New plane; which one?
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I’m looking to buy a jack plane as gift to myself for finishing my bench(at least, that’s how I’m justifying it!).
I’ve been using my Stanley No:4, a restored one, but it’s the only plane in my arsenal so far. I’ve seen that Lie Nielsen, Clifton, and Veritas seem to be the ‘big three’ in the market, if you like, but I also see a lot of Lie Nielsen planes come up on that well known auction site. I’m questioning how happy people reall y are with them. having said that, I do like the look fo them.
Just after some thoughts on what people are using, have used, and what their preferences are?
Cheers.
Franco, I’ve been on the hunt for a 5 or 5 1/2 jack for the past year. I’ve looked at all the big three as you call them. I’m disappointed in them all, the lie Nielsen is only offered in A2 tool steel, it’s a pain in the butt to sharpen, the new veritas is pretty but I handled one and took it apart, when holding it, there’s no purchase for your index finger like their “old style” no.4. Think of using a handsaw without pointing your index finger forward. It forces you into bulldogging the tool. It may seem petty but the style just does not suit me. The Clifton is not available here without mail order and is rare enough that I worry about parts replacement if ever I need to.
My suggestion, stanley or record – eBay or one of the online old tool sellers.The voice of reason Dave!
I’ve been mulling this over and looking at those listed above, and I think you may be right. The Clifton planes are readily available here, as are all the spares and bits n’ pieces. They are affordable, and in honesty, are a Stanley in everything but name. The Nielsen’s always catch my eye, but I wonder how much style over substance they are. Only way to know is try them; but that involves a fair journey.
I’m quite happy with my old Stanley really, so if I can ditch the desire to just buy some new gear, I think a visit to ‘ye oldde tool shoppe’ might be the way to go. I can always get a replacement blade if needed.
30 October 2014 at 7:42 pm #120354I am another person who prefers older ” vintage” planes. I have all the Stanley’s from #3 – #7 including the 5 1/4 & 5 1/2 jack planes.
After I learned to restore them which for me is fun in itself I just can’t justify spending $200 – $400 for a new plane when my planes perform well. Truthfully since discovering Paul I use my 604 Bedrock which I got at a good price 95% of the time for everything.
I did recently broke down and bought the LV small plow plane as I didn’t care for my #45.
Good Luck !
Steve
Franco, I have no qualms about the engineering quality of these brand names, they are well built and engineered, my old style number 4 bevel down veritas is a really nice piece of equipment. But the issues I posted above are deal breakers for me for the new ones. Problem for me living up here in Canada is buying something as substantial as a 5 1/2 jack plane is very high, shipping costs from the UK or the U.S. push the cost up significantly and its a rare event good ones turn up locally. I don’t “need” a jack plane but I’d like one. It’s really unfortunate, I have my grandfathers number 5 but the sole is cracked and bent right at the mouth (it looks like he hit a nail 😉 ) and the frog screw is rusted in place and would take some serious work to get it loose so it’s just sitting on a shelf in my living room in memory of the old boy.
Pardon me for asking, but are you looking for a new plane or a new brand? This is just my thinking but- I would be determining what I want the plane for and then who makes that in a plane. If you have a No. 4 and think you want a Jack have you considered a low angle jack? Do you have a good block plane. I have found that often the features I want control the item I purchase, regardless of the manufacturer. I have Record, LV, and LN planes each was purchased because it did something or has a feature that met my requirements.
The second part of your query, about “for sale”, may be that when people got them they found it didn’t fill the requirement or the requirement changed. My first planes were a 4 1/2 and a 6 because the blades were the same size I figured I would be able to sharpen the blades differently and then swap them between planes. (fantastic plan) until I found the 4 1/2 is too heavy to live on my bench. Its now replaced with a Record No 4 and the 4 1/2 is for sale.
My way may not be the right way, but its mine.31 October 2014 at 2:58 pm #120380Just my opinion, as I only have old stanley and some wooden planes. I think more importantly than the brand, is how you will use it. Most people use a #5 for preliminary stock prep. If that will be its role, I don’t think buying a new expensive plane is the most cost effective option. Like wise, when I see these expensive scrub planes I can’t help but think, why? These planes don’t need perfect, flat soles. Just my thoughts
Hi Michael. I guess I’m looking for both. A new plane – as in an addition to my current tools – and thoughts about the various brands. I’m happy to buy old tools, but was curious about peoples experiences with different makers. Mainly because I’ve never used any of them. It’s a good point about it not fulfilling their needs; I’m wondering how many people buy a new plane thinking it will magically shave wood with no effort, only to find they struggle to take thin shavings.
David, I agree brand is an aesthetic to a degree. The choices when it comes to tools can be difficult to make. There’s a lot of nice to have vs need to have.
31 October 2014 at 6:17 pm #120385Flattening the soles of anything larger than a no.4 is a pain, in my experience. Of course there are many people who have done it, and produced excellent results, so it’s a route to go down. Some people even enjoy it. No doubt though, it is more of a challenge.
If you don’t have or want longer planes, a flat no.5 is a perfectly serviceable jointer, as well as scrub, smoother, whatever you like. I would say it is a need to have myself, and use mine for almost everything. I have longer planes and shorter planes, but I only really use them to tidy up what my quite heavily-cambered jack plane does.
We each go for different planes out of habit, but until you’ve tried them all you won’t know what your habit is. A regular, flat-soled used or new No.5 is a logical next purchase.
I’m going to throw another thought into the mix. What kind of lumber do you consistently use? Rough sawn or square 4 sides? If you are going with rough, then you really do need a dedicated scrub, a jack and possibly a jointer, perhaps. If you are using primarily square 4 sides (planed) then a number 4 is going to handle that 90 percent of the time. Franco, if I recall you are in the UK correct? I am constantly looking at UK eBay and you can easily pick up Stanley’s and Record planes as it seems they are a dime a dozen over there.
At the moment I have a batch of rough boards that came as a ‘hobby pack’. Thinking about it though, and having experienced this sort of lumber, I may consider using planed timber, especially if I want something that is a bit more adventurous than just pine (there are a couple of suppliers who are quite good with online orders and cutting lists). So it will likely be square 4-sides for most of the time.
You’re right, I’m in the UK. There are a couple of planes I’m watching on ebay, hopefully they won’t go for too much. One is a number 5 Stanley, which I think will serve as a good all-rounder. There are quite a few on there actually, as you say. I think I’ll try for one of those and take it from there.
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