Thread: Your Top Ten Handplanes by Use

# My Top Ten in no particular order:

1. Stanley 289 Skewed Rebate Plane – IMHO the best of the old world rebate planes.
2. Stanley Number 8 Jointer plane. Old plane this one, somewhere near 100 yrs and the original blade was well used. This is a Hock.
3. Millers Falls Number 6 Foreplane. All original and as sweet as a nut to use.
4. Fulton Tool Co Jack plane. Possibly made by Sargent. Blade is marked Fulton and it is a beaut – great steel.
5. Bedrock 604-1/2. Has been dropped and has a few scars to prove it. LN blade is a big plus.
6. Wards Master (Stanley 18) Low angle block plane. Fits the hand like a glove.
7. Stanley 93 shoulder plane – UK model this one, but excellent
8. Record 043 small plough – used for grooving, so a groovy little plane.
9. Stanley 71-1/2 router plane – great for cleaning up the bottoms of dadoes
10. Sargent 161 scrub plane – this gets a surprising amount of use in my shed, as I often use re-cycled timbers that need all sorts of edges knocked off. Tough and reliable

My first, and only plane for a very long time, was an Australian made Stanley 4-1/2, and I used it for all sorts of tasks.
It did lots of chamfers until I bought my next – which was a block plane Stanley 220.
I have reflected on this, and I think that may be why I prefer the bigger bench planes.


Anyhoo – that's my Australian Plane Story.
What's yours?

Here they are - clockwise spiral from top-left towards the middle:

That's a nice eclectic mix SG. I think I may have an inkling of what prompted this post
I'll take a few pics and post mine.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

That's a nice eclectic mix SG. I think I may have an inkling of what prompted this post
I'll take a few pics and post mine.

Yes it was the little exchange between NZStu and Andrew over here:
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/n...26/index2.html
.......that got me thinking.
Look forward to yours
SG

1) Stanley 4 1/2; my go-to plane for smoothing and general trimming. I find the extra weight and width over a 4 makes for a better feel
2) Stanley 95; definitely one of Stanley's better ideas - the heavy skew makes trimming end grain a joy.
3) Stanley 8C; gotta have a big plane for big jobs... also makes a good smoother for large parquetry tables
4) Stanley 20 1/2; 4 words - best compass plane EVER. I also like the extra width over the 20
5) Stanley (can you see a trend here?) 85; many people would say I'm crazy for using such an expensive collectible, but sometimes (once) you really do need a rebate scraper plane
6) Veritas NX60; a worthy upgrade from the Veritas LA block plane. It fits beautifully in my rather small hand and it's SHINY
7) Veritas LA Smoother; Just got this one on the forum so I'm yet to put it to work but a few test cuts left me in awe

There's another 25 in my bench but those are the ones I generally use.

Here's my top ten. Which is not a very good indicator because I'm fairly new to hand tools in general and haven't used them all that much yet. But these are the ones I find I use the most.
Mine are all Stanleys of varying age. All purchased second hand and fettled and cleaned to the best of my abilities. Although I haven't touched a couple of these yet apart from sharpening.
Jointing and flattening I use a mix of the No. 7, No. 6, and No. 5½ depending on the size of the timber. The No. 5 gets less use but is put into service as a scrub with a heavily cambered blade. The No. 6 also gets used on the shooting board.
I find I pick up the 5½ in preference because I really like the size and the heft. This plane was salvaged from the Newcastle floods a few years ago. It spent several days under water but cleaned up nicely.
The No. 4½ is my favourite smoother. Again I like the extra heft of the ½.
The No.93 shoulder plane and the No. 140 skew, rebate block are used to tidy up tennons and rebates and just about everything else. Along with the No. 65 Low Angle block these three are my most used planes. They generally sit on the bench, close at hand no matter what I'm working on.
The No. 71½ router plane is a pleasure to use and I find it extremely handy. Often quicker to use this than unbolt the router from the router table and set it up.
The last one is a No. 46 skewed plough and dado plane. I have a full set of cutters for it and I love using it. It doesn't get a lot of use but it is a favourite and I will use it whenever I can. I plan on using it more and more in the future.

The plane that started me on the slippery slope was the No. 6.(purchased from SG several years ago) This list will more than likely change as I acquire more planes and complete more projects.

Here's mine in no particular order.........

Lie Nielsen #62
Stanley #8C
Stanley #7C
Stanley #4½C
Stanley #3C
Stanley #10½ Rebate
Stanley #60½ Block
Stanley #140 Skew
Clifton 3-in-1 Combination rebate
Stanley #112 Scraper

These are my usual go-to planes but there's a few more floating around.

My plane collection is probably only just on 10 but:

Stanley 110 Block Plane. Probably my most used plane, it is very annoying to adjust the blade both depth and side to side, but once the blade is sharp, and I have it set up, it hums along nicely. Plus it was given to me by my uncle and I have the original box

Lie Nielsen No.4. A very close second to the Stanley, used when ever I get the chance. Still getting myself use to it (even though I've owned it for a few years), have yet to actually spend a solid few days using it, but should all change when I return to uni in february.

Lie Nielsen No.6. Love it. Again, use it whenever I need to, really nice plane.


Those are the three I use most, I have 3 empty Stanley Bodies, and two Coffin Style Wooden Planes I want to fix up sometime soon, just for something to do and to increase the collection a bit. And am yet to test out my new Lie Nielsen LA Block Plane.

My first two planes were a Stanley 78 and a Marples bullnose with original box - both from my Grandad. The plane I use the most is a LV BU smoother - it is brilliant.

Here's my short list...

