Veritas #5-1/4W Bench Plane

Re: Veritas #5-1/4W Bench Plane *LINK*

mikew

>Here's the picture and the url...




LV #5 1/4 W

Re: Veritas #5-1/4W Bench Plane

mikew

>Hi Roberto,

Hopefully someone who has one will chime in. My 2 cents is that if you have a smoother already and do not have the LV low angle jack, I would get it instead. And, it's a little less money as well. But truly more versatile.

With a second blade sharpened at a 50 deg bevel (an optional purchase, though they may send it that way if you inquire) it can handle tear-out prone wood. The standard blade for anything else and shooting miters and ends, etc.

That said, I think it would be a decent plane. I have the #6 which I use very often and the #4 1/2 (used occassionaly) and use the LA planes quite a bit. All good planes.

Mike

Re: Veritas #5-1/4W Bench Plane

Bob Fawcett

>I agree.

I have LA jack and the BU smoother. The irons for these 2 are interchangeable. The standard iron for the LA jack gives a 37degree cut angle and the smoother comes with an iron to give a 50degree cut. Add the 50degree iron for 62degree cut and you can cover almost all needs. Two planes with 3 different cutting angles each, a very versatile combo.

Re: Veritas #5-1/4W Bench Plane

Norman (Ottawa, Ont.)

>Roberto,

The 5 1/4 was my very first LV bench plane.

It has been my go-to plane ever since.

My logic for buying it over the 4 or 4.5 was that the sole is

12 inches instead of 10, not quite a jack [mini-jack]. It's a slightly longer smoother with all the benefits of the LV adjustment mechanisms. I have been extremely satisfied with it.

That said, I have since purchased the LV 4.5 and the LV Lo-angle jack.. I have the 4.5 dialed for very fine smoothing work.

I am still getting used to the LV LA Jack and its versatility.

I've been experimenting with it on straight gain, squirrely-grain, etc. Next step is to either re-grind the blade for 30 degrees, or purchase another blade and have two blades for different woods..

The 30 degree grind should increase its' versatility for my type of work.

I'd actually like to get a #3 at some point, for small work or touch-ups...

Norman

Re: Veritas #5-1/4W Bench Plane

Roberto Perez F

>Thanks Norman for your input. I have the Aprom, the LA Block and a #4 from Veritas however I will like to purchase something between the my #4 and the #5 jack or the LA Jack since I don't do large surface smoothing work and also, I do not want to get a big plane just to hauled around the house. Mainly, I will used to do small jointing, shooting board and flattening before I use my #4 for final smoothing. What do you recommend.

Re: Veritas #5-1/4W Bench Plane

Norman (Ottawa, Ont.)

>Since you won't be doing any significant smoothing, I would probably not bother with the LV 4.5. It is a #4 with a wider sole specifically for smoothing.

If you need something between a 14 in. jack (5) and the 10 in. #4, then the 5 1/4W fits the bill. It is the same width as a #4 but 2 in. longer ( 12 in.) so it serves as a small jack for jointing edges, etc..

Having said this, you can probably easily get away with what you currently have.

I purchased the 5 1/4W for almost the same reason you describe.

I wanted a more versatile plane instead of a #4 or #5.

I'm sure others have more inoput into this decision.

Norman