I recently redecorated my living room and decided that I no longer wanted vinyl flooring and that I wanted a good quality, nice and thick carpet. I found a carpet that I liked and had it fitted. The only problem was that the door no longer fitted; the underlay and carpet had raised the floor level by about 2-2.5cm! Unfortunately carpet fitters are not joiners and didn’t shave the bottom of the door, just removing it for me to get it done. Except that trying to get a quote for a professional to shave a bit of the bottom of the door seemed to be fruitless – maybe it wasn’t worth their time? So my choice was continue my search for somebody capable of doing it for me without charging a fortune, attempt to do it myself or not put the door back up. Well, I didn’t want to be without the living door and I was becoming disillusioned with trying to find someone willing to do it or even give me a quote so I decided to attempt it myself. And the first thing I needed to do was get a plane! No, not to take to the skies, but a wood plane so that I could shave a bit off the bottom of the door! As this was only going to be a one-time occurrence I didn’t want anything too expensive and the reviews of the Amazon Basics Universal Bench Hand Plane were good so thought I would give it a go.
Woodworking is an art that requires precision, patience, and the right tools, which is why it costs a lot for a professional’s time and expertise. One such indispensable tool is the bench hand plane, a device that has been smoothing wooden surfaces for centuries. The Amazon Basics No.4 Adjustable Universal Bench Hand Plane is a modern iteration of this classic tool, designed to meet the needs of both amateur DIYers and professional woodworkers.
The Amazon Basics No.4 Adjustable Universal Bench Hand Plane has a durable cast iron body with plastic handles and features a 5cm cutting blade. Its strong steel blade is made from durable alloy, ensuring quality cuts through various wood types and is very easily adjusted.
With the door already off the door frame, I marked door with a pencil line along the bottom edge for how much I needed to take off and was ready to ruin my door. Well, you will be happy to know that I didn’t destroy my door! The plane gave a smooth cut and was easy to push along the wood in long strokes with the 2 handles giving the control needed. The blade was sharp enough to smoothly shave off the desired amount to bring me to my line. I had underestimated a bit (always a good thing) and, brimming with confidence, had to go back for another quick go, but my door now fits and isn’t getting stuck on the carpet – I can actually close my door now!
Overall, the Amazon Basics Universal Bench Hand Plane is a excellent hand plane for DIYers to complete simple jobs around the house. I used it to plane the bottom of my living room door after a new thicker carpet had been fitted and it did an excellent job. Easy to use and surprisingly comfortable to hold and move as well.
The plastic handles have been designed for comfort, allowing for extended periods of use without strain. Adjustability is a key feature of this model, with an adjustable mechanism that allows for precise control over the depth and alignment of cuts. This level of control is crucial for achieving a smooth finish on woodworking projects.
For under £20 this is an excellent tool for basic jobs DIY jobs around the home. It is reliable and gives a smooth finish. As long as you use long strokes and be patient, it works a treat. Fantastic value for money (even if I never get to use it again – although I hope to change a bedroom carpet soon and no longer fear having the same concerns with the door not fitting).
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £19.99
Available to buy from Amazon here.