Thread: Lie Neilson

Here's one that maybe worth a look. If not give it a GOOGLE.

Clifton, Lie Nielsen & Veritas planes - an independent review by John Bullar Nielsen



cheers


Steve

thks steve...i'm actually after review for the number 3 and 2.

sinjin

I assume you've tried google

I think you will be lucky finding a review of the #2 or #3, I think, currently, LN are the only makers of these sized tools.

If it helps I own a few LN tools -- in both bronze and Iron
in my hands all work as advertised
all are beautiful to hold and use
none have required more than blade honing before being put to work
the bronze tools are less susceptable to surface rust from humidity -- others on here, who live close to the sea, have deliberately purchased brionze for this reason
if the bronze tools are not used regularly, they will leave marks on the timber being planed -- I get round this by storing the tools in boxes or plane socks and planing a bit odf scrap before hitting the work

I own a Stanley #3 -- with an after market blade it's not bad, but I prefer the ease of adjustment that comes with the bedrock frog
I've used a LN#2 -- I find the toat a bit small for my hands, however others rave about theirs


hope this helps

Hi Ian and thanks for your thoughts. Like most things i don't really need a number 2 or a number 3. But there are times when i have convinced myself that having either of the mentioned would be nice.
As for reviews on those 2 planes i haven't had any luck with. I might just order one and be done with it.
Anyone had a look at the new no 51 on the LN site...$500 i saw one 20 yrs ago and a market. So if they are going to copy the sled as well it will be quite expensive unit...But nice..lol

Originally Posted by ian

...I think, currently, LN are the only makers of these sized tools.

Clifton also have a No.3 in their range - also with a bedrock frog. There's a brief review of it on the www.ukworkshop.co.uk site in the Hand Tools forum.

HTH

Cheers, Vann.

Hi Sinjin,

Here is a short review of a LN bronze No4:

Lie-Nielsen No. 4 Smooth Plane Review

which is probably as close as you will get to a review of a No2 or 3. I have a LN No4 (in bronze) - superb is the only way to describe the planed surface it produces

Could I also suggest that you look at Chris Schwarz' hand plane blog? His review of the LN No4 is here:

http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com...ane+Specs.aspx


Cheers!

I had a chance to try several of these planes on the Lie-Nielsen stands at various WWW shows.

The L-N No. 4 (especially in the bronze) is the only one of these I'd want to own. The No. 3 is a marginal fit in my clumping great hands, and forget about the No. 2 altogether

To be honest, when I get down to that size of plane, I'd reach for a block plane (with suitable bevel angle to suit the task) before I'd even think of using a No. 2 bench plane.

thks for the tips guys..

Sinjin

Amongst the planes I have ( some would say I have too many ) is a Stanley #3 which is a very nice tool. However, I rarely use this tool.

If you simply wish to have a collection of nice tools then there is nothing wrong with purchasing the LN #2 and or #3.

If you are looking for a small functional plane to get into tight areas I would recommend looking at the Veritas skew block plane, which is a very versatile tool for finishing rebates and general block plane work.

I recently bought one to work on rebates in New Guinea Rosewood which often has cranky grain & found it worked very well indeed, especially with a higher angle on the blade to increase the cutting angle to around 50 degrees and minimise the tearout. I find I am using this more & more in preference to my other small planes & have bought another blade so I now have two cutting angles to choose from.

Regards

Thanks for the info...your right about the number of planes we accumulate of time..I recently sold 3 planes that i had for 30 plus years and don't regret it.
Which probably still leaves me with too many. But i find when renovating and old house like i am it is good to have a few planes that you don't mind if they get a little knocked around and leave the good ones for making other things. But i do use all of them and if i don't use them then i think i would sell them.
I already have a couple of LV and LN block planes and they are as you say great planes and like you i always buy 2 blades whenever i order so i can have a steeper angle on one of the blades.
I guess ideally i think i will have a go at a number 2 or 3 at the WWW show in Oct. See what i think.