Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Which frog pitch???
Doug
>I'm about to pull the trigger on a LN 4.5 and was convinced to buy the York pitch until I read some earlier posts in response to the gentleman looking to buy a new plane. Given that, for the forseeable future, almost all of my work will be no more difficult than the occasional figured maple, should I get the York or would it not be worth the extra effort to push that thing through the woods I work? Thanks for your input as always.
Re: Which frog pitch???
Todd Stock
>I don't find a #4 with York to be much different in the effort department than common pitch, but it does a better job on figured wood.
Re: Which frog pitch???
Steve Wargo
>I have the York pitch on my 4 1/2 and have no problems pushing it, but I'm large. While you say you'll not be planing anything more than digured maple, how do you know that? If you have concerns, then buy a 7 and then you have a 45 and 50deg pitch you can swap between and see what you prefer. hope this helps.
Re: Which frog pitch???
CBT
>I have the LN 4.5 and have enjoyed using it. I do find it requires a little more effort than a 4. However the mass this plane packs is wonderful.
Good luck with your decision.
CT
OH GREAT !!
Gordy Caughey in Fountain Hills, AZ
>Now I have to find out what a "york pitch" is. I'm pulling on the trigger as well. I'll do a search, as I'm sure this has been beaten to death.
Regards,
Gordy
Re: Which frog pitch???
Greg Sloop
>Ok, I'm not trying to change your mind, but here are some thought to think about.
I was really thinking about the LN4.5 a while ago. Instead, I got the LN62 (low angle smoother). [This would work for the LN164 also, which is more like the 4.5.]
With two additional blades, you've spent the same as the LN4.5 with one frog and one blade.
I sharpened/ground the additional blades, at ~35deg and ~50deg for a set of total angles of 37, 47 and 62 deg. With these three blades, I can do nearly anything with really incredible results. (QS Sycamore, Lacewood, Flame maple, etc.)
The 60deg is obviously a bugger to push. If I'm taking off a bunch, I'll switch to the 47deg and get it close and finish with the 60 for highly figured stuff. (I also have the toothed blade which is good for this.) Plus, switching blades is, IMHO easier and faster than switching frogs. Plus it's a lot cheaper. You could use back bevels on the 4.5 to get similar results - but given my level of skill, I'd get heart palpitations trying to do it right.
If this is one of your first planes then, IMHO, the low angle smoother variety is easier to use for a novice.
Call LN and talk with them. Personally, I think you'd be well served by either the LN62 or 164. (I like the 62 better, as it doesn't have the bailey adjuster piece that attaches to the blade. This makes it easier/quicker to sharpen and change blades. (You may find you can leave it attached depending on the sharpening angle, I think. If I were doing this with the 164, I'd probably try to get one for each blade so I wouldn't have to move it from blade to blade.)
I had intended to buy some "regular" bench planes from LN after this, but I think my whole set will be LA versions because I'm so very impressed with my 62 and what I percieve as extra versatility with the LA versions.
(And we're all waiting eagerly to see the results of Lyn's exhaustive research has produced. The hints we've seen are than a LA smoother sharpened at total angles of ~60 deg produced really excellent results on figured cocobolo.)
If you're considering the LN 62, you might also consider Veritas's new 62.5. Much the same configuration and quite nice. Cheaper too, IIRC correctly.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?page=49708&category=1,41182,41186&ccurrency=2&SID=
OK, I'll quit mumbling.
Best of luck. A nice handplane is always fine fun to work with no matter what style it is.
Cheers,
Greg
It's OK Gordy...
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
>The york pitch is the 50 deg. frog talked about in your post.
How about a back bevel? *LINK*
Brent Langdon, Sterling VA
>Seems like a standard angle frog along with an extra blade with a back bevel would be a good option. One of these days I plan on giving that a try with my Veritas #4.5. The Veritas #4.5 with a 15 degree back bevel did well in Lyn's "High angle smoothing plane comparison" article. The article did not test a LN with a back bevel but does state "using back bevels, I expect the Lie-Nielsen #4.5 will offer much the same performance...".
Re: Which frog pitch???
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
>I have the 4.5 with the 50 deg frog and new chip breaker. All I have to say is IT'S ONE SWEET PLANE!
I have no problem pushing it. It's even easier now 'cause I've put on a few pounds after quitting smoking.