My first hand plane.

[ryan.s]

So after a ton a research I've decided to buy a low angle block plane as my first hand plane. I was thinking I of picking up the LN 60 1/2 or save a hundred bucks and find a vintage stanley but after weeks of checking ebay nothing really jumped at me. I'm now so close to pulling the trigger on the LN that I could almost taste it. Everything I've read about it has been positive so far. I'm used to using power tools for my projects but I have come across a couple of times where I would of thought a block plane would have been handy. I guess my concern is that it's just gonna sit on the shelf and collect dust and I wouldn't be getting the use it deserves. A small part of me is still thinking of picking up a really cheap budget plane for the occasional use but I've always been a believer in buying quality tools which will last a long time. For those of you guys that recently started using hand planes do you find yourself reaching for one more often than you thought?

So close, just need a little nudge. By the way do the LN's really come ready to use right out of the box?

[jackellis]

I have just purchased a bunch (many more than I really need) of block and bench planes from eBay and am rehabbing them.

I just used a smoothing plane to put a nice finish on a joined Tigerwood board that's much nicer than the finish coming out of the planer. I have to rebuild a built-in cutting board for the kitchen that's too wide for my planer, so I'll have to use a bench plane to flatten it.

If you're not sure you'll use the tool, my suggestion is to buy an inexpensive one on eBay, learn to fix it, and see how much use you get from it. Might not be as nice as a LN but if it just collects dust, you're no out much money. You'll have to invest more time and effort but you'll also learn a lot about maintaining and using one.

There are several Stanley 60 1/2 block planes for sale right now on eBay that are 1/3rd the price of the LN.

[Hoover]

Don't forget Sargent, Millers Falls, Craftsman, Wards, etc. Be sure to bid on a low angle plane (12 1/2 Degrees) if you want one like the Lie-Nielsen 60 1/2. A new LN will run $145 to $160 new. The above mentioned brands run from $12.00 to 60.00. You might have to do some tuning or sharpening, but that will happen on a new plane too.

[Holbren]

I have a LN 60-1/2R and I would say to get the "R" version because it has some use in pairing tenons and the like. It was not my first plane but the first one I used because it was ready to go out of the box.

I read a debate recently on block planes and some folks use them and some use a #2 or #3 instead. I'm partial to the block plane myself but a #3 will be more versatile.

I just ordered a LV low angle smoother at the WW show, that is a nice plane too and not too expensive as new planes go from the better makers.

[MikeMcCoy]

Ryan - if you're interested you can also look in the hand tool forum on Woodnet. There are several resellers that frequent there and I've picked up several that were users right out of the mail box. One I've bought from goes by user name Leonard Bailey. Bach is also reliable and there are several others but those two are the only ones I've bought for. Posting a Wanted to Buy in their swap and sell forum also yields good results and it's easy to verify the good ones. What's nice about these guys is that they will honestly tell you if it's ready as a user or needs a little sharpening.

[Slik Geek]

...a couple of times where I would of thought a block plane would have been handy. I guess my concern is that it's just gonna sit on the shelf and collect dust and I wouldn't be getting the use it deserves.

I doubt that it will sit on the shelf and remain unused. I didn't realize how many times I needed a block plane until I had one available. Now I have several planes, and they all get at least periodic use. The block planes are frequently used - and they help me do things better and faster.

A small part of me is still thinking of picking up a really cheap budget plane for the occasional use but I've always been a believer in buying quality tools which will last a long time. For those of you guys that recently started using hand planes do you find yourself reaching for one more often than you thought?

I think you have a wise approach toward tools. If you can swing the cash, I'd suggest going for the quality block plane because I expect that it will be one of your more frequently used planes. I find myself reaching for one much more often than I expected.

FYI - I do not currently have any "high quality" planes. My desire for one is based upon the testimonies of others.

I acquired a couple Stanley block planes via inheritance. (One low angle, the other "standard" angle). (I also inherited several other larger ones at a different time).

The block planes had been used for carpentry by the original owner. I spent a bunch of time tuning them up and they work decently now. I have come very close to buying a high quality plane but my hesitation is that I "already have a block plane that I tuned up". Keep this phenomenon in mind: if you buy an inexpensive plane, you may find it harder to replace it later. If you buy the nice one now, you won't have that hesitation.

