Which Lie Nielsen block plane?
- Thread starter Mac
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Hi Rick!
I am sure you will get lots of advice, but what is a typical project that you think you might use it on?
I don't own a Lie Nelson plane yet. I have always used a low angle block plane because it can handle end grain. Planing with the grain can also be done taking lighter cuts. But then I have to ask myself: Where is my block plane? [big grin]
Peter
I am sure you will get lots of advice, but what is a typical project that you think you might use it on?
I don't own a Lie Nelson plane yet. I have always used a low angle block plane because it can handle end grain. Planing with the grain can also be done taking lighter cuts. But then I have to ask myself: Where is my block plane? [big grin]
Peter
Rick
I have the small bronze lie-neilson low angle block plane & love it. I also have 2 Stanley block planes, both low & standard angle fitted with Karl Holtey blades. If you are going to be doing a lot of planing on end grain then the low angle is a must. If not the standard plane would be a better all rounder. When planning long grain the low angle has a tendency to tear the grain. On difficult grain timber, generally the higher the angle the better. One thing to consider though, with the Stanley's the low angle is narrower than the standard angle plane. The narrower plane is much comfy er to use 1 handed. I am not sure if the lie-Neilsons are the same.
Cheers, Woodguy.
I have the small bronze lie-neilson low angle block plane & love it. I also have 2 Stanley block planes, both low & standard angle fitted with Karl Holtey blades. If you are going to be doing a lot of planing on end grain then the low angle is a must. If not the standard plane would be a better all rounder. When planning long grain the low angle has a tendency to tear the grain. On difficult grain timber, generally the higher the angle the better. One thing to consider though, with the Stanley's the low angle is narrower than the standard angle plane. The narrower plane is much comfy er to use 1 handed. I am not sure if the lie-Neilsons are the same.
Cheers, Woodguy.
Jesse Cloud
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The advise above is on the mark. Personally I have the 60 1/2 and I love to use it. Today I am fitting drawers to a cabinet by planing down the (end grain) pins which are made a little proud of the sides. The plane does this wonderfully, without effort or tearout. The drawers will fit like pistons and you feel a "whoosh" (US technical term :
) of air escaping as the drawer is pushed into its place.
The advise about using a standard plane for larger work is good, too. The block plane excels in trimming and fitting, others are better for smoothing or levelling.
) of air escaping as the drawer is pushed into its place.The advise about using a standard plane for larger work is good, too. The block plane excels in trimming and fitting, others are better for smoothing or levelling.
Mac,
You are opening a can of worms, one of the most interesting in woodworking. Most people will opt for a low angle block plane as their very first. I own a 60 1/2 LN and use it all the time. It is probably the most used hand tool in the shop.
An excellent source of information for hand tools is Chris Schwarz and his blog, http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/ . He has many entries that involve planes, has written a book, Handplane Essentials, and provides links to many other sources that are rich in information. Chris's book contains many of his blog entries. On chapter, "Taming Handplane Tear-out," is a collection of seven blog entries from 2007 (I think) that investigate issues with tear-out and the effects of different angled planes on same.
Your fellow Brit, David Charlesworth, is another outstanding source of information. He runs a school in Hartland; if I had the means and time, that would be a top choice for training. David has several DVDs and writes extensively, much of which is appropriate to your initial question, as well as the ones to follow.
Lie-Nielsen is my choice for hand tools in general, and the 60 1/2 is my vote for a block plane.
Regards,
Richard
You are opening a can of worms, one of the most interesting in woodworking. Most people will opt for a low angle block plane as their very first. I own a 60 1/2 LN and use it all the time. It is probably the most used hand tool in the shop.
An excellent source of information for hand tools is Chris Schwarz and his blog, http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/ . He has many entries that involve planes, has written a book, Handplane Essentials, and provides links to many other sources that are rich in information. Chris's book contains many of his blog entries. On chapter, "Taming Handplane Tear-out," is a collection of seven blog entries from 2007 (I think) that investigate issues with tear-out and the effects of different angled planes on same.
