The spill plane was a unique 18th century tool that was not used to improve the surface of the wood, but rather to create a shaving with a tight stiff curl that could be used to transfer a flame from one place to another, such as from a fireplace to a candle or lantern. Spills would have been made of pine or similar resinous wood. The plane was used as any wooden plane would be, using straight grained scraps of wood about 12 inches long. Each pass produces a spill, so named for the way the chip “spills” out of the escapement hole in the side of the plane. The blade is sharply skewed, and the chip is forced into a tight curl by the contoured bottom of the wedge. The edges of the spill overlap each other, which gives the spill a tapered shape.
While there are many types of spill planes, the ones that we produce are patterned from an 18th century original, and feature a two piece body, skewed blade, and escapement hole in the side through which the spill exits the plane. The blade is adjusted using a small hammer, such as one sold by Lee Valley or, for tool lovers, one by Sterling Tool Works, which is also available in our store. We have made planes of American and European Beech, Maple with light and heavy figure, and Black Cherry, all quarter sawn wood. The plane body is actually two pieces, with one side ripped of to make it easier to create the mortise and bed for the blade. It is then reattached with brass screws. The blade is made of tapered O-1 tool steel, hardened to Rc 60-62, and sharpened. It is ready for immediate use.
The wedge is shaped to facilitate the curling of the spill and guide it through the escapement hole. It is also taper both ways, which ensures that it will fit against the escapement side of the throat to ensure there is no gap for shavings to jam. Both sides of the plane have fences to keep the plane centered on the stock, allowing a maximum of about 7/8″ thick material to be used. (3/4″ stock works best.) Finish is several coats of Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil and paste wax.
Available for purchase using the Shop Now button below. Price range is $155 to $175, depending on wood type and/or figure. For those who wish to make their own spill plane, a plan kit, including full size plans, construction notes, photos, and a ready to use blade is also available.
39 Responses
Hello,
I live in Switzerland and I wanted to buy you a spill plane but they are unfortunately sold out.
Is it possible to get the plans so I can make one for myself please?
Best regards
Yes, the plans are available for sale also. Being overseas, please contact me via email for a shipping quote.
We talked on the phone this Spring. I forget so much these days, but did you tell me you might be making more spill planes in July or am I just dreaming?
I hope you are; they’re beautiful looking and I hear they work well too.
Regards
My hope is to have more available late fall 2021 if all goes well.
do you think you will have any soon? and willing to ship to Canada
More spill planes are planned in mid 2022. Yes, we ship to Canada. Email for the best shipping rates.
Hello Daniel, what’s the best way to get in your backorder cue? Thanks!
Gina, your best bet is to sign up for our newsletter. Subscribers will receive first notice of replenished stock.
Thank you, the piece is beautiful and flawless
Thanks Mike!
Hello, my wife saw a spill plane at Lee valley and in researching we found your site. I’m interested in the plans if they are still available, please let me know.
The plans for the spill plane are available under the Plans and Kits tab in the store.
I am interested in purchasing one of your spill planes.
Please let me know the wait time to receive the plane and the price of the complete plane. thank you for your response.
We expect to have more spill planes available in the spring of 2024. Prices are as listed in the store.
Do you still make these and/or can I purchase the plans?
Spill pLanes are made on a regular basis, and we also stock plans for making your own. Both can be found in our online tool store.
I too am interested in a spill plane they become available. I think they would be a great addition to my teaching as well as for my personal trekking. Thanks.
More are coming this week. (October 2024)
I’d like to buy one of your spill planes once they are available again.
I will put out a newsletter when I have them back in stock.
Any spill planes for sale down the road?
Charlie,
It will likely be late spring to early summer on the spill planes.
Do you still ship to Canada?
Yes. Email me for the best shipping quotes.
I just received mine. This plane is beautifully crafted. I am very happy with this. I cannot wait to use it.
Thank you DJ, I appreciate that!
I am interested in purchasing one of your spill planes. Could you please reply back with price and availability?
Thank you in advance,
Randall Roberts
Hey Dan
Your spill plane was a big hit when I got home from the show at Chicago School of Woodworking. My daughter plans to give them to kids as fairy unicorn horns and I’ll share them with the living history crowd. It worked great even after I pulled the blade and reset it a couple of times. Made enough good spills to fill a quart jar and taught me how to adjust the wooded planes.
Thanks for your purchase Charlie. Good to know you are pleased with the spill plane!
Do you have an idea when you will have the heavely figured version back in stock?
Watch for more spill planes, including the high figure maple, this summer (2026). If you contact me directly, I can let you know when they are finished and reserve one for you.
Please reserve a high figure spill plane for me , thank you
Shawn, I have you down for a spill plane. I expect to have more early summer 2026.
Daniel!! These are gorgeous!!! Please reserve a strongly figured maple spill plane for me as well!! Thank-you !!!
They’re are so beautiful!!
I have you down, Nora, thank you.
Can/will you make a narrated video of the set-up of the plane; how to position it onto the wood in preparation to start shaving spills; and lastly – show the plane in use – turning out spills.
Thank you!
Macon
Yes, I will try to get something put together in the near future and add it to my website.
Received my black cherry spill plane last week. An absolutely exquisite tool! Everything about the plane is impressive, the wood, the plane iron and the construction. It came ready to use right out of the box. The spill shavings produced by the plane are a joy to behold – so easy and so much fun to watch the shaving curl and fold into a long taper. I’m going to make box/stands for my friends and family this summer and fill them with spills for them to light up their fireplaces come next winter. While I’ll be using the plane this spring and summer, after just coming off a long cold winter in upstate New York, I’m in no rush to actually use the spills for their intended purpose any time soon.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Geoff! I am glad you are pleased with the spill plane and that you will be putting it to good use. Enjoy!