This tip was developed by Jodee from Inspire Woodcraft.
It addresses one of the most frequent mistakes new woodworkers make when using a hand plane: adjusting the lateral (skew) lever mid-job.
While that small lever feels like an easy fix when an edge isn’t coming out square, it can create far more problems than it solves.
Jodee breaks down what the lateral lever is actually for, when it should be used, and how to square or flatten edges without touching it once your plane is set.
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Why the Lateral Lever Is So Tempting
When a board comes off the plane and the edge isn’t square, or the shaving looks angled, it’s natural to think the blade must be skewed. Many new users immediately reach for the lateral lever and nudge it a little to the left or right.
But that adjustment is intended for initial setup—not for solving problems mid-project. If you’re constantly tweaking the lateral lever every time the plane cuts unevenly, you’re resetting the baseline alignment over and over again.
That makes it hard to get consistent results, especially when planing multiple boards.
When the Lateral Lever Should Be Used
The lever is a key part of the setup process after sharpening and reinstalling the blade. Its job is to help align the blade so it sits square to the sole of the plane. That way, the blade cuts evenly across the full width of the board.
Jodee recommends placing the plane on its heel, looking down the length of the sole with a contrasting background (like white paper) beneath it. Slowly advance the blade and observe which side protrudes first. Then use the lateral lever to correct for that skew before lowering the blade further.
The goal is a blade that projects evenly, without favoring one side.
Once that’s done, leave the lever alone.
Validating Setup with Shaving Tests
Even with a good sightline, visual setup isn’t enough.
To confirm lateral alignment, Jodee suggests using a narrow board and taking two test shavings—one along the left side of the blade and one along the right.
If one side produces a thicker shaving, that edge of the blade is lower. Make a tiny lateral adjustment and test again. Repeat until both sides produce even shavings.
Once you’ve reached that point, stop adjusting. The plane is tuned. From there, any planing issues should be addressed with technique—not hardware changes.
Fixing an Out-of-Square Edge Without Touching the Lever
When an edge isn’t square, don’t assume it’s the tool—focus on how you’re using it. Jodee explains a progressive planing technique that solves the problem using movement and pressure alone.
Start with the plane slightly hanging off the high side of the board. Take a narrow, light pass focused on the high corner.
Then shift the plane inward and make a slightly wider pass, applying more downward pressure on the high side.
Keep repeating this process, gradually increasing the width of the pass, until you’re removing material evenly across the full width.
By shifting pressure and path, the plane naturally removes more from the high side, squaring up the edge without altering your blade setup.
This approach takes a little practice but produces consistent results while preserving the plane’s tuned condition.
Problems Caused by Adjusting the Lever Mid-Job
Making lateral adjustments during a project often introduces these issues:
- Gouge marks on faces due to the blade riding unevenly
- Unwanted bevels on edges, caused by off-center cuts
- Inconsistent results across boards, especially if one board is planed with a skewed blade and the next isn’t
- Wasted time, since correcting the setup requires going back to the start and revalidating blade alignment
These problems compound quickly and can be hard to diagnose if you’re not sure what changed.
How to Recover If the Plane Is Out of Tune
If your plane has already been adjusted mid-job or someone else used it before you, there’s a way to reset:
- Use the heel-up visual inspection method with paper for contrast
- Make small lateral lever adjustments as you slowly lower the blade
- Use shaving tests on a narrow board to confirm both sides are cutting evenly
- When in doubt, reset and retest—better to take a few extra minutes than ruin a batch of parts
Jodee also suggests keeping a quick note or reference card with each plane’s setup baseline. That makes it easier to return to a good configuration if something slips.
Small Tips That Make a Big Difference
- Use contrast under the plane for easier visual inspection of the blade
- Take light passes when testing shavings—thinner shavings show problems more clearly
- Practice on scrap boards to develop feel and control before planing actual project parts
- Stay square in your stance—if your body or grip is angled, the plane won’t register square, no matter how well it’s tuned
When It’s OK to Touch the Lever
There are only a few times to adjust the lateral lever:
- During setup after reinstalling a sharpened blade
- When switching blades or changing the frog bedding
- If the plane has been bumped, dropped, or disassembled
In every other case, rely on proper technique—movement, pressure, and light corrective passes—to get the results you want.
That habit will save you time and give you more consistent surfaces.
Support Jodee by visiting his online store here: https://inspirewoodcraft.com/collections/all.