I have a nice little Stop Chamfer Plane made by Wm. Marples & Sons, but I never really knew what a Stop (or Stopped) Chamfer was.
With the help of ChatGPT, I have the following information:
A stopped chamfer plane is a specialized hand plane used in woodworking to create chamfers that start and stop at specific points on a piece of wood. Unlike a standard chamfer plane that typically runs the full length of the edge, a stopped chamfer plane allows for controlled, precise chamfering that begins and ends at designated spots.
Key Characteristics of a Stopped Chamfer Plane:
- Specialized Sole Design: The sole of the plane is often designed to accommodate the starting and stopping of the chamfer, sometimes with adjustable fences or guides to control the length of the chamfer.
- Adjustable Depth: Many stopped chamfer planes feature adjustable depth settings, allowing the woodworker to control the depth of the chamfer.
- Narrow Blade: The blade is usually narrower than that of a standard chamfer plane, which allows for more precise work and better control over the chamfer’s starting and stopping points.
- Guiding Mechanism: Some models may have an integrated guide or marking system to help ensure that the chamfer starts and stops at the desired locations.
Usage:
- Decorative Edging: Ideal for creating decorative edges on furniture and other woodworking projects where a full-length chamfer is not desired.
- Joinery: Useful in joinery work where the chamfer needs to start and stop to fit into other elements of the construction.
- Precision Work: Excellent for detailed, precise woodworking tasks where control over the chamfer is essential.
Stopped chamfer planes are less common than standard chamfer planes and are often used by more experienced woodworkers who need the precision and control they offer.
My Plane
The plane is 6 1/4″ long and 2 1/8″ wide.
The iron is 1 1/2″ wide and is a Wm. Marples & Sons original.
The ‘V’ shaped sole is 3/4″ deep and 1 1/2″ wide.
The wedge still has most of it’s original identification sticker. About 50% of the sticker on the side of the body remains.
These planes were made in the period from 1908 through to at least 1959.
Interestingly, all of the catalogue images I have seen put the adjustment screw on the opposite side of the plane to where mine is. (Maybe this is because the plane was coming down-under to Australia!)
These images show the adjustable block that determines the size of the chamfer.
This block slides up and down parallel to the front edge of the wedge, so ensuring the iron is held tight.
Wm. Marples & Sons
I won’t try to provide any history about Wm. Marples & Sons, instead if you are interested there is an excellent site on the internet. https://williammarplesandsons.com/