Smaller smoothing planes

[ear3]

So -- I ran into a situation yesterday where I could have really used a smoothing plane smaller than the 4 1/2 I have.  Was ripping some hard maple for the workbench I'm slowly building -- the 6/4 lumber was already S2S from the yard, though there were still plane tracks and ridges visible on the face. I decided rather than to run the full boards again through my own planer, I would do the rips and then take off a whisper thin shaving with the plane to get the surface even for glue up.  I should have anticipated a bit better, but after the rips some of the boards bowed slightly -- nothing that can't be clamped straight during glue up, but enough that I was still missing a lot of the surface when running the 4 1/2 plane over it.  I eventually got the faces cleaned up, but I felt like it would have been a more efficient process if I had a smaller plane at hand (but something more substantial than a simple block plane).

I thought then this might be a good opportunity to get a smaller smoothing plane, but then comes the question -- which is better to get for me right now, a 3 or a 2?

So I'm wondering what people think about the relative merits of each, and which would be more of a gap filler given that I have the 4 1/2?  I was initially leaning towards the 3, but at 9", it's only 1 3/8" shorter than the 4 1/2.  The 2, however, is pretty small -- 7 1/2" sole, but also there doesn't seem to be a lot of room between the tote and the frog to establish a full grip -- and I'm wondering how often I would end up using it.

 

[Corwin]

You best have rather small hands to consider either of those smaller planes.

Like you, I also was in the market for a plane a little smaller than my No. 4-1/2. I went to the local LN Tool Event recently and checked out the No. 3 only to find it was a little too small for my hands, so I got the No. 4 instead.

You might consider the LV block plane with the optional rear tote. Kind of like a small smoother. They are offering free shipping on orders placed through this Thursday.

 

[ear3]

Interesting.  The other reason I'm thinking about these things is that there's a LN hand tool event in NYC this coming weekend, and so I wanted to go there with an agenda.  My hands are not small, and so I should definitely check the comfort on the smaller smoothing planes.  Thanks.

You best have rather small hands to consider either of those smaller planes.

Like you, I also was in the market for a plane a little smaller than my No. 4-1/2. I went to the local LN Tool Event recently and checked out the No. 3 only to find it was a little too small for my hands, so I got the No. 4 instead.

You might consider the LV block plane with the optional rear tote. Kind of like a small smoother. They are offering free shipping on orders placed through this Thursday.

 

[bertv]

Using a scraper might be a better way to achieve smoothness. Did you try that?

 

[Cheese]

My 3 personal favorites are the LN 3...4 1/2...5 1/2. I'd also say I have averaged sized hands. However, even with my average sized hands, when using the 3, there is not enough room for 4 fingers. Either the pinky gets left outside and low on the body, or the index finger gets left outside and high on the lever cap or cap iron.

 

[Corwin]

My 3 personal favorites are the LN 3...4 1/2...5 1/2. I'd also say I have averaged sized hands. However, even with my average sized hands, when using the 3, there is not enough room for 4 fingers. Either the pinky gets left outside and low on the body, or the index finger gets left outside and high on the lever cap or cap iron.

Yeah, my hands are medium sized too, and I always leave my index finger out of the tote and extended onto the cap iron not matter what size the plane -- well, except for my block planes. Still, I found the No. 3 a little too small. The rear tote on my LV shooting plane is also a tad small for my liking, but I didn't have the opportunity to see or try it before purchase.

 

[derekcohen]

The #3 is one of my favourite smoother sizes. I have both a Stanley #3, which I inherited from my FIL, and a LN. The LN sports the handle from a #4, which fits with a slight modification. This is needed if using the 45-degree frog, but unnecessary with high angled frogs ...

Tight fit, but very comfortable for my larger size hand ..

A bit of eye candy - #3 and #4 1/2 together ..

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[ear3]

I did end up using that on a few of the boards, thanks.

Using a scraper might be a better way to achieve smoothness. Did you try that?

 

[ear3]

Thanks [member=4358]derekcohen[/member] Beautiful handle btw.

The #3 is one of my favourite smoother sizes. I have both a Stanley #3, which I inherited from my FIL, and a LN. The LN sports the handle from a #4, which fits with a slight modification. This is needed if using the 45-degree frog, but unnecessary with high angled frogs ...

Tight fit, but very comfortable for my larger size hand ..

A bit of eye candy - #3 and #4 1/2 together ..

Regards from Perth

Derek