Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
4 1/2 or 5 1/5
Haakon
>Hello there,
I currently pondering getting a heavier smoother than the one I currently own (4 LN Bronze plus and 70's Stanley 4). I also have the Low-Angle Jack and an 8 (all LN).
Would I be better off opting for the 5 1/2 or the 4 1/2. I quite like the idea of the 5 1/2 but perhaps it would prove too heavy ? On the other hand it would fill the gap between the LA Jack and the 8.
Any advise ?
Thanks
Haakon
Re: 4 1/2 or 5 1/5
Todd Stock
>5.5 works for me. Great panel plane, and just the thing for getting a nice finish on QS mahogany. The top and bottom plates for my last project were smoothed with a 5-1/2.
Re: 4 1/2 or 5 1/5
Dan Clermont in Burnaby
>5 1/2 all the way. I own it and don't want anything smaller. I can use this plane to joint and for finishing
Dan CLermont
I'd go for a 5 1/2...
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
>Seeing how nobody makes a 5 1/5...;^)
All kidding aside, you have 2 #4's so a 4 1/2 isin't going to get you too much more. The 5 1/2 is a nice plane that will fill the gap betewwn the 4's and 8 quite nicely.
Re: Hijack
Todd Stock
>Yes - sort of a Plain Jane, but my favorite guitars have always been mahogany. Probably the reason why I have not had time to annoy you guys too much, along with another guitar, two end tables, and a new floor in the kitchen.
Talk about an excuse for more tools...whole catalogs full of specialized hand tools and the best reason for hunting down a good set of vintage patternmakers at PATINA (need'em for carving braces).
Good link! Mario posts on Musical Instrument Makers Forum (MIMF) and on Official Luthiers Forum, and is very generous with his time, as well as being one of the best small builders out there.
More eye candy...
Why a 5-1/2 over a 6?
Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA
>Bill, continuing to shill for the underdog of the plane sizes
Re: 4 1/2 or 5 1/5
Ernie Miller
>I have a 5 1/2 that I will put up on the benefit board for WC if you are looking for one. Let know if you want it listed there. any one else interested in a user 5 1/2 with the money going to WC?
Re: Hijack
Jonathan Peck - N.Y.
>Todd, that guitar looks great, well done. Can I assume that with that body size, mahogony and the low action that you're a fingerstyle blues player? I haven't been around much either, but I haven't been down the shop much either...been spending all my free time playing, and I really look forward to my weekly local jam.
Mario also posts on the Flatpick-L and I would definitely agree with his generous gift of time, and his talent.
This is my new baby. It's not a Proulx but it's also made by a boutique shop named Huss & Dalton
No real reason...
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
>Personally I'd go for a LN6 myself (with the high angle frog, and improved cap iron, drool).
I use a 606 (The neighbor of the beast) as a panel plane in everyday use. It's a great sized plane IMHO.
Didn't want to throw more at poor 'ol Haakon... Soon he/she/they will realize they have no choice but to have 1 (at least) of all sizes of bench planes...Haa, Haa, Haa, The weak minded fools have no idea what's happing to them...
;^)
Re: 4 1/2 or 5 1/5
John Clifford
>put it up Ernie, I'm in the market.
Even More of a Hijack
Todd Stock
>Awesome burst - H&D knows how to do the vintage thing right - compare it to a '34 and I'm betting it's a close thing. Don't let anyone near that dread with a flatpick...you'll scare away all the banjo and mandolin players within a 100 mile radius. Looks like a real cannon - you have WAY too many cool toys, dude.
My OM is no H&D, but it's almost as nice as my last small-bodied Martin (mid-'30s O-17). Built this for fingerstyle blues, and the mahogany was def a good choice - when someone actually plays it that knows what they are doing, it sounds great. Probably be another few years before I start seeing the mahogany doing it's thing, but it will be worth the wait. Right now, '32-20 Blues' sounds good, even with me murdering the turnaround.
Here's my next in the white... mahogany/spruce slothead 12 fretter with herringbone purfling, vintage ivoroid binding, and pyramid bridge. If the rosette looks a little bold, it's totally on purpose (sure I didn't screw up...that's my story and I'm sticking to it). I just milled the sides and back for a couple of short scale OO slotheads, which is pretty close to what you see Blind Blake pictured with...man - those old guys had some chops.
Anyway...thanks for the interest, and enjoy the new axe. Let me know if you are thinking of building.
Re: Why a 5-1/2 over a 6?
Haakon
>Thanks to all,
I think I will follow your advise and my initial idea and get the 5 1/7 (oops, the 5 1/2). I know I am on the slope as most of you so the in-between-sizes (yes, the 6 sounds nice too) will surly find their way across the Atlantic one day.
Thanks again
Haakon Haraldsen
Poviglio, Italy
Re: Even More of a Hijack
Jonathan Peck - N.Y.
>Dude..those geetahs are just way to nice. You've got a lot of talent my friend. I bet they sound good as they look. Did you ever work with a luthier in a shop?
The H&D isn't really a cannon..But it has this dry woody midrangy tone that I like. The build quality is what you'd expect from a handmade guitar. This is the one I play around the house...my other guitar is just way to loud and is the one that I take to jams. This ones a real banjo killer.
Pssst.....and there's more....didn't mention the reso:-)
Ciao Haakon!
Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
>Glad to see you understand my crazy sense humor. Enjoy the 5 1/9 ;^)
Like I Said...Way Too Many Cool Toys...
Todd Stock
>
TAS - Tool Acquisition Syndrome...GAS - Guitar...
Todd Stock
>
To many slopery slips :-)
Jonathan Peck - N.Y.
>