Hand Plane Blades

[Indaba]

Hi all,

Looking at replacing a couple of plane blades on my # 3 and 4 1/2. I know that lie-nielsen make a thicker replacement for these planes (Bailey type) but is there anyone in Australia that makes aftermarket blades that are better quality than the crap stanley has to offer?

TIA

AD

[Rocker]

Academy Saws, PO Box 3706, Caloundra DC, QLD 4551, Phone (07) 5437 2533 advertise HSS plane irons, $104.50 for #41/2.

[Rocker]

But Lee Valley Tools http://www.leevalley.com sell a #4 1/2 Veritas blade for Can$46.75 and a #4 1/2 Hock blade for Can$48.50. Even with freight you are way ahead buying from Lee Valley.

[Dan]

You'll be ahead if the Lee blades are the same quality as the Academy blades, which they may not be.

[derekcohen]

I think the world of LN blades, but I'm sure that others (Clifton, Hock) are in the same class.

Buy the LN blades direct. It will still be cheaper than the competition in Oz (and cheaper than buying them from a local shop, such as MIK). For Stanley, get the Replacement blades ($30 USD each).

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/blades.html?cart=995560234103664

For the full treatment, ALSO get the cap iron to match the blade. You will not recognise your plane from its performance (note to self - buy more LN shares ...).

Buy it all together and you will minimise shipping costs.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Indaba]

Hey Derek,

Good idea. Ordered 2 blades for $65 with shipping being $18.75 which comes out at about $117 Aust. I would rather support local manufacturers but this price is not too bad compared with local aftermarket blades. Certainly is good with the aussie $ being above 70 cents. I'll post when I get them and try them out.

regards,

Andrew

[Rocker]

Lee Valley claim that their replacement plane blades (costing US$29 to $33), made from A2 tool steel hardened to Rc 60, hold an edge five times longer than standard plane blades. I have one of their Veritas #5 1/4 W 12" bench planes, which I believe to be as good as the comparable Lie-Nielsen planes; in some respects it may be better, in that it has a more sophisticated blade adjustment system. At US$189, I think it is outstanding value for money.