Q:
Which smoothing plane should I get first, a No. 4 or a No. 4-1/2?
William Cho, Sacramento, CA
A:
My recommendation is to start with a No. 4 because its size and agility make it an ideal allaround smoother. I use mine to clean up dovetails after assembly, fine-tune the fit of drawers and doors, remove mill marks from board edges, and smooth
small panels.
However, on large panels and tabletops, a wider blade and more mass are nice to have. The blade is wider on the No. 4-1⁄2, and the plane weighs about 1 lb. more. It takes more energy to get the No. 4-1⁄2 going, but once moving, its extra momentum carries it easily through the cut.
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Marking knife: Hock Double-Bevel Violin Knife, 3/4 in.
Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure
Lie-Nielsen No. 102 Low Angle Block Plane
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