Need a hand plane for truing boards

[dpetrzelka]

RL - I'm interested to hear how the Veritas and NL are functionally different for you at the same given bench height. It might help the OP make a decision between the two.

From my personal experience the Lie Nielsen with a more forward leaning tote allows my arm to sit a more comfortable angle on a lower bench ( All else equal ) Where as the Veritas tote is much more upright and can be a little more uncomfortable on a lower bench requiring my to bend down more. It is just right on my taller bench. The Veritas is my go to plane, not only because of the functional benefit of the side set screws and my preference for the adjuster, but also because I am often working guitar necks in a pattern vise that is mounted atop my bench.

It is my personal experience with both planes, but I believe it is backed up by sound geometry.

 

[mouppe]

It's hard to say. The planes are all different weights, lengths, employ different motions etc. I don't have two jack planes or two #4s so I can't compare like for like exactly.

I use a Veritas #4 and a LN #5 1/2 but they are for different purposes. I adjust my body to the task and I honestly can't say the tote angle makes a difference. I tried a LN #1,2 and 3 and the totes were far too small for my hand. That was a more important criteria than the tote angle.

My body angle is also affected by other factors such as how I clamp the wood to the bench, or whether I am planing parallel with the bench side or perpendicular to it.

My suggestion is to go with what feels comfortable.

 

[dpetrzelka]

I should be clear that my comments were specifically about the Low Angle Jack available from each Lie Nielsen and Veritas - fully agree with you RL, that across different plane sizes/styles there are more important considerations than tote angle.

In comparing just those two Low Angle Jack planes,  blade width and tote angle are the primary functional differences for me. Outside of that there are minor mechanical differences that are almost purely personal preference (mouth opening adjustment, side set screws, depth adjustment).

 

[Stone Message]

I absolutely agree with AMT and RL...

The Veritas Low Angle Jack Plane is fantastic. I use mine every day and it is a joy to use. Dad would be proud of me for getting such a good hand tool.

Peter

 

[jacko9]

The plane you purchased is a great tool.  Now with the class on using the plane and some time spent on sharpening the blade, you'll be ready to start making shavings.  As suggested above, a scrub plane to take off the visible high spots will save you a lot of time.

I should add that I got started with a jointer hand plane 22" or so long and got quite good using it but, trying to straighten long boards got old real fast and my Poitras Long Bed Jointer followed soon after with solid carbide blades.  Today I would still start my shop with hand planes of which I own more then a dozen but, I would get a long bed Jointer as wide as I could afford with a spiral cutter head as soon as possible.

Jack

 

[FOGNewbie]

The plane you purchased is a great tool.  Now with the class on using the plane and some time spent on sharpening the blade, you'll be ready to start making shavings.  As suggested above, a scrub plane to take off the visible high spots will save you a lot of time.

I should add that I got started with a jointer hand plane 22" or so long and got quite good using it but, trying to straighten long boards got old real fast and my Poitras Long Bed Jointer followed soon after with solid carbide blades.  Today I would still start my shop with hand planes of which I own more then a dozen but, I would get a long bed Jointer as wide as I could afford with a spiral cutter head as soon as possible.

Jack

I second the sharpening part and classes. If you don't learn to sharpen, the plane will gather dust. I'd add a toothed blade as well. The toothed blade is a life saver when doing the coarse work on a board. Especially if it is highly figured.

I have this set minus the DVD have loved it.

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/low-angle-bench-planes/low-angle-jack-plane-set/

Last recommendation would be to read the PDF file or better yet get the book or dvd "Coarse, Medium, Fine" By Christopher Schwartz

PDF:

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2-CoarseMediumFine.pdf

Link to dvd via Lie Nielsen:

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/dvds/coarse-medium-and-fine-fundamental-woodworking-techniques/

Following that coarse, medium, fine process, I went with the 62, then the low angle joiner (#7) then a smoother which is a 4 1/2 with a high angle frog.

A tip for the OP is to get some parafin wax to rub on the sole of the plane. This makes it so much easier to use.