Block plane recommendation?

Re: Block plane recommendation?

William R. Duffield on the Cohansey

>I think you are leaning the right way on this one. The LV LABP is a superbly desisgned and executed tool. My only minor complaints are that it is a large handfull, and quite a bit uglier than the L-N block planes. You might want to consider a second blade, ground at a steeper angle, for working with the grain on flat wood (it would also hold up better to the glues in the plywood), and a smaller angled blade for end grain.

Regular block planes don't work that well on end grain, but a LA block can be adapted for optimal use on both types of cuts.

BTW, plywood is a power tool, and we would appreciate it if mention of it were kept to a minimum on this forum :^) At least, try to come up with a PC euphamism for it.

Multi layered quick wood

Ernie Miller Topeka

>Come on bill the guy is new at least you answered his question befor taking him to the wood shed.

Re: Block plane recommendation?

Hank Knight in SC

>Scott, I bought one of the little LN bronze low angle block planes a year or so ago. I use it for everything. Last weekend I fitted end caps on my workbench top, a job that required planing a lot of end grain maple on 3" and 4" stock. The little LN block plane was a champ. Properly sharpened, it cuts end grain and everything else with ease. The mouth is tight enough for almost every task I can imagine, it's light and easy to handle and it's $55 cheaper than LN's bigger adjustable mouth model. I highly recommend it for a first block plane.

Re: Block plane recommendation?

Alan Hamilton

>Scott,

I too am the happy owner of a Lie-Nielsen standard-angle block plane. Since I got it I have never felt the need for a low-angle. In fact, it's hard for me to imagine a plane that could work any better; I suppose it's possible, but I just can't see how. They are expensive; but IMHO they're worth every one of the huge stack of pennies it takes to buy one.

BTW, a couple years ago Fine Woodworking ran an article that compared block planes. Perhaps you can access it through Taunton's web site. If not, I think I saved that issue so I could give you the highlights--if I could find it. To get my hands on that little pup I would have to search through a small mountain of magazines.

Alan

Also...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>You can get the optional rear knob for the LV plane.

It ain't pretty but it works!

Re: Block plane recommendation?

Frank D. in Montreal

>Hi Scott and everyone,

If I remember correctly, the article in FWW listed both the Veritas and the LN adjustable mouth as Best Value.

I have 3 LN blocks and I have owned the LV low angle (it was my first block plane) but I much prefer the LN. It is smaller so fits in my hand better, the blade is not as wide as the LV which makes it easier to push with one hand and also makes it less prone to chatter. The chatter I got from my LV was annoying. Some people criticize the LN for not having lateral adjustment, but if you can push a blade sideways with your fingers (in other words, if you have fingers) it's as easy or easier to set up. Another thing I like my LN for is the blades, which, in my humble experience, lasted longer between sharpenings.

You won't go wrong with either one, I think they are both worth their price, but if I had to recommend one regardless of price I'd say get the LN low angle with an extra blade ground to a higher angle for situations when tearout or splintering is a problem.

My 2 cents,

Frank

Re: Block plane recommendation?

ScottS

>Looks like the article is in FWW #153, the Winter 2001/2002 Tools and Shops issue. Chris Gochnour reviews eight low-angle block planes. At least, that's the nearest thing I could find via their website...

Lee Valley LA Block

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>My hands are probably larger than average so the size has never been an issue with me. I've used it for all the purposes you have listed and quite a few others and have never wished I had something else.

Re: Also...

Mike Lietzow

>I was considering getting the tail block accessory. Do you recommend it?

Cheers,

Mike

Re: Block plane recommendation?

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>I have the non-adjustable pair of LN block planes (102 & 103, I think). Actually, they are the collectible pair. I received them as a gift, and they stayed on a shelf, and then one day I grabbed one and used it. Well, that broke the dam, and they migrated to my user collection. They are wonderful.

YMMV.

Agree

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>I have used the bronze LN #102 (low angle) block plane for a few years now, and can support everything Hank says. In an article in FWW some years ago, Garrett Hack described this plane as having "great heft" (I say this from memory). It is dimensionally a small plane and, because of its size, it is subjectively quite heavy. Don't let its size and the absence of an adjustable mouth fool you. It is oh so capable of the highest order of performance.

