Replies

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Jun 29, 2008 06:09am | #1

   Moataz,

   I would recommend atleast two planes to start off with - one for dressing lumber and one for trimming.

   Depending on what scale of work you plan to do (jewlery boxes vs. furniture), you should consider a jack or jointer plane to prep stock.  The longer the sole of the plane, the easier it is to accurately flatten stock.  Also, longer planes tend to have more mass.  This is good and bad.

   For trimming, I'd recommend a block plane or a short smoother.  The smoother has more mass and requires two hands to use, whereas the block plane is easily held with one.  The Veritas LA block has an accessory front knob and rear tote to provide a more comfortable two handed grip where one can really bear down on the plane.

   In the past, bench planes with 45-degree beds have been the most prevalent, but now low-angle planes with 12-degree beds have become more popular.  They are more versitile because by simply swapping out blades, you can change the cutting angle from shallow for end grain and soft woods to steep for figured hardwoods.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

   
   

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   Edited 6/28/2008 11:10 pm by flairwoodworks

1. 
   msw | Jun 29, 2008 06:18am | #2

   Chris,

   Thank you for your reply.

   I am very intersted in the Lee Neilson Planes.  Most of the people, when I started woodworking advised me to buy the best especially in handtools. 

   So, I have been buying slowly my woodworking tools. 

   My budget is to buy two planes in the near future.  Are you familar with the Lee Nielson Planes? 

   If I am building a tool closet and I am using plywood and will making finger joints, can I use the same block plane to clean the joints after I make them if they need to be smoothed.

   Thank you,

   Moataz.

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Jun 29, 2008 06:24am | #3

   "Buy the best you can" is good advice.  The Lie Nielsen (note spelling) and Veritas planes are two of the best mass-produced planes made today.  Compare the two, as there are significant differences.

   Some may shudder at planing plywood, but it works just fine.  The only problem is that the glue used to make plywood is hard on the blades.  I hope that you are using baltic birch ply.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

2. 
   MDCustom | Jun 29, 2008 08:13am | #4

   If you aren't concerned with "new" planes, I have been buying older planes from retired gentlemen, eBay, and garage sales. Lots of good info about tuning them available in FWW back issues and other places on the net. Most of my purchases have all been between $10-20 each. The money saved has been spent on a good bench grinder and sharpening supplies (gotta keep the blades sharp!)
   Check for cracks, blade length, no rust pitting on the sole. My most used planes are a #3, #4, two block planes (low-angle and reg) and a shoulder plane. I don't use a jointer plane as much now that I have power. Good Luck