Thread: Hand tool help please

Originally Posted by critterjg

I have been looking at Lie-Nielson planes, but have to admit the prices are a bit hard for me to swallow given I have already dropped a lot of money into my other tools and accessories.

Lie-Nielsen planes look great IMHO, but if your budget won't stretch to a full range, consider a Low Angle Jack - with two spare irons. The LAJ is a very versatile plane which, along with your block plane, will tackle almost all your planning needs. The only downside is the need to change irons for different purposes. If you're not set on a LN, consider the Veritas LAJ, which (again IMHO) is a slightly more user friendly plane, and also a bit cheaper.

Whatever you do, don't buy a modern Stanley/Record or any other modern Bailey type planes . If you go down the Bailey path, buy an old one and fettle it (but you can do that after your two months are up, so no hurry).

HTH.

Cheers, Vann.

Mmm... LAJ... That'll be my next purchase (some saving required first). With a LAJ and a few fettled old Stanleys (3, 4 1/2, 5, 7) that should be bench planes covered. I'd be looking at shoulder/rabbit planes, stuff that's a bit more specialised and has benefitted from advances in design.
Chisel wise the Two Cherries would be getting the nod from me, a few old firmers and slicks to go beside them.
Also don't forget the marking out side of things, Titemark gauges and such, they're exxy locally!

Watch out for Two Cherries bevel edged. The polished ones from the factory have the long sides rounded over which is not helpful in getting a crisp cut inside a corner.

As for the 12" Bosch SCMS, I have one and it works well, but the OEM blades are a little dished so check yours and maybe budget for a good replacement from Henry Bros or the like.

Oh, and going out on the town may be cheaper than this slippery slope, baby-sitting costs included

PM Sent.

You may also look into a good cabinet scraper.
can help out with that also.
Woodworking Classes


Cheers


Steve

I have a set of Lee Valley chisels which I think work fine. Also have a whole pile of odds and ends, they seem to work fine too. I prefer Lee Valley planes to LN but that may be because they are a bit cheaper and I live 5 minutes away from the main store in Ottawa.

I just bought a really nice set of 8 Titan firmers on ebay for just over $100 delivered. They need a clean and sharpen. Strikes me that's a lot cheaper than 2 cherries or LN...

Thanks for the replies so far. I am currently looking at Two Cherries and for around $380-$400 (delivered to Australia) I can get:

2mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm & 26mm unpolished bench chisels
6mm, 10mm & 16mm mortise chisels
20mm pair of skew chisels
15 tool canvas roll

What do you think about the choices? Is it more useful to have larger or smaller skew chisels first off (there are 12mm, 20mm and 26mm chisel pairs available).

Originally Posted by critterjg

Thanks for the replies so far. I am currently looking at Two Cherries and for around $380-$400 (delivered to Australia) I can get:

2mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm & 26mm unpolished bench chisels
6mm, 10mm & 16mm mortise chisels
20mm pair of skew chisels
15 tool canvas roll

What do you think about the choices? Is it more useful to have larger or smaller skew chisels first off (there are 12mm, 20mm and 26mm chisel pairs available).

These are well respected chisels.
Like Poppa, I think that there are chisels about, that are as good, and at a fraction of the cost.
Here is an example:
5 marples wood chisels (eBay item 290544925950 end time 21-Mar-11 13:19:44 AEDST) : Collectables

If you have your heart set on the Two Cherries then they will serve you well.
As for skew chisels, I have found that I use the larger ones most often. I ground myself some 25mm left and right, and some 12mm left and right, and it is the one inch ones that I consistently reach for. Of these two, the right pointed skew gets most work.
I think I could get through the vast bulk of my work with skew chisels with just the one - the 25mm right skew.
Happy chiselling
SG

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

These are well respected chisels.
Like Poppa, I think that there are chisels about, that are as good, and at a fraction of the cost.
Here is an example:
5 marples wood chisels (eBay item 290544925950 end time 21-Mar-11 13:19:44 AEDST) : Collectables

If you have your heart set on the Two Cherries then they will serve you well.
As for skew chisels, I have found that I use the larger ones most often. I ground myself some 25mm left and right, and some 12mm left and right, and it is the one inch ones that I consistently reach for. Of these two, the right pointed skew gets most work.
I think I could get through the vast bulk of my work with skew chisels with just the one - the 25mm right skew.
Happy chiselling
SG

Thank you for the advice. I would be happy with second hand chisels, but am definitely attracted by the convenience of buying the chisels all in one hit (basically, I don't have to explain multiple packages to the wife!). I am also a fan of the fact I will be getting a good product straight up, as I have limited knowledge on what to look for. I have all but convinced myself, so I think I will go down the Two Cherries path.

