Replies

1. 
   Len | Aug 23, 2008 05:02pm | #1

   Napie,

   I'm ashamed of you. $500... Is that all? ROFL!

    

   Len

   "You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time. " J. S. Knox

2. 
   Jimurock | Aug 23, 2008 05:11pm | #2

   Got to handle the stuff?  You must have had a letter from the President -- President Lee, that is.  At my local store the good stuff is in glass cases.  If you want to hold a plane you have to ask a counter clerk to open the case, assuming there isn't a lineup at the counter.  Under no circumstances do you get to soil the tool with -- ugh-- wood.

   When I first came to Ontario around 1970 the liquor laws were such that you had to go to a government store to buy booze, write out your order on a form and submit it to the clerk with your ID.  He disappeared out back and re-emerged with your order in a brown paper bag so that nobody would know you were flirting with the demon drink.  If you were lucky there might be a display of (empty) bottles rather than just a catalogue so you could see what you were getting.

   LV isn't that bad, but it has something of that puritan feel about it.  Don't walk on the grass.  You take a number and wait for it to be called by a clerk behind the counter.  When he fetches your order you can examine it before you're shuffled along to the cashier.  The clerk will discuss the tools with you, but you can't really use them, and you're mindful of the queue behind you.  It's a catalogue store with exhibits.  I can see why it's like that, given the value of the merchandize and the ease with which someone could walk off with it if it wasn't locked up, but it doesn't make for a great shopping experience.  I use the store if I'm desperate for something, but usually just order by mail now, to avoid the drive across town.  The novelty of seeing the stuff wore off fast.

   Jim

1. 
   Napie | Aug 23, 2008 05:30pm | #3

   I do see your point, but as it was my first time in the store I enjoyed it.  It was the <!----><!----><!---->one Steeles Ave<!----><!----> and they said it is the biggest of the stores, don't know about that.  The place was empty and I had a very knowledgeable clerk to myself.  He wanted to talk <!----><!---->US<!----><!----> politics and I want to play with tools, it worked out well.  He also directed me to a great bowl of Pho downtown.

   <!----><!----> <!---->

   Price wise the GST and shipping just about cancel each other so it was not an advantage from a money standpoint but there is no wait for <!---->UPS<!---->.   Overall though, I'd buy off the web for the ease,  but when I'm there, which I will be a lot now, I'll visit.

2. 
   jfb3 | Aug 28, 2008 07:20pm | #18

   We have a place here in San Diego called Craftsmen's studio that sells LN, and they let you play with all the tools, cut/shave some wood which is nice.  I recommend it if you are in the area and market for LN tools.

1. 
   Jimurock | Aug 28, 2008 07:36pm | #19

   Nice thought, but it's a long haul from Canada.  We have no Woodcraft, Rockler etc. and most of the stores in my area don't allow shavings.  So you wait patiently for the annual Wood Show to be allowed into the playground. 

   Jim

2. 
   roc | Sep 05, 2008 06:07am | #21

   Here is a silly >let you play with all the tools, cut/shave some wood< story:When I was first learning I was accustomed to showing up at the local Woodcraft every month or so and checking out a couple of the Lie-Nielsen planes to figure out which one to choose next. Well I always showed up in my MG with my driving cap and nice clothes.One day I had been doing metal working and I was all in black because black doesn't show the soot and grease one picks up around metal. I had my small clip on tool pouch with deburing tool and layout scribers etc. in it. In short I looked like I was "on the job".I went in with a hunk of the latest cantankerous wood that was giving me fits, some slightly rowed bubinga. I said hi to the new guy at the counter and as usual headed for the work bench in in the middle of the floor. I grabbed a plane that I was interested in making an attempt with and away we go.Well to make a long story short the new guy, who was in his fifties or sixties, started being rude to me and asking what I was doing and "who said you could do this" etc.Apparently he thought I had come in off some job and was planing this hunk of wood to install on some job site some where. Can't imagine what he thought it was for. It was only about a foot long and less than three inches wide, just a scrap.After I ceased and desisted with some incredulity and stood there for half an hour ogling the other planes I didn't need but lusted after he finally decided I was "alright" and apologized.I bought a plane and left. They should have a sign:"No planing unless you meet the dress code !"Speaking of Lee Valley I don't hear people talk about or review the larger of the two Veritas router planes that came out a year or two ago but I really like it and recommend it. I ground the narrowest blade even narrower and can do small stuff in a pinch quite happily in addition to the bigger projects. Some day I will buy the little one.

3. 
   forestgirl | Aug 23, 2008 06:22pm | #4

   "I escaped for under $500.00."  An amazing demonstration of will-power and self-discipline!  At least now I know what to take out of the bank before I go up to Vancouver (some day). 

   So, you gonna tell us what you made away with?  Inquiring minds want to know!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   PeterDurand | Aug 23, 2008 06:50pm | #5

   Make sure you go to the larger store. 

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

2. 
   Napie | Aug 24, 2008 04:53am | #8

   Sorry about that!  Yes, the round bottom squirrel tail plane, a new coping saw, a half dozen books, (I like the reprints they have), and a set of cast iron legs for a new bench.  I’d look at those a lot in the catalog and wondered what they were like and I found them very well done and sturdy.  And of course I need another workbench…

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 24, 2008 05:32am | #9

   Nice haul, Napie!  I saw a set of those legs on Craig's List last year and it was very hard to stay away!  Was saving up for the "new" tablesaw.

   Congrats!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   ctsjr | Aug 25, 2008 04:59am | #10

   Jamie

   There's a store in Vancouver and you DON'T go?  :)  That's some self control and discipline!  I'm impressed.  I'm moving to a tiny town on the TX/LA border, so it's mostly internet buying for me for a while.  Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 25, 2008 06:59am | #11

   "There's a store in Vancouver and you DON'T go?"  Hah!  We DON'T go anywhere these days!  Gas waaayyyy too expensive, and with the stock market in distress, there's no $$ for a better mileage vehicle, so I'm on a super-short leash.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   PeterDurand | Aug 25, 2008 07:36am | #12

   Bus?Peter (G) 

   Better life through Zoodles and poutine...

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 25, 2008 04:48pm | #13

   "Bus?"  Will they let me bring a wheelbarrow?  ROFL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   dgreen | Aug 25, 2008 05:56pm | #14

   If you ride the dog they have a pretty big cargo area under the coach! :) 

    

   ................................................

   You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. Jack London

2. 
   ctsjr | Aug 26, 2008 05:09am | #15

   I suppose a row boat is out of the question?  ;)  Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

1. 
   Terrenord | Aug 28, 2008 01:18am | #16

   I buy my toys at Leevalley.  It's great for jigs and all those fancy handtools that are as much a decorations as useful implements.  There's something almost pornographic about those handplanes they sell that just makes me want flatten out every piece of wood I see with them.  For my utility stuff though, I go to House of Tools here in Edmonton.

2. 
   LB | Sep 03, 2008 11:57pm | #20

   You mean, House of Fools!!! :)

   Good to see another from Edmonton here.

   LB

4. 
   philip | Aug 24, 2008 02:59am | #6

   I detect initial symptoms of unwellness....

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   Napie | Aug 24, 2008 04:48am | #7

   Well when it comes to planes I’m a L-N fan and my Scottish frugality held sway…

5. 
   twotowers | Aug 28, 2008 05:25am | #17

   Napie;
   $ 500.00?
   I would think you demonstrated a good deal of restraint!
   I feel bad for you!
   Jim