Replies

1. 
   Andrew | Mar 13, 2003 07:54pm | #1

   Ed, I would say your best bet is to start with a #5. It's an all around plane if set up properly. From there your starting down a slippery slope, and before you know it you won't be able to stop. You have been warned :). A shoulder plane is great for fine tuning tennons and is handy to have in the shop. Other planes like combination planes and other specialty planes can wait till later, as you probably won't use them as frequently.

   Are you planning on buying new or used? If you're buying new you can't go wrong with Lie-Nielsen or Veritas planes. If your buying used learn how to tune up a plane and start hunting.

1. 
   edevo | Mar 14, 2003 12:16am | #2

   Thanks for the response Andrew. I am buying new and your advice is just what I was looking for. A #5 is where I'll start. One other question the catalog I have that has L-N planes in it show #1, #2, #4 bench planes and then it jumps to a low angle jack plane (based on a stanley #62 14" long).....is this equivalent to a #5?

1. 
   AlanTurner | Mar 14, 2003 01:15am | #3

   Go to the L-N web site to see the full line.  You can buy from them (which I like to do becuase I just love that company) or you can get a slight discount from a couple of internet sites, which have been mentioned in prior threads.  You will love the L-N's if you haven't tried them yet.  It is a plane of a different class.  When available, I go for the bronze becaseu they do not rust, and my shop is in the basement, which in the Philadelphia area can be damp at times.

2. 
   BG | Mar 14, 2003 01:37am | #4

   Edevo,

   As Andrew warned, you will want them all..I know I do.  I started with the #5 then went to the #7 then the block..hand scrapers are very important.  Next I want a scrub and a smoother.  Then I'm finished...ha,ha,ha

1. 
   kennedy136 | Mar 14, 2003 06:42am | #6

   Bg,

            Now I'm finished,  Yeah Riiiiiigggghhhhttttt!  ROFLMAO   Finished!  Whooo  boy.

                                        Mark

2. 
   SCFrankland | Mar 14, 2003 03:27am | #5

   My first plane was a #6 and then it took off form there I have about 200 of them now and I am still looking.  I don't buy many new ones but I have used both the L-N and the Lee Valley.  I like the LV planes but the look and feel of the LN are just a step above.  But as you have been told once you buy one it snow balls.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Was the Newfoundland Wood Worker now the Nova Scotia Wood Worker.

3. 
   GregB126 | Mar 14, 2003 07:03am | #7

   Ed,

   I think one of the most versatile planes is the block.  If you get the L-N adjustable mouth low angle block plane, adjust the mouth to fairly narrow and sharpen well, it will do just about anything you ask of it.  Good success and much happiness, all the more to embolden you toward bench planes.  There, the L-N 5 1/2 is extremely versatile too.  You can get a long way on these.  Read about how they work and learn to sharpen well; you'll be "hooked"... which brings us to scrapers, but that's another story.

   Cheers,

   Greg

1. 
   AlanTurner | Mar 14, 2003 05:47pm | #8

   Everyone has their favorite.  For me, it is the block rabbet plane.  This guy will fit a tenon or a half lap in short order, dead on.  Now I routinely cut my mortises first, then cut the tenon oversized by about 1/32 or so, and then fit by hand.  Same with half lap, and bridle joints.  Quick, perfect, and quite satisfying.  It is the one L-N I would most miss.

1. 
   Lar55 | Mar 15, 2003 12:34am | #9

   s4s - glad to hear your favorite L-N is the block rabbeting.  I ordered the block Rabbet about a week ago and received a letter today from Garret Wade saying it's still backordered.  Wait wait wait.

2. 
   GregB126 | Mar 15, 2003 07:05pm | #10

   Is that the relatively new one based on a Sargent design?  I've heard it's superb.  I already have the low angle block and the skew rabbit with nicker, which I use as you describe.  The only tricky bit is the distortion which occurs when the side is removed for rebating, which then requires care in evening out the blade depth across its width.  I do think the blocks in general are a good place to start.  Versatile and confidence building.

4. 
   arcwood | Mar 16, 2003 04:21am | #11

   EDEVO if you are buying new and looking at a #4, consider the Clifton. $100 less with a great blade and 2-piece cap iron. Those cool looking square sides on the L-N (Stanley Bedrock too) dig into your front hand on #4 and less. I think maybe its one of those things that, having paid so much, folks don't complain.

5. 
   JamesC67 | Mar 16, 2003 05:30am | #12

   Ed,

    I'm sure others will disagree with me but if your going to use it and not abuse it and not going to use them hard like in a buisness situation I'd say go to a place like Home Depot or maybe even a well stocked hardware store.  I have a Stanley low angle hand plane that I paid less than $20.00 for I have older antique planes that were once my grandfathers I also have some older Baileys and Stanly's but when I'm just taking off a little material from a corner or just trimmining to scribe an edge for caninets I always seem to grab the inexpensive low angle Stanley.  I just use my oil stone and then I use several grits of sandpaper to 800 to 1000 grit on a straight flat peice of "1/4 steel to keep it razor sharp. I was in the local Home Depot the other day and seen some pretty nice Buck brothers hand planes I dont own one of their planes but I do have a set of their lathe turning tools  I've used them quite a few times and they seem to do a really nice job. I keep them like with my hand planes very sharp and they seem to hold an edge really good it just depends on the type of wood thats being turned on how fast they get dull and need to be resharpened.      Well Good Luck on your decission and to you I say Have Fun Creating Sawdust.........

   Sincerely,

   Jim Clark   at the "PUTTERIN YANKEE"woodworking shop

1. 
   BG | Mar 16, 2003 03:45pm | #13

   Doc,

   I won't disagree with you. I bought the Stanley low angle block plane and spent a few hours doing the scary sharp on the blade and sole of the plane.  Terrific !