Another plane should I question

Re: Another plane should I question

John Stegall

>See if you can try one out...this should allow you to gage the difference and then decide. I got the LV as a gift. I learned how to properly sharpen and then tuned up my old standby to give it away (family). It really performed much better but was not a match for the LV.

I did not try the better blade.

Re: Another plane should I question

Jack Guzman from Maine

>I haven't tried the LN block plane.When I got my 65 as well as an 18 I decided I didn't need another block plane.I have a hock blade in the 18 but the blade in the 65 is original and it works so well I can't find a reason to replace it.However,I've heard those LN blocks are real nice to use.If I decide to spend some money on a LN tool I think I'll go for something I don't have like a scraper plane or their side cutting pair.---Jack

Jack

Re: Another plane should I question

Alan Hamilton

>Thomas,

For years and years I used an old brand X block plane I inherited. After lots of futzing and a new iron I got it to work pretty well...at least I thought it worked pretty well. A few Christmasses ago I got a Lie-Nielsen as a gift and I haven't touched my old friend since. I still can hardly believe the difference.

If you have the money, buy the Lie-Nielsen. You won't be sorry.

Alan

Re: Another plane should I question

R.J.Whelan

>Thomas ... many plane experts think this is the best plane Stanley ever built.

I've had one for thirty (+) years and still use it on occasion - I have a L-N that is my everyday "user", but I don't know that it's any better than the #65.

The one negative about the plane is you have to be careful about how tight the knuckle cap is set as you can go overboard and crack the body - mine has a small crack on one side and I'm so fond of this little gomer that I don't use it often for fear of destroying it.

RJ

Another option

Eric Hedberg

>Either the Lie-Nielsen (the pretty one) or the Veritas from Lee Valley (the smart one with the great personality) will give you as others have said here top notch performance. Another option, though, is to keep the block plane and think about an apron plane. Both Lie-Nielsen and Veritas have excellent models. They are a bit cheaper, lighter, and depending on how you use your block plane perhaps a better choice. Then you can take the little bit you save and direct it to the Veritas Medium shoulder plane and wonder why you didn't get one sooner. Eric ( With apologies to anyone if I seemed to imply you couldn't be smart, have a great personality, and pretty.)

I'd go for one of the three

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>Man! 0 for 3.

But I married someone who's 3 for 3, so I guess I'm not quite so dumb after all.

Re: Another plane should I question

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Thomas

I, too, have a #65 knucklecap. It is tuned and used with a Hock blade. This is a wonderful block plane and does everything I could wish it to do. I also own a bronze LN #102 (low angle), which is a very sweet plane, with tremendous ability and great heft for such a small plane. In size, these two block planes are very different and in this they compliment each other well. The large #65 is the one I turn to for the serious work, while the small #102 is often the one I turn to first because it is just so nicely balanced and handy. So my advice is to keep the #65, tune it up and replace the blade (I believe LN are now making blades for it now, as well as Hock), and get the little #102 (or the LV equivalent, their Apron Plane), if you are set on another plane. This combination will still cost you far less than a new LN or LV 60-1/2.

See pics below of #65 and #102 with Jarrah end grain shavings.

Regards from Perth

Derek