Thread: The Veritas Premium Block Plane - Reviewed

They're not cheap, are they?

The standard (black) version should be about the same price as the Veritas LA Block Plane. It is only the SS version that is so dear (and I know that LV are not making much from this. It is an expensive plane to produce).

Regards from Perth

Derek

If you really want one, then now would be a good time to buy while our dollar is still at 64cents US.
BNP Paribas expects the AU$ to hit 47 cents US by mid next year.
OUCH!!!

Snagged one from Carba-Tec. The NX60 that is. Hope to have pics soon, although there's plenty on the web already, but not ones I can gloat with.

SG, check the exchange rate. At the moment Carba-Tec's prices are comparable and there's no freight and no waiting.

Originally Posted by Socrates

Snagged one from Carba-Tec. The NX60 that is. Hope to have pics soon, although there's plenty on the web already, but not ones I can gloat with.

SG, check the exchange rate. At the moment Carba-Tec's prices are comparable and there's no freight and no waiting.

Yes you are right about the Carbatec price being very good in comparison with direct from Lee Valley plus freight.
I can't see the AU$ price staying as it is for very long though if our $ continues to fall.
Currently
1.00 AUD

=

0.641944 USD

If the PNB Paribas forecast is true then the price of imports can only rise.

So buying now is a good idea if you really want one.
regards
SG

Hi -

I feel your pain on the exchange rates... our dollar bounces up and down like a yo-yo vs the USD as well...

What's really irritating is our economy and banking system is solid (as I suspect yours is)...

We're trying to work more closely with Carbatec (who have been great) to ensure that the costs translate well down under, and that the inventory gets there on time. For the planes and and saw - Carbatec ordered many more than we could ship, so we'll take the lumps for their stock position ...

Cheers -

Rob

As an exercise in design, both the block planes and the dovetail saw are, in my mind anyway, brilliant. Congratulations Rob and your team.
What really impresses me about the planes is the incredible accuracy of the machining and the attention to detail.
The enclosed toe and the mouth adjuster stop are excellent, and barely noticeable, the two side blade adjusting screws and the other