Thread: Lie-Nielsen block plane

Indeed - at 80-90%, I'd rather buy new and have the benefit of a manufacturer's warranty, as well as a known history of the tool. Same principle for anything 2nd hand, and something I think resellers often don't seem to consider. Anything 'new' in someone's shed is not new, whether it's used or not, and doesn't benefit from the same manufacturer backup. Unless the price reflects that, I just buy new.

I've ordered the little beast from LN Aus, and should have it tomorrow - I bit that bullet! But it's always worth checking to see if anyone has things lying around unwanted, unused, or unloved. No-one seems to hate the LN, so it was always a long shot. I've also ordered a little McJing #101 to do a specific task, so it will be interesting to see the difference.

For the bandsaw and lathe still missing from the Shed, I'm happy to watch and wait for a few months - they tend to turn up eventually.

Awww... who’s your daddy?!

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Originally Posted by Bernmc

Indeed - at 80-90%, I'd rather buy new and have the benefit of a manufacturer's warranty, as well as a known history of the tool. Same principle for anything 2nd hand, and something I think resellers often don't seem to consider. Anything 'new' in someone's shed is not new, whether it's used or not, and doesn't benefit from the same manufacturer backup. Unless the price reflects that, I just buy new.

My philosophy exactly.

And if someone is selling a tool in "as new" condition I am always a bit suspicious of why (except if they are retiring from woodwork, unwanted gift or some other reasonable and verifiable reason)

I am not suggesting that anyone selling as new tools is dodgy, before anyone says anything, but as they say "buyer beware".

Everyone is entitled to there own opinion and preferences but I can understand the benefit of a warranty with a band saw or even some powered tool with a limited life or even the high quality China knock-offs [because sometimes these will be dodgy perhaps only 1% of the time] But a LN or Veritas plane? Really? Has anyone actually called on the warranty? There are a number of reasons why they are so expensive but one of the reasons is their quality control. Put simply nothing leaves the front gate if they are going to make good on the manufacturers warranty.

Also these are not complex machines. I have no idea how a band saw is made. I do not know everything that can go wrong with a band saw and there could be any number of things wrong that photos won't show. Not so with a plane I have purchased a number of planes second hand and I find that a good set of photos is sufficient for me to tell whether the plane is in good condition or not. I have never had a problem.

Even if you believe that they are so poorly manufactured that you believe the warranty to be worth the extra, have you factored in the cost of returning the goods for a warranty claim? Tucked away in the terms and conditions of a number of overseas retailers is that you must pay for the postage there and back. Even some Australian retailers require this. So your warranty protection may be merely a liability to spend more money and if it is overseas it could be 50% of the price.

Originally Posted by D-Type

Has anyone actually called on the warranty?

I guess it is technically not a "warranty" but I have had a Straight Edge and a set of Calipers that I had to get replaced due to manufacturing errors that were missed by quality control.

Both from a high-end manufacturer with a great reputation for quality. Now you can't get anything much more foolproof than a straight edge, can you.

The manufacturer concerned went out of his way to replace the items at no cost to me and even insisted on refunding the cost of the calipers as it was the second time I had received goods from them that were not up to standard. I was very happy with the final outcome in both cases. The manufacturer was Woodpeckers.

Originally Posted by D-Type

Not so with a plane I have purchased a number of planes second hand and I find that a good set of photos is sufficient for me to tell whether the plane is in good condition or not. I have never had a problem.

Even if you believe that they are so poorly manufactured that you believe the warranty to be worth the extra, have you factored in the cost of returning the goods for a warranty claim? Tucked away in the terms and conditions of a number of overseas retailers is that you must pay for the postage there and back. Even some Australian retailers require this. So your warranty protection may be merely a liability to spend more money and if it is overseas it could be 50% of the price.

This is a combination of 'knowledge is power' and the old risk/reward equation. Your knowledge and experience with planes means you know what you're looking for - I wouldn't know a good plane from a bad one. You'd get the bargain, I'd get the dog! And although they're not complex, there are enough warnings in the LN blurb about not overtightening certain bits, that it seems that it wouldn't be too difficult to injure the beast. I wouldn't even know whether it was due a new blade. And at $50+ for a new blade, any savings I made would instantly disappear.

So, for me, the risk of buying an unknown tool, coupled with my limited knowledge, must be outweighed by the reward of paying less - the 'less' needs to be enough to offset that risk, and $30 or $40 on a $300 tools just doesn't do it.

As for warranty, Axminster UK recently replaced the rulers in my parf guide II system. There was a tiny error in the milling of the holes in the ruler. They shipped a new set from the UK without fuss, and were happy with a couple of photos. Mark of a good company.

Really pleased to hear about Axminster. There are some things that I have considered buying from them so this gives me the confidence. It also says a lot about the ethics of the business and its philosophy.

I have wondered whether it would be possible to put together a joint order at some time in the future. Firstly Axminster would give a discount on the price. Secondly you could quite significantly knock down the postage/courier costs. Anyone interested in a domino at a reasonable price?

Originally Posted by D-Type

I have wondered whether it would be possible to put together a joint order at some time in the future. Firstly Axminster would give a discount on the price. Secondly you could quite significantly knock down the postage/courier costs. Anyone interested in a domino at a reasonable price?

Just be careful - as soon as your order (inc post) exceeds AU$1000, you have to pay duties. It'll bump the price significantly.

I've bought quite a bit of stuff from them, but always kept the total below $1000. Delivery usually within 5 days of ordering, which is better than many local businesses...

Originally Posted by Bernmc

Delivery usually within 5 days of ordering, which is better than many local businesses...

Yep, Autralia Post takes a week and a half to get a small package from one side of the Yarra to the other.

Keep looking and be persistent, they are out there. Got an LN 164 smoother yesterday that was used maybe a handful of times. Perfect condition for $300.

I’ve dealt with both Veritas and Lie Nielsen’s warranty department and they were both excellent. LN was about a second hand tenon saw that cut askew. I had to pay shipping one way but they sharpened and set it and it cuts perfectly. Veritas, I needed I replacement set screw and asked what the spec was and they said it would be easier to just send me one so they did. I also had a pmv11 bench chisel handle split on me (no misuse) and they offered a replacement at a reasonable price but I decided to just make a new one. A few months later a brand new complete chisel showed up. They said they had run out of spare handles and it would be a year or so before more would be available. What better service could you ask for?

They are expensive, excellent quality and care about their tools and customers. Seems like bargain to me.