Thread: Please suggest a tool for a birthday present

Originally Posted by BobL

Clamps! extremely useful but that's bit like giving a partner a vacuum cleaner for a present........

Good suggestion.... a Festool vacuum.
https://www.festool.com.au/products/...SAAEgISr_D_BwE



Cheers

Graeme

A site sponsor 'Professional Tooling' are selling a set of Japanese pull saws for $125, which by all accounts are very good and very cheap compared to alternatives. It may not be the primary present, but possibly an addition to the main present.

Hi Meredith

Your husband is a lucky guy. A good tool is just a bonus

My first choice would be this block plane from Veritas, available at Carbatec.



... followed by this one from Lie-Nielsen



Both of these are premium block planes. A quality block plane is a joy to use, and it would get used very often.

Regards from Perth

Derek

An extra saw never goes amiss either ,however its usually a personal choice on what type is best fit such as these https://www.lie-nielsen.com.au/index...ath=39_161_264

Agree with a Vesper tool, Coleen Clenton tool or a nice block plane

john

Originally Posted by BobL

It sounds like he has the basics so in that case I'd suggest something classy from an Australian tool maker like

HNT Gordon
eg The 3/4" shoulder plane on this page (the wood in use is gidgee - a highly prized desert acacia)
https://www.hntgordon.com.au/gidgee-...er-planes.html
or the shoulder planes on this page
https://www.hntgordon.com.au/gidgee-block-planes.html

Or

Colin Clenton
The adjustable squares on this page are truly exquisite
https://www.hntgordon.com.au/colen-c...out-tools.html
These marking out gauges are a bit more expensive but also outstanding bits of kit
https://www.hntgordon.com.au/colen-c...on-gauges.html

Agreed I would be very happy with any of these suggestions


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Lots of projects turn out only as good as the measurements to begin with.
I suggest you visit the Lee Valley website catalog and look at the Starrett Premium Combination Squares.
The full set can be searched as #30N31.32

Lee Valley Tools

I've just been looking at the 4 piece set, which seems really nice - but (please excuse my ignorance) -it seems to me while some of the individual pieces are available in metric, or combination metric/imperial, this looks like the set is only available in imperial?

Originally Posted by meredith

I've just been looking at the 4 piece set, which seems really nice - but (please excuse my ignorance) -it seems to me while some of the individual pieces are available in metric, or combination metric/imperial, this looks like the set is only available in imperial?

You're right. The 4 piece set comes with a 12" imperial rule. What you could do - if you wanted - would be to buy that set, then buy the 300mm rule from this page: Rules for Starrett® Combination Squares - Lee Valley Tools - it's part number 30N03.09 for the standard finish or part number 30N31.42 for the satin chrome finish. Being in Queensland, if you're in a humid area, the satin chrome finish resists corrosion and might be worth considering.

In case it's not clear on the Lee Valley pages - you cannot buy a 300mm Starrett head (which is what's included in the kit) and use a 150mm ruler on it - the 150mm ruler is thinner, and needs a 150mm head to go with it.

If I do say so, it would be a heck of a set!

Hello Meredith,
With the tools you have already bought, a good quality block plane would seem to be the next logical tool for a person interested in more detailed work. There are many available in a range of prices. I would suggest a low angle block plane with an adjustable mouth. All of the planes I am going to mention I own and use regularly. I am a sad block plane obsessive.

The Woodriver low angle block plane that is a knock off of the old Stanley 75 complete with the knuckle joint lever cap . This is an Asian made plane that is well made and performs very well and has a blade second to none, I believe this is my favourite plane and the plane I can achieve the finest shavings with, even better than my more expensive block planes. It is presently available here in Australia from Professional Woodworking Supplies for $175 down from $235.

The next is the plane many see as the Rolls Royce of block planes suitable for mere mortals. It is the Lie Nielsen adjustable mouth block plane and it is available from Lie Nielsen tools Australia for $289

Another plane I own but tend not to use much is the low angle Veritas Block plane. It works very well but its a large and heavy plane. It is avaiable from carbatec for $252.

These are all quality planes, the Lie Nielsen is probably the best but I still prefer the Woodriver for personal use. Depend how much you want to spend. There are cheaper planes available from Artesian tools called the Luban low angle adjustable mouth block plane for $119. I do not own this plane but a friend does and he raves about it.