Your fellow Brit, David Charlesworth, is another outstanding source of information. He runs a school in Hartland; if I had the means and time, that would be a top choice for training. David has several DVDs and writes extensively, much of which is appropriate to your initial question, as well as the ones to follow.
Lie-Nielsen is my choice for hand tools in general, and the 60 1/2 is my vote for a block plane.
Regards,
Richard
mastercabman
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I'm also looking into getting a new block plane and not sure witch to get.I use to have a small block plane(cheap brand)but it never work out good.Tried to get a replacement blade and could not find any.rwdawson said:
I have looked at Lie-Nielsen but it is quite some dought!!! So what other brand that are good and not so hard on your wallet?
Jesse Cloud
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I'm also looking into getting a new block plane and not sure witch to get.I use to have a small block plane(cheap brand)but it never work out good.Tried to get a replacement blade and could not find any.
I have looked at Lie-Nielsen but it is quite some dought!!! So what other brand that are good and not so hard on your wallet?
[/quote]
Hey Mastercabman!
The LN planes are sorta like Festool - they hold their value, you can resell them for about what you paid for them. But, if you are looking for a softer bite on the wallet, I would try Lee Valley (www.leevalley.com). Their tools are at least 90% as good as LN (sometimes better) but about half the price. They stand by what they sell and have great customer service.
If you have time on your hands, the cheapest alternative may be to get an OLD stanley block plane and tune it up. That probably means flattening the sole, regrinding the blade, and maybe fixing the odd ding, but stanley made a gazillion of them and they are dirt cheap at flea markets, ebay, etc. But if you want minimum wage or better for your time, Lee Valley is a better answer....
I have looked at Lie-Nielsen but it is quite some dought!!! So what other brand that are good and not so hard on your wallet?
[/quote]
Hey Mastercabman!
The LN planes are sorta like Festool - they hold their value, you can resell them for about what you paid for them. But, if you are looking for a softer bite on the wallet, I would try Lee Valley (www.leevalley.com). Their tools are at least 90% as good as LN (sometimes better) but about half the price. They stand by what they sell and have great customer service.
If you have time on your hands, the cheapest alternative may be to get an OLD stanley block plane and tune it up. That probably means flattening the sole, regrinding the blade, and maybe fixing the odd ding, but stanley made a gazillion of them and they are dirt cheap at flea markets, ebay, etc. But if you want minimum wage or better for your time, Lee Valley is a better answer....
mastercabman
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Hey Mastercabman!Jesse Cloud said:
The LN planes are sorta like Festool - they hold their value, you can resell them for about what you paid for them. But, if you are looking for a softer bite on the wallet, I would try Lee Valley (www.leevalley.com). Their tools are at least 90% as good as LN (sometimes better) but about half the price. They stand by what they sell and have great customer service.
If you have time on your hands, the cheapest alternative may be to get an OLD stanley block plane and tune it up. That probably means flattening the sole, regrinding the blade, and maybe fixing the odd ding, but stanley made a gazillion of them and they are dirt cheap at flea markets, ebay, etc. But if you want minimum wage or better for your time, Lee Valley is a better answer....
[/quote]
Thank! I will take a look. I have heard that old stanley are pretty good.Like you said,tune it up and it's good to go.
I'd like to take issue with pricing. The current price for the Lie Nielsen 60 1/2 block plane is $165. The Veritas (Lee Valley) low angle block plane is $139. I don't think that a price difference of $26 should be an important factor. Both the LN and LV planes represent a long term investment, so resale value, in my opinion shouldn't be considered.
Since both LN and LV have superb reputations, how the plane feels in your hands and works for you should be the most important consideration. I like the look and feel of LN, which makes it a better choice for me. I also prefer the more traditional look of LN tools. LV tends to think outside the box, which many find appealing. Your choice may be different than mine, not better nor worse, just different.
If you have smaller hands, you might find the #102 low angle block plane a good choice.
Vintage Stanley block planes are also a worthy consideration. With some work and a replacement blade (Hock, LN, and LV are all excellent) you should have a good worker.
