workpiece. Must be accurately ground and flat to ensure consistent cutting depth and smooth operation.
• Lateral Adjustment: A mechanism that allows the blade to be shifted sideways to ensure it sits square to the sole, producing shavings of even thickness across the full width of the cut.

Who Uses Planer Sets?

• Carpenters and Joiners: For fitting doors, windows, skirting boards and architrave with precision joints and smooth finishes
• Cabinet Makers and Furniture Makers: Essential for fine woodworking, preparing timber surfaces and fitting drawer fronts and cabinet doors
• Shopfitters: For on-site adjustments and fitting bespoke joinery components in retail and commercial installations
• Heritage and Conservation Specialists: Working on period properties where traditional hand tool techniques are preferred or required
• Set Builders and Props Makers: Creating custom timber components for theatrical, film and exhibition work
• Luthiers and Musical Instrument Makers: Precision shaping and thickness adjustment of tonewoods
• DIY Enthusiasts and Woodworking Hobbyists: For home improvement projects, furniture restoration and woodworking crafts
• Boat Builders: Fitting timber components and creating smooth surfaces on marine joinery

How to Choose the Right Planer Sets

When selecting a planer set, consider the types of woodworking tasks you'll undertake most frequently. Entry-level sets typically include a block plane and a smoothing plane, which covers the majority of general carpentry and joinery work. This combination allows you to handle both end grain planing and surface smoothing, making it ideal for those establishing their hand tool collection. Tooled-Up stocks sets from trusted manufacturers including Faithfull, Draper, Sealey and Siegen, each offering different features and price points.

The quality of the blade material significantly impacts performance and longevity. Look for sets featuring tool steel or high carbon steel cutting irons that can be sharpened to a razor edge and maintain that edge through extended use. Check whether replacement blades are readily available, as this affects the long-term value of your investment. The body material also matters—cast iron provides excellent weight and stability for professional users, whilst pressed steel offers a lighter option suitable for occasional use or site work where weight is a consideration.

Consider the adjustment mechanisms included in each plane. Quality sets feature both depth adjustment (controlling how much material is removed) and lateral adjustment (ensuring the blade sits square). Micro-adjust depth mechanisms provide finer control for precision work, particularly important when taking gossamer-thin finishing cuts. Check that mouth openings are adjustable, as this versatility allows you to configure each plane for either heavy stock removal or fine finishing work depending on the task at hand.

Storage and presentation also warrant consideration. Sets packaged in wooden boxes not only protect your investment but also make excellent gifts for apprentices or woodworking enthusiasts. If you work across multiple sites, robust storage cases with secure latches prevent damage during transport. Finally, assess the overall value proposition—whilst individual planes can be purchased separately, carefully chosen sets from Tooled-Up typically offer considerable savings whilst ensuring you have complementary tools that work well together.

Popular Accessories

• Honing Guides: Essential for maintaining consistent blade angles when sharpening plane irons
• Sharpening Stones and Diamond Plates: Water stones, oil stones and diamond sharpening plates for keeping blades razor-sharp
• Replacement Blades: Spare cutting irons in various widths to suit different plane sizes
• Blade Honing Oil: Lubricant for use with oil stones during the sharpening process
• Plane Blade Storage Boxes: Protective storage to prevent blade damage and accidents
• Woodworking Benches and Vices: Stable work surfaces and holding solutions for secure planing operations
• Bench Hooks: Simple jigs for supporting workpieces during planing, particularly useful for end grain work
• Winding Sticks: Precision straightedges for checking timber flatness and identifying twist
• Camellia Oil or Tool Protectant: Prevents rust formation on cast iron and steel surfaces during storage

Safety Information

Hand planes feature extremely sharp blades that can cause serious cuts if handled carelessly. Always retract the blade fully or set the plane on its side when not in use to prevent accidental contact with the cutting edge. Never test sharpness by running your finger along the blade edge—instead, test on a piece of scrap timber or paper.

Ensure workpieces are securely clamped or held in a vice before planing to prevent movement that could cause the plane to slip and result in injury. When planing, keep both hands on the tool and maintain a stable stance with feet positioned for good balance. Always plane away from your body and keep your free hand clear of the cutting path.

Wear appropriate eye protection when planing, particularly when working with hardwoods or reclaimed timber that may contain hidden nails or staples. Keep your work area well-lit and free from clutter to prevent trips and falls whilst handling sharp tools. Store planes in designated locations with blade guards or protective coverings in place, and ensure they're kept away from edges where they might fall.

Maintain your planes in good working order—loose components or improperly secured blades can cause accidents. When adjusting or changing blades, place the plane on a stable surface and use appropriate techniques to avoid cutting yourself on sharp edges. Always follow HSE guidelines for hand tool use in professional environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a block plane and a smoothing plane?

Block planes are smaller, designed for single-handed operation, and feature a lower blade angle (typically 12-20 degrees) that makes them ideal for end grain work, chamfering edges and small adjustments. Smoothing planes are larger, require two-handed operation, and use a standard 45-degree blade angle suited to surface planing and removing machine marks from timber faces. Most planer sets include both types as they complement each other for different woodworking tasks.

Do planer sets come pre-sharpened and ready to use?

Most quality planer sets arrive with factory-sharpened blades that are suitable for initial use, but they rarely achieve the razor-sharp edge that experienced woodworkers prefer. For optimal performance, it's recommended to hone the blades using sharpening stones before first use, and to maintain them regularly thereafter. Learning proper sharpening techniques is an essential skill for anyone working with hand planes.

Can hand planes be used on all types of wood?

Hand planes work effectively on most timber species, but technique varies depending on hardness and grain direction. Softwoods like pine plane easily but can tear if the blade isn't sharp, whilst hardwoods like oak require sharper blades and lighter cuts. Always plane with the grain direction where possible to avoid tear-out, and adjust the mouth opening—narrower for figured woods prone to tear-out, wider for straight-grained timber where heavier cuts are acceptable.

How often should plane blades be sharpened?

Sharpening frequency depends on usage intensity and the timber being worked. Professional woodworkers might touch up blade edges several times daily when working continuously, whilst occasional users might sharpen every few sessions. Signs that sharpening is needed include increased effort required to push the plane, shavings that tear rather than curl smoothly, or burnished rather than cleanly cut surfaces. A quick honing on a fine stone takes just minutes and dramatically improves performance.

Are planer sets suitable for beginners?

Planer sets represent an excellent starting point for beginners as they provide complementary tools at better value than purchasing individually. The learning curve for hand planes is steeper than power tools, requiring practice to master blade adjustment, sharpening and proper technique. However, the skills developed are fundamental to fine woodworking, and quality hand planes provide satisfying results with no electricity required, making them perfect for those learning traditional craftsmanship or working in locations without 240v power access.