ECE Wooden Planes

Here is an ECE Emerich wooden smoother from Germany. These planes are more popular than metal planes over there and if you get a chance to try one you will understand why. They are very comfortable to hold and have the perfect adjustment system which is held under tension and has no backlash whatsoever. This was a bargain from E Bay at £50, they cost upwards of £150 new.

The sole is Lignum Vitae which is extremely hard wearing and very slippery. It has an adjustable mouth which is very useful for the finest smoothing tasks. The iron is bedded at 49 degrees.

The method of attaching the sole is very complicated but makes sure it never separates. Complete overkill but it looks pretty!

They also make a very comfortable little block plane which is a little cracker to use. It's made in the same way but doesn't have an adjustable mouth, the large knob acts as the blade adjuster and handle.
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For those who were wondering what the Spiers plane looked like finished here are a few shots.