Thread: Mid range smoothing planes

Spend some time fettling an old Stanley/Record shutdown enable you to achieve similar results.
You are probably better of spending the money on a new blade for your Stanley/Record smoother.
A Hock or Veritas PM-V11 would be a nice upgrade. Look at a matching chipbreaker too.

A Stanley #3 or #4 - preferably a pre-war USA model (although I have had good experiences with UK-made versions as well) with a Veritas PM-V11 blade and chipbreaker - should fit the bill very nicely. Learn to set the chipbreaker to control tearout, and you will be capable of working any wood, no matter how difficult.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I can second Derek's advice as I posted in this forum looking for the same advice. I currently use old Stanley's fitted with Veritas PMV 11 blades and have zero complaints. I only work with WA hardwoods and the PMV steel is very good.

as others have advised, fettle an older Stanley or Record.
Though I believe that Australian and UK made Stanleys even those as recent as the 1990s are a better proposition for fettling to an acceptable condition than similarly new (or slightly older) US made planes.

If wanting to buy new, look at the WoodRiver line -- #3, #4 or #4-1/2

Yet another voice for going with a 'standard' bench plane, and if you want a small plane roughly the size of the Veritas small BU, then a #3 should be the ticket. They aren't as common as #4s, so you might have to search on the 'used' market for a while. Also, if you happen to have large hands, just make sure there is enough room between the tote & adjuster wheel for you on a #3 - they can be a bit tight when the wheel needs to be wound out a long way to get sufficient blade protrusion. Some #4s can be tight, too.

My reason for going with a standard BD type is that they are good all-rounders - the 45* cutting angle is a very good compromise and handles a wide range of tasks well. As already advised, get a decent after-market blade, it can make a world of difference. To get the best out of a BU plane as a smoother on difficult woods, you need to switch to a higher cutting angle, so that means having two blades, unless you intend using it only for that purpose....

Cheers,

+1 for a "Made in USA" Stanley, 4 1/2 is my personal favourite. If you're in Melbourne you're welcome to have a go with some of mine in any size you like.

Just found this on ebay Stanley Australia No.4 Hand Plane.......FREE POSTAGE!!!! | eBay

yes, hunt the old tools market, but steer clear of the gougers. Falcon, Pope, Falcon Pope, union, sergent, Union, Stanley, Record... and the list of good makers goes on. $20 is enough.