Thread: Which block plane

I too will be interested in this thread as I would like to add my first block plane to my tool collection

Cheers,

Will

Don't know about the HNT but my 2 cents worth is to buy any second hand decent low angle block plane. Old stanley, record, millers falls etc if you can not afford a new LN. For $100 you should have quite a choice, try the Tool Exchange or Hans Brunner.

I have a newer Stanley 220 and since buying an old low angle Stanley I have not picked up the 220.

Originally Posted by Burnsy

Don't know about the HNT but my 2 cents worth is to buy any second hand decent low angle block plane. Old stanley, record, millers falls etc if you can not afford a new LN. For $100 you should have quite a choice, try the Tool Exchange or Hans Brunner.

I have a newer Stanley 220 and since buying an old low angle Stanley I have not picked up the 220.

Show's how new I still am to the hand tool sides of things - I didn't even know those sites existing

$100 will buy you a nice user #60 1/2.

Have a look here for example: http://www.hansbrunnertools.gil.com.au/Users-2.htm

I've got the Veritas LA block, which is a very nice little plane, but the only reason I have it is because it was a 40th birthday present. If not for that, I'd have bought a second hand Stanley.

The Stanley 60 1/2 is a very nice low angle block plane.
Another to consider is the Stanley 9 1/2 which, while not being of low angle design, does have something that the 60 1/2 lacks - a lateral adjustment lever. Both have adjustable mouths.
You can find very good second hand versions of both of these planes for under $100.
Happy shopping.
Regards from Tele Point
SG

Hi gonty,
I'd go with the HNT Gordon Kit. Here is a link to a few that I built for the students at school.
https://www.woodworkforums.com/showpo...&postcount=341

The kits Terry sells include everything you need to build the thing. You just need some files and sandpaper. The school kits don't have the blades sharpened or the handles turned but the timber was supplied. I elected not to turn up the handles and play around with the shapes a bit.
The kits do go together very quickly and well. Just take the time with the tuning of the sole and mouth opening.
They work a treat.
Kevin

G'day Gonty.
I have no experience with any of the new plane makers, not for any other reason than I like old things, I'm sure many of them are superior to old stanleys and the like.
The photo bellow is of a gaggle of blocks that are destined for a clean up, thought you might like to compare them side by side.
The only planes in there from my users are the clean 60 1/2, and the two knuckle caps on the right (65 and 18)
In my opinion if you have and use a number 3 or 4 you would benefit from a low angle black plane far more than a 9 1/2 or 18 or the like which is really not going to do much more than a #3 anyway.
Other brands worth noting are Sargent, Millers falls, Union, KeenKutter and Ward. pretty much any vintage block plane that isn't branded "craftsman" is going to have a good chance of being a winner.
The Millers Falls in the photo's are clones of the Stanleys on the right and easily equal in quality the Millers Falls version of the 60 1/2 (56 or 56b) are excellent planes and well worth it if you see them.
The Sargents in the photos are probably not what you want but they do make good low angle blocks with adjustable mouths. Just watch for labels like "Craftsman by Sargent" or "Craftsman by Stanley" a craftsman is a craftsman is a craftsman and 90% of the time it will be a dog.
The 140 (the dirty little mongrel center forward) is a very handy plane but I would not throw more than $100 at one, I find mine lovely to have but I could live without it very easily and it is no good as a general block plane.



If I were in your shoes I'd be batting for a 60 1/2 (aim for under 100 unless its extra sexy)
a 60 (same as above just a different finish on the lever cap)
or a 65 which has a little more heft and looks downright evil (not more than 150 for a user)

or of course any of the obove manufacturers versions.

Also.. block planes are easy restoration jobs for beginers, no huge soles to lap! and they are easy to resell if you don't like the feel of them (or somehow end up with dozens of the buggers )

Lucky bugger.. I wish I was about to have my block cherry popped

I'd get one of these for AUD$179 (possibly 10% less at the Melbourne WWW show)


To my mind, it's cheaper than an old Record or Stanley PLUS an after market blade


ian

I have both the low angle and the standard angle Veritas block planes, both superb tools. I can't say I use the standard angle much so now it has a chamfer guide attached permanently. I do like having the low angle around, absolutely, BUT when I need something that will tackle difficult grain etc. I reach for my HNT block plane. If I could only own one it would be the HNT, hands down!

I have quite a few antique planes but I can't be bothered with spending the time tuning a tool when I have so precious little time to do anything in my shop. So my philosophy is spend the extra dollars for new tools and you will have more time for your projects.

Thanks for all the responses. Looks like the popular vote is an old 60 1/2, but the responses have raised more questions for me...

- If I'm going to buy an old 60 1/2, how do I know if it is old "enough", ie, not a newer crappy one? Can I trust that anything at Tool Exchange and Hans Brunner are worthwhile (apart from Craftsman)?

- There's not a lot of HNT love here, which seems out of character for these forums. Is it just because the HNT fans are quiet, or is this a relative weak spot in his range?

- Ian suggested the cheaper LN. The pic looks like it is the Iron Low Angle block plane which sells for $149. If the suggestion of possible getting it for 10% off at the show is right, then it brings the price quite close to what I was hoping for. But, it doesn't have the adjustable mouth - how valuable is the adjustability? Oh, and is this a similar plane to the Veritas apron plane?

Sorry about all the questions, but I'd love any feedback.

Thanks.

From the tool exchange page that SilentC pointed out I would opt for the one down the bottom, earlier No60
I would make contact first though and ensure that the plane has no problems. The guy deals in tools so should be able to advise you on what it needs to be operational. (ask him if he'll sharpen it for you)
Things to maybe ask..
How much is left on the blade?
Is the throat damaged in any way?
Are the threads tight and undamaged?
Have you got more photos?
I've had no dealings with him but I have not heard anything negative so I assume that he'd be easy to deal with.

Socrates makes an excellent point.. if you would rather get to the woodworking as quickly as possible and not get caught up in the romance of old tools going with a good quality new product makes perfect sense.

That's OK for the guys who have the disposable income to buy themselves into a hobby. Some of us have to start at the bottom. I'd rather have the cheaper second hand tool now and be working than waiting until I can afford to buy the modern copy.

I think another point worth making is that if there is plenty of meat left on the blade of a vintage Stanley block plane there is absolutely no reason to buy an expensive after market blade.
I have a Hock blade in a 60 1/2 and love it and if I ever wear my Stanley blades down I would definitely opt for a Hock over a modern stanley replacement but I'd never bother replacing a good old Stanley blade in a block plane.

I am very happy with my Stanley 60 1/2 (or I will be once derek finishes doing his piece on block plane testing).

Gonty (and others) have a look at this piece on Derek Cohen's website. The general points made a are worth bearing in mind, and once Derek does reviews of all the block planes, it will be a really useful compendium of information.