Help with first low angle block plane

[duburban]

Its time to pick up a hand plane, low angle.

My first time with a hand plane was with a co workers plane that he never used. Dull, not tuned, etc... I thought I'd never pick up a hand plane again, until someone leant me their lie nielson. It was a mind opening experience with wood and its time for my own.

Question is, aside from veritas and lie nielson, is there anything worth buying? I'd like an old record or something vintage as long as I can tune it in.

What are you all using?

 

[Alan m]

you could go for a karl holtey.

can you remorgage your house [scared] [eek]

cliften do good planes. i have a cliften no 4 second(slight cast blemish but half price) and a rebate plane

i have an irwine block plane that i got free are tool shop at my local dealers. it works good enough for me  once it was sharpened and flattened.

 

[Deansocial]

i use a Quengseng plane and it is very good

 

[duburban]

Those are all new to me, time to research em.

 

[mouppe]

Other than the vintage reason, is there a reason why you wouldn't buy a Lie Nielsen or a Lee Valley block plane? I have one of each and they are outstanding in every way.

I would recommend the Lee Valley over the Lie Nielsen for a first plane.

Indeed the low angle block plane from Lee Valley was my first plane.

 

[duburban]

Cost is the only factor, and I'm more on sight vs shop which lends itself to a lower cost tool that performs well.

I'm sold on veritas right now because its wider and comes with nice steel.

 

[fatroman]

I've got a Lie Nielsen LA block plane. First nice plane for me (and since added two more of theirs to the collection). Have my eye on a few oddball ones from Veritas, too.

Finally got serious and got some sharpening plates this week, and thought I'd try them out on my older planes (a Buck Bros block and a Stanley #5 from somewhere in the 50s / 60s vintage)

Buck Bros I have used like a rented mule. Surprisingly the back of the iron was reasonably flat. Didn't take much to correct it and put a fresh edge on it. I've got every cent out of this $10 plane.

The old Stanley? I'm 2 hours into trying to get it flat. And still not done.

All of which is a long way of saying, yes, you can get an old plane. But be prepared to spend some considerable time messing around with it. If you value your time, make sure you add that into the cost equation.

 

[GhostFist]

Block plane is an essential tool as far as I'm concerned I've got a lee valley

 

[Vindingo]

I purchased the Stanley at an estate sale for $10.  It lives in my tool bag and gets used on site.  I dropped it on concrete and chipped the corner, no big deal.  The blade gets razor sharp and keeps an edge well.

I purchased my LN 3 years ago and it lives in the shop.  The LN feels nicer in hand, it has some heft to it and I enjoy using it because it is pretty.  The weight of the LN makes planing end grain easier IMO.   One redeeming grace of LN tools is that they hold their value even better than Festool and they are true heirloom tools.  In 10 years, it will be worth almost what you paid for it, whereas a power tool may be obsolete.

Veritas planes are also very nice, so I doubt you will regret either.

   

 

[mastercabman]

I have a Woodriver low angle block plane and really like it. Woodcraft sells it for about $90.00

 

[RONWEN]

You can get most any of the old Stanleys on e-bay (sometimes at a bargain price) but be prepared to spend a fair amount of time tuning them to what it should be. 
If you put a $$ value on your time it's probably best to buy a LN or Veritas low angle block plane.  The Woodriver planes are surprisingly good for the money (if you aren't hung up on brand status  [smile]).

 

[bigjonh]

You should check out super tool,  he has a monthly email list of used planes if all shapes sizes and price ranges. I have bought several worker planes off of him and been very happy with them.  Mostly vintage Stanley and a few other brands.  You could probably email him and tell him what your looking for.  You will have to do some tuning, but if you are going to jump sown the slippery slope of hand tools you should probably learn how to do that anyway.

http://www.supertool.com/forsale/nov2011list.htm

 

[GhostFist]

i have to say going through the process of tuning makes the tool that much more special, if you're willing to spend the time you wont be sorry.

