Replies

1. 
   billballeza | Dec 29, 2006 12:35am | #1

   I just got the Veritas for Christmas. It will be used for fitting and cleaning up tenons and tongues. I think it will be ideal for the tasks.. although I haven't used it yet.

   I know for sure it'll beat using chisels as I had been doing.

   One of the reasons I went for the smaller size shoulder plane is because I do a fair amount of tongue and groove.. and it will be fine for cleaning up tenon shoulders.

2. 
   pzgren | Dec 29, 2006 01:35am | #2

   MB,

     Which one to get depends on what you're going to use it for. In the long run, you'll probably end up with more than one, so get the one now that will help you complete your next couple of projects....

     If most of your projects are of the "usual" size, then a large shoulder plane will work fine (either the LN, the LV, or the Clifton). If most of your projects are smaller in size (jewelry boxes and similar-sized items), then you might want either the medium (again, LN, LV or either of two Cliftons) or the LN bronze infill or even the tiny Clifton 400.

     I have no experience with the LV shoulder planes, but have the large and bronze LNs and the Clifton 400.  All three are superb, well-made planes. (I also have a new-manufactured Stanley #90 -- don't bother: it's not a very well-made plane, and neither are any of the other modern-manufactured Stanley shoulder planes....)

     LV also has a great reputation, so I'm sure that if you decide on one of theirs, you'll be happy with it.

     Both LN and LV have superb customer service and a generous return policy; if you're not happy with one of their products for some reason, they'll both "make it right."

   Beste Wünschen auf ein glückliches und wohlbehaltenes Neues Jahr!

   Tschüß!

   Mit freundlichen holzbearbeitungischen Grüßen aus dem Land der Rio Grande!!

   James

3. 
   ctsjr | Dec 29, 2006 01:39am | #3

   I've got the LV Veritas Medium Shoulder Plane and it works great--the blade holds an edge very well.  It's easy to tune and adjust and feels  good in hand.  It's not as pretty as the LN but it costs about $50 less.  Tom

   "Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
4. 
   Glaucon | Dec 29, 2006 02:16am | #4

   Haven't used the Clifton... but I do own the medium LV. In my opinion, it is one of the cases where LV has met or surpassed LN (generally I tend to favor the LN). If you do a Google,I think you will find a number of reviews. I think FWW did one not too long ago...?

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

   
   

   ---

   Edited 12/28/2006 6:23 pm ET by Glaucon

5. 
   hammer1 | Dec 29, 2006 04:03pm | #5

   I've had an older Record 3 in 1 for a long time. Primarily, I use it for cleaning up, fitting and getting into tight spots. The ability to change the front for bullnose or chisel plane work is handy. Don't drop one on the concrete floor! They are weak where the blade cap is let into the sides. Next to a low angle block plane, the 3in1 is the plane I grab most often.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

6. 
   Lataxe | Dec 29, 2006 04:45pm | #6

   MB,

   I've been using planes for a few months (being previously a machine tool-only woodworker) so have recently had a few of the buying decisions to make that you have.

   I bought the LV large shoulder plane early November and have used it to final-fit quite a few tenons and rabbets in the last couple of months.  It is a fine, functional item, with a number of innovations that do offer something - the reconfigurabe handles front and back; the set screws keeping the business end of the blade in place; the "softer" metal of the body.

   One poster mentions that it is unwise to drop a plane made of the traditional materials , as they are brittle and can break.  I suspect the Clifton may not have the resilience of an LV (Clifton state their plane bodies are "machined from quality grey iron...[and] the lever arm is of unbreakable malleable iron".  This seems to imply that the "grey iron" main body is not malleable.  (But I'm not sure).

   Anyway, the worry about dropping it, the engineering innovations of the LV and the LV price advantage decided me agin the Clifton, nice though it looks (and no doubt works).

   I did drop an LV block plane on to concrete from about 3 feet up, a while back.  It dinged one corner but the plane was othewise unharmed - I went over it most anxiously with the engineers square and straight edge. The dings were easily filed and polished to make things flat again on that corner. So the use of "softer" material does seem to have the advantage claimed by LV.

   Lataxe

7. 
   Midnight | Dec 29, 2006 11:38pm | #7

   you're talking about the Clifton 3110? Fine tool.. excellent workmanship and fantastic customer servise.. Only comment I could make to its detriment was that the adjuster has a hair more backlash than that of both the L-N medium and large shoulder planes... Other than that, it holds its own when compared to them, allowing for the differences in blade width. I'm sure you'll be satisfied with either of the ones you've mentioned.

   Mike Wallace

   Stay safe....Have fun