Recommendations for first hand plane

[kwgeorge]

I kind of went through this some time ago. I had read many horror stories about the “Contractor” grade Stanleys at like Lowes so I bought a Groz at Rockler. What A POS! When trying to use it my hand constantly hits the little lock lever and it unlocks the blade! So I have to stop everything and deal with that. Also there is a lot to deal with before you can use a purchased plane and be happy with the results. So do your research on this subject on the net as if it is not prepared properly it is worthless.

I think myself that the best general use plane there is in my shop is my Block plane. I reach for it a lot!

My .02

[MPod]

I have these two planes that have served me very well.

This Jack Plane:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...56&cat=1,41182

And this block plane:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,41182,48942

The Jack is a great all around plane. Long enough to effectively joint edges and short enough to smooth. This is a great plane that doesn't require any tuning to use. Just hone the blade and you are good to go.

The low angle block gets a lot of use and is much more comfortable than my late model stanley block plane that has now been relagated to knocking glue off of mdf.

There are a lot of very strong reviews on the Veritas Planes.

This is the one I want next:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...30&cat=1,41182

I always used to consider myself more of a machine guy until I purchased these planes. Effortlessly whisking transparent shavings off a piece of wood with a high quality plane has a calming effect that I can't really put into words.

I also recommend reading the handplane book. I purchased it myself recently and couldn't put it down. A great informative read.

[drunkcat]

I am hoping for one of these in the near future.

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?sku=60_5R

If you will have a limited collection, I think its a good one because it doubles as a block plane and a rabbet plane. I have use one and is great for trimming down tenons.

Here is (one of) the original designs of this plane:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sargent-507-bloc...QQcmdZViewItem

[gchapman]

Slippery Slope

It's a slippery slope. I picked up a garage sale Stanley 4c plane which I fixed up and then got a Knights Jointer plane. They are great to have. The best source I have found is the Woodnet discussion group. Knowledgeble folks and extremely open to help out. Also some guys sell refurbished planes.

Glenn

http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

[Tom Miller]

I have a construction-grade Stanley block plane (low-angle, but mouth is not adjustable). It didn't take much tuning beyond a good blade sharpening to get it to work well, and is a real workhorse. Partly because it didn't cost an arm and a leg, and partly because it isn't any kind of heirloom, I don't hesitate to use it on anything and everything.

Then, I got a Veritas Low Angle Jack. It was spendy, but it works nearly out of the box (I honed the blade). It'll perform lots of functions, from shaving end grain on a shooting board, to jointing, even to face smoothing. Like a block plane, the LA Jack is very user-friendly; no steep learning curve to get good results.

Regards,
Tom

[germdoc]

After having had a hundred or so planes pass through my hands over the last few years, I would rec. getting a Veritas LA block as my first purchase. It does 90% of the planing I need.

Next, I would think about a #4 bench plane--preferably Veritas, but could try a vintage Stanley on Ebay. I've also read good things about Footprint planes sold by Rockler--might need a little fettling.

For sharpening I would get a combo 1000/4000 wetstone and one of those cheapo sharpening jigs.

I hate to admit this, but after I got most of my handplanes I started using a good belt sander for most of my rough work--flattening tables, etc.--using my block plane mainly for finer finishing stuff. But I love my block plane--have accessory handles and chamfering attachment.

[mschrank]

fettling, frogs, hock blade....

I have no idea what any of this means. Maybe I'll stick with a belt sander

BTW-I'm not asking for explanations for the terms...when I finally decide to take the plane plunge, I'll figure it out.

[brumere]

I have over 50 different planes in my garage - mostly old stanleys. The plane that easily sees the most use is the #60 1/2, low angle block plane.

[vaking]

Just came accross these planes on a closeout. I never tried this style and already have smoothing and jack planes, otherwise I would have been tempted. Anybody tried Euro style wooden planes?
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5049

[Tom Miller]

Just came accross these planes on a closeout. I never tried this style and already have smoothing and jack planes, otherwise I would have been tempted. Anybody tried Euro style wooden planes?
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5049

My first thought was that the blade alone would be worth the price -- then I read the description of the blade....

"They both feature carbon steel blades with brazed on HSS cutting edges."




Regards,
Tom