I get to buy a LN Tool

Re: I get to buy a LN Tool

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>From your list, it looks like you might benefit from a shoulder plane, though I must admit that although the L-N version of the 73 is very good, I think the Veritas line is better. But if you don't like the Veritas versions, then the L-N 73 would likely be a good choice.

If you are interested in a scraper plane, the L-N 85 works very well and is unique among currently produced scrapers. The Veritas version of the 112 is again excellent, but the L-N 85 has a lot of "neato" factor with its swivel handles and open sides. I also find it easier than most to set.

You've got lots of block planes, but I must admit I have a real love affair with the L-N left hand version of their Skew Angle Block plane. Great for cheeks, good for some quick rebate cleanup, lots of heft for dealing with the denser woods, and again unique among currently produced planes.

Finally, not a plane, but a very handly tool is the L-N #66 beader.

All of these are moderately priced (for L-N tools), but I find I use all of them regularly.

Lyn makes a good point...

Scott Burr Ben Lomond,CA

>The LN 73 is truly a great plane as Lyn says, and I see no shoulder planes on yor list (play with them and find one you like). I have no experiance with LV shoulder planes.

You have some droolirthy smoothers (BTW there is no such thing as an unhealthy relationship with a 4.5 IMHO;).

If you don't have a plane in the 5.5 to 6 range I think you might want look at them. I love a nice panel plane and you can alwasy outfit a LN 5.5 or 6 with a high angle frog for a rocking good panel plane and a good workout too!

Get a plane that you'll use and enjoy.

Scott, feeling very envious...

spoke shave

bill tindall

>

Consider either the.......

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>Scrub Plane, or the Low Angle Jack. Great thing about ging to the show is that you can try them out before deciding, which can make choosing only one a real bear. If you work with exotics take some with you as I sure that Denab, Katlin, and or Rob Cosman will let you try the planes on your wood.

Enjoy the show and good luck with your decision. Don't forget that you usually get a 10% discount at the shows which might help to push you into the one of the more higher $$$ tools, or maybe even two. ;~)

Todd O.

can you sneak in two LNs?

Ian in Sydney

>You've probably already left for the show, but as Lyn said, a shoulder plane or the #85.

Alternatively a 4 or 4.5 with a high angle frog shouldn't make your existing 4.5 too jealous.

Go for it

David Miller from Iowa

>Need more info on your methods of work. If you surface rough wood by hand, one of the jumbo jacks that Scott suggests is a must. You mention figured woods, so I agree with Ian that you might consider the #4 with the steeper frog (I have the LN 4.5 and will be getting the other frog � just waiting to see if I can splurge on a whole nother plane). I never can get the edges at a right angle and use the heck out of my left hand LN #95. (Brief hijack � I am right handed but the left hand version of this works perfectly in my right hand � I think they misnamed them � anyone else encounter this?). I�m lusting after the #8 as well, but just cannot justify the cost when I have other serviceable jointers (this is saying a lot considering how easily I can justify a new tool to myself). Anyway � have fun and good luck � you are in a pleasant predicament � and hang on to that lady (I hope you reciprocate and let her splurge on something she�s into).

Regards, David

Re: I get to buy a LN Tool

William Duffield on the Cohansey

>Lyn offers some really good advise. I'll add some more confustion to the mix. I have several LN tools, and lots of other old and new hand and power tools that I use all the time, professionally. There are only two tools in my shop or in any other shop I've ever worked in, that have never disappointed me due to performance or any other issues, that every time I pick them up and use them I am joyous that I have something that works so perfectly, every time. These are both LN planes. One is the #7 jointer and the other is the #073 shoulder plane. If my hands weren't quite so big, their dovetail plane would probably also make my short list of really exemplary tools.

I would recommend the shoulder plane to you, but you'll have to knock off a few sharp edges where it meets your hand, and you'll have to learn the right ways to grip it, and more importantly, how not to grip it.

Re: I get to buy a LN Tool

Wiley Horne--Glendora CA

>Hi Dan,

After many years, certain planes tend to creep further and further toward the outskirts of town. And others are always close at hand. The LN5-1/2 is my most-used bench plane. I don't know why, and don't have any theory about it. It does so many jobs so well. I suppose 90% of the boards I plane are between 16" and 48" long. The plane is stout and heavy, and as someone here once said, maybe Moses, 'it sits down heavy on the work'.

I agree with Bill Tindall that LN shaves are fabulous, and also with Wm. Duffield that the LN073 is a great plane. I took Sir Wm's advice a coupla years ago and went over all the arrises with 600grit. This is another plane, like the 5.5, that is absolute heavy duty, but finesse at the same time.

Wiley

Re: I get to buy a LN Tool

Jim in Burlington Ontario

>The 5 1/2 with the high angle frog sounds sweet to me.

Re: I get to buy a LN Tool

Doug Reynolds in Seattle

>Low-angle jack gets my vote.

Thanks for all the input

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>The LN 85 scraper, 140 beading are alreadu on the Christmas list for LOML.

I am going with the LN 1/2 with the High angle frog.

While playing around with my Bedrosk 604 1/2 and the LN 4 1/2 I realized how inferior the Bedrock was to the LN and I had even put Rob Cosman's blade and chipbreaker in my 604 1/2 (barely fit)/ The LN still outperformed it

I di find to people who were anxious to buy my Bedrock as a collectible item. Their is a chance I may clean house and sell my 607, #8, 604 1/2 and purchase the LN 85 and LN 8 with the money I get in return.

Thanks

Dan Clermont

Dovetail Plane?

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>I presume that you meant dovetail saw?

"LN �" - is that the 4� or the 5�?

