Plaina

Plaina is a hand tool used in woodworking to shape and smooth wood surfaces by removing thin shavings. The tool consists of a flat sole, a sharp blade (lâmina) set at a slight angle to cut, and a body that can be wooden or metal. The blade is held in place by a mechanism that allows adjustment of depth and the size of the mouth opening, which controls how much wood is shaved with each pass. A front knob and a rear handle help guide and stabilize the tool during use.

Operation and technique: The plane is pushed along the grain with steady, even pressure. After selecting a depth of cut, a series of passes reduce high spots and level the surface, with longer planes used for flattening large areas and shorter planes for trimming and fine work. Proper technique relies on a sharp blade and a flat sole; the blade is typically sharpened and honed to a keen edge, and the sole should be checked for straightness with a straightedge. Maintenance includes cleaning, sharpening the blade, and occasional tuning of the mouth and depth settings to ensure consistent performance.

Variations and usage: There are many forms of plaina, including wooden-bodied and metal-bodied versions, as well as specialized types for rough stock removal or finishing work. In Portuguese-speaking contexts, plaina refers to both traditional hand planes and, in some cases, to powered planers when the term is used broadly. The hand plane remains a fundamental tool in carpentry, cabinetry, and woodworking for achieving flat, smooth surfaces and precise fits.