Lie-Nielsen 1/2" Shoulder Plane

Re: Lie-Nielsen 1/2" Shoulder Plane

Ted Shuck, Centennial, CO

>The LN 1/2" shoulder plane is a *LOT* smaller than the other planes. It feels like it fits in the palm of your hand. It does not have an adjuster like the others do. It has a wooden wedge which you use to set the blade and you adjust the blade by tapping it.

Nice plane, but very different from the medium size planes by LN and LV.

Ted

Re: Lie-Nielsen 1/2" Shoulder Plane

mikew

>I have one and use it a lot--on smaller work. It is a joy to use on the proper work, assuming one can get the hang of setting the blade.

While I have used (nearly) all the other options for larger work, my favorite remains a distant cousin to the LN 1/2" shoulder plane. One from over a century ago, an A.T. Murray infill shoulder plane, about an 1 1/8" wide and 8" or so long. So that should let you know my preferences.

Mike

Re: Lie-Nielsen 1/2" Shoulder Plane

Paul M. in San Diego

>It's a cute little plane, but I rarely need something this small. It does have one unique "feature" where it sings a nice high note while in use. I don't know why this thing vibrates so much that it sings, but it does. It doesn't seem to impact the cut, as it does produce clean shavings. The singing has gone down since I very carefully honed the sole to remove the machine marks that were on it. But this never entirely went away.

Re: Lie-Nielsen 1/2" Shoulder Plane

Todd Stock

>I've had one since Tom was selling kits for them back in the early nineties. Adjustments are simple - tap...tap. Other than sharpening, I leave mine set up for a fine cut. This and a 102 stay in my apron. Cost is due to the fact that this is pretty much a hand-built plane...lots and lots of fitting work to get the infil right. I think Tom mentioned something about this being the toughest of his tools to build in a recent interview.

I use mine quite a bit for trimming braces on guitars; however, it's IMO the best of the 1/2 and smaller shoulder planes for fine trimming on small stuff out of thinner stock. I also have a very narrow Clifton, but don't find it as comfortable in the hand.

Not a general purpose tool - probably #4 on the shopping list of shoulder planes, after large, medium, and perhaps a bullnose.

Re: Lie-Nielsen 1/2" Shoulder Plane

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>This was my first shoulder plane, purchased on the theory that I seldom have shoulders greater than 1/2" wide; so while I might not be able to use it for the cheeks, it does the shoulder job quite nicely. And I love using it, except when humidity strikes and the wedge simply can't be fit properly. Tom says he can fix this, so it's probably no big deal; but then I'd have to send it back, no way.

Pam

Re: Lie-Nielsen 1/2" Shoulder Plane

Mitch from NYC

>Thanks, Pam. Just curious, what plane do you use for trimming the cheeks of tenons?

Regards,

Mitch

Re: Lie-Nielsen 1/2" Shoulder Plane

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>The LN 073 and/or 140 and/or paring chisels.

Pam