A great little block plane.....

Re: A great little block plane.....

I've had one for a long time, and it is superb.  Mine is odd in that the groove that retains the cap via the pin is well off angle within the cap.  Almost seems as though it would take extra thought.  Keeps me humble.  They are very effective tools.  I was rather disappointed when LN discontinued what had hitherto seemed their trademark of making all their planes out of bronze. 

Re: A great little block plane.....

My #102 is a great 'little sister' to the MF-57, a Stanley 60-1/2 comparable. It has spared my arthritic bad shoulder innumerable times. Lie-Nielsen was very helpful in clearing up a minor problem I had with the #102 when I first got it. 

Similar to Tom's experience, they are tools that need more personal attention in factory tuning than a customer accustomed to modern CNC accuracy might expect. They reflect traditional casting methods of the early 20th century. I learned, and since forgot, some standard tuning methods while getting it to perform perfectly for me. 

When I first met Tom Lie-Nielsen...

... about 30 years ago, he was personally pouring a heat of bronze into molds for this plane. I bought one then and there and still use it daily. My old pal Frank Klausz carries one around in his apron all the time. You're right, it's a classic.

Ellis