Deke,
It's dumb only if you don't ask. I use and like Lie-Nielsen planes, but am not trying to push them on you. That said, I recommend you visit their web site. This link will take you to their bench planes, which are bevel down.
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?cat=505
This link will show you the block planes, as well as the low angle planes, which are bevel up.
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?cat=504
For each of their planes there is a Use and Care Instructions section which should be helpful. You will see diagrams of both styles of planes and that should clarify a variety of points.
Lee Valley makes some very good planes. For general informational purposes, I like the L-N site. They have a large assortment of planes, which they number in the same manner that Stanley does. Since this approach has become the nomenclature standard for woodworkers, the L-N site becomes a great reference. When you talk about a #4 plane, for example, that is what everybody knows as a smoothing plane. Lee Valley is somewhat less consistent in their approach to naming planes. They make a #4 plane, which is also a smoothing plane. They also make what they call a "Low-Angle Smooth Plane." I haven't checked the dimensions, but this appears to be what Stanley and Lie-Nielsen call a #164. They also make what they call a "Low-Angle Jack Plane", which is similar to the L-N #62, but is an inch longer and has a 1/4" wider blade. They designate it as a #62 1/2.
While this has nothing to do with the relative quality of their products, I think that L-N does a better job when describing their planes. How well they work, and look, is up to you. They are both great companies, offering high quality products.
I hope this helps. Keep the "dumb" questions coming. I used to be even dumber than I now am. The progress has been amazing.
Regards,
Richard
Deke said:
It's dumb only if you don't ask. I use and like Lie-Nielsen planes, but am not trying to push them on you. That said, I recommend you visit their web site. This link will take you to their bench planes, which are bevel down.
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?cat=505
This link will show you the block planes, as well as the low angle planes, which are bevel up.
http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?cat=504
For each of their planes there is a Use and Care Instructions section which should be helpful. You will see diagrams of both styles of planes and that should clarify a variety of points.
Lee Valley makes some very good planes. For general informational purposes, I like the L-N site. They have a large assortment of planes, which they number in the same manner that Stanley does. Since this approach has become the nomenclature standard for woodworkers, the L-N site becomes a great reference. When you talk about a #4 plane, for example, that is what everybody knows as a smoothing plane. Lee Valley is somewhat less consistent in their approach to naming planes. They make a #4 plane, which is also a smoothing plane. They also make what they call a "Low-Angle Smooth Plane." I haven't checked the dimensions, but this appears to be what Stanley and Lie-Nielsen call a #164. They also make what they call a "Low-Angle Jack Plane", which is similar to the L-N #62, but is an inch longer and has a 1/4" wider blade. They designate it as a #62 1/2.
While this has nothing to do with the relative quality of their products, I think that L-N does a better job when describing their planes. How well they work, and look, is up to you. They are both great companies, offering high quality products.
I hope this helps. Keep the "dumb" questions coming. I used to be even dumber than I now am. The progress has been amazing.
Regards,
Richard
