Prototype Rabbet Moulding Plane

Photo 1

I've been thinking about making a Rabbet Moulding Plane. Perhaps out of spalted maple and some purpleheart for boxing. But I'm not sure how much I will actually use it so I'm still dragging my feet a bit. To get on with it, I made this prototype out of scrap Pine and 1/4" Baltic Birch plywood. At the moment I'm using a chisel but the final make will have its own iron. And I'm not sure if I should make it 1/2" or 3/4" wide.

Thoughts?

Photo 2

This is the bottom of the plane.  I had some tearout when cutting the bed angle and breast angle. So don't beat me up... it's a prototype. LOL! This is one of the reasons to have boxing because the corners will be reinforced, especially for this type of plane.

Photo 3

Here I make a cut line with my marking gauge.
This cut will be where the bottom corner of the plane iron and the bottom right corner of the plane will ride.
There's no fence.
So..the technique here is that you carefully make a couple of passes with the planes corner making a track. Then several tilting more upright. Then finally making passes with plane completely upright.

Photo 4

Here I deepen my cut with a knife. This provides a better track for riding the plane.

Photo 5

This is an optional step if you find above difficult. You make a knife wall. But you still carry on similar to above in photo 3.

Photo 6

The results speak for itself. I'm pleased with the ease of cutting. Keep in mind there is no depth stop. Most moulding plane style rabbet planes don't have one. I could always add one later if I change my mind.

So.... what do you think?