Delivery Timeline: DECEMBER 2025

Tapering Plane – 6° Tenon Cutter with Smoothing Plane Finish

This tapering plane functions like a tenon cutter but leaves the refined surface of a smoothing plane. It’s ideal for making Windsor chairs and other staked furniture.

The tool cuts a precise 6° tapered tenon, measuring ⅝" at the smallest (exit) diameter and 15/16" at the widest (entrance) diameter, over a 2 ⅞" cutting length—long enough to pass through a 2" thick seat with room for rake and splay. The blade is slightly tapered at the entrance to create a smooth shoulder up to 1" in diameter, bringing the total cut length to 3 ⅛". The exit end of the blade is angled to also produce a clean, straight ⅝" tenon, making it suitable for stretcher and ladder back chair joinery.

Features include:

– A patented setting key for quick, repeatable blade positioning after sharpening
– An adjustable depth of cut to suit a range of wood species
– Built-in storage for the setting key, housed inside the tool body

This tool was created, designed, and tested by Kelly Harris in collaboration with chairmaker Peter Galbert, with valuable input from reamer maker Tim Manney. It was developed with the support of the Chairmaker’s Toolbox, a project committed to broadening access to chairmaking tools and education. Learn more at www.thechairmakerstoolbox.com/the-makers