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I have purchased an old butcher block that has extensive damage to the top. I want to flip the block over and plane the other side smooth to be the new top. The butcher block is constructed with the end-grain as the working surface.

I am new to woodworking and wanting to buy a plane that will work well for this job and last me a lifetime. From my reading so far, I want a jack plane (like a Stanley #5). Is this right?

Thanks for all the advice.

flow master
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    Welcome to WW.SE. Your main question is fine, as it asks for advice about tools for a specific purpose. You might want to check the historical Q&A to see if your question is already answered, as refinishing/resurfacing butcher blocks is a common subject. Your follow-up questions about sources for new or used tools is probably off-topic. SE sites do not generally encourage shopping questions as that information would rarely stay relevant. I recommend you [edit] this question and keep to the single question about tool advice for this job. –  Jun 05 '20 at 14:44
  • Also, make sure you take the [tour] if you have not already done so. SE sites are very different than many other online forums-style sites out there. Specifically, SE sites are not threaded forums, but rather are collections of Q&A. –  Jun 05 '20 at 14:48
  • Examples: https://woodworking.stackexchange.com/q/741/5572 and many of the other auto generated "Related" Q&A in the sidebar of this page. –  Jun 05 '20 at 14:54
  • Not only welcome to [Woodworking.se], but welcome to woodworking! Well purchased tools cost a lot today, but have immeasurable value when passed down through the generations. Also, while shopping questions are off-topic, local flea markets may be a good source of tools, and your local woodworking supply store (Rockler, Woodcrafters, etc.) and lumber mill/yard (not the big-box store) will be good sources of info on local places to get quality used tools. Plus, you'll want to know those guys anyway... – FreeMan Jun 05 '20 at 17:06
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    Hi and welcome. "From my reading so far, I want a jack plane (like a Stanley #5). Is this right?" No, not really for such a large end-grain surface — end grain presents a particularly difficult planing task, and just the end of a single board can be challenging. An entire butcher block is an order of magnitude more difficult! Just to be clear, it IS possible, but I wouldn't wish the task on any first-time user for multiple reasons. I think really what you want here is a belt sander.... but these also require some practice to wield well enough to leave a good surface on such a large area. – Graphus Jun 05 '20 at 17:54
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    "Also I want to be able to sharpen it and will need stones, so recomendations are appreciated." You'd have to be able to sharpen it (likely before first use) so sharpening stuff of some kind is mandatory, from day 1. But the subject of sharpening is extremely fraught with personal bias as you'll discover if you do even a surface scan of Q&As here, and threads on woodworking fora anywhere in the world — there are good English-language woodworking forums in America, Canada, the UK and Australia, many of which have been going for a long time so there's loaaaads to read in their archives. – Graphus Jun 05 '20 at 17:59
  • "I would love to find used if there is a good source." There are many possible sources, depending on the part of the world you're in.... in larger countries your specific location is important, as there are regional variations of easy availability of secondhand tools (e.g. in the US the north east is the traditional goldmine sector of the country, and pickings are very slim to non existent in some other places). But unfortunately with the current situation re. Covid-19, many of the best sources are no longer viable and there's no telling when they'll become active again. – Graphus Jun 05 '20 at 18:08
  • You still thinking secondhand is your preferred way to acquire a plane here? I can help with that if so. While I do favour this when beginning to be fair there are some inexpensive to relatively inexpensive new options today in most markets that, contrary to some opinions, are usable to very good. Although generally a decent vintage plane will be a good one, it's sometimes impossible to be sure from photos. – Graphus Jun 13 '20 at 09:47

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Technicaly, you would be able to do it with a good smoothing plane with very tight mouth and really sharp blade - low angle plane could help (but only if the real cutting angle was lower than on "normal" plane - which it often isn't - because of bevel up blade).

But as was pointed out in comments (which I think should really be answers), sanding may be much easier option and I would recommend that.

If you decide for hand-planing - sharpening (again, as was pointed out in the comments) is really essential - almost every new plane blade needs sharpening no matter if it's new or used (some new low-quality plane blades will in fact need more sharpening than well maintained used ones). And sharpening is very, very complex issue, and mastering it may take a long time. I would suggest just searching "how to sharpen plane" on youtube - there are many ways, and it's up to you to find out what will work for you - so just go and watch some - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=plane+sharpening

Jan Spurny
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    Good summary of the stuff from the comments, +1. One thing, a tight mouth is not needed for this work. And the iron being more fully supported with the frog in the 'default' position will help reduce the risk of chatter (already high given the type of planing being discussed). – Graphus Jun 13 '20 at 09:44