Object number
51/312
Collection
Description
This pole shave, also known as a rounder plane, was used in R. Middleton & Sons' wheelwrights shop in Eddington, Hungerford, in the nineteenth century. It was mainly used to shave down poles for hay rakes, but may also have been used for shaping tool handles or wagon spokes. It consists of two rectangular blocks each with a groove cut out so that together they form a hole through the plane, and the blocks can be expanded. Tools like this were usually home made.
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – This pole shave was in use in the Middletons’ Wheelwrights’ shop at Hungerford during the 19th century. It was used mainly for shaving poles for hay rakes, but it may also have been used for shaping tool handles or wagon spokes. // The plane consists of two blocks of wood, each with a groove cut out of the centre so that when put together they form a round hole through the plane. The blocks can be expanded by means of two screws terminating in handles. There is a single blade in the tool. The pole is clamped at one end and placed between the two blocks, and the plane is swung round by its handles down the whole length of the pole. // The pole is also known as a ROUNDING PLANE, a WITCHET, SMOOTHING ENGINE or STALL ENGINE. This shave measures 8” by 5” by 3.75”.
Production date
1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31
Production period
Mid-nineteenth century
Object name
Associated subject