 

[Deansocial]

I have a Woodriver low angle block plane and really like it. Woodcraft sells it for about $90.00

did a little research and turns out the quenseng planes are sold under the woodriver name in the US. I have the rebating block plane and love it

 

[jmbfestool]

Lie-Nielsen!  I have their Rebate bloke plane love it!  Really nice!  I can't see why people buy normal block planes if you can get a rebate one! its  like having two tools on hand all the time for cleaning tenon shoulders or Tongues on floor boards or door rebates  dead handy!  So many lads on site who use my block plane love it and say it's better than having a block plane and a shoulder plane separate.  Then I tell them the price and they are not interested! I don't get it I think it's worth the money!

Jmb

 

[RONWEN]

Lie-Nielsen!   I have their Rebate bloke plane love it!  Really nice!   I can't see why people buy normal block planes if you can get a rebate one! its  like having two tools on hand all the time for cleaning tenon shoulders or Tongues on floor boards or door rebates  dead handy!   So many lads on site who use my block plane love it and say it's better than having a block plane and a shoulder plane separate.   Then I tell them the price and they are not interested! I don't get it I think it's worth the money!

Jmb

I have one also -- Outstanding!

 

[Vindingo]

You should check out super tool,  he has a monthly email list of used planes if all shapes sizes and price ranges. I have bought several worker planes off of him and been very happy with them.  Mostly vintage Stanley and a few other brands.  You could probably email him and tell him what your looking for.  You will have to do some tuning, but if you are going to jump sown the slippery slope of hand tools you should probably learn how to do that anyway.

http://www.supertool.com/forsale/nov2011list.htm

Those seem to be collector prices for working condition tools. 

 

[woodguy7]

I have many planes from the likes of record, Stanley, Clifton, lie Nielson, ray iles ect ect.
I have a Stanley smoother no 4 & 41/2 which I spent quite a bit of time flattening & tuning up.  I then added a Ron Hock blade & chip breaker to both.  I can honestly say that they cut every bit as good as my lie nelsons (not the ray iles though) & worth the time & effort.  A good blade transforms a plane.

Woodguy.

 

[RONWEN]

Lie-Nielsen!   I have their Rebate bloke plane love it!  Really nice!   I can't see why people buy normal block planes if you can get a rebate one! its  like having two tools on hand all the time for cleaning tenon shoulders or Tongues on floor boards or door rebates  dead handy!   So many lads on site who use my block plane love it and say it's better than having a block plane and a shoulder plane separate.   Then I tell them the price and they are not interested! I don't get it I think it's worth the money!
Jmb

duburban,
Jmb makes a good point.  If I was in the market for a bock plane, I'd definitely consider this as it's roughly the same cost of their 60 1/2 and you get the added function ,which can be huge.  I tried it at a LN hand tool event but found it uncomfortable, however.  The way I grip the plane puts my thumb and forefinger directly into the cutouts in the sidewalls.  The LN demonstrator said that this was an issue for some (including him), while others had no issues.  If at all possible, try whatever planes your considering in your hands.   It's got to feel comfortable to you.  Good luck!

Joe

I'm included in that "some" -- 9/10 times I'll grab my LN low angle block because it fits my hand just right.http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1216  But for those times when you need a rabbet plane the LN rabbet plane works great. http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1269

 

[duburban]

You should check out super tool,  he has a monthly email list of used planes if all shapes sizes and price ranges. I have bought several worker planes off of him and been very happy with them.  Mostly vintage Stanley and a few other brands.  You could probably email him and tell him what your looking for.  You will have to do some tuning, but if you are going to jump sown the slippery slope of hand tools you should probably learn how to do that anyway.

http://www.supertool.com/forsale/nov2011list.htm

Those seem to be collector prices for working condition tools. 

Phew... I was wondering

the rabbet plane looks great but less comfortable in my hand.

I'm really leaning towards the veritas over the lie nielson because of the adjustable throat. I haven't used one yet but like my options.