#5-1/2 Bench Hand Plane - Jack Plane

WoodRiver V3 Series
Slightly larger and heavier than a standard No. 5, this V3 jack plane provides the extra heft and blade width needed for demanding tasks like flattening boards, edge jointing thick lumber, and smoothing difficult grain with authoritative control.
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Crafted for performance

Bedrock-inspired design, ready to work

Modeled after Stanley’s premier Bedrock line, this jack plane features fine-grained ductile iron castings and a fully machined frog. Its soles and sides are precision-ground flat and square, so it arrives ready for immediate, accurate work with minimal tune-up.
An exploded view of the WoodRiver V3 jack plane showing its ductile iron body, machined frog, and blade assembly.

Precision and heft for demanding woodworking tasks

The WoodRiver V3 jack plane shaving a thin curl from a hardwood board on a workbench.

Tackle challenging grain with confidence

The generous weight and wide blade provide the mass and cutting surface needed to power through tough grain, level boards efficiently, and prepare thick lumber for joinery with less fatigue.

A woodworker using the jack plane to flatten a warped board on a workbench.

Bedrock-inspired precision for square results

Modeled after the legendary Bedrock design, this plane features precision-machined soles and sides, ensuring a flat, square reference surface for accurate flattening and edge jointing.

A detailed view of the plane's sole and machined sides showing flat, square surfaces.

Built to last with rugged, stable construction

Constructed from stress-relieved ductile iron, the body is built to resist warping and absorb vibration, delivering a stable, vibration-free feel during long planing sessions.

A well-organized woodworking bench with the WoodRiver jack plane, shavings, and clamped workpieces.
Made for your projects

Who uses this jack plane?

This versatile bench plane is essential for woodworkers who need a reliable, go-to tool for initial stock preparation, from rough dimensioning to creating smooth, flat reference surfaces for precise joinery.
The jack plane flattening the face of a rough-sawn board in a woodworking shop.

Flattening and straightening rough stock

Perfect for flattening and straightening rough-sawn lumber, removing mill marks, and creating a true reference face before further dimensioning. Its weight helps power through uneven grain efficiently.
Using the jack plane on a shooting board to true the end of a workpiece.

Edge jointing and shooting board work

The wide blade and stable sole make it an excellent choice for edge-jointing boards to create tight-fitting glue joints. The machined square sides also make it ideal for use on a shooting board.
The jack plane delivering a final smoothing pass on a wide board.

Intermediate smoothing of wide boards

Serves as an effective intermediate smoothing plane for wider boards or after heavy stock removal. It can remove tear-out and create a very smooth surface, reducing the workload on a dedicated smoothing plane.
Quick start guide

Prepare your plane for first use

A hand honing the blade of the WoodRiver jack plane on a sharpening stone.

Sharpen the blade for a clean cut

Inspect the sole for flatness and the blade for a square edge. Most V3 planes need only a light hone on the primary bevel and flattening of the back to achieve a razor-sharp edge ready for fine shavings.

Adjusting the depth and lateral lever on the WoodRiver jack plane.

Set blade depth and lateral alignment

Set the blade depth so it just barely projects from the sole. Make micro-adjustments with the depth knob and use the lateral lever to ensure the cutting edge is perfectly parallel to the sole for an even shaving.

Taking full-length shavings with the set-up jack plane on a long board.

Take controlled passes for smooth results

With the blade set, take light, controlled passes across the board. Let the plane's mass do the work, applying steady pressure on the forward stroke and maintaining a consistent angle to achieve a smooth, flat surface.

From the workshop

Woodworkers praise its performance and value

This jack plane exceeded my expectations. The fine-tuning capabilities give me complete control, tackling tough grain without a hitch. It leaves an incredibly smooth finish and has become my go-to tool for initial wood preparation.
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Precision Woodworker

Greatest purchase yet. This plane works beautifully and glides smoothly, giving me excellent control. I never knew how much I needed a proper jack plane until I started using this one. I highly recommend it to anyone serious about their craft.
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Craftsman Gary

I’m really happy with this 5-1/2 plane. It’s high quality, a great size, and a worthy tool that consistently meets my expectations. It’s a very solid addition to my hand tool collection, outperforming others I’ve owned.
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Shop Standard

Questions about the WoodRiver #5-1/2 Jack Plane

Get clear answers to practical questions about using, tuning, and maintaining your #5-1/2 jack plane for optimal performance in your shop.
The V3 model features improved, fully machined frogs and components for finer control. Most users report the depth and lateral adjustments operate smoothly out of the box, with minimal initial tuning needed for precise, reliable adjustments.
It excels on a wide variety of species. Its mass and sharp blade handle tough hardwoods like oak and maple effectively, while it also works beautifully on softwoods for flattening, initial smoothing, and edge jointing.
While it requires some basic sharpening and tuning knowledge, it’s an excellent choice for dedicated hobbyists and professionals. Its value and performance make it a smart step-up from basic planes for woodworkers committed to hand tool techniques.
The V3 series incorporates improvements based on user feedback, including better castings, finish, and iron quality compared to earlier versions. This results in a plane that typically requires less initial setup and delivers more consistent performance from the start.
Ductile iron is chosen for its durability and vibration-dampening properties. It is less brittle than standard cast iron, making the plane body more resistant to damage from drops and better at absorbing the shock of cutting, for a smoother, more comfortable user experience.
Yes. The fully machined sole and sides are ground flat and square to each other, making it an excellent choice for use on a shooting board to true up ends and edges. Many users appreciate this precision for accurate joinery preparation.
A WoodRiver jack plane with adjustment lever and depth knob in focus on a wood shavings-covered bench.

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