Also known as a Carriage Maker's or Jack Rabbet Plane, this is the largest rabbet plane made. Based on the Stanley 10¼, which went out of production in the mid-1940s, we modified the design to fit the Bedrock format. Adjustable side nickers make clean, cross-grain cuts. Both handle and knob can tilt left or right to give better access and control in tight corners.
A Bench Rabbet Plane is very handy for working large rabbets and tenons, while also doubling as a Jack Plane. The Lie-Nielsen Bench Rabbet Plane is based on the Stanley Bedrock-type planes. Bedrocks were Stanley’s top line of Bench Planes, heavier and better made than the standard. In addition, the construction of the frog is unique — it features a fully machined fit between frog and body, adjustable from the rear without having to remove the blade and cap. This allows you to easily change the mouth setting from a coarse to a fine cut for difficult woods or fine smoothing passes. For heavy cuts, adjust the frog back so the blade rests directly on the plane body.
The blade is about .005" wider than the body. Align the edge of the blade with the side of the body that you want it flush with (laying the tool on its side helps to do this quickly and accurately) or grind a little off the side of the blade to make it flush with both sides if you want.
The body is cast from Ductile Iron, a very strong alloy that will take a lot of abuse. These castings are fully stress relieved, a process that removes inherent stresses and ensures that the tool will remain flat and true. The cap and frog are Manganese Bronze. The blade is A-2 cryogenically treated Tool Steel, tempered to Rockwell 60-62. Our heat treating technique ensures that the blade will take and hold a very fine edge for a long time. After heat treating, the blade is fully surface ground on the top, back, and cutting edge, giving a smooth, flat surface that will take a mirror finish very quickly. The .125" thick blade provides solid chatter-free cutting.
The soles of Iron planes are surface ground flat and square; the Bronze planes are lapped to a tolerance of .0015". Depending on how much use your tool gets, an occasional light sanding with 320 grit or finer wet/dry paper on a flat surface will keep the sole in as-new condition. Tools with Iron bodies should be kept lightly oiled or waxed to prevent rust. We recommend jojoba Oil, a vegetable oil based product. It is non-toxic, odor-free and easy to use. Also, in our shop, we use a fine abrasive handblock to remove any light surface oxide from tool bodies and blades. Jojoba Oil and abrasive handblocks are available from us.
A light oiling on the threaded rod, the Brass adjuster nut and the lateral blade adjustment lever will keep them moving freely. Many people like the patina that Bronze gets with age and use, but if you wish to keep the finish bright, a little brass polish is in order. The Cherry knob and handle are finished with wiping varnish and should require no
