Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
LN: cast iron vs. bronze sole
Dale Lenz - Tahlequah, OK
>I have an opportunity to purchase a new LN 4.5 w/cast iron sole for $269 w/ free shipping. If I go through LN's site including shipping I will pay $306. Is the bronze sole worth 30+ dollars more? Is the 50* frog worth having, I understand what it for. Is there really a difference?
TIA,
Dale
Re: LN: cast iron vs. bronze sole
Scott Post
>Cast iron rusts and bronze oxidizes so pick your poison. I prefer cast iron because a coat of paste wax and a dehumidifier in the shop keep the orange stuff away. I have one bronze plane that always looks awful but that's just because I'm too lazy to polish it. It may be just me though - I sometimes think my fingers exude acid. I can't touch red oak without the tannins reacting and creating black areas.
Go bronze
jim reed @ marietta
>If I were going for the big chunker, I would go for the bronze. You will smile every time you look at it and your heirs will thank you.
Re: LN: cast iron vs. bronze sole
Wiley Horne--Glendora CA
>Dale,
The 4.5 only comes in ductile iron body. It's the 4 that has the bronze body option. I'll let others comment on the 50 degree frog question. Wiley
Re: So...it does
Dale Lenz-Tahlequah, OK
>Well now, that makes decision making easier, Thanks a bunch. Any views of the 50* frog are still welcome...Dale
Re: So...it does
Larry Williams
>Dale,
Go for the York pitch frog. It's a lot better for the hardwoods you tend to use.
Hey Larry, Long time no see.
Dan Donaldson
>How is everything going these days? Still improving?
Re: Thanks, Larry!
Dale Lenz-Tahlequah, OK
>I value your opinion...Dale
Re: LN: cast iron vs. bronze sole
Doug Reynolds
>I purchased the 4 1/2 in the 45 degree pitch. Sent it back and got the 50 degree frog and the new improved chipbreaker. The only way to fly (he said partially in jest). I work only in hardwoods with lots of figured stuff.
Re: About 20 minutes before..
Dale Lenz - Tahlequah, OK
>LN closed this afternoon I ordered the 4.5 with "improved chipbreaker" and a 50* frog. $316 to my door. The first place I was considering would not answer the phone and when they did answer the second time I tried, I got a terrible excuse why the phone was not being answer. Plus I would need to pay extra for a 50* frog and would be at least two wks, NO THANKS! They wanted $269 with free shipping w/ 45* frog. I would have to pay 72 buck extra for the 50* frog, free shipping of course. Their customer service scared me off, gut instinces??.......Dale
Re: About 20 minutes before..
Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL
>I think you will like your new plane when it arrives. Just hone the blade, and you're good to go.
Don
Good customer service
Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA
>Good service is worth a 5% premium on the price - your sanity is worth it.