Replies

1. 
   NormInFujino | Aug 28, 2002 10:48am | #1

   I have a small Rali block plane I use for rough work on occasion. It's small, uses disposable razor blade irons, and isn't adjustable or accurate enough for very fine work, but for roughing out in smaller areas I find it handy.

   ". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."

   Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

2. 
   J_Herbel | Aug 28, 2002 09:18pm | #2

   I use  the Rali plane that they market as a smoothing plane, but I use it as a scrub plane so that I don't have to take sharpening breaks all the time. I have about 10 of the "disposable" razor blades that I use until they are all dull and then I sharpen them all at one time. Because the blades are so thin, it takes only two or three passes on a fine stone to hone the edge sharp enough for hogging off wood. I don't think the idea of disposable irons is a new one. I seem to recall that Stanley makes or did make a plane that had disposable irons. I don't throw much away, so that aspect of the plane is not what appeals to me.

   The plane feels surprisingly good to use considering that it is made of plastic and nickel. It  works pretty well as a smoothing plane with straight grained wood. The mouth doesn't adjust fine enough to handle any kind of irregular grain. It's precise, very simple to use, and there is zero fettling necessary to put it to use. I bet that a trim carpenter would find the Rali handy because it's so quick and simple to use and suspect it would plane soft woods very well. If you work mostly with hard woods and can have only one plane, however, I think a person would be better off with something more traditional.

3. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Aug 29, 2002 02:46am | #3

   FWW included Rali planes in a comparison test a few years ago.  The author decided that good models of traditional design were better.

4. 
   JeffKurtz | Sep 06, 2002 07:12am | #4

   Thanks for the input!  Think I'll pass on the Rali.

   Jeff