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What Is A Rabbet Plane? What Is A Rebate Plane? What Is A Rabbet Plane Used For?

what is a rebate rabbet plane
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A Rebate Plane also referred to and known as a Rabbet Plane is a type of woodworking plane used for trimming, squaring or forming rebates / rabbets. Most rebate plane models are designed for trimming or squaring work.


rebate rabbet plane

Different Types Of Rabbet Planes / Rebate Planes

There are five main categories of rebate / rabbet planes:



With the exception of side rebate planes, all rebate planes have a cutter which spans the full width of the plane with a corresponding opening in the mouth's surrounding sides (cheeks). In fact the cutter usually is about 1mm wider than the plane.

Originally the rabbet / rebate plane was made in the form of various wooden rabbet planes, certainly from the early 1700's. See the Old Wooden Planes section to see the different types of old wooden rabbet planes.



bullnose rebate rabbet plane

The rabbet / rebate plane then went on to be made in iron plane form, mainly with the iron rebate planes echoing their wooden plane counterparts in some form. The iron rebate planes went on to bring some evolutionary adaptations with the main common one being the installation of blade fine adjustment mechanisms.

A further observation on differences between wooden rebate planes and metal rebate /rabbet planes is the wooden rebate / rabbet plane in most cases had a skewed mouth whereas the iron rebate plane in nearly all models had a square mouth.

The rebate / rabbet plane is still manufactured and widely used today by cabinet makers, woodworkers, DIY'ers and hobbyists all around the world.




What Is The Difference Between A Rebate Plane and A Rabbet Plane?

veritas side rabbet plane

Absolutely nothing, they are the same type of plane, 'Rebate' is just another word for 'Rabbet'. The words are interchangeable.

'Rebate' is the word used particularly in the UK for rebates and rebate planes.

'Rabbet' is the word used particularly in North America for rebates / rabbets and rebate planes / rabbet planes.

As these are the two main places where these types of planes were made I would imagine the word used in different parts of the world will vary depending on what planes and literature has been consumed in the past and present and whether main stream educators have chosen to use the word 'Rebate' or 'Rabbet'.

Although I have always used the term 'Rebate Plane', I must admit I thought 'Rabbet Plane' was the old original name for these type of planes however I have noticed in a couple of old British tool catalogues they are advertised as 'Rebate Planes' and in a couple of old US tool catalogues they are advertised as 'Rabbet Planes'.

In terms of forming a rabbet / rebate, from my experience the word 'Rebate' is mainly used (I am in the UK, your experience may differ).





What Is The Difference Between A Rabbet / Rebate Plane And A Shoulder Plane?

There are many types of rabbet / rebate planes. A shoulder plane is a type of rebate plane.

A shoulder plane has a low-angle blade and is suited to tasks such as fine trimming work, in particular suited to trimming the faces and the 'shoulders' of a tenon, hence the name "Shoulder Plane". See 'What Is A Shoulder Plane? for more info.





What Is The Difference Between A Rabbet / Rebate Plane And A Plow / Plough Plane?

A plough plane / plow plane is used for forming grooves whereas a rebate plane / rabbet plane is used for trimming work or forming rebates, potentially the trimming work could include trimming the edge of groove.





What Does A Rebate Plane Do?

A rebate plane / rabbet plane is for trimming rebate edges or forming rebates. There are five main categories of rebate planes with each type specialised slightly differently. See the different types of rebate planes above for more info.





What Is Another Name For a Rebate Plane?

A 'Rebate' plane is also referred to as a 'Rabbet' plane. Both rebate and rabbet are interchanged with both words having the same meaning. There are five main categories of rebate plane, see above for more info.












Disclaimer

(i) This review/article may give warning(s) / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines given in good faith, any such information should not be solely relied upon and seen as the exhaustive list of warnings / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines. Refer to good safety practices for the safety of you and others. Refer to good practices for the good health of your tool and property.
(ii) The details here are given in good faith, the details are constantly growing and evolving, there is scope for error and shouldn't be fully relied upon, please confirm any details for yourself by performing additional research from reliable sources.




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