Lie-Nielsen quality control?

Re: Lie-Nielsen quality control?

ThomD

>I haven't had that problem, of course with cast iron, things can happen in transit or storage. I hate cast iron.

Probably not Lie-Nielsen...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond,CA

>More likely something that happened during shipping or storage. Did she purchase through LN or a dealer?

BTW That's a great wife you got there.

Re: Lie-Nielsen quality control?

John Horobin

>It would be in storage that this happened. I'm actually amazed just how quickly the ductile iron used by LN rusts.

John

Re: Lie-Nielsen quality control?

Frank D. in Montreal

>I agree that LN certainly wouldn't have shipped a rusty tool. My first #8 had a very minor defect also, and the person who sold it to me was surprised it left the factory. They did send me another one before I had time to send the first one back. LN is a growing company, and unfortunately that can mean that quality control is more difficult. I guess we couldn't expect them to stay small forever. This said, I've had quality control issues with a one-man tool-making company, so it's hard to say, you might have just been unlucky.

Hmmm....

Todd Hughes

>seems like I have been reading of late more then a couple postings about the lack of quality controll on LN planes....Wasn't stamped "Imperfect" was it?.....Todd

Re: Hmmm....

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>how could pits be formed while in storage? Does this mean that all of a sudden I could expect pits to start showing up in mine?

Metal destressing perhaps?

Todd O.

Re: Hmmm....

Fred Krow

>The pits could be from moisture while at the dealer (demo or display model?)or in storrage.

The retailer could have wiped off the rust and the pits would remain.

It is possible but unlikely they were present when shipped from LN.

If the ductile iron is dry it will not form pits in the surface.

I have examined many LN planes over the last 15+ years and have never observed problems with rust or pits.

Regards,

Fred Krow

Re: Hmmm....

Kelby

>You all are probably right. It was purchased through a dealer. I should give LN the benefit of the doubt, and assume that it pitted in the dealer's inventory.

Even though it may not be LN's fault, though, it might not hurt LN to consider ways to prevent this from happening. Put a coat of wax on the tool before sending it to the dealer or something. People can get unreasonably ticked at this sort of thing and not know who to blame --- trust me, I know. ;)

Re: Lie-Nielsen quality control?

Tony Zaffuto

>Received a 60-1/2 low angle L-N block plane several years ago for Father's Day. It was new from a mail order dealer I will not disclose on line. The plane was unused, but it did have specs of rust on the body--looked like someone "sneezed" on it" The plane came in the original L-N box, but was clearly opened and handled by someone before I received it. My Wife told me she did not open the box.

Since the plane was to be a user, I simply oiled and rubbed on some 600 grit SC paper. Rust came off, but tiny marks (beginning of pitting??) remained. I keep the plane waxed, and rust has not re-appeared.

Anyhow, this may be more of an issue for L-N to take up with their re-sellers--instruction on storage and handling of planes. Incidentally, this re-seller sold the plane at the same price as L-N.

I sent an e-mail to LN

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>Lat night I e-mailed LN makingthem aware of this conversation. Tt will beinteresting to see if they reply.

Todd O.

They won't...

Martin from Granbury

>I was at their shop earlier this summer...it is their policy (Tom's, I think) not to post on the woodworking boards. However, I was told that one employee (can't remember who) reads everything written about LN on this and other boards. They will read, but I doubt if they will respond. At any rate, the message will be received, and if they can fix the problem, I am betting they will.

Martin, very satisfied LN owner, remove "5" for correct email.

Re: Lie-Nielsen quality control?

Fred Krow

>Years ago I collected custom knives, if they were made of carbon steel, many knives at a show would exhibit spots and pitting after customers looked at the knives and examined the details,,,,apparently just our breathing would spray tiny drops of moisture on the steel, a week later = rust and pitting spots.

Many of the knife makers would wipe down the blade after each customer handled the knife,,,even if they did not touch the blade with their fingers. Usually the retail dealers would not bother.

Regards,

Fred Krow

Re: They won't...

Dave Anderson Chester, NH

>Absolutely true. They moniter all of the message boards for feedback and to keep a finger on the pulse of the woodworking community,but they do not post on any of the boards. I think it's a smart policy. There is much to lose and not much to gain for a company of their size. Besides, their customer service and reputation pretty much speaks for itself.

Re: Hmmm....

Todd Stock

>I think the rust preventative paper and the light machine oli on frog and blade does just that. Some dealers will allow customers to handle tools without wiping them off afterwards, so even the best packaging can be defeated. Human sweat varies from totally harmless to useful as a paint remover (DAMHIKT), so look to the retailer's sales folk. One of the posters on another site complained of a customer that stripped the finish off a guitar neck after an hour or so of playing his newest creation.

On the plus side for cosmetic damage, I picked up an old-stock LN #7 (pre HD chip breaker) for about 50% off due to someone's careless storage. Took about 30 seconds with a fine abrasive block to set things right.

Totally shameless driveby...:-)

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>

Re: Totally shameless driveby...:-)

Todd Stock

>Almost a gloat...had to pay retail for the new style CB...could not talk Tom into the 1/2 off thing...

Re: Hmmm....

Dan Donaldson

>I used to play semi-pro in a Bluegrass badn and in our travels, we would meet a lot of people that played. There was one guy that I knew that was a great guitar player, but his hands were always sweaty and if he played your guitar for 10 minutes, you would have to change the strings. I have never seen a set of strings go dead so fast. It got to the point that almost no one would let him touch their instruments.

Gotta disagree

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native in FL. Exile :~(

>No, Dave, I think that it would be a good thing if every once in awhile Tom posted here. I know that I'd enjoy hearing what he has to say about certain idea/problems/etc,etc, concerning his tools.

Anybody else agree?

Todd O.

Snicker...

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>That would have been shameless...and quite a gloat:-)JR

Calling Rob Lee and Steve Knight

Bob Hackett

>I think Rob would be the best qualified to answer the question of whether it is better to lurk or be an active participant than anyone else,Steve Knight would run a close second.Together I think they bracket LN operations pretty well.

How about it guys?

Mainely,Bob