Thread: Set of 3 Miniature Planes

I have the miniature shoulder plane. I bought it out of curiousity and have never used it - yet. However, I've read of others who have tried it, and found it to be a fully functional tool.

HTH.

Cheers, Vann.

I purchased the miniature shoulder plane, purely as a curio. A couple of months later, I found myself in a position where I needed to cut some small grooves to complete a work in progress. The mini plane was the exact size required, and did the job perfectly. I have to admit it was a bit awkward to hold because of its size, but its performance was first class.

I guess a lot of us bought the mini shoulder plane out of curiosity. It certainly works, but is a bit awkward to hold in the average adult hand, as mspil observed. I did find the plane occasionally useful, though, which prompted me to buy a 1/4" "detail rabbet". These are much more practical tools, despite their eccentric appearance, & easier to hold & use, so my little shoulder plane has reverted to curio status. Someday a grandchild will discover it, perhaps...

The mini router looks like it would be quite funtional, and less of a challenge to hang on to. Not sure at about the edge plane - I have no need of any size edge plane, though I'm sure they have a place, somewhere.

These 3 mini tools are not what most of would need every day - very handy for occasional jobs, but they spend a lot of weeks/months sittting in the toolbox between times! Of course it depends what you do most - if miniature structures needing a lot of hand work are your thing, you may find them indispensible....

My take......

Look great but I don't think I would find a use for them and with arthritis in my fingers too difficult to hold.

Originally Posted by BottleBolt

Does anyone own any of the miniature planes that could provide any feedback as to how useful they are for real work versus a pretty toy?

I justified my mini shoulder plane on the basis of it being a Chrissy present.
It's been surprisingly useful for working on stuff about 1/8" long or thick

the mini router might also find its way into this year's Chrissy stocking -- it'd rather it than a couple of pairs of socks





all you have to worry about is the "Toys-R-Us" jibe

The mini shoulder plane was a gift otherwise I might not have got it as I have alternate planes to use. It could be useful for cleaning grooves, or even the occasional small space when you cannot get a larger plane near it. I have done this a few times. Otherwise not had much use.

I bought the edge plane with small boxes in mind - where I need to square or trim a thin side. I have only used it once in this regard.

I shall probably get the router plane for inlay - this one looks more useful than the shoulder plane.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I have the current LV router plane and am a bit disappointed that a company that knows planes so well would put a round post in their plane. However, the new plane has a square post and all is forgiven I hope mine will turn up this week as I want it for a job I'm doing.

The others would be useful for a variety of jobs I guess but I usually get by with a chisel or block plane. They would be handy for trimming boxes but I have other tools for that.

They all are functional, work well for their size. Workmanship as expected from Lee Valley and they sure are pretty sitting on the shelf.
Larry

I have a miniature slab to flatten, its a pity they dont have a miniature plane that I can use

Just received all three of these myself.

Bought them more as a curio that a usable tool, but was interested to see how useful they'd be. Frankly, if you "need" these as usable tools for more that the occasional job, you'd be better off looking elsewhere. As a curio though, they are great little things for the money and I'm very pleased to have them sitting on display in the house. (GF thinks their "cute" - which is NOT what she sez about the other 80 odd planes I have).

So, as Curio's , as actual usable tools

Cheers all.
OG

Originally Posted by Old gunnie

Just received all three of these myself.

Bought them more as a curio that a usable tool, but was interested to see how useful they'd be. Frankly, if you "need" these as usable tools for more that the occasional job, you'd be better off looking elsewhere. As a curio though, they are great little things for the money and I'm very pleased to have them sitting on display in the house. (GF thinks their "cute" - which is NOT what she sez about the other 80 odd planes I have).

So, as Curio's , as actual usable tools

Cheers all.
OG

Hi Old Gunnie
I've got the mini shoulder plane around the time it was released -- it went into my Christmas stocking.
The "gifter" thoiught it was cute, but I've found it more useful then expected.
1) I had a 3mm long tenon that was too thin -- fixed by gluing on a piece of veneer, then used the shoulder plane to trim the repaired tenon to correct thickness
2) trimming 4mm high drawer stops to "correct" width so the drawer front was caught at just the right place -- doable with a chisel, but much easier with the shoulder plane

Hi Ian,

Went out the shed just after my last post to play with the shoulder and edge plane and certainly agree that they have their uses.
I'm able to take .01mm (.0005") shavings with the edge plane and easily cleaned up some small rebates and stuff with the shoulder plane. Don't let me seem too much of a naysayer here, these can be useful - just be aware that they aren't necessarily "the" tool for the job.

And as I indicated earlier, I do like 'em!

Cheers
OG

Bottlebolt

Going back to your OP, and with the note that I'm very happy with these planes for my purposes, here's some observations.

Miniature Edge Plane

1. Takes very fine shavings out of the box.
2. Appears square against a Chris Vesper double square.
3. Has some grinding marks left on the machined bearing surfaces, otherwise well finished.
4. Lever cap unlocks with little provocation. Blade adjustment becomes a matter of finger control of the blade while unlocking, and then very fine movements.
5. Tool is a scale model, and no consideration has been paid to actually using it, but it is usable as it is.

Shoulder Plane

1. Takes good shavings out of the box, but will need a touch up.
2. Thickness varies by .02 mm - 6.19-6.21mm.
3. Well finished - usual Veritas quality shows here.
4. Lock down (Lever Cap?) mechanism is tricky to use. Release is on or off with little range to 'firm' it up but still allow blade movement. It's size is what's against it here.
5. Tool is a scale model etc... as above.

Miniature Router Plane

1. Base bearing surface is flat and well finished, as is rest of base.
2. Adjustment mechanism is fiddly. Adjustment nut moves smoothly but blade riser isn't held in place properly when nut rises or falls. A couple of fingers hold it in place easily enough though.
3. Cuts well out of the box (in pine), but a touch up would make it even better.
4. Blade could use finishing to remove grinding marks.
5. Tool is useful as is.

So, these are nice little items, and, as as IanW indicated above - probably not what you'd use everyday but occasionally useful. If they were to be used everyday I'd suspect they'd become a little frustrating.
In my case they'll sit inside in the presentation box's till I need them for that one little job

YMMV

Cheers all.
OG