Opinions - Please

Re: OK Your...

RobertTarr

>Just one more thought before you start considering the #8. If you have the 4 1/2, you may consider the #7 first, as they both use the same blade. I would (and plan too, in the next few months) highly enjoy having an extra sharp blade around to swap out, should the one on the 4 1/2 get dull or knicked, just grab the blade and chip breaker out of the #7 and get back to work. The frogs are also interchangable as well.....so, if you have the HA option on your 4 1/2 you can swap it into your #7, should you get a really nasty piece of figured wood.

Just another option that you may not have thought about.

Good luck and have fun

Robert

Re: Opinions - Please

John, NY

>I'd go for the Clifton. More mass than the Stanley 607 and maybe even the 608. Probably more mass than the LN but maybe someone like Joel could confirm.

I love my Cliftons, maybe just a little more than my LN's but not much more. They are also a little cheaper than the LN's for much the same quality which makes them a little more loveable!

Just my very humble opinion...

Re: Alright alright...

Paul M. in San Diego

>Good impression of Chuck there! All it needs is a Johnny-be-good soundtrack! ;-)

Oh boy...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>I got it years ago off da 'bay. I probably spent $125.00 or a little more on it. It has it's stock sweetheart blade and chip breaker. Works great for me after some fetting. Scott, lusting after a LN7 with a high angle frog.

An explanation...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>1. I feel the tolerances held by LN are far better than Stanly would hold on their tooling and grinding operations (look at the differences in sole flatness for one).

2. Not sure how much more a LN weighs, but for me, more mass = better foreward propulsion.

3. Yes, On some gnarly jungle woods my 607 skips right across it sometimes. Never had a problem with LN's thicker iron and improved chip breaker.

Re: An explanation...

Todd Hughes

>I have seen many LN planes as well of course I don't think in my opinon the LN planes are finished any better, in fact in many ways just the oppersite.I will never forget the first time i showed an old wood working,[and advanced tool collector] friend of mine a LN plane at a show and after hearing all the fuss about them he couldn't believe how they were finished.He thought they more resembled the cheap planes from the 1930's 40's with blocky castings and painted finish more then a quality tool as he put it. Now I am sure they work fine and that soles are flat, etc. but again I never said otherwise but is there a big difference in performance between the two planes because of how they are made?

Does your LN plane perform better on difficult woods because of how it is made ....or because as you say it has a heavier thicker blade?

A LN 607 copy weighs just 4 oz. more then an original 8 lb. Stanley 607 it apes.Is this extra weight really that much of an advantage? if you feel it is why not go with a Stanley 608 that at 10 lb. is a full 2 lbs heavier and not just 4 oz.s ?.....Todd

Don't forget about transitionals

David Miller from Iowa

>I have a Stanley #8, a Rev O Noc #8 (stanley made but with a huge tapered iron), and a flat top 608. However, when I have some serious jionting to do, I always reach for my #33. I may have lucked out because this particular specimen has a really tight mouth, even after I trued up the sole.

Sorry if someone else metioned this - I didn't read the entire thread.

Re: An explanation...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Well, I'll state again I have a 607. I've never picked up a LN 7. I know the LN is heaver but didn't know how much more, any additional weight is a benefit IMHO.

As far as quality look at the machining process now compared to then, no contest.

If you compare the fit and machining tolerances between the frog and base of the plane the LN is far superior. I think these improvements along with the thicker blade make a better plane.

I fully agree on using a 608 instead if you have one. I'm currently working on cleaning/fetting a 608 as we speak.

Todd, I know LN planes don't have a soft spot in your eyes as stated time and again in your posts. As usual it's just MHO Scott