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Same as you OP, I have been using my narex bevel edge chisels to chop mortices and was also looking to get the narex mortice chisels.
Can anyone comment on reasons why you might go for imperial or metric sizes when buying?
I figured it was just a personal preference thing for the measuring system you used/preferred. But seems there might be more to it than that?
[quote quote=311388]Good day Mk
For what it’s worth. At 66, I’ve recently started WOODWORKING as I acquired a couple of Disstons and wooden planes of my grandfather’s and I can’t afford new tools. In Australia, we don’t seem to have the number of used tools at markets as appears to be available in U.K. or USA and not as cheaply either -at least that’s been my experience – but I have recently acquired 2 Stanley #4’s ($30 & $0) that were in quite poor condition and have fettled them both somewhat to be able to produce very acceptable and fine shavings. Admittedly, I’d have had no idea what to do were it not for Paul’s videos and it did take me a couple of days to get the job done but my confidence has been buoyed by the results and recommend you go that route. As deanbecker said you will gain an intimate knowledge of the tool. I have found that to be invaluable to me in the operation and adjusting of the tool. I’ve just (almost) finished a bed that cost $60 in pine framing timber and looking forward to my next project.
Good luck with whatever you decide
Dave[/quote]
Thanks, I am now looking at the second hand market also, for anything that looks good.
Awesome bed! I’m just hoping to make a box and not cut myself in the process! I would like to make a bed for my son some day, but thats a little bit on the future…
[quote quote=311316][quote quote=311315]
A good video to watch on flattening stock, and how / when to use different planes / different blade types is Chris Shwarz’s : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_96gNMMc_g You’d be doing the same thing as him, except you’ll be using the same plane in all the different steps, just changing blades.
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Just got around to watching your link. Excellent video, learnt a lot thanks.
[quote quote=311313]I agree with Mike I — a #5 as your first plane is an excellent choice, and dont try to flatten the wooden plane soles just yet, as Mike I said, wait until you’ve got some skill. The #5 is half again as long as a #4, which makes the #5 much better at flattening and jointing. When you get some skill, flatten the 17″ wooden plane and set it up as your roughing plane. When you get really, really good, flatten the 22″ and use it as your jointer plane.
There are videos and articles on the web about how a #5 is a great all-around plane, and with a few blades setup for different purposes, a single #5 can serve as the only plane you need to take wood from rough to finished, which is very economical and saves space, too. One hand-tool-only woodworker who has a Youtube channel has a video dedicated to this exact concept.
A Veritas or LN #5, with one blade set up for smoothing, one for roughing (very cambered blade) and one left alone for flattening / jointing / shooting, will do every task you might ask of a planer, and do it very well. And for SOJ, yes, Clifton’s too. Can’t go wrong!
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Thanks, good info for me on the different blade set ups for different tasks, which I was vaguely aware of but hadn’t considered too closely. Makes me feel better about going for a higher end, new plane, knowing that I can purchase other blades for different tasks – when I have the skill that requires those options of course.
I have been reading up a little more on the subject tonight and, with the feedback here as well, I am leaning very much towards a no.5 as the first brand new plane purchase.
Not ruling out a 4 or 4 1/2 either though – I will look into the second hand market for those after reading Paul’s blog entries above, and, If the price is right, may end up with one of those to accompany the 5 anyway!
[quote quote=311293]
I have flattened quite a few wooden plane soles with metal planes and found that at my non-masterly skill level, a #5 length was more useful for this purpose than a #4.In any case, I suggest don’t try to do it before you have built up some experience and skill planing project or test pieces first with the metal planes!
[/quote]Thanks, Paul makes it look easy in his video on the subject, no surprise there! But I will put off restoring them until I have some experience with the plane, as you suggest. I wouldn’t want to mess them up any further!
Folks, thanks so much for the detailed replies! Mind made up on the saws for now, Japanese it is. I can and will revisit that issue when I have a bit more experience….
On the planes front, unfortunately I can’t get hands on very easily, but the info given above is very helpful, and clearly a bit more reading to do before I make a final decision, but I now know where my focus needs to be.
Look forward to being more involved with the forum and will update on the purchases made.
PS. All I can say as a beginner at this stage is that those cliftons sure look nice!
Thanks again.
[quote quote=311183]Sounds like you have a good handle on it. If it were me, I’d buy a LN #4, and those Japanese saws, and get started. You’ll figure out what works for you with the saws as you get more experience and decide if you want to stick with Japanese saws or go with Western saws.
Good luck!
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So you think a No.4 is a good first plane given I have the other longer wooden planes? Or am I wrong here and should still look at a jack plane? Still confused about the whole bevel up or bevel down, as both get recommended as a first plane…
[quote quote=311181]You have to get what you feel is best for you , a lot of people feel that saving an old tool and continuing its life with a new user is the right way to go
that gets them immersed in the history of the tool and an intimate knowledge of how it was made and works,
New tools are nice but within a short while they will need to be sharpened and tuned just like old tools , so its 6 of one and 1/2 dozen of the other[/quote]
Yeah, I’m still on the fence a little with this. I like the idea, but just not confident I could select a good older tool and get it up to scratch. Flattening a sole etc with a metal plane and everything else that may be required, is a little off putting just now. I feel that I want to get off to a good start and buying new would get me going pretty much straight away. Thanks.
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