Molding planes are essential tools for any woodworker aiming to create intricate moldings and profiles. Whether you’re a seasoned craftsman or a hobbyist, acquiring quality molding planes can significantly enhance your woodworking projects.

Flea markets, tool shows, and Ebay are great places to find these planes, often at a fraction of the cost of new ones (see these antique molding planes on Ebay). However, buying used molding planes comes with its own set of challenges. This article will guide you through what to look for when buying molding planes and how to address common issues to make them functional again.

Assessing the Molding Plane Body

One of the first things to check when examining a molding plane is the body. The body of the plane can become warped over time, especially since it is essentially split into two parts by the mortise where the iron and the wedge are housed. Each half can move independently, leading to potential alignment issues.

Checking for Warpage

To check for warpage:

1. Look down the sole (bottom) of the plane.
2. Ensure that all elements of the profile are in line with each other.

If the plane appears significantly warped, it may not be worth the effort to restore. Warpage would require you to change the profile and recut the iron, which can be quite labor-intensive.

Inspecting for Rot and Damage

Another common issue with older planes is damage due to improper storage conditions. Planes stored in barns or other damp environments can suffer from rot, wormholes, and punky wood (wood that has become soft and crumbly due to moisture exposure).

Signs of Rot and Damage

• Rotted Wood: The plane may have areas that are soft or discolored.
• Wormholes: Small holes indicating insect damage.
• Punky Wood: Areas where the wood feels soft and spongy.

If you encounter these issues, it’s often best to pass on the plane, as the structural integrity of the wood is compromised.

Common Fixable Issues

Not all problems render a plane unusable. Many issues are fixable with some woodworking skills and patience.

Missing or Inappropriate Wedges

A common issue is a missing or incorrect wedge. The wedge secures the iron in place and must fit properly for the plane to function.

Solution: You can craft a new wedge from hardwood. Ensure it fits snugly in the mortise and holds the iron securely.

Non-original Irons

Sometimes, the iron (the cutting blade) is not original to the plane. Sellers might place any random iron they have available into the plane, which won’t work.

Solution: If you have access to other irons, you can grind one to fit. Ensure the iron matches the profile of the plane. Our video “Choosing, Refurbishing and Using Moulding Planes with Bill Anderson” shows how to do this task, as well as following refurbishing tasks.

Worn Profiles

Over years of use, the profile of the plane can wear down. For example, a cove or quarter-round profile might become rounded over or uneven due to misuse.

Solution: Minor wear can be corrected using scratch stock or shoulder planes to square up and straighten the profile. Severe wear may require more extensive reshaping.

Boxing Issues

Some molding planes feature boxing—strips of a hard, dense wood, like boxwood, inlaid into the molding plane body, to reinforce the cutting edge. Boxing can present its own set of problems.

Loose or Missing Boxing

Boxing can come loose, break out, or be completely missing. Since boxwood and the plane’s primary wood move differently over time, these issues are not uncommon.

Solution: Loose boxing can be re-glued. Missing or broken boxing can be replaced by cutting a new piece to fit and gluing it in place. This process requires precision but is achievable with basic woodworking tools.

Cosmetic vs. Functional Issues with Molding Planes

When evaluating a molding plane, it’s essential to distinguish between cosmetic and functional issues.

Cosmetic Issues

• Splits / checking in the Wood: These are usually due to movement over the years and may not affect functionality, depending on the severity.
• Dings and Chips: Small chips or dings in the profile are generally cosmetic and do not hinder the plane’s use.
• Worn Off Areas: Minor wear at the edges is typically not a problem unless it significantly alters the profile.

Functional Issues

• Profile Damage: Significant damage to the profile that affects its cutting ability is a functional issue that needs addressing.
• Structural Integrity: Any damage that compromises the plane’s ability to hold the iron securely or maintain its shape affects its functionality.

Conclusion

Buying molding planes at flea markets, tool shows, or Ebay can be a rewarding experience if you know what to look for and how to address common issues. By carefully inspecting the plane for warpage, rot, and other damages, and understanding which problems are fixable, you can turn a seemingly unusable plane into a valuable tool for your workshop. With patience and some woodworking skills, many of these planes can be restored to their former glory, allowing you to create beautiful moldings and profiles in your woodworking projects.

Happy hunting and restoring!

About Bill Anderson

Bill is a handplane expert, and an accomplished maker and restorer of wooden hand planes. His workshop is full of both wood planes and metal planes, and he teaches classes on making, refurbishing, and sharpening hand planes. See Bill’s classes at our school here. Bill is also now (as of 2024) teaching small, private classes at his workshop outside of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. You can see his website here.