Since both LN and LV have superb reputations, how the plane feels in your hands and works for you should be the most important consideration. I like the look and feel of LN, which makes it a better choice for me. I also prefer the more traditional look of LN tools. LV tends to think outside the box, which many find appealing. Your choice may be different than mine, not better nor worse, just different.
If you have smaller hands, you might find the #102 low angle block plane a good choice.
Vintage Stanley block planes are also a worthy consideration. With some work and a replacement blade (Hock, LN, and LV are all excellent) you should have a good worker.
The #102 is an excellent small plane & i can highly recommend it. Of course there is always the new "Bridge City Tools" block plane [big grin] http://www.bridgecitytools.com/Products/+CT-17+Dual+Angle+Block+Plane
Hi all,
Thanks for all the feedback...thought provoking and helpful as always. Placed my order for the 60 1/2 low angle block plane last night, and it'll be here tomorrow. Will report back on initial impressions and how I get on. Now I need to learn how to sharpen the thing! I also ordered some cabinet scrapers from Lie Nielsen...another first for me...so am looking forward to playing with those too.
Cheers.
Rick
Thanks for all the feedback...thought provoking and helpful as always. Placed my order for the 60 1/2 low angle block plane last night, and it'll be here tomorrow. Will report back on initial impressions and how I get on. Now I need to learn how to sharpen the thing! I also ordered some cabinet scrapers from Lie Nielsen...another first for me...so am looking forward to playing with those too.
Cheers.
Rick
Mac,
The David Charlesworth DVD, Plane Sharpening, is an outstanding presentation of the subject, and the rest of his material is every bit as good.
Ron Hock has a very informative and readable book, The Perfect Edge. Highly recommended, as is his blog, http://hocktools.wordpress.com/
Richard
The David Charlesworth DVD, Plane Sharpening, is an outstanding presentation of the subject, and the rest of his material is every bit as good.
Ron Hock has a very informative and readable book, The Perfect Edge. Highly recommended, as is his blog, http://hocktools.wordpress.com/
Richard
I agree that David Charlesworth's DVD is superb & his books also but there is one thing of his i don't agree with. "the ruler trick" Maybee i am to much of a traditionalist but i think the back of a plane blade should be dead flat like a chisel. But that is just my opinion & he is a world renowned furniture maker after all [unsure]
Woodguy.
Woodguy.
woodguy7 said:
Woodguy,
Ron Hock also endorses the "ruler trick." He even uses it on card scrapers.
I understand your point of view, but don't subscribe to it. I also think there is a limit to how much of the back of a chisel should be flat.
I'm pretty traditionalist in my views, but back off a bit if I think there is too much work involved.
Richard
Hey,
Just a quick update: my 60 1/2 low angle arrived a few days ago and it's a thing of wondrous beauty, I tells ya. As I think I mentioned, it's my first plane and I'm already loving it, and finding uses for it. Will grab a few pics over the next few days and add them. Just wanted to say another thanks for steering me to this.
I am, however, feeling a gnawing sense of dread for when I have to try sharpening the thing. I think I'll be investing in the Charlesworth DVD!
Cheers, all.
Rick
Just a quick update: my 60 1/2 low angle arrived a few days ago and it's a thing of wondrous beauty, I tells ya. As I think I mentioned, it's my first plane and I'm already loving it, and finding uses for it. Will grab a few pics over the next few days and add them. Just wanted to say another thanks for steering me to this.
I am, however, feeling a gnawing sense of dread for when I have to try sharpening the thing. I think I'll be investing in the Charlesworth DVD!
Cheers, all.
Rick
Mac
I have Davids DVD & it is very good. He is all for waterstones. I did buy a set of water stones from Axminster & they are really good but a lot of work. Constantly cleaning up & re-flattening the stone. I bought the "scary sharp" from Workshop heaven & have the best results i have ever had.
Each to their own though & i am sure there will be different opinions along any minute though
Woodguy.
I have Davids DVD & it is very good. He is all for waterstones. I did buy a set of water stones from Axminster & they are really good but a lot of work. Constantly cleaning up & re-flattening the stone. I bought the "scary sharp" from Workshop heaven & have the best results i have ever had.
Each to their own though & i am sure there will be different opinions along any minute though
Woodguy.
