According to Gary, "skewed rabbet planes were used for hogging cross grain material, particularly the wider width planes. The large mouth, curved escapement served
![](http://bp0.blogger.com/_Tc0t8CgyXiI/SDVYa18mjrI/AAAAAAAABE8/ns7j_CrOomE/s0-d/Gap.jpg)
Suggesting that I use a handplane for a particular joint is like setting a plate of doughnuts in front of Homer Simpson—way too tempting. I love using handplanes.
Since I don't have a skewed rabbet plane, I dusted off my #78 and took a few pass
es within the layout lines of an untouched lap joint. Handplaning is a mesmerizing experience for me and sometimes I shave more than I should. In my state of handplaning delirium, I completely forgot about leaving a section in the middle of the waste area to support the router plane in final clean up. By the time I realized what I had done, the center section was 1/32" lower than the surface of the workpiece, which would result in sloppy joint with a scalloped bed.
Nothing that a little tape can't solve. 4 layers of masking tape, burnished flat, equals 1/32". It supported my router very well but did get a little chewed up toward the final passes.
Still, a sticky shim saved me from a sticky wicket.
Since I don't have a skewed rabbet plane, I dusted off my #78 and took a few pass
![](http://bp3.blogger.com/_Tc0t8CgyXiI/SDVYal8mjqI/AAAAAAAABE0/LuZi9qGGnLg/s0-d/Tape.jpg)
Nothing that a little tape can't solve. 4 layers of masking tape, burnished flat, equals 1/32". It supported my router very well but did get a little chewed up toward the final passes.
Still, a sticky shim saved me from a sticky wicket.