Switched from a chisel plane to a block plane for hinge mortises...

Used to fight with a chisel plane for years on door hinges, always getting tear-out on the end grain. Switched to a low-angle block plane about 3 months ago and it cuts clean every time... anyone else make a similar swap and never look back?

3 comments

3 Comments

barbara_jenkins668d ago

Oh man, that's a great call. I had the same struggle with chisel planes on hinge work, and once I tried a low-angle block plane it felt like cheating. It's just so much smoother and cleaner on those end grains.

kai_chen28d agoProlific Poster

Dude same here. I picked up a low-angle block plane last year for some door hinge work and it was night and day difference. End grain just slices off like butter with no tearout compared to my old standard block plane. I actually use it for all my hinge mortises now and it saves so much sanding time.

wright.leo5d ago

Careful with chisel planes, they're meant for trimming and paring not really the same job as a block plane. A low-angle block plane is designed for end grain with that 12 degree bed angle, so it cuts cleaner by default. Most chisel planes have a steeper 20 degree bed that makes them more suited for shooting boards and long grain work.