Now that I have decided on chisels I am moving on to planes. What are the sizes I sould look for? There is a set I can buy of Juuma planes (not, much info on them, but they have good reviews) that has a #4, 5 & 6. Will these sizes work for me? What else should I look at getting with them?

Originally Posted by critterjg

Now that I have decided on chisels I am moving on to planes. What are the sizes I sould look for? There is a set I can buy of Juuma planes (not, much info on them, but they have good reviews) that has a #4, 5 & 6. Will these sizes work for me? What else should I look at getting with them?

Don't know anything about the Juuma planes, but in terms of sizes I would suggest going for a #4, a #5 (or #5 1/2) and a #7 (rather than a #6.) The 7 will be a more effective jointer and not so close to the 5 in size.

Originally Posted by critterjg

Thanks for the replies so far. I am currently looking at Two Cherries and for around $380-$400 (delivered to Australia) I can get:

2mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm & 26mm unpolished bench chisels
6mm, 10mm & 16mm mortise chisels
20mm pair of skew chisels
15 tool canvas roll

What do you think about the choices? Is it more useful to have larger or smaller skew chisels first off (there are 12mm, 20mm and 26mm chisel pairs available).

Personally, with the bench chisels
I'd swap the 2mm for a 3mm. 2mm is very narrow and will be a challenge to sharpen
I'd think about adding a 32 or 36mm -- a really wide chisel is often handy

With the mortise chisels
my recomendation would be 6mm, 8mm and 10 or 12mm
IMO 16mm is too wide -- it implies a 45-50mm thick rail, 25-30mm is more common (implies a 10mm mortise), with 18-20mm a sort of "standard" thickness (6mm mortise)

with the skews, I find 12mm (or so) more useful than the larger size

Originally Posted by critterjg

I have all but convinced myself, so I think I will go down the Two Cherries path.

you might like to investigate the Narex brand -- the Sturt School at Mittagong use the Narex -- or Pfiel (Jim Davey carries these, set of 6 for AUD$269)

Now that I have decided on chisels I am moving on to planes. What are the sizes I sould look for? There is a set I can buy of Juuma planes (not, much info on them, but they have good reviews) that has a #4, 5 & 6. Will these sizes work for me? What else should I look at getting with them?

now you're starting down the really slippery slope.
you "need" a smoother, a jack, a jointer, a block plane, a shoulder, a plow, spare blades and ...
a #6 will act as both the jack and the jointer -- but you may prefer the lighter weight of a #5
for the smoother there's a plether of choices, #3 or #4 or low angle Bevel up (BU)
block

can I suggest you do some more research locally.
some Aussie retailers have prices comparable to those out of Europe or the US, even before you factor in shipping

I notice Two Cherries come both polished and unpolished. Same price. I would tend towards the unpolished ones.

Ian, thanks for the advice. I had placed my order today for the chisels, however have just fired off an email with some changes as per your advice. Hopefully they can accommodate it.

I did look at the Narex line after I read the review in Fine Woodworking, however decided on the Two Cherries as I am getting them quite cheap and Narex is out of stock in Amazon. I would like to support local business, however the price difference is quite remarkable and I am at the point where I am really trying to get bang for my buck.

I did end up deciding to do away with the planes as I figured I could try to do without them for a little while. I understand people become quite passionate about planes, however are they entirely necessary? I never did get the hang of them so if I can avoid them (for now) I think that's be better!

Originally Posted by critterjg

I understand people become quite passionate about planes, however are they entirely necessary?

I'd say not necessary but certainly useful.

For the powered workshop, I'd say the one you will end up using most may be a low angled block plane, for tidy up work. You'll find even a cheapie $15 trojan from bunnings like the one I have does the job well once sharpened. Bit of a background one why they are so useful here

http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodwork...-plane-basics/

Thanks to Ern I'm about to become the owner of my first #5 and yes, I'm excited about it. There's just something special about planes and those lovely shavings they make. Plus, I've never had a neighbour complain about the noise they make if I can't sleep and decide to do some work