HNT GORDON - FORMING REBATES

To form a rebate using a plane, mark out the width and depth of the rebate using a cutting or marking gauge. Then set the blade quite deep on the rebate or shoulder plane (say 0.3mm deep), then put the plane up against the line but on the waste side of it and position your index and middle fingers on the sole of the plane to act as a fence as shown in photo 1. This deep cut may give you a little tearout but this is acceptable at this stage.

You must hold you fingers tightly in the same position then start your cut as in photo 2. After about 3 or 4 passes you should have formed a small rebate. Continue with the deep cuts but you shouldn't need your fingers as a guide. Keep cutting until you are very close to your desired depth. Then change your depth of cut to give you a fine finishing cut. Then take some finishing cuts down to the exact desired depth. photo 3

Next you turn the plane on its side as in photo 4 and plane up to your cutting gauge line which will give you the desired width of the rebate.

Your rebate is now complete. If you are doing lots of rebates you may want to consider forming the rebates with a saw or router and just do the finishing passes with the rebate plane.