Block Plane Question

Re: Block Plane Question

Dave Thompson

>An adjustable mouth is a superset of a non-adjustable mouth, so ofcourse you're not missing a thing there. Regarding standard angle versus low angle, many prefer standard angle for softwood. Though a low angle will work.

soft or hard wood, low angle is better for endgrain.

Re: Block Plane Question

Derek Cohen (in Perth Australia)

>Hi Tony

I have the LN LA #60 1/2, and it is a wonderful block plane in every department: balance, heft, build quality, looks, performance. It is my go-to block plane when I am working at my bench.

I also have the little LN bronze #103, a fixed mouth standard angle block plane (also known as an "Apron plane", and very similar to the version made by Veritas). It has exceptional performance - not as good as its larger sibling - but I could easily live with it if it were all I had (and it was all I had at one time). This type of block plane comes into its own when you need to carry one around, either on the job site or, as in my case, around the workshop or home. It is small enough to pop into a pocket, and it is a great all-rounder by way of performance. It can slice end grain extremely well, just not as well as the 60 1/2. It does a good job on face grain, better than the 60 1/2 - until I close the mouth down on the latter. If you own the 60 1/2 and have never used the #103, then you will not miss it. If you do have a #103, it will be used a lot.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Block Plane Question

ThomD

>I have several block planes, but it is mostly a mater of intially trying to find one I like. This wasn't tool perfectionism back 25 years a lot of the stuff available was garbage.

I now reach for various ones to do various jobs where they just seem to fit the work better. I don't think the results show in the work so much as just being more comfortable in use. I would trade all but one or two in if I could get my money back out of them.

I only use low angle block planes. Get the great results. I could use a steeper blade bevel in a low angle one if I needed 45 degrees. the low angle is the same the angle Japanese use for softwood, pretty much.

In the last few years I have been using the Mung F.. high angle planes in certain cases. I find those really useful the small one in particular. I could do everything with the small LN, and the small MF.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=46320&cat=1,41182,46334

You want the adjustable mouth.

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>It's a much better plane than the non-adjustable ones. As far as bedding angles, if you get and extra blade you can grind it to a higher angle to make a std. bedding angle. If your like me and hate swapping blades, do yourself and get the std. angle LN block.

Similar to my response on the other side

Derek

>

Other side? What other side.

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>:^) Just kidding. I spend very little to none time "over there". It's to spookie noisey for me...

Use hearing protection! :>)

Derek

>

Re: Block Plane Question

Jeff Schmidt

>Tony,

You are not missing out on anything and have everything you need with that block plane.

Simplicity, simplicity.

Re: Block Plane Question

Bruce Branson

>Like you I use the LN 102 and Muji short plane.The short plane is only 4"long.These two planes handle all my small plane needs at a very low price.I even sold a LN 60 1/2 because I had no need for it.