Today I realized I have been struggling with a cheap block plane for far too long. It's a Stanley, and I think I bought it at HD, and it used to work okay (because I did not really use it much as I did not get great results).
Recently I dismantled it for sharpening, and now I am unable to put it back together! After a couple of days of this, I havta admit maybe I dropped a part somewhere and did not know it: I cannot get the blade to sit sufficiently angled (20°); in fact I can't get it to align with the mouth at all.
Anyway, at this point I just want to look forward and ahead. I have a pending treat for myself, so would like to buy a really good block plane. I'd heard LV's Veritas are good, but which one: the regular, the low-angle, or the fancy DX60? (Those last are really pricey!)
I have also heard mention of Lie-Nielsen planes, and had thought they were more expensive, but they seem to be comparable cost : the 102 or the 60 1/2. Any thoughts? Am I missing better ones?
Or should I leave more money to my kids' college funds and instead just pick a cheap plane from HD?
Btw: the only other planes I have is a Stanely #4 I got at a garage sale and a Veritas Shoulder plane (and wow, it's pure gold!). The block plane will be for small adjustments, finishing touches or chamfering.
Recently I dismantled it for sharpening, and now I am unable to put it back together! After a couple of days of this, I havta admit maybe I dropped a part somewhere and did not know it: I cannot get the blade to sit sufficiently angled (20°); in fact I can't get it to align with the mouth at all.
Anyway, at this point I just want to look forward and ahead. I have a pending treat for myself, so would like to buy a really good block plane. I'd heard LV's Veritas are good, but which one: the regular, the low-angle, or the fancy DX60? (Those last are really pricey!)
I have also heard mention of Lie-Nielsen planes, and had thought they were more expensive, but they seem to be comparable cost : the 102 or the 60 1/2. Any thoughts? Am I missing better ones?
Or should I leave more money to my kids' college funds and instead just pick a cheap plane from HD?
Btw: the only other planes I have is a Stanely #4 I got at a garage sale and a Veritas Shoulder plane (and wow, it's pure gold!). The block plane will be for small adjustments, finishing touches or chamfering.
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