Got a new L-N 4 1/2 York pitch smoother this weekend at the WW show, (Detroit). All I can say is WOW. That makes L-N number five for the tool cabinet and I see more comming.
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Replies
Dang! The main reason I haven't gone to the Detroit WW shows for the past 2-3 yrs is that L-N doesn't seem to be displaying there (at least directly) anymore. I've pretty much got everything else I need, can afford, or can fit in the shop so L-N's attendance has been my barometer as to whether I go or not. L-N used to be there every year and the shows were pretty much the only place you could ever buy their stuff at a discount. L-N's website didn't list Detroit as one of the shows they were going to this year. Did L-N actually have their own booth or is somebody else exhibiting for them?
It was their own booth, they had the full line, (including the new workbench), out for hands on use, that's what sold it. It's funny, with all the router bits, useless jigs, and other junk, the L-N booth had the most people around it. I had to wait at least a half hour to try out the smoother.
DoubleDang!!
Thanks for the info. I'll have to pay a bit more attention next year so I don't miss them again.
Napie:
Is L-N now selling a workbench? How nice was it and what are they getting for that puppy? I will have to go to the site and see if they have a photo of it......
Don
Check here:
http://www.lienielsen.com/benches.html
$1800 each and they are custom built for each order. Vice configurations, height etc. are all optional. They look very nice, but I think each woodworker should build his own, that was one of my favorite projects, I might just build another for the heck of it.
I agree you don't buy a bench, or tool box for that matter you build one. I also agree that building mine was the most satisfying thing I have done to date. Admittedly mine is not as pretty but it serves me well, and I did build it myself.
I have since this picture was taken added a front vise as well. As you might have guessed I am in a new shop that is undergoing some sprucing up, hence the insulation bags in the back, it is a wooden garage buit in 1937.
Edited 12/8/2004 6:56 pm ET by SEAUMAS
Edited 12/8/2004 6:57 pm ET by SEAUMAS
I noticed in the picture that you have a twin screw vice attached to your bench. Have you had any problems with slippage in either one of the screws? I ask because I purchased and installed a Veritas Twin Screw some time ago and have been disappointed that the secondary screw (one w/o the drive pin) slips fairly easily.
I will have to strain my thought process for that, as I recall when I installed it in Feb. of 2001 I did have some issues I think with slipping, I just forget what the issue was but I do recall that it was solved.
If you have not already done so, contact Lee Valley's customer service I cannot say enough good things about them, they will be happy to help you if they can, but rest assured they will answer you.
To anyone looking for L-N planes check out
Thebestthings.com. I think they will beat the show prices. Good service.
I saw that site yesterday and bookmarked it. But then I found this one -
http://www.finetoolj.com/ln/home.html
Even better prices, plus free UPS ground.
termites
Don't mean to butt into your conversation with Seamus, but I haven't had problems (yet) with slippage on the secondary screw. It's been on the current work-bench (#15.. he..) since I finished it at the end of the summer of '03.
I will admit I don't ask it to do more than it's capable of doing. Everything has a limit and I keep it below red-line. I have another pretty power-ful single front vise that can be used in conjunction with the twin with a few home-spun fixtures.
Regards...
sarge..jtProud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Nice bench Sarge you should be proud of that. I think that my problem was I had one link too many in the chain that drives the two screws, and that once I rectified that the problem was solved, at least I think that is what it was.
As I said in the previous post, send an E-mail to Lee Valley they will be more than happy to help out, they have helped me a number of times, I need all the help I can get.
SEAUMAS
The extra length was probably the culprit. Too much slack can lead to cant as easily as too tight and can produce a jumped chain. I check for both frequently as proper planning and atttention to machine will eliminate a lot of emergency surgery after the fact. :>)
Regards...
sarge..jtProud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Yeah, the hanging tool cabinet I built after the bench was a lot of fun too. I keep buying these planes though I'll need another one!
Hope the new shop is going well, setting one up is a never ending task.
Trouble is everytime I start working on the shop itself another little project comes up, that simply has to be attended to.
I hope to build a set of drawers and a counter along one wall similar to a Shaker built in unit which should house all my tools for years to come, that is of course unless we end up moving again.
Napie:
I am actually in the process of building one right now....It has been very satisfying although I am scratching my head right now about how to join the aprons....ie. half-blind dovetail or not....I have posted a question in "Joinery"...maybe you can help!?
Don
I through dovetailed mine. A bit easier and look great too.
If I may but in here, Rob Cosman's catalogue offered a bench for $4000.00 CDN. ten months aga or so. Ken
It's probably defective. If you'll send it to me I'll check it out for a couple of years and let you know.
Congrats! I own the regular pitch LN 4 1/2 and I love it. I also own my second set of their bench chisels, and I am not very impressed by these ones either. First set was sent back.
I looked at the chisels, nice but not for the money. I can fix up old Stanleys and Bucks and they work fine. Not quite the same with planes though.
