Christmas gift

Re: Christmas gift

paul womack

>however are there any compromises in fit, finish or design to achieve a certain price point?

(nitpick) In any design, up to and including Holtey's, there are such compromises. They're normally called engineering trade-offs (end nitpick).

For a detailed and informative review of a LV bench plane, read this

BugBear

Re: Christmas gift

Tony Z.

>Bugbear,

Thanks for the link--very informative. Did anyone hear anything about LV redesigning their totes?

Still haven't made up my mind

T.Z.

Re: Christmas gift

Rob Lee

>Hi Tony -

We are doing some minor tote tweaking (ask Alf) - you'll be able to see the first new style on the scrub plane due Feb.

The largest change is the addition of a "toe" at the base of the handle... LA planes only.

Cheers -

Rob

Re: Christmas gift

Skip in Falls Church

>I can't compare the two - but I have a LV 4 1/2 and I think it's great. The sole was flat and square to the sides out of the box. I like the mouth adjustment and I've never had a problem with it chattering. I keep it for doing the final planing on anything except the most difficult of woods. For what it's worth, I highly recommend it.

Skip

Re: Christmas gift

Alice Frampton, UK

>Ooo, am I allowed to say? Not that you've left anything much to say... :~P

Cheers, Alf

What is the price limit ,...

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>.. and what kind of woodworking do you do with hand tools?

Re: What is the price limit ,...

Tony Z.

>To Skip, Thanks,

To Don, I have a combo shop--both power and handtools. As do many on this forum, I use both power and handtools for many projects.

There are also projects that I do entirely by hand--from rough lumber to finished project. The scope of these projects include a chest, several bedside tables and a set of end tables for our living room. I'm finding more and more of my work is becoming all handtool, especially that work where precision is called for.

In following Bugbear's link to Lynn's article on the LV #6, I found it interesting that Lynn described the LV #6 as pretty much a "Swiss Army" (my terminology, not Lynn's) do-all plane for those just starting down the slope. By re-stating this comment, will this start an equivalent thread to the infamous low-angle discussion of a week or so ago? I'm saying this tongue in cheek, incidentally.

Re: What is the price limit ,...

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Tony

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you are considering a plane like the LN 4-1/2, then you must short list the LV LA Smoother and the LV LA Jack. The LV LA Jack is probably closest to the 4-1/2 in heft. I believe that this plane could add another dimension to your workshop since it can handle so many types of woods as well as be perfect on a shooting board.

I note that you have only mentioned bench planes. What about shoulder planes, small block planes, saws, etc?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: What is the price limit ,...

Tony Z.

>Derek,

I already have an LN-LA jack, a LV medium shoulder, a Stanley #90, several blocks-both LA and standard, a Stanley 45, 48, 78, and a Craftsmen 45, along with several woodies--astragal plane, beading w/quirk, and some I've missed. Also, I got a LN 85 scraper, the LN 98-99's, LN 66, LN scrub and LN edge plane.

As far as bench planes go, #3, several #4's, #5, #5-1/4, #605 & #7. I also got some planes that have never made it into user status (yet).

Probably don't need another, but then again....

Anyhow, I've been eyeing a 4.5 for my gift, but I want to be mindful of my Wife's budget, hence my question of LV or LN.

Wow!

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>

How about.....

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in Florida Exile :

>Searching e-bay for a compass plane, or some other type speciality plane/tool of your dreams?

funny trhing about Christmas is that everybody thinks that the gift has to be brand new. In my house we each buy our own gifts except for one which we buy for each other. I buy my "gifts" from flea markets etc, etc.

This practice came about after years of LOML retuning everything I had bought for her and me slowly but surely throwing stuff out or "accidently" damaging the clothes that she had bought me.

Todd O.

Re: How about.....

Tony Z.

>Todd,

I'd agree with your method. In fact, I would enjoy the "pursuit" more than the gift. However, you don't know my Wife. If I don't specify an item, she will overbuy countless items that I probably wouldn't buy for myself. So we made an arrangement several years ago--we set a price limit, and she picks what she wants and I pick an item. Everything else is for the kids as it should be!

Tony Z.

Make it easy, loose a $100 ...

Ian N in Sydney

>You really would like to get a LN 4.5 � my dream plane is a Bronze LN 4 with high angle frog, but each to their own � however you're concerned buying one would break the wife's budget. Assuming joint funding is not an option, you need to figure a way for the wife to "find" the extra cash she will need.

I don't know what sort of relationship you have with the missus, or what amount her budget will stand but you could always "forget" about $100 "left" in a shirt pocket.

This is a smart man ...

Clay C in Miami

>Ian,

This is a very good suggestion, and it reveals a clever and considerate mind.

If I ever marry again, can I contact you for marital advice? Shouldn't be more often than hourly for the first couple of decades.

Also, the HA thought is a good one - Tony, of all those planes, do you have a York-or-higher angle smoother? If not, maybe you buy the plane and ask for the York frog for the gift?

Clay

Re: Make it easy, loose a $100 ...

Tony Z.

>Ian and Clay,

I'm almost convinced that I NEED a high angle-"frogged" plane. However, as I relayed to Todd yesterday, you guys don't know my Wife. She has got an extremely serious shoe problem! Far worse than my tool problem!

If she were to find a spare $100.00 bill, it's off to the races on all the shoe sites on the web!

I have "experimented" by buying a second blade for my LN LA jack with a higher angle, and early results on some QS white oak several weeks ago were very encouraging. However, I question whether I could attain the same results with my #4, just "fettled" & "sharpened" a bit more. Problem is, though, that would negate the need for another toy or, in this case, my Christmas present!

Re: Christmas gift

Jonathan Peck - N.Y.

>Hi Tony,

I can't really give you an unbiased opinion cuz I don't have any LV bench planes. But I do have a couple LN smoother size planes and they are easilly recomendable. Their bronze #4 is solid, well balanced and a general pleasure to use. Fit and finish are what I've come to expect of all LN tools (just got the chisels neenerneener) I've thought about getting their 4+1/2, but I haven't really been able to justify that one. The bronze #4 and the iron 4+1/2 are the same price and given a choice, I'd go with the bronze #4 again. Easilly justifyable of course because this is a tool for a lifetime and a handmedown for future generations. If you amortize the cost over the useful life of the tool, you can expect to pay about $3 per year. Go for it

Regards

Jonathan

Re: Make it easy, loose a $100 ...

paul womack

>However, I question whether I could attain the same results with my #4, just "fettled" & "sharpened" a bit more.

For tearout, back-bevels would be the way forward.

BugBear

Re: Make it easy, loose a $100 ...

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Bugbear, agreed - a back bevel on a bevel down plane will increase the cutting angle and improve performance on hardwoods. However, sharpening this blade each time is a more exacting process. You would be better off with a York pitch frog or a HA blade on a bevel up plane.

Tony, just be honest with your wife regarding the price of the #4-1/2. It sounds as if you really want this one, and I'm sure that she will empathise with this excitement and emotion.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Make it easy, loose a $100 ...

Tony Z.

>You're right--LN 4-1/2 with a high angle frog. Do think I'll treat myself to a LV toy though--the 112 scraper plane.

Thanks to all of you for helping me through this most difficult of times (decisions). The angst can only be assuaged by the joy of a new toy.