I’ve been lusting in my heart for the Lie-Nielsen #8 bench plane ever since it had its birth announcement on the LN web site about a year ago. (It’s sort of like lusting after Kim Basenger: I’ll never have her either.) They didn’t have one for me to fondle at the Pomona WW show (lucky for me! They got enough of my money as it is. LN tools at 10% off, while you’re actually holding them–cuddling them–in your hands…. But I digress) and neither did their booth people know anything about them. None of the catalog companies that I check with carries them, or even mentions them in their various materials. Has anyone actually seen one of these alleged planes live and in person? Has anyone put one of these as yet unconfirmed entities to wood? or know anyone who has? Or is this another bigfoot (big-plane) sighting? Has LN started another cult following with faked photographs on their web site and set-up witnesses? or is this thing for real?
Alan
Replies
Alan I belive I saw the LN#8 at woodcraft , if there is one in your area might try there.My stanley #8 is one of my favorite planes! Jerry
Alan, If I had that much LUST for the LN #8 , I would take out a loan and buy one...GO FOR IT!!
I have a stanely #8 also, I will get a Hock blade for it soon
It exists. I have one that I had on order since about '95, when I was at their store/factory and had my name put on a waiting list for tools in development. The wait was worth it--got it for $300 vs. the $450 they're asking now.
Don,
Er, ah...where do you live? Where do you keep this plane? And what time do you generally go to bed?
But seriously; how does it work? Do you notice any difference from the work you can do with a #7? After long last, is it true? Does size--a measly two inches--matter?
Alan
Edited 5/14/2002 12:03:24 PM ET by Alan
Alan,
My whereabouts are a closely guarded secret :)
The plane works like a charm, just like the rest of Lie-Nielsen's products. The only tuning it required out of the box was honing the blade. Since I use it exclusively for edge jointing, the extra blade width is inconsequential. I do think the extra two inches length and almost two pounds additional weight do make something of a difference, but if you have a #7 I don't really know if it's worth the investment. That is unless you're like I am and are an LN junkie (I'd be embarrassed to admit to the number of his planes that I have acquired over the years).
If you decide you need a #8 and don't want to spring for $475 (I just saw the price has gone up) you might want to think about getting an old Stanley and putting a Hock or Clifton blade on it. I suspect you can get something that will work just as well as the LN for noticeably less money. Anyway if you decide to take the plunge and get the LN, I'm sure you won't regret it.
Don,
I have a Record #7 with a Clifton iron and their two-piece cap iron. I got the plane new (a great story! I got the brand new Record, never taken out of the plastic wrap inside the box, AND a Stanley multi-plane, with all the irons--even the optional set--also still in the box, also brand new--though one iron had been honed--for a total of $45!). The Record needed a minimum of tuning and fussing, and worked just fine. The Clifton irons really made a HUGE difference. It was hard to believe how much better it worked. I can see how the LN would undoubtedly work better, for the reasons you gave--but not $475 better.
So I'm really not tempted to buy the LN. I merely lust after it. Of course if you want to give me yours....
Alan
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