Thread: What is your favourite plane

My all-time favourite plane is the Sopwith Camel. The woodworking plane I use most is an iron plane that sits on the second shelf. I can't remember what make (Stanley?) or size it is, but it works quite well.

My most impressive plane would have to be my Veritas LAJ. But when it comes to the planes I reach for first, it's my Clifton No.3 for fine work, or my beaten up old Record No.04 (complete - or incomplete - with broken side 'wing') for heavier cuts.

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by Phil Spencer

What is your favourite plane? The plane that you naturally reach for?

I reach for my LV Low angle block first, then my tuned 5 1/2 Stanley (When the job gets big). I hope to soon agree with Vann as my LV LAJ (PM-V11) is in the mail.....

Sad to say, which ever one is sharp Still lacking a decent bench for hand planing that seems to be the main criterium, along with the other important factor - which ever one I can find in Chaos Central

I cant say I have a favourite, I love them all.
As long as I find a good use for them they are good. Those that have not performed get modified or become part of the spares bank.
Regards
John

Probably my tricked up Stanley #5

Record #043 plough plane. Not my most used plane by a long shot but it is the most fun to use. I'm always trying to find an excuse to use the little bugger.

A German Army surplus Ulmia 'schlicht hobel'. It never complains.

Originally Posted by orraloon

I cant say I have a favourite, I love them all.
As long as I find a good use for them they are good. Those that have not performed get modified or become part of the spares bank.
Regards
John

Like John...make them work or ....the boneyard awaits.

A finely tuned Stanley No 5 for jointing. My poor old Stanley No 6 for smoothing. (It needs a good ...roundtuit ...)

Originally Posted by Woodwould

My all-time favourite plane is the Sopwith Camel. The woodworking plane I use most is an iron plane that sits on the second shelf. I can't remember what make (Stanley?) or size it is, but it works quite well.

A case of Biggles vs Marples?

I wouldn't use it on rougher wood where the sole might suffer, but wood on wood is so nice ... ECE Primus smoother.
Or the very user A5 I have, 'cos it's compact but hefty. (and btw both took some time to learn to adjust easily.)

Cheers,
Paul

Originally Posted by pmcgee

A case of Biggles vs Marples?

That about sums it up!

Originally Posted by Woodwould

My all-time favourite plane is the Sopwith Camel...

That's a rather new-fangled bit of kit for a Georgian tragic, isn't it WW? I would have thought a hot-air balloon might be closer to your era.

Planes are a bit like children, even if you do have a favourite, you can't let any of them know. However, I do reach most often for the Stanley #5 that I have had for the longest of any of my planes, apart from the old 110 block plane I bought new when I was 12. But only because it is the right one for the job............

Cheers,

Originally Posted by IanW

That's a rather new-fangled bit of kit for a Georgian tragic, isn't it WW? I would have thought a hot-air balloon might be closer to your era.

Absolutely, but I was trying to keep within the boundaries of the thread's title.

For smaller jobs I reach for my LN rabbet block plane, feels sooo good. Smoothing LV (small) LAS. Jack plane is a LN LAJ (the LV LAJ sits in the drawer most of the time, but I keep the 50deg blade in it). Jointing, LN No7, again feels sooooo good.