Thread: NEW - Lee Valley large Combination Plane

I figgere'd it'd just be a matter of time before one of the manufacturers got around to recreating the Stanley 45/55 planes. Thanks.

I don't recall a thread about these kind of planes in the past on this forum, but it's always been my understanding that, as we said in the Southeastern US when I was growing up, "they weren't much punkin".

This is definitely one I'll give a miss. I've never been much on "hybrid" or "combination" anything. There's a right tool for the job, and it's very rare to find the right tool for a large number of jobs. The overwhelming majority of material I've read about Stanley combo planes indicates as such.

But I've never used one myself, so, as far as I'm concerned, my opinion is useless.

Cheers,
Luke

**Sits quietly, waiting on the Christopher Schwarz review to either make or break this tool**

Luke, the new "combnation", as it is referred to here, is the Large Plow. It is simply a larger version of the Small Plow, with a (removable) second skate, and with a few extra refinements (such as nickers for cross grain planing), and a wider range of blades that may be used.

It is a fantastic plane. At some stage I will do a review. I always thought that the Small Plow was great, but this is actually better: more control and even more comfortable. There has been a bit of discussion on the USA forums, and Rob Lee has posted there over the past year.

Here is the Small and Large compared (apology for the poor photo). Both planes are in grooving mode (the Large Plow has the second skate removed) ...



Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

Thanks for the better photo. Any idea on a release date? It'd seem that the larger plane makes the smaller redundant.

Regards,
Rob

Hi Rob

The Small Plow is still very viable as I imagine for many it is all they need/want for grooves, and cheaper than the Large Plow.

As to release, all I hear (from others) is that it is due for release in the N.American fall. No idea when that is

Regards from Perth

Derek

I searched for an announcement and found a few older discussions. https://forums.woodnet.net/showthread.php?tid=7298324, EXCLUSIVE SPY PHOTOS – LV LARGE PLOW PLANE *PIC*

So is there any advantage to the small plow over the large?
I have a small plow and the wide blade and tongue and groove conversion kit.

If I bought the large plow would there be any point in keeping the small?

I like that the large plow has nickers.

Dom, if one has neither, and can afford to start with the Large, then that is what I would do. The footprint of the Large will not make it feel too different from the Small. Both will plane a groove or rebate, however only the Large will do a dado/housing across the grain (as it has nickers and a second skate). If the cost of the Large is more than one can justify - which is a real factor for many. These are not inexpensive planes - then the Small will do very nicely for grooves.

Having both (this is the benefit of testing planes for Lee Valley), the Large is going to get used more and more. Over time I will get a better idea how the Small fits in to a work system with the Large being available.

Here are a few photos of what the Large can do ...

Dados ...



Grooves ...



Single beads ..



Multiple beads ...



Tongue and Groove ...



Regards from Perth

Derek

Large it is then. Do you know if this one will be offered in both left and right versions?

Originally Posted by rob streeper

I figgere'd it'd just be a matter of time before one of the manufacturers got around to recreating the Stanley 45/55 planes.

Now that Thomas Flinn & Co. have discontinued the Clifton multi-plane (45/405 clone). Mind you, at it's retail price (1500 UKP IIRC) I guess it was never going to be a big seller.

Cheers, Vann.

Originally Posted by rob streeper

Large it is then. Do you know if this one will be offered in both left and right versions?

No idea, Rob, but knowing Lee Valley, I am sure that it will be available in both hands.

Regards from Perth

Derek

In concept, it looks quite similar to the late departed Record 45C and 50C planes, but missing the tacky bits like the depth control plastic sleeve and the blue plastic handle.
(And also the accounting cost minimalisation mindset when it came to design)
Paul