I imagine that it would be the ideal block plane to carry around in a pocket (if this is what you need to do).

LN have now brought out a ductile iron version, which is cheaper.

I have several other block planes, including Stanley #65, #18, #140 (all with either Hock or LN blades), and these all are tuned to the nth degree and work superbly. But I still keep going back to the little LN #102 because it is so nice to use.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Block plane recommendation?

R.J.Whelan

>"...if you can push a blade sideways with your fingers (in other words, if you have fingers) it's as easy or easier to set up."

Pretty good analysis Frank; wish you'd been around to talk me out of drilling holes, tapping and installing grub screw in my L-N.

- rj -

Re: Block plane recommendation?

Frank D. in Montreal

>I'm pretty sure that's it. What I also think I remember from the article: The author liked the Lie-Nielsen a lot (gave him ribbons of end grain), thought the LV was a good tool for the money (but he couldn't get ribbons of end grain and said the A2 blade didn't hold an edge longer than the other O1 blades in the test). The winner was Bridge City (largest bed, super polished blade) but the price was prohibitive. The James bay was nice but awkward to hold.

This is all from memory, so maybe someone who has the article at hand can correct me or give you more info.

Frank

No...

Scott Burr Ben Lomond,CA

>I don't have one. I use a Stanley 18 and a 65. If I were in the market today I'd get it with it because it's easier to hold in some situations. Cost is an objective here too, I say that because Scott said a dirty word here: plywood. I'd never use a LN plane on plywood. Any plane for that matter IMHO.

This Scott, saving his pennies for the LN blocks, because he can't afford:

Re: Block plane recommendation?

Patrick Gibbons

>I have the LN bronze low angle block (102?) and the Veritas LA block and find I use them both equally. Two things worth mentioning on both of these; yesterday I accidently dropped the Lie-Nielsen on the concrete. The front toe of the plane hit the surface. My heart stopped and I feared the worse. It had a mark that was insignificant enough not to be immediately lapped out. Still worked just fine. Last weekend I put an edge on the Veritas plane's blade that was as perfect as I have ever been able to achieve. WOW! It left glass surfaces on everything it touched. The Veritas feels good in my hand and works well two-handed. My only complaint is when I do use it two-handed, the front knob loosens and the plate comes out of adjustment. This is my technique's problem and won't necessarily be your experience. When I bought it, I had tried the Lie-Nielsen adjustible block and thought the Veritas felt better in my hand for use.

Re: Block plane recommendation?

paul womack

>BTW, plywood is a power tool, and we would appreciate it if mention of it were kept to a minimum on this forum :^) At least, try to come up with a PC euphamism for it.

Over on another list it's "Laminated sheet goods".

IIRC the Egyptians definitely had veneer technology, and may have sometimes glued veneers together.

BugBear

Re: Block plane recommendation?

Don Clark

>I have 4 "block" planes, a no-name cheap stanley imitation, a stanley handyman made mostly of sheet metal, a LN Standard angle adjustable and a little Japanese Kakuri smoothing plane, which technically isn't a block plane, but performs the same duties.

Except for the "no name" stanley imitation, each plane seems to do some jobs better than others, except for the little Kakuri, which seems to do almost everything I ask of it as well as any of the others, and many jobs, much better than any of the others. Of course, keep in mind that I do more work on archery equipment and small construction projects in the house than I do furniture or box making. Also, I am certainly not as accomplished a craftsman as most on this board.

However, the light weight and the longer area in front of the blade make the Kakuri much easier to use for most trimming jobs than a Western-style block plane. It is no good for planing swirly hardwoods along the grain, but I rarely use a block plane for that job. When I do, its the LV standard angle plane, of course.

But, for $30.00, its the most useful per dollar tool I have, except possibly the Stanley Handyman which is perfect for tapering arrows and cost me only $1.00 - the only good deal I ever got at a yard sale.

Don Clark

Re: Block plane recommendation?

Don Clark

>Note: In the third paragraph above I meant to say LN rather than LV.

Sorry for the error.

Don