Questions on LV LA planes

Re: Questions on LV LA planes

MikeW

>Hi Bill,

Weight, width. Kinda like the difference between a #4 and a #4 1/2.

But. The bevel up smoother uses the same blades as the bevel up jack and forthcoming bevel up jointer. Which makes it kinda nice.

If you get the BUS, also get the 38 deg blade. It will com ing handy for highly figured boards. The lower angle blade works nicely on most non-figured boards and end-grain.

MikeW

Re: Questions on LV LA planes

Alan Bierbaum, near Denver, CO

> " But then, I saw the bevel up smoother, and despite looking back and forth until my eyes went funny, I cannot see what makes them all that different. Can someone please fill me in? "

Bill, I don't think that there are enough fish in PA to eat all of the worms in the can that you just opened. The engineering facts and emotions expressed on this topic fills many volumes and will continue to fill more.

My simple take is that the newer BU planes have many advantages over a lot of BD planes. Both types can , and do, yield great results. BU planes are somewhat simpler to make and adjust, can easily use thicker blades (many advantages)and have the built in ability to vary the cutting angle of attack. Since different cutting angles are desirable (sometimes necessary) to plane; the ability to rapidly and easily change this angle is the biggest advantage of the BU plane (IMHO). The change is done by varying the angle at which the blade is ground (two blades are offered with the LV planes) allowing a "normal" 45 degree attack, York pitch of 50 degrees, and even much higher angles for some stubborn wood.

I own, and use, many different planes. My personal "go to" planes are the LV BU smoothers; however, I still use many BD planes.

It is kinda like how you grind your turning tools. Different grinds for different folks. Keep reading this thread and I am sure that you will get a lot of good information and opinions.

Alan

Veritas Plane Reviews *LINK*

Hoa Dinh in Alameda

>Hi Bill,

Just want to tell you that I'm a proud owner of a LV bevel-up smoother. It is complement to my LV LA jack. As stated in another post, they use the same blade. So will the upcoming jointer.

I sold almost all "traditional" bevel down bench planes I had.

I think you'll like the BU smoother.

Follow the link for a list of reviews of LV planes.

-- Hoa


Alf's Reviews

Re: Questions on LV LA planes

kenc

>Actually get the 50 degree blade - that'll give you about 60-62 degrees depending on whether you sharpen a secondary bevel or not. I got one with my L.A jack and it is the bees knees for highly figured wood.

Ken

Re: Questions on LV LA planes

Bill Grumbine (Kutztown PA)

>Thanks everyone, for your comments, and Hoa, especially for the link to Alf's reviews. Now all I need to do is sell a few more bowls...

Bill

Re: Questions on LV LA planes

R.J.Whelan

>Bill ... no personal experience with the LV planes (I have the medium and large shoulder planes and love them) - just wanted to say hi and ask if you're spending much time sailing the Swan?

All the best ... rj

Re: Questions on LV LA planes

Bill Grumbine (Kutztown PA)

>Hi RJ! So this is where you have been hiding, eh? The Swan is sitting in the barn, and I have been trying all summer to get out on the water, but fame has constrained me, and I have had a hectic summer teaching. I still have two good months of sailing weather though, so I have not given up hope yet.

Bill

Re: Questions on LV LA planes

R.J.Whelan

>Bill ... the worst day sailing is better than the best day working.

I've been working on a cold molded strip canoe for a couple of years (between paying jobs) - it's going to be a peach if I ever get it done ... rj