Keep in mind that when he gets the plane he is also going to need to sharpen it so then comes my next obsession sharpening stones and e equipment. You realise you are releasing a demon.All the best.

Originally Posted by BobL

It sounds like he has the basics so in that case I'd suggest something classy from an Australian tool maker like

HNT Gordon
eg The 3/4" shoulder plane on this page (the wood in use is gidgee - a highly prized desert acacia)
https://www.hntgordon.com.au/gidgee-...er-planes.html
or the shoulder planes on this page
https://www.hntgordon.com.au/gidgee-block-planes.html

Or

Colin Clenton
The adjustable squares on this page are truly exquisite
https://www.hntgordon.com.au/colen-c...out-tools.html
These marking out gauges are a bit more expensive but also outstanding bits of kit
https://www.hntgordon.com.au/colen-c...on-gauges.html

What Bob said re the HNT Gordon 3/4" Gidgee shoulder plane. Truely Australian and craftsman made. No better birthday present in my book. He, your husband, will love you 'forever and ever Amen' getting a gift like that. Think the latter is a song title! Haha!

Besides they are such beautiful pieces that they are not out of place perched on a coffee table and a great conversation piece as well.

Originally Posted by labrat

Hello Meredith,........ I am a sad block plane obsessive.

The Woodriver low angle block plane that is a knock off of the old Stanley 75 complete with the knuckle joint lever cap . This is an Asian made plane that is well made and performs very well and has a blade second to none, I believe this is my favourite plane and the plane I can achieve the finest shavings with, even better than my more expensive block planes. It is presently available here in Australia from Professional Woodworking Supplies for $175 down from $235........

Except for the rip off pricing.

WoodRiver is an american marketing company rebranding products made by Qiangsheng in China.

The same products are also rebranded under the Luban label at roughly half that price.
https://www.finetools.com.au/collect...n-block-planes



Cheers

Graeme

Hi Graeme,
I can see why you might believe that but I do not believe that to be correct and it is also not that simple. The only direct comparison model by model are the bench planes. The wood river block planes (Stanley 75 knock offs)are only available as a Wood river plane and they do not to my knowledge sell any of the more conventional low angled adjustable mouth block planes.From the Luban prospective there is only conventional thumbwheel type lever caps and no knuckle joint types.

I wanted to have a set of basic planes to cart around and not be too concerned about them to that end I purchased a Luban No4, a Luban side rebate block plane and a Luban bronze spokeshave . The side rebate plane was fine after a sharpen and removing some sharp edges, the spoke shave I had to flatten the bed for the blade to seat properly to get it cutting properly and the No 4 was initially a nightmare, the frog would not lock into place. the locking screws had a problem with the threads that prevented the screw fully engaging in the locking pin in the Bedrock style system. I had to run a die over the screws and a tap through the base holes. They are all working well now and are comparable to the similar Lie Nielsen models (which I also own) as far as performance goes. Both Wood River and Luban products can be made to perform just as well as the premium hand planes but there is a considerable investment in work to achieve that level of performance.

A friend of mine bought a Woodriver No3 and straight out of the box with just a clean up, sharpen and hone it was ready to go. I believe that there is a difference in the quality and the QA that the Wood river planes are put through compared to the Luban planes. They might come out of the same factory but are at a different level of finish and fit. Right now the price for a Wood River No4 and a Luban No4 are $250 Vs $199 respectively. The $51 difference might account for the need to retap threads and not to have to do anything. Comparing the cost of a Luban low angle adjustable mouth block plane V2 at $119 to a wood river is not a direct comparison as the knuckle cap is a more complex arrangement and would entail more manufacturing cost even with that it is still only about $50 more expensive than the Luban. A Lie nelson low angle block plane with adjustable mouth at $289 is double and a bit more than a Luban. I may buy a Luban low angle block plane with adjustable mouth just to see where it falls in the quality stakes. You can never have too many block planes. All the best.

Of all the tools suggested on this thread I would want the Vesper square. I have a Starrett 300mm satin chrome square and it gets used every time I walk into my workshop. I use it for measuring and marking timber and metal, and for setting table saw blade and router table bit height. It’s far and away the most useful tool in my workshop.

I have both the LNT Gordon 3/4" shoulder plane and the Wood River block plane and agree with other posters that either on would make a fantastic present.