block plane purchase

Re: block plane purchase

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>In my opinion, the LN #140 would be a versatile plane to have. I have the Stanley #140 and don't use it a bunch because I have so many other block planes, but if I only had one it would be the one I'd want to have. You can buy an older Stanley #18 or #65 and have a pretty nice plane for quite a bit less than a new LN or LV, and it can function about the same with a new Hock iron. I have not really made up my mind over low angle planes, they are slightly better at shaving end grain, and I would probably buy the low angle before the standard angle for this reason.

Re: block plane purchase *LINK*

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Rocky

A low angle (LA, 37 degree cutting angle) block plane is far more versatile than a standard angle (SA, 45 degree cutting angle). The lower the cutting angle, the easier it will cut end grain. I have included a Link below to a recent thread here.

But there is another factor. It is easier to alter a LA block plane to cut like a SA (and even a HA) block plane. All you have to do is grind a steeper bevel on the blade. Keep a few extra blades on hand, and you have a versatile hand plane that can plane between 37 and 60+ degrees).

For my own use I mostly turn to a Stanley #65 with a Hock blades (LA), a Stanley #18 (SA and HA) or a LN bronze #102 (LA). And the LN is the one I generally grab first for tweeking. I do own a #140, but it is reserved for cross grain work, which is where it scores best.

Regards from Perth

Derek


Link to "5 minute experiment"

Re: block plane purchase

Tony - Memphis

>I can't offer any comparison's, but I have the LN low angle bronze job and I love it. Great little plane.

Tony

Re: block plane purchase

rocky eulo

>Tony

I just ordered the bronze 102 from LN this morning. The LN dovetail saw also happened to jump into the order (I'm not sure how that happened). I'm looking forward to working a little quieter in the shop.

Rocky

Thanks for the responses.

Re: block plane purchase

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>I prefer the Low Angle as well. YOu can always get a second blade and change the bevel angle so it acts as a standard or york pitch blade.

I like my LN 60 1/2 but also have the 102 on my CHristmas list.

Good Luck,

Dan Clermont

Re: block plane purchase

John, NY

>I think you made the right choice. I have both LN LA and SA and also the LV LA. I find the LN LA is my goto block plane. The LV I find a little large [and I have quite large hands] but otherwise excellent. I use it with the optional larger handles from time to time.