1. Stanley #6
2. Record #4
3. Stanley #110 block plane
4. Stanley 78 rabbet plane
5. Stanley 71 1/2 router plane
6. Record 043 plough plane
7. Record 311 Bull-nose & shoulder pane

Regards,

Denim

Hi All,
Well I would have 10 Planes. I do have 2, No.3 Bailey's with Stanley Blades USA, & a small Rapier, No. 12.
I like to use these on the odd occasion.
I was also very lucky to pick up a Stanley No. 95 in very good condition.
Looked as if it had never been used. I paid the measly sum of $25 for it.

Since I apparently helped start this, I'd better put my list in!. I'm including spokeshaves scrapers too though, they are all part of the one family as far as I'm concered.

- Record 060-1/2 block plane - I can't think of a recent project it hasn't come in handy on (thanks Mr Brush!)
- Trojan block plane - yes, I said it. It was my first plane and it's been tuned up heavily, and does a great job on chamfers. Saves me having to adjust the record too
- Stanley #5 - I must admit, this gets 10x the use of the rest of my bench planes put together. (Thanks Ern!. It did start me on the slippery plane collecting slope though!)
- Stanley #6 - WW2 era, sometimes for jointing and sometimes because it's just nice to feel history in your hands
- Stanley #78 - rebate fun for all
- Stanley #80 scraper plane - sweatheart era, beautiful to use
- Stanley #71 - the latest addition to the family and already proving useful
- Stanley 51 flat bottomed spokeshave
- Stanley 151 round bottom spokeshake (don't do it, the newer ones take serious work to make them usable)


Then I have to admit that there's a bunch more planes on my shelves, all tuned up and ready, that haven't touched a bit of wood while under my care. I've got a RB10 and a bunch of woodies that I got in exchange for an old guitar that gather dust. I can see myself using a #7 or 8 though, so if someone's after something to trade PM me please.

an interesting thread. Scribbly Gum has opened the can of worms....

First owned plane was probably a new Stanley 5.
Crap, but it taught me to fix/fettle a plane.

I should think of this more... but here goes:

1. Sargent 422 jointer. Comfortable user. Preferred over a 424/No8 as they feel unwieldly, even though its a few more grams and 2 inches longer... apply the same logic as to why this is preferred over a No6.
2. Lee Valley/Veritas low angle Jack. Really appreciate the ability to quickly adjust the blade and the minimal backlash due to its manufacturing specifications.
3. Stanley newish 13-052 rebate plane (plastic handle type). Has its haters, but it works well as a rebate plane and as an alternative to a rip saw for breaking down boards.
4. Preston quirk router. A new addition, but thank god for being able to quickly set a distance and route off a straight or curved edge.
5. Stanley 151 and 152 spokeshaves. (no preference for the maker, but just for the 'shave and the flat and round sole). If routers are allowed, then I'll feel free with spokeshaves. Chamfers an edge well, and for general spokeshave tasks. Dual blade adjustment is a mile over the older single clamp style. Mine have new St James Bay Tool Co blades because they need new blades.
6. Stanley 60 1/2 block. cause I have only one block plane then its gotta feature.
7. No name, infill style, brazed sole to sides rebate plane. It just works really well.
8. Sargent 59 Scraper plane (type 2). Works well, comfortable to use over a long time.
9. Hollow and round set. Again, a new addition, but I'm liking them.
10 (didn't think I'd get here) HNT Gordon High Angle smoother with TS blade. Finish smooth planing and swap the blade around to be a scraper... a damn good tool.

sh/c-ould'a'beens;
1. Sargent 708 - I really like it and use it a lot. I'll grab this as a small, maneouverable smoother and also as a easy to use plane. Also used on end grain instead of the block plane. Seems to do end grain really well.
Funny that this one is probably most used, but when I think of the special purpose tools, the 'ordinary' gets pushed to one side. e.g if I didn't have a spokeshave I could not smooth a curve... so that beats that little beaut 708.... right?
2. Stanley 90 rebate with bullnose feature. Fixes poorly marked rebates... can use it in its bullnose fit. Handy.
3. Any Stanley 78 or Sargent 79. They also get used a fair bit.
4. Mujingfang smoother. 'cause I don't have to care when I use it. Eats paint, finds nails, what the heck is that blade made from?? Frankly, this could be number 1 as any painted or reclaimed timber gets the Mujingfang wrath first of all.

For me the ratio of DIY : Woodwork is at least 10:1 so my list is skewed a bit:
#4 Stanley, also the first plane I used, and first I used. Does everything reasonably well
9 1/2 block plane does most of the other stuff a bit better
Veritas Low Angle Jack plane is the one I turn to for the finest work, from the shooting board to smoothing a board
#78 Stanley for tidying up tenon shoulders

The rest of the list is made up of planes I'd like to find time to use (or at least tune up to a usable state) so don't make it onto this list.

I couldn't work without a #4, but the other three changed my woodworking completely.

These are metal planes I more frequently use:

1. Stanley 5 type 11: every time on the shelf
2. Stanley 220 block plane: I like its size
3. Stanley 8 type 7: a workhorse
4. Stanley 40: another one every time on the shelf
5. Record 044 plough plane: simple, efficient and handy
6. Stanley 78: my choice for rabbeting with the grain
7. Record 4 1/2 equipped with thicker iron and back beveled to 55°: my no-tearout plane.
8. Record 271 small router plane: invaluable
9. Stanley 151 SW, flat sole: chamfering and finish small areas
10. Sargent 507 rabbet block plane: fine trimming of tenons.

Ciao
Giuliano