Lie Nielsen #1 & #2

Re: Lie Nielsen #1 & #2 *LINK*

Hoa Dinh in Alameda

>At one point I seriously considered buying a L-N #2 as a gift for my son. I realize that even for a 10 yr. old, the #1 is too small.

So I asked to handle a #2 at a local WW store.

As you'd expect, it was a beautiful plane, hefty for its size, polished everywhere. I felt like holding a precision machine, not just a handplane.

Its usability was a different story.

It was too small and too crowded. My hand (average size of an Asian) was too large to wrap around the tote, even with just two fingers, and too small to wrap around the tote and the frog. There was no way I could use it comfortably.

IMHO, #1 and #2 are for display, not for use.

If you want a small bench plane, get a Lee Valley LA block, the front knob and the tail ball. If you want high cutting angle, get a spare blade and grind it to the appropriate bevel.

That's exactly what my son is using now. I borrow it from him if I need to.

He and I are anxiously waiting for the new handle from Lee Valley. That will make the block plane more like a bench plane. Follow the link for a thread with a sketch of the new handle.

-- Hoa


LV LA Block Thread

I use a #2...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>It's a handy little plane for small boards. Mind you I hold it like a coffin plane with no handle. My hand wrap around the whole frog/blade assembly so just my thumb and part of the palm of my hand is on the tote.

I hate to admit it, but I've been eye balling that ulgy LV bevel up block plane with the knob and handle as a nice little smoother with a blade to make it york pitched. If I could just get past it's looks...

Re: I use a #2...

Tony Zaffuto

>Scott,

I had the same issue with the LV block plane and Robin Lee graciously supplied me the plane without the circles that I hated. I also bought the wood knob and ball tail as well as the chamfer attachment. It is a lovely little workhorse!

Mind you, I have an LN 60-1/2, LN 60-1/2R, at least 3 Stanley 60-1/2, and several Stanley 9-1/2 as well as a handful of other assorted block planes. The LV is quickly becoming my favorite. The other contender for favorite is a 60 year old Stanley 60-1/2.

Without the circles on the sides, the plane is not that bad looking, but it serves several purposes--low angle block plane, small smoother with the wood handles and excellent chamfer plane.

Re: I use a #2...

Sam Simpson

>Hi Y'all,

I bought the #1 75th anniversary model in white bronze. It sits on my desk as a paperweight. Alongside my collection of vintage Land Rovers, it looks like a half sized model of a real plane. A decent conversation piece. I have used it just so that I could say that I have, but even though it works perfectly, there is no way to grip it. The #2 on the other hand is a sensibly sized tool by comparison, and actually resides in the workshop with other user tools.

Regards Sam Simpson.

#2 yes, #1... prefer squirrel

Dave Thompson

>The #2 is probably my second most used smoother (second to a 4.5). I use it for smoothing a surface that for what ever reason isn't as flat as it could be, and so the shorter base helps. The LN#2 is a nice tool. I like the weight of the tool (I have the bronze). It�s just large enough to hold.

I have difficulty holding the #1, and can easily knock the blade and mess up lateral adjustment. For functions that require this size plane, I prefer a squirrel tail. The LN#1 is well made, and planes well, I think it may be better suited for a hobbit. I know other on this forum have used it regularly.

enjoy,

Dave

vintage land rovers?

Ryan Stagg - Cincinnati

>Sam: your comment about vintage land rovers - are these models you're talking about? Have any full-sized beasts? (or did I miss a play-on-words, and we're not talking about LR in the vehicle sense)

Ryan - long-time LR enthusiast

thanks

ydb1md

>Thanks for all the responses guys. Definitely things for me to think about.

Dave

Re: Lie Nielsen #1

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Larry Williams once said the #1 did linen folds like nothing else could. So if you're doing linen, might be a good idea to email him for advice.

Pam

Thanks Tony, and a question.

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>How'd you get it with out them? Just called LV and asked? Inquiry minds...

You like the Stanley 60-1/2? Man, that an uncomfortable plane IMHO.

I love my Stanley 18 and the 65. Yes I do drool over someday updating them to LN's but, I'll probably get Hock irons for the Stanley�s instead.

Re: Lie Nielsen #1

Larry Williams

>Well, actually there is another plane that matches the #1 for that but I shouldn't talk about it.

My Lie-Nielsen #2 is still my favorite metal bench plane. It's about the only metal bench plane I ever use anymore.

Re: Thanks Tony, and a question.

Tony Zaffuto

>Scott,

I emailed Rob Lee. They are very accommondating folks!

I received the plane early in December and if I remember correctly Rob indicated that he was preparing six block planes without the circles. I don't know if he had others that desired the plane like this, or if he was just doing a few extra "just in case".

Although I have not tried the plane for shooting, I did run a couple of strokes on its side, and the optional handles were very comfortable.

T.Z.

C&W #1?

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Please, Larry, tell us which C&W you use for linen folds. My best guess would be your small smoothing plane, with its 1-1/4" blade.

Pam

He ...

Rob Lee

>... was nice, and did not make disparaging remarks about appearances... :)

Cheers -

Rob

Linenfold

Warren in Lancaster, PA

>Pam

I did 15 linenfold carvings last year. I used a plow, a wooden rabbet, and hollows and rounds. I used the rabbet plane to do the rough shaping before the hollow plane. Any narrow plane with a good size mouth would work.

Re: Linenfold

Gary B in Central NY

>I'd love to see some pics of these please!?! just starting to think of carving, and how it can apply to furnituremaking....thanks

Gary B

Re: Linenfold

Warren in Lancaster, PA

>Gary

My son usually takes the pictures and he was away when I did this work. If I can get a picture I will keep you in mind. These were for a church, but you sometimes see linenfold carvings on cupboard doors in old Dutch paintings.

The plane's or yours? :>)

Derek

>I have the low angle jack and jointer - both look beautiful to me and both work well for me!

I saw your picture in a magazine - no comment :>)

Thanks again Tony

Scott Burr in rainy Ben Lomond,CA

>Yes the good people at LV are very accomadating. That's one of the reasons they get alot of my business. The plane seems a bit small to use for shooting but, that MHO.

Re: Linenfold - link

Vic Parisian

>this is the only link I could recall on linen...

You will have to look through his home page to find it. I f I recall its a great article about linen panels. with drawings and pics.

http://www.norsewoodsmith.com/

Thanks, Warren.

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>

Point taken Rob...

Scott Burr in rainy Ben Lomond,CA

>I know I'm not the only one that feels this way, so in the future I'll try to bite my tongue.

Now, in my nicest demeanor...Ya got any more with out the diviots?

Re: Thanks again Tony

David W. Dougherty

>I guess it depends on how you shoot. I'm a violin maker, and recently, I had to reglue a top that cracked right down the joint. A block plane, and, in particular, the LV LA block plane was the perfect tool for the job. A .002" shaving off each side, and I reglued for a perfect joint.

I actually like the "divots" on the sides of the planes; they make for easier holding and don't get in the way at all.