Revised 14-Apr-2000
TRINDERS' FINE TOOLS
NORRIS PLANES - A GUIDE
As the basis for our guide to Norris Planes we have used a 12-page
original Norris Catalogue, apparently dating from the 1930's.
In order that the text can be read, and also in order to minimise
download times, we have provided separate illustrations for each
plane type, or group of types.
Even in the 1930's Norris produced a wide variety of options for
the cabinet maker to consider. Planes could be:-
- with or without the Norris Patent Adjuster - where this is
an option, the adjustable version has 'A' preceding the number
- A5 is the adjustable version of the No. 5 Smoother.
- smoothers could be with or without a handle
- where a smoother has a handle, the handle can be open or closed
- smoothers could be parallel-sided or curved-sided (sometimes
called 'coffin smoothers' because of the shape of the sole)
- some models were optionally made in gunmetal with a steel
sole - these models have a 'g' after the identification number
- the A50g is the gunmetal version of the A50 smoother
- skew mouths were available on some models as an optional extra
- for an additional sum, on some models, an ebony wedge could
be selected in preference to rosewood
- besides the steel dovetailed models Norris also produced
- 'Strong iron planes' - these were described as 'practically
unbreakable', and were very stable in construction.
- 'Tough iron planes' - often referred to as the '50 series'.
- Additionally, of course, most models were made in a variety
of lengths and cutter widths.
Dovetailing of Metal Planes
Whilst there is no such illustration in this Norris
catalogue, it is fortunate that Mathieson
considered it useful to illustrate how their wrought steel planes
were dovetailed together (click
for illustration of the construction of a rabate plane). On an
all-steel dovetailed plane it is often difficult to detect the
dovetails - indeed some Spiers' Planes are stamped 'DOVETAILED'
to ensure that the effort (and extra cost) involved did not go
unnoticed.
Types of Norris Planes
- Smoothing
- Panel and Jointing*
- Shoulder
- Rebate
- Mitre
- Bullnose
- Chariot
- Thumb
- Violin
*In the context of British infill planes, a Panel plane is used
for fine smoothing and trueing; Salaman in his Dictionary of Woodworking Tools
specifies the following sizes for Smoothing, Panel and Jointing
Planes of the Norris and Spiers types:-
- Smoothing - 7 1/2" - 8 1/2" long, with 2
- 2 1/4" iron
- Panel - 13 1/2" - 17 1/2" long with 2 1/2"
iron
- Jointing - 20 1/2" - 27 1/2" long with 2
1/2" iron
THE CATALOGUE ILLUSTRATIONS
Jointing and Panel Planes
- Steel Dovetailed Jointing and Panel, Rosewood infill:- No.
A1 and No. 1 (click for catalogue
illustration)
- Strong Iron Panel, Rosewood infill:- No. A13 and No. 13 (click for
catalogue illustration)
- Tough Iron Bench Shooting:- No. A54 and No. A64 (click for
catalogue illustration)
Smoothers
- Unhandled,
- Dovetailed, Rosewood infill:- No. A4 and No. 4 (click for
catalogue illustration)
- Special Cabinet, Strong Iron, Rosewood infill:- No. A14 and
No. 14 (click for catalogue illustration)
- Open-handled,
- Dovetailed, Rosewood infill:- Nos. A2, 2, A3, 3 (click for
catalogue illustration)
- Closed handled,
- Dovetailed, Rosewood infill:- Nos. A5, 5, A6, 6, A17 (click for
catalogue illustration) - NB although not stated in the Catalogue,
the Gunmetal A17 is not a dovetailed plane - click for
an illustration of an A17 we have recently sold. Occasionally
one finds an original box - click for
an illustration of the label on a box for an A6
- General Purpose Strong Iron, Rosewood filled:- No. A12 and
No. 12 (click for catalogue illustration)
- Tough Iron:- Nos. A61, A51, A50 and Gunmetal, Saw Steel Soled:-
A50g, A51g (click for catalogue illustration)
Shoulder
- Steel Dovetailed, Rosewood infill:-
- Nos. 7, A7; Gunmetal, Saw Steel Soled:- Nos. 20, A20 (click for
catalogue illustration)
- Nos. 22, A22 (click for catalogue
illustration)
Rebate
- Steel Dovetailed, Rosewood infill:- No. 8 (adjustment not
fitted) (click for catalogue illustration)
Mitre
- Steel Dovetailed, Rosewood infill:- No. A11 (click for
catalogue illustration)
Bullnose
- Malleable Iron, Gunmetal Steel Soled:- Nos. 25, A25, 27, A27
(click for catalogue illustration)
Chariot
- Gunmetal Steel Soled Adjustable:- No. A28 (click for
catalogue illustration)
Thumb
- Gunmetal Saw Steel Soled:- No. A31 (click for
catalogue illustration)
Violin
- Phosphor Bronze (click for catalogue
illustration)