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>

LN#95 L vs R

Ian in Sydney

>I've got both the left and right handed versions. I think the L & R designation refers to the grain direction rather than the handedness of the user. e.g. from the same stance I'll either push the #95R or pull the #95L.

Re: "LN �" - is that the 4� or the 5�?

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>That is the 5 1/2 and is it ever sweet!!!!

I got to test it out at the LN Booth before taking it home.

I also test drove the Veritas 4 1/2 and let me say it was a little disappointing.

Dan Clermont

Whoo Hoooo!

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>Glad to hear it Dan. Did you get the HA frog? I'll bet is a nice plane (I'm currently working on a 605.5C myself).

Why didn't you like the LV 4.5?

Re: Whoo Hoooo!

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>I was working on a highly figured closet organizer and wanted to try a "new" plane and see how it compared to my Bedrock 604 1/2.

Because I live in Vancouver and have two Lee Valley stores in my area I went down to the LV store and picked one up rather then have a LN shipped out.

The fit and finish on the plane were okay although the sloe was convex across the sole and lengthwise. To get good shavings I would have had to spend quite a bit of time flattening it. With a feeler guage I measured about 1 thou out across the mouth and wanting to remove shavings in around the 1 thou range this was unacceptable.

I sharpened up the blade with the same method as the I use on my Bedrock using the Charlesworth Ruler trick and went to it.

The Bedrock swished through the figured maple taling nice thin shavings. The Veritas seemed to stutter and grab and rip shavings rather then swoosh.

I had my wife try it as well and she also could tel the difference and was quite disappointed in the plane. Not to mention how uncomfortable the tote was. The tote has no shape to really fit the contours of your hand.

All I can say is I sure am glad LV has a good return plicy because I wasted no time in getting that plane back to the store.

While at the woodshow I took along my 604 1/2. I watched Rob Cosman make light fluffy shavings with his 4 1/2. The crowd was really enjoyong throwing them up in the air and blowing on them like you would blow bubbles and the shavings were floating around like tiny bubbles. People were amazed.

Around closing time atthe WOodshow I took the oppurtunity to pull out my Bedrock 604 1/2 with LN Chipbreaker/Anton Berg High Carbon Steel blade and try it on Rob's highly figured piece of Curly Maple. The Bedrock did reasonably well but the surface was fuzzy. I grabbed Rob's 4 1/2 and started to pull whispy thin shavings. I sharpened up my Berg blade and went back at it thinking I could do better and although the surface was better it was no comparison.

I bought the 5 1/2 cause it is heavier and I also got the high angle frog. I love the Bedrock but I see it going on EBay in the near future so I can buy more LN planes.

Some of the differences with the Veritas vs the LN are:

-thicker blade and chipbreaker in the LN

-Cryo blade in the LN

-better tolerances on sole flatness (+- 1.5 thou on LN and +- 3 thou on the Veritas)

- handle on the Veritas feels like a rounded over board in my hand.

I work on highly figured woods and never sand below 220 grit. I have to scrape at times and want to get away from scraping completely. In oither words, I want the best plane available as quality and workmanship in good tools reflects with good quality and workmanship in my projects

Dan Clermont

Re: Whoo Hoooo!

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>In oither words, I want the best plane available as quality and workmanship in good tools reflects with good quality and workmanship in my projects

Sounds like a sales pitch to me; however, just in case these are your words, if this statement represents your goal, I'd suggest investigating infill and wooden planes, specifically C&W and Japanese wooden planes. Nothing wrong with LN tools, I've got several of their specialty planes and love them; but I don't think any Stanley style bench planes are absolutely top notch.

Pam

Re: Whoo Hoooo!

Dan Clermont in Burnaby

>Hi Pam,

I was asked what I didn't like about the Veritas Smoother and simply stated that.

I do own an 2 infill ands they perform equally well to the Bedrock and nothing like the LN.They are back bevelled york pitch as well. That is how I prefer my planes pitched.

Don't own any C & W's or Japanese smoothers. Perhaps you should send me one so I can take it for a spin and see how they compare ;) Ping me offline and I'll send yo my address.

I know from previous posts your not fond of Metal planes but I do prefer them for my work. I like the ease of adjustment and the heft.

I take pride in my work and the fact I don't sand. I hate scraping and have avoided purchasing a scraper plane so far.

Dan Clermont

Re: Whoo Hoooo!

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Sure, I'd be happy to lend you a Japanese plane; but you'd have to learn a lot about tuning it to get great results. They are strange beasts. Of course, if things go weird in November, we may be moving to the Vancouver area. I can even teach you how to make one. :)

Pam

Re: "LN �" - is that the 4� or the 5�?

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>Great! I have an LN 5� that I got a couple of years ago - no HA frog or new chipbreaker, but it is one of my favorites.

Tolerance correction...

Rob Lee

>Dan -

Sole tolerances on that plane are 0.000"to -.003" - which is quite a bit different from what you've stated (or even a +- .0015", though the absolute variance is the same).

I can restate it as our soles are ground to .0015" convex, +-.0015" inches.

Convexity isn't really an issue in a plane sole - concavity is.

Cheers -

Rob

Re: Tolerance correction, correction...

Rob Lee

>Well given the binary possibility of using the correct term - my odds appear to be 80% that I'll use the incorrect one...

Of course, the post above should actually read:

"I can restate it as our soles are ground to .0015" concave, +-.0015" inches.

Concavity isn't really an issue in a plane sole - convexity is. "

Cheers -

Rob

(who must remember "bears live in CAVES"...concave is in....)

Re: "LN �" - is that the 4� or the 5�?

Stephen in Ottawa

>Dan,

I have the LN 5 1/2 as well and love it! It is a great plane and sees a lot of use in my shop.

- Stephen