How To Setup a Handplane (The Correct Method)

In this video, you'll learn how to setup a handplane to produce thin, consistent, clean shavings. Be aware that this video assumes prior knowledge of sharpening, so be sure to watch my sharpening tutorial first.
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RECOMMENDED VIDEOS:

👉How To Sharpen a Plane Blade

👉The Amazon Basics Plane
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PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED IN THIS VIDEO:
🔸 Plane Screwdriver
🔸 Lie-Nielsen No.4 Smoothing Plane (My Favourite Plane)
🔸 Lie-Nielsen Low Angle Jack Plane
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CHAPTERS:
😤 Getting Impatient? Skip to the good stuff below: ⬇️
00:00 Intro
00:37 What You'll Learn
01:14 Handplane Anatomy
03:19 Disassembling The Blade
04:08 Reassembling The Blade
06:02 Setting the Chipbreaker
07:47 Low Angle Plane
08:18 Assembly
10:19 Setting the Lateral Adjuster
14:00 Testing the Blade Angle
15:00 Setting the Depth of Cut
18:03 Backlash Explained
21:00 Outro
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🚀 Purchasing and Using Tools Correctly
🪚 How To Make a Dovetailed Box:
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WOODWORKING BOOKS I RECOMMEND:
📘 Collins Complete Woodworkers Manual
📖 Workbenches: Design & Theory to Construction & Use
📚 The Overstory - My Favourite Fiction Books about Trees
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MY FAVOURITE TOOLS:
🪚 Knew Concepts Fret Saw
⬜️ Faithfull Engineers Squares
⚙️ Veritas Wheel Marking Gauge
🗡 Precision Marking Knife
🎥 Lumix S1H Mirrorless Camera

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KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ME:

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🕵️‍♂️ WHO AM I?:
My name is Matt Estlea, I'm a 25 year old Woodworker from Basingstoke in England and my aim is to make your woodworking less s***.

I come from 5 years tuition at Rycotewood Furniture Centre with a further 1 year working as an Artist in Residence at the Sylva Foundation, which is where I began growing my business. I then returned to Rycotewood to teach Evening Classes for 2 Years, while also teaching City and Guilds Furniture Making for 3 years. They were some long 12 hour days!

In September, 2021. I resigned from teaching at the school to focus on my own business.
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🎓VISIT THE FREE SCHOOL HERE

I like to have a laugh and my videos are quite fast paced BUT you will learn a lot, I assure you.

Lets go make a mess.
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For longer messages, please drop me a message via the contact page on my website.

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PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a lil’ commission from recommending at no extra cost to you. If you’d like to know more about how this works, and what businesses I work with, please read my affiliate disclaimer here:

[jessejameson]

This was a quality presentation that third level woodwork instructors, twice your age and experience, could only dream of giving. Very informative and interesting. 👍👍

[andrzej]

Finally someone showed how to configure the planes, not just "because that's how it's done" but with a very clear explanation of "why it should be done that way"!!! A colossal difference...
Guided by the knowledge from this video, I made all the settings in literally three minutes. And you know what? It really works perfectly!!! THX Matt.

[DirkieB]

Matt thanks SO MUCH for the explanation on backlash! I realized the loose movement was that the knob thing was moving up and down but not realized that it needs to push the blade down! Hands down the best video on plane set up. In the world.

[Tydyrium]

As many videos I've seen explaining hand planes, this is the only one I've ever seen talking about backlash. I know the thrust wheel in my plane was loose when I switched direction, but I thought it was just because mine are lower quality. Thank you so much for explaining this!

[TheThriftyWoodworker]

Best description of the importance of backlash ever. Thank you.

[mcseforsale]

I've been around this stuff for 45 years (Dad is still turning pieces at 80). This, by far, is the best information about setting a plane up that I've ever seen. I learned quite a bit. Thanks!

[billthompson]

By far the BEST handplane set up video i have ever seen.

[ADwOS]

Talking about the depth of cut at 16:38 was just what I needed to hear - explained in the right way. When you add some of my "trying to get better with hand tools" with a dash of "lifelong impatience" you'll find me ending up cranking on the wheel wondering where my shavings are at. Nice one Matt!

[Ivo_Serra]

No matter how long or how far I go, Matt Estlea is the man to see and listen to, when you want to learn something about woodworking. I will forever be thankful to this precious YouTube channel and to Matt Estlea!

[neilmcalester]

Excellent, thank you. It’s rare to find someone who can teach so well at a relatively young age.

[MrHighflyingclive]

Excellent! It's good to see you making tutorials again! I'm 74, and my eyesight is shot, so that trick with the scrap-wood is just what I needed.
I gained a lot more, besides, so I'll be less wary of using my planes in future.
Keep up the good work. Your presentation skills are superb!
And I loved the intro, too :-)
P.S. I would have loved a bit more information on the low angle jack-plane, because I have one...

[shaker]

Something about your videos...Everything just clicks for me! You are an amazing teacher!

[paulhume]

What an absolutely brilliant tutorial. I've always been frustrated with the use of my planes and now I know exactly why. Awesome video.

[aladinfox]

Brilliant video. I'm 70+ and now realise why I've always hated planing and hanging doors to fit ! Never too old to learn, thanks.👍

[DCJimS]

Great video, Matt. No one has ever explained the concept of backlash to me. This was absolutely great. Thank you so much.

[bigviper]

Thank You Matt…I always watched my Dad do the planing and now that he’s gone, I have his WWII Plane that I am cleaning up. Your instructions are super and much needed.

[ianj]

Thank you. I'm a blade sharpener, not a woodworker. This really helped my get my clients tools in better shape.

[andressalas]

Great tips and educational! I’ve never come across a video that explains this so well and gives a great understanding of a hand plane. Such useful knowledge and info for a novice hand tool woodworker like me. Cheers!!

[michaelbateman]

Thank you! I have had a plane with a sharp blade, and plenty of sharp chisels for a while and I’ve never been able to make the plane do what I wanted. This video finally got my plane calibrated how it should be and now the thing is a joy to use. I need more planes now, it’s so fun! Thanks, Matt!

[jamesonzaleski]

Your teaching style is the perfect balance of depth and brevity and holds attention like a casual conversation, fantastic. Looking forward to exploring the rest of your channel. Cheers.