Love the idea of a lovely bronze tool- and have used one before- but that extra 3/8″ in the cast iron tool and its corresponding foot it is of interest as well. Any thoughts?Perhaps from a person that owns or has used either/both?
Having to actually choose one between them is a very nice problem to have. Thanks for your input.
Mike
Replies
Depends on how much horsepower you're comfortable putting into it. The 4 1/2 weighs 5 1/2 pounds, the 4 weighs 4 pounds in iron, 4 1/2 in bronze. The blade is 3/8 inch wider in the 4 1/2, combined, the 4 1/2 will work you a little harder. If you could get to the LN showroom, you could try out both and find which one seems to work best for you. That's what I did in October and I left with the 4. The 4 1/2 is a beautiful tool though, and perhaps getting one of each is the right thing to do. After all, them credit card companies wouldn't send you all them cards if they didn't want you to use them. BTY, the high angle frog does work better in snarly grained stuff like curly maple. And, the guys with the 4 1/2's never talk about trading down to a 4. Good luck with your decision, you really can't go to far wrong with either.
SJADDIS41
I have both and use both. If I had to chose which one to go with if I could have only one, probably the #4 1/2 but it would be an extremely close call. If the #4 1/2 had the standard 45 degree pitch as the #4, the main difference is a slight difference in lenght, weight and iron width.
Would be like comparing two idenical race cars with the exception of a slight difference in wheel-base and one had not been waxed. ha.. ha..
Regards...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I have only two planes. The LN low angle block plane and the LN #5 jack plane.
The #5 has the same iron as the #41/2.. also pitched to 45.. but just a bit longer and heavier and, to my mind, more functional if you're only getting one LN bench plane.
The #5 is a "jack of all trades". . smoothes, levels, joints.
The price difference?
#41/2 $299
#5 $300
If I could have four LN planes they would be:
low angle block plane
rebate plane
#4 1/2 smoother
#7 jointer
I have both, and I always choose the 4 1/2 over the 4. I have no idea why. They sit right next to each other on the shelf, so must be the looks. I do like a heavier plane, for some things. Ah heck, you can't choose the wrong one. I like Sarge's comparison .
I looked at both and chose the #4. The #4 1/2 just seemed a bit heavy. I'm very pleased with the #4, and if I had chosen the #4 1/2 I'm sure I would have been pleased with that. Flip a coin.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled