New Block Plane from Bridge City Tools

[jbasen]

I got an email from Bridge City Tools announcing their new dual angle block plane.

Looks pretty cool but it definitely comes with a price tag to match.

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/hp-9-dual-angle-block-plane.html?et_mid=769485&rid=237471598

 

[ishmerc]

Price is really not that bad ,it like having two block plane .If you buy two of LN block plane come out to $340 compare to BCTW $329 .

 

[flair woodworks]

I've always admired the aesthetics of the CT-17 (on which this design was based).  This one is a more production-oriented model, but still very nice looking nonetheless.

 

[mouppe]

Price is really not that bad ,it like having two block plane .If you buy two of LN block plane come out to $340 compare to BCTW $329 .

No quibbles with the Bridge City stuff at all, but I use a Lie Nielsen low angle block plane and I have an extra blade for it sharpened at a steeper angle to equate to a standard angle block plane if I need one. So you don't actually need two planes.

And one thing I don't like about the Bridge City design of the blade with a cutting edge on each end is that I can't see how you can sharpen it freehand without injuring yourself?

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/hp-9-spare-iron.html

 

[teocaf]

And one thing I don't like about the Bridge City design of the blade with a cutting edge on each end is that I can't see how you can sharpen it freehand without injuring yourself?

There's an orange protector that slips over the other end of the iron.  It's held on with rare earth magnet(s).  So that solves your concern.  However, it adds a new concern and that is that whenever you magnetize a thick blade that strongly and you go to sharpen it, all kinds of little metal filings will stick to the blade, so you can cut yourself chasing them around with a rag as you try to clean them off, and you also might not be successful in getting them all off.  You might be able to solve that by using one of those demagnetizing gadgets but I'm just guessing as to the effectiveness.

It is a great looking plane--I love the way BCTW pushes the envelope with design.

 

[Kev]

Very nice looking stuff .. but is it work the $'s ? Their range looks almost like engineering art! [big grin]

 

[mouppe]

And one thing I don't like about the Bridge City design of the blade with a cutting edge on each end is that I can't see how you can sharpen it freehand without injuring yourself?

There's an orange protector that slips over the other end of the iron.  It's held on with rare earth magnet(s).  So that solves your concern.  However, it adds a new concern and that is that whenever you magnetize a thick blade that strongly and you go to sharpen it, all kinds of little metal filings will stick to the blade, so you can cut yourself chasing them around with a rag as you try to clean them off, and you also might not be successful in getting them all off.  You might be able to solve that by using one of those demagnetizing gadgets but I'm just guessing as to the effectiveness.

It is a great looking plane--I love the way BCTW pushes the envelope with design.

Thanks for the info on the blade protector.

 

[flair woodworks]

And one thing I don't like about the Bridge City design of the blade with a cutting edge on each end is that I can't see how you can sharpen it freehand without injuring yourself?

If you're sharpening it, obviously one edge is dulled...

I couldn't resist.

I wonder if the small magnets on the blade guard are enough to magnetize a piece of steel that size.

 

[bdiemer]

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/default/tools/planes/limited-edition-planes/se-block-plane-1.html
It's nice to see they make one with more of a users price. Congratulations, it's a beautiful plane.

 

[jacko9]

Has anybody on the FOG purchased one of the Bridge City Tools block planes?  If so, let us know what you think about it.

I'm in the market to replace my old Record Block plane and have been looking at the L-N and Veritas offerings.

Jack

 

[blaszcsj]

I ordered this back in june. I bought it as I am trying to get more into the hand tool finishing and this is actually a good value when you compare it against two planes in one theory. As far as the order, Bridge City tools still lists it as awaiting inventory on my account page with no estimated completion date listed. I will let you know when it comes in and take pictures of the un-boxing.

 

[Claimdude]

I ordered the dual angle block plane. The link below states early to mid November for the SE Block Plane. You go to the "Schedule" tab from the main web page and find the tool you want the status of then click on that tool name and it takes you to the page with more detail on production. My dual angle is also due to be ready in early to mid November.

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/blog/se-block-plane/

http://www.bridgecitytools.com/blog/hp-9-dual-angle-block-plane/

Jack

 

[Cheese]

Has anybody on the FOG purchased one of the Bridge City Tools block planes?  If so, let us know what you think about it.

I'm in the market to replace my old Record Block plane and have been looking at the L-N and Veritas offerings.
Jack

[member=8318]jacko9[/member]
I purchased Lie Nielson block planes to replace 2  Stanley block planes that were manufactured in England and had Hock blades installed. I love the L-N, and as much as I really appreciate the beauty of the Bridge City Tools offerings, I usually need to secure the tool to complete a task within the next 2-3 weeks rather than the Bridge City Tool usual timeline of 1-2 years. I purchased the L-N from Woodcraft (when they were still a distributor) and within an hour, I was using them in my shop. That was 8-9 years ago and I have had no buyers remorse. I just need to now sell the Stanleys... [eek]

 

[jacko9]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member], thanks for your reply and i'm leaning in the L-N direction probably getting the low angle with a spare blade that I can regrind to 45 degrees or so for difficult grain woods.

I have a whole set of Record Planes with the corregated soles but the sloppy adjustments make using them unpleasant.

Jack

 

[teocaf]

Has anybody on the FOG purchased one of the Bridge City Tools block planes?  If so, let us know what you think about it.

I'm in the market to replace my old Record Block plane and have been looking at the L-N and Veritas offerings.