I go my L-N chisels last month and I am REALLY pleased with them. I bought them to replace a set of Sorby's and the comparison is night and day. I was so pleased with the quality I back-ordered three mortising chisels. Should be here next month._________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
c'mon, fess up.... how in the heck do ya order their mortice chisels?? their site makes no mention of em at all.....Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
I just checked the site and did not see a workbench there, but I suspect I would have to remortgage my house to afford it, their Calendar is $15 dollars.
I have a Sorby Chisel, actually a Mortiseing chisel and frankly it is not worth the powder to blow it to hell. It was expensive and won't hold an edge long enough to go from the stone to the bench.
I was wondering in the above post, what was the problem with the Lie-Nielson chislels, and how is their customer service. The guy who does their demonstrations here in Canada has seen me at so many shows he recognizes me, and is a great salesman. ( I bought Veritas though)
I've yet to see either of their chisels; wrong side of the pond and wayyyyy up in the styx... and without seeing their bench, I'd be willing to bet it's gonna be a cracker...
I still consider myself a hand tool rookie, especially when it comes to chisels; trying to find decent design / steel / manufacturer is like finding hens teeth, although I've found to my cost that there's no shortage of lemons out there. Having bought plenty of L-N's planes, they've more than sold me on their build quality and customer support, so I've no qualms in ordering chisels from them; it's a when, not an if, if that makes sense... Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
A friend recently purchased a set of LN bench chisels. I was very disappointed by the very visible presence of machine marks that should have been honed out of existence before shipping. They might be worth the investment if they came mirror polished and razor sharp, but that certainly wasn't the case with the set my friend received.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
I've been keeping a weather eye on the chisel quality thread, forming the opinion that maybe I'll hold off a while until they iron out the wrinkles in their supply / quality.Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
They clearly advertise that the backs are flattened with 400 grit. Polishing the back is done in the regular routine of sharpening so why pay the manufacturer to do it?
"They clearly advertise that the backs are flattened with 400 grit. Polishing the back is done in the regular routine of sharpening so why pay the manufacturer to do it?"
Peter,
For the price they're asking for a set of bench chisels, the buyer is already paying the manufacturer for the service - it's just not being provided. IMO, if a company is going to charge premium prices, they should deliver a product that warrants the upcharge.
I paid substantially less than the LN prices when I bought my Two Cherries bench chisels, and they were beautifully polished and required only a quick honing before use.
BTW, I am not anti Lie-Nielsen: I am a very satisfied with their hand planes and spokeshaves.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
Yes Two Cherries are beautifully polished, but they are not even close to flat.
Peter I'd agree with your comment that the two cherries are far from flat, additionally they are covered in a gloop of lacquer that's a major pain....Iain
"Yes Two Cherries are beautifully polished, but they are not even close to flat."
Peter,
Mine were fine. Sorry to hear you had problems with yours.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
How do you know they are flat?
"How do you know they are flat?"
Peter,
Hmmm... your question sounds a little cynical. FWIW, when I honed the back and bevel, I was able to visualize a consistent 8000-grit scratch pattern that was distributed evenly without high spots or low spots. Works for me!
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
When I hone with 8000 grit I can not see a scratch pattern. Very good reason to start with something more coarse on a new blade. Works for me.
"When I hone with 8000 grit I can not see a scratch pattern. Very good reason to start with something more coarse on a new blade. Works for me."
Peter,
You might want to try a ten- or twenty-power objective lense.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
My boxed set of four Two Cherries wasn't flat and had course grinder marks.
Hello. I am guessing that you meant me. I received my set of bench chisels a couple of months ago and after sharpening them they would loose the edge after several minutes use. I too am Canadian and I got the chisels through Rob Cosman which I am sure is the salesman that you are referring to. I ended up sending them back to LN and they sent me a new set that they said they extensively tested. Maybe I am asking too much but my old crappy tires hold an edge longer but do not get as sharp an edge or get the edge as easily. So the customer service was great but the chisels are not.
...uh, you call them up and ask. Sorrrrrry, had to do it.
They sent me a notice about their availibility when I received shipping confirmation of the bench chisels. They are $50/ea and they will sell individually._________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
smartass... ;P~~~
I ummmm... take it you'll gloat.. I mean "review" them for us lesser mortals when you get the chance...???Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
A friend of mine with a reputation as a "Neantertal" had the opportunity to test some pre-production units last summer. I tried them, and that's why I am buying them.
Both the bench and mortise chisels are small in the hand. I like that. They are very easy to control.
The metal is superb. It is easy to get an edge and then it keeps that edge for a long time. Conversely, my Sorby's to not hold the edge for long and in fact a distinct curl forms after a couple of whacks with a light hammer. I'll sharpen the Sorby's and use them for paring chisels.
I know folks have had good success with the LV and Clifton planes, but to me, the initial out of the box L-N quality is what every manufacturer should strive for._________________________________
Michael in San Jose
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell
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