Wooden hand plane advice

[Alice44]

Hi, I am a DT GCSE student and I am thinking of making a wooden hand plane as a project,
I was wondering if you experienced woodworkers could give me a bit of advice on hand planes, their main uses and important characteristics.

Or to just answer these 4 quick questions

1. What would be your main uses of the hand plane.
2. What size would be best for that use.
3.What price range would you consider paying for such a plane.
4.what are the most important characteristics of quality hand planes

Any other thoughts much appreciated.

[Jamesh]

Hi i
I would base you design on a no4 plane most common size....

It's a general purpose smoothing plane.

I'd make you plane 300mm long and 75mm wide 12mm either side of a 50mm blade.

You could carve it from a solid block or laminate it from three pieces.

Beech or oak I would suggest for weight.

Cheers James

[9fingers]

You have seen the date of the OP I presume?

Bob

[Jamesh]

Yea sorry she might have delayed it!

Cheers James