Jack

Using these newer BCTW hand planes in your workflow requires a different approach than using the more traditional planes like Lie Nielsen, etc.  These Bridge City planes cut very fine shavings with very little pressure and they have an ability to be adjusted in much finer increments than the traditional ones.  So you need to be able to embrace the design differences to get the most out of them.  For example, there is no chip breaker.  To compensate for that, the iron is quite thick, so you don't get blade chatter.  That will make for longer sharpening times, especially if you want to do it often enough to keep getting those ultra fine shavings.  I would not try to hollow grind the thicker iron, because I think that would defeat the purpose of the design.  Adjustments are also done differently than on the traditional planes--for example, how much pressure should be put on clamping the blade down.  Just some things to keep in mind as you're looking around.

 

[mouppe]

Has anybody on the FOG purchased one of the Bridge City Tools block planes?  If so, let us know what you think about it.

I'm in the market to replace my old Record Block plane and have been looking at the L-N and Veritas offerings.

Jack

Using these newer BCTW hand planes in your workflow requires a different approach than using the more traditional planes like Lie Nielsen, etc.  These Bridge City planes cut very fine shavings with very little pressure and they have an ability to be adjusted in much finer increments than the traditional ones.  So you need to be able to embrace the design differences to get the most out of them.  For example, there is no chip breaker.  To compensate for that, the iron is quite thick, so you don't get blade chatter.  That will make for longer sharpening times, especially if you want to do it often enough to keep getting those ultra fine shavings.  I would not try to hollow grind the thicker iron, because I think that would defeat the purpose of the design.  Adjustments are also done differently than on the traditional planes--for example, how much pressure should be put on clamping the blade down.  Just some things to keep in mind as you're looking around.

I don't get your post so maybe I am missing something? Block planes don't have chipbreakers. And the time between sharpenings is related to the wood type, steel quality and type rather than the plane itself.

I have a low angle Lie Nielsen block plane with two blades- one with a 25 degree bevel and the other with a 35 degree bevel. I use the 35 degree blade most of the time. I found standard angle block planes uncomfortable to hold hence the 35 degree blade in a low angle plane.

 

[mouppe]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member], thanks for your reply and i'm leaning in the L-N direction probably getting the low angle with a spare blade that I can regrind to 45 degrees or so for difficult grain woods.

I have a whole set of Record Planes with the corregated soles but the sloppy adjustments make using them unpleasant.

Jack

Try 35 before 45. I have a 55 degree frog which hasn't seen the light of day for many a moon. I pull out a scraper if the 50 degree frog can't hack it. With a 12 degree bed plus a 45 degree bevel you would be at 57 degrees, even before any secondary bevel.

i suggest you try 35 degrees first to give you a 47 degree effective pitch.

 

[teocaf]

Has anybody on the FOG purchased one of the Bridge City Tools block planes?  If so, let us know what you think about it.

I'm in the market to replace my old Record Block plane and have been looking at the L-N and Veritas offerings.

Jack

Using these newer BCTW hand planes in your workflow requires a different approach than using the more traditional planes like Lie Nielsen, etc.  These Bridge City planes cut very fine shavings with very little pressure and they have an ability to be adjusted in much finer increments than the traditional ones.  So you need to be able to embrace the design differences to get the most out of them.  For example, there is no chip breaker.  To compensate for that, the iron is quite thick, so you don't get blade chatter.  That will make for longer sharpening times, especially if you want to do it often enough to keep getting those ultra fine shavings.  I would not try to hollow grind the thicker iron, because I think that would defeat the purpose of the design.  Adjustments are also done differently than on the traditional planes--for example, how much pressure should be put on clamping the blade down.  Just some things to keep in mind as you're looking around.

I don't get your post so maybe I am missing something? Block planes don't have chipbreakers. And the time between sharpenings is related to the wood type, steel quality and type rather than the plane itself.

I have a low angle Lie Nielsen block plane with two blades- one with a 25 degree bevel and the other with a 35 degree bevel. I use the 35 degree blade most of the time. I found standard angle block planes uncomfortable to hold hence the 35 degree blade in a low angle plane.

Yes, you are correct--no chip breakers on block planes, bevel the other way, etc.  I had looked in on this thread to see if someone had posted a review of the newest plane from the company and I ended up writing a rather long entry starting with my experience with the VP60.  My second paragraph on the block planes and the foxtail plane got deleted and I just went to breakfast and did not bother to rewrite it.
My comment regarding sharpening had more to do with the time it takes to 'flat sharpen' that massive blade and do it to the same level as it came from BCTW.  I know it always took me a lot longer than the Lie Nielsen--perhaps others have different methods.  I also preferred to be going for the sharpenings more often so I would not have to take off as much--I could have been clearer on the reasonings behind my method.
I stand by my overall point that you can't really take the exact skill set you learn with the more traditional planes and apply them directly to the newer designs of the BCTW planes--there's a learning curve and not much information out there from actual users.

 

[GregBradley]

For just a little more money I think I would stick with my LV NX60 with PV-11 Blade and my LN 102.
The NX60 seems to be currently back ordered but the DX60 is available and much cheaper. Of course the NX60 is probably the prettiest production or semi production one out there. Is the BCT one prettier? or just a bit strange looking.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=61963&cat=1,41182,48942

 

[jacko9]

[member=9715]greg[/member],  Yes I do like the idea of a moisture resistant finish on the Veritas NX60 however, it has been out of stock for quite some time and Lee Valley doesn't have any idea when the steel supplier will be able to deliver more of the high Nickel Alloy Ductile cast Iron.  I get the same unavailability message at the Veritas web site and wonder what kind of issues are causing this delay.  I might wait another month before I give up and get the Veritas DX60 with spare blade.

[member=7882]RL[/member], yes you are probably correct that a 35 degree grind will be more useful than the 45 degree.

I have my Record well tuned and extremely sharp after getting the Veritas MkII sharpening jig so it will work until I get a new Veritas NX60 or DX60.

Jack