[Russianwolf]

go check out www.knight-toolworks.com too.

[Uncle Cracker]

I just ordered a LV low angle smoother at the WW show, that is a nice plane too and not too expensive as new planes go from the better makers.

This was the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal show. That LV 62-1/2 low angle jack was like fiddlin' with a Stradivarius. Turned hard maple into cotton candy. Nirvana...

[LarryG]

By the way do the LN's really come ready to use right out of the box?

Yep. A little honing won't hurt, but that's true of most any edge tool, at any given point in its existence. I have both of the L-N adjustable-mouth block planes (standard angle, low angle) and feel they were worth every penny they cost. I've no doubt the LV block planes would be, too. (One telling test: check eBay and note how scarce the listings are for L-N and Veritas planes.)

I also have a Veritas bullnose plane and am about to order their medium shoulder plane. OTOH, my smoother is a Millers Falls 9C (equivalent to a Stanley 4C), my jack is an old Stanley "Sweetheart," and my jointer is also an old Stanley. There's merit to both approaches, of paying top dollar for quality new tools or paying less for vintage models and bringing them back to life. But I don't think I'd fool with the budget brands, especially for a block plane. I agree with Slik that this is one hand tool that any woodworker will use enough to make the investment in a quality item well worthwhile.

[SARGE..g-47]

Will you use a plane if you get one? IMO... that is entirely up to you as an individual. I would ask myself a few questions first and then make a decision. Others can give you there opinions on have they or do they use them.. but it all go's in a circle back to the source and that's you.

Are you interested in becoming a more complete WW? Do you need quick.. efficient way of delivering detail without dust floating around for hours. Do you do enough projects that the scenario calling for one presents itself.. etc.. etc...

Yesterday I took a 22" x 51" glued up chest top out off the clamps. I had hastily glued it up the night before around mid-night as was tired. I had pre-cut the stock to lenght and width (not normal for me) in advance and attempted to line up ends perfectly.

The stock was flat going into the clamps.. but came off with a ridge about 1/32" between one outer board and slithtly more on the other outside piece. I knew the center board had a very slight bow and this would happen. But.. I was not concerned.

The ends were dead on except one board was about 1/64th longer than the other two so.. there was a slight ridge between that board and the one next to it. Ridges on top surface and a single ridge on the end grain. I love detail so what to do.. what to do..? There was never any question on what to do to eliminate my minor problems.

I could sand away with a belt (with the chance the slightest rocking to one side would dig a deep dent and I have intensified my problem.. or ROS sand for 15-20 minutes to take out the errors. But.. I learned this hobby with hand tools aided by the cruder power tools we had at the time. The horse came before the cart as opposed to the now generation where the sutomated cart comes first and then maybe try a horse to pull it latter IMO.

Three quick passes on the end grain (15 seconds) with a low angle block plane and the length was corrected so all were even. Two quick passes with a hand scraper took out the slighter of the two ridges.. one quick pass with a low angle LV smoother took out the other with a finish pass with the hand scraper. Done.. perfect.. and ready to move on in under 3 minutes. These scenario's happen every day for "me"..

So... do you need a hand plane or two? I don't know... you do though!

[jspelbring]

Vote for the LN

Brian,

The LN 60 1/2 was the first plane that I bought (OK, my wife bought it for me for my birthday). I love it, and I was able to use it "out of the box". I don't get as much time as I would like for actual woodworking, so for me, it was worth the price not to have to do a lot of tuning and fettling. I could probably survive quite nicely with that plane and my LV low angle block plane. Of course, once you get to use a good, tuned, sharp plane, there's no going back.

Just my $0.02

[Uncle Cracker]

(OK, my wife bought it for me for my birthday).

Now she is a good egg...

[cabinetman]

I don't know if I can help you decide, as my first hand plane was a Stanley block plane I found at a garage sale for $5. I will say, that plane is very simple and light. I try to forsee the work so there may not be much planing to do. Between planing and scraping, some handwork is kept to a minimum. I don't wait for it to get dull, rather frequent quick honing keeps it up to snuff. I'd rather do that more often and spend less time honing, than waiting for it to need complete edge work.
.

[ryan.s]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I've started to search ebay again for a good low cost user. Wish me luck!