So often in woodworking the small details can really make a project stand out. Tasks like fitting a hinge to a box, creating small rebates for drawer dividers, or clearing the background for an inlay are simple enough. But when done with precision those details convey the care and skill of the maker in a subtle but compelling way. The Melbourne Tool Company Small Router Plane is designed to make achieving that precision both easy and enjoyable.
Designed for Every Angle
When routing you almost always end up cutting in all directions – toward and away from yourself of course, but also sideways to clear right up to the edge of a rebate. Or you might end up taking small, sweeping cuts to pare away an area with knot or reversing grain.
In designing the MTC Small Router Plane, we landed on a shape that is a significant departure to the Stanley #271 or others like it. Whilst that can seem odd at first, we believe we have created a tool that is comfortable to hold at any angle, and more natural than the pinching grip required of the traditional tools.
Precision Blades, Made Simple
The blade is a straight ‘chisel-style’ design, making freehand sharpening very simple. The square shank fits snugly in the rebate preventing any rotation, and the blade is ground with a slight relief on the sides to prevent any jamming when routing a deeper groove.
The tool comes with a ¼” blade as standard, but a full range of metric and imperial sizes are available down to 1mm and 1/16” respectively, making intricate inlay work possible.
Dial in the Depth with Confidence
The depth locking and adjustment is a simple affair, with a clamping bar across the blade held by two thumbscrews. Though simple, this arrangement locks the blade firmly with only light pressure on the screws.
Adjusting the depth of cut is just as easy – simply loosen one thumbscrew slightly and move the blade with a pinching grip, or a small hammer if you prefer.
Designed for Real Woodworkers
As with all our tools, we designed the Small Router Plane in close consultation with woodworkers of all experience levels. We kept it simple, reliable, and precise—no unnecessary gimmicks or flashy features—just solid functionality that supports your craftsmanship.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a hand-tool purist or someone who enjoys blending machines with fine-tuning by hand, the MTC Small Router Plane earns it’s keep quickly.
If you’re looking to elevate your joinery, add precision to your work, and enjoy the tactile satisfaction of hand-tool woodworking, the MTC Small Router Plane is ready to deliver.