Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

---

One of the most important features of a good bench plane is what’s called a chipbreaker.
Some planes have them. Some don’t. So be careful when you pick one up.

But…what is this mysterious piece of metal?

It looks like it’s just holding the blade down…but the chipbreaker, or cap iron, is a godsend.
It's real job? Controlling chip formation during a cut

A bench plane has a bevel that rides on the bottom side.
So when it’s time to make a cut, the ramp from the straight blade creates a wedge that pulls at the fibers in the stock…like grabbing a piece of half-cut wood and yanking on it.

But when the chipbreaker is set right, it forces the wood to curl, bend, and break before it can damage the stock it came from.
Set too far back, it does nothing.
Set within 1/32", and it can stop tear-out cold.

Because we want to simulate a bending motion with the cut fibers,a really good tip is to polish the chipbreaker...and even add some paste wax.
The smoother that surface, the easier it is for shavings to curl, break, and slide out of the way.
And that makes the whole plane work better.

Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob

Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!

*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.

Make Things

#MakeThings #mtbitesize