Thread: A question for LN owners

Craig

I had exactly this dilemma in July. My wife and kids wanted me to choose a birthday present and suggested that there might be a special tool I would like.

Because I have a reasonable collection of planes (Stanley, Record and Mujingfang) I decided to go for a Lie-Nielsen. I wanted to fill a gap in the range and I had read a couple of interesting reviews of the LN Low-Angle jack - as well as an interesting discussion here on the merits of the two LN Low-Angle planes for cutting tricky grain as well as end grain. Anyway - that's the one I went for: the Low-Angle jack plane aka the #62 .

No regrets! It's a superb tool. It'll slice through anything. It cuts full length end grain shavings. It's the ideal plane for use with a shooting board. It cuts curly-grain jarrah with no tear-out.

The only problem I've had with it (and this is a really minor issue, not a criticism) is that I've had to alter the way I hold the plane. I have a habit with my other iron planes of placing my right index finger along the side of the blade: pointing forward in the direction of travel. I can't do this with the #62 because the blade doesn't project up towards the rear tote. At first this made me slightly uncomfortable but I've now become used to it and it's no longer a problem.

Get the Low-Angle jack! It's a ripper.

(Happy Birthday!)

Col

Thanks Col,

I have to say that a low angle Jack did look like a pretty good idea.
I had a bit of a play with Mr W Borer's and I must say I was amazed at how it tamed a knot in a piece of radiata. Made it feel like glass.

I just hope I'm talking about the right plane as WB a pretty impressive collection and I may have been confusing it with another of his LN's.

Ta for the reply - and BD wishes (it's a month away yet though).

Craig

Craig
At the Sydney WWW show Silent C and I watched the bloke from Mik using that Lie Neilson low angle jack and I was very, very impressed. Even more impresseder than I am with my muji smoother. (and that's really high praise )
I really don't think you'll regret it. Unless of course you want to earn millions of brownie points by suggesting that you and SWMBO spend your birthday in some romantic spot of her choosing instead. Would you get two LNs as a reward, or would it just be a missed opportunity? :confused: :confused: :confused:
I'll just go and sit in the corner for that stupid suggestion.

Originally Posted by hovo

Craig
Unless of course you want to earn millions of brownie points by suggesting that you and SWMBO spend your birthday in some romantic spot of her choosing instead.

Jim,

If I suggested that she'd just think I was ill. :eek:

Craig

Craig

Just to throw the cat among the pigeons - athough I do support the idea of a LA Jack - what about a backsaw from LN? I have the LN Independence dovetail saw. Superb. Ask Col what he thinks of his Adria (not much difference between them in quality or use). And don't dismiss the idea of another block plane. The LN adjustable low angle in bronze (a turbo version of the Stanley 60-1/2) has about as much in common with your Stanley block plane as night has to day.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Craig,

The Low Angle you used at my place was a 164 Low Angle Smoothing Plane.

That was my first LN plane and I use it regularly along with the others. The LN No 7 also gets a work out and is great if you are regularly joining long boards.

The saws are good also, I think you tried my dovetail saw and the tenon saw.

All the LN tools are great, I have no regrets about buying any of mine.

Happy 21st anyway!

Originally Posted by Wood Borer

Craig,

Happy 21st anyway!

I wish! I'm not even 21 in hexadecimal

Happy $32nd when it happens

Thanks mate. It sounds a lot better in hex.

get a couple of cliftons, half the price, same value, get two... ???

Woodborer, do you buy your LN's direct from LN, or via a reseller?
No doubt they are a quality piece of gear, close as I've got to one so far is drooling on them at the wood show.
Oh well maybe one day.

Outback,

I buy mine through MIK in Adelaide. They are reasonably priced, delivered within a couple of days and they offer excellent advice.

No doubt people will write to say I could get them cheaper importing them directly but I am extremely happy with MIK and continue to give them my business.

I will get one or two more at the Melbourne show after SWMBO allocates my TWW budget.

When you're in Melbourne next, drop around and have a play with them.

Thanks for the input WB, and I'll take you up on your invitation next time I'm south of the border.

Craig,
I own 5 LN planes and love them all. if you happen to do any timberframing or large joinery though I highly recomend the #10 1/4 bench rabbet plane. I reach for it more than I ever thought I would.
I may endure some criticism here, but in my humble opinion, you can get a veritas low angle jack that works just as well for half (o.k. 3/4) the price, but a carrige makers plane can only be had from LN. my set of side rabbet planes also see tons of use.

lucky You!

p.s. will you post a picture and review of whichever one you get?
happy birthday!