Rebate Planes

About Rebate Planes

A rebate plane is a specialised hand tool designed specifically for cutting rebates (also known as rabbets) – rectangular grooves or stepped recesses cut along the edge or face of timber. Unlike standard bench planes, rebate planes feature cutters that extend to the full width of the tool's body, allowing the blade to reach right into corners and create perfectly square shoulders. These versatile tools are essential for joinery work, particularly when creating housings for door panels, picture frames, window sashes, and cabinet backs.

The rebate plane category at Tooled-Up includes several distinct types, from the classic Stanley 78 Duplex to the versatile Faithfull 778 model. Most rebate planes feature adjustable fences that guide the tool along the workpiece, ensuring consistent depth and width. Many models also include a bull nose capability (where the front section can be removed or the blade positioned forward) for working right into corners and stopped rebates. Quality models come with spurs for cutting across the grain cleanly, dual-position cutters for enhanced versatility, and cast iron bodies with accurately ground bases for precision work.

Brands represented at Tooled-Up.com include industry-trusted names like Faithfull, Stanley and Record, each offering robust construction and reliable performance. These tools remain popular despite the prevalence of power tools, as they offer unmatched control, produce minimal dust, require no electricity, and can work in tight spaces where routers simply cannot reach.

Jargon Buster

Rebate (Rabbet)

A rectangular recess or groove cut along the edge of a piece of timber, typically used to accommodate another piece of wood or panel in joinery work.

Bull Nose Position

A configuration where the blade is positioned at or near the front of the plane body, allowing the tool to cut right into corners and work stopped rebates where a standard setup cannot reach.

Fence

An adjustable guide that runs along the edge of the timber being planed, ensuring consistent width and keeping the plane square to the workpiece edge.

Spur

A small cutting blade positioned ahead of the main cutter that scores the wood fibres when planing across the grain, preventing tear-out and ensuring clean edges.

Guide Rods

Metal rods that support the fence and allow it to be adjusted for different rebate widths; on quality models, these can be reversed to position the fence on either side of the plane.

Stopped Rebate

A rebate that doesn't run the full length of the timber, requiring the plane to work right into a corner or dead end.

Who Uses Rebate Planes?

• Joiners and Cabinet Makers – for creating precise joints in furniture and cabinetry
• Window and Door Manufacturers – for cutting glazing rebates and fitting door panels
• Picture Framers – for creating rebates to accommodate glass, artwork and backing boards
• Restoration Specialists – for repairing or replicating traditional joinery in period properties
• Shopfitters – for bespoke timber detailing and custom joinery installations
• Fine Woodworkers – for precision hand-tool woodworking and traditional joinery techniques
• DIY Enthusiasts – for home improvement projects requiring precise timber joints
• Set Builders and Prop Makers – for constructing theatrical sets and display pieces

How to Choose the Right Rebate Planes

Cutter Width: Consider the maximum rebate width you'll need to cut. Most standard rebate planes accommodate cutters up to 38mm wide, suitable for the majority of joinery applications. The Faithfull 778 and similar models offer this capacity, which covers most door frames, picture frames and cabinet work.

Body Material and Quality: Cast iron bodies provide superior weight, stability and durability compared to pressed steel alternatives. Look for accurately ground bases that ensure flat, true cuts. The quality of castings and machining directly affects the plane's performance and longevity.

Fence Adjustability: A fence mounted on twin guide rods offers greater stability and precision than single-rod systems. Check whether the fence can be positioned on either side of the plane body – this reversibility proves invaluable when working on different edges or when grain direction requires approach from a particular side.

Bull Nose Capability: If you'll be working stopped rebates or need to plane into corners, ensure your chosen model offers bull nose functionality with a forward blade position. This feature significantly extends the tool's versatility.

Additional Features: A spur for cross-grain work prevents tear-out when cutting across timber fibres. Depth stops help achieve consistent rebate depths. Some models include provision for lateral blade adjustment, making setup quicker and more precise.

Brand and Availability of Spares: Established brands like Stanley, Record and Faithfull ensure that replacement cutters and components remain available. Check that replacement irons are stocked for your chosen model.

Popular Accessories

• Replacement Cutters and Irons – essential spares for maintaining sharp cutting performance
• Honing Guides – for maintaining the correct bevel angle when sharpening plane irons
• Whetstones and Diamond Stones – for sharpening and maintaining razor-sharp edges
• Engineer's Squares – for checking fence alignment and rebate accuracy
• Marking Gauges – for scribing rebate depth and width guidelines
• Wooden Tool Storage Boxes – for protecting planes during storage and transport
• Bench Hooks and Shooting Boards – for securing workpieces during planing
• Camellia Oil or Tool Preservation Oil – for preventing rust on cast iron surfaces

Safety Information

Whilst rebate planes are relatively safe hand tools, certain precautions ensure injury-free operation. Always plane away from your body and keep hands behind the cutting edge. The exposed blade on rebate planes extends to the full width of the tool, making it more exposed than on standard bench planes – exercise particular care when setting down or handling the tool.

Ensure workpieces are securely clamped or held in a vice before planing. Loose timber can shift unexpectedly, causing the blade to catch or your hand to slip towards the cutter. When adjusting the blade depth or fence position, retract the cutter first to prevent accidental contact with the sharp edge.

Keep blades sharp – dull cutters require excessive force, increasing the risk of slips and loss of control. Store planes with the blade retracted or with a protective cover over the cutter. When working hardwoods or cross-grain, take shallow cuts to maintain control and prevent the tool from grabbing or jumping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a rebate plane and a shoulder plane?

Whilst both tools can cut rebates, a rebate plane is specifically designed for cutting rebates along edges and typically features an adjustable fence for consistent width. A shoulder plane is primarily intended for trimming and fine-tuning existing joints, particularly the shoulders of tenons, and usually has a lower blade angle for cleaner cross-grain cutting. Rebate planes generally have higher capacity for deeper, wider cuts.

Can I use a rebate plane instead of a router for cutting rebates?

Absolutely. Rebate planes offer several advantages over routers for certain applications: they produce no dust, require no electricity, work quietly, offer superior control for fine adjustments, and can access tight spaces where routers cannot fit. For small-scale work, restoration projects, or situations requiring precision hand-fitting, a rebate plane is often the superior choice. However, routers excel at production work requiring multiple identical rebates.

How do I prevent tear-out when planing across the grain?

Use the spur (if your plane has one) by positioning it to score the wood fibres ahead of the main cutter. Ensure your blade is extremely sharp. Take shallow cuts rather than trying to remove material quickly. Plane from both ends towards the middle when possible, or use a sacrificial backing piece at the exit edge. For difficult grain, slightly skewing the plane during the cut can also reduce tear-out.

Why won't my rebate plane cut properly?

Common issues include: a dull blade (sharpen using whetstones), incorrect blade projection (adjust depth gradually), a clogged mouth (clear shavings), or the fence not sitting square to the sole (check alignment). Ensure the workpiece is properly secured – movement during cutting prevents clean cuts. Check that all adjustment screws are tight and that the blade is seated properly in the body without any lateral twist.

What width rebate can these planes cut?

Most standard rebate planes available from Tooled-Up, including the popular 778-style models, can cut rebates up to 38mm (1½ inches) wide, which accommodates the vast majority of joinery applications including door frames, sash windows, picture frames and cabinet work. The adjustable fence allows you to set any width up to this maximum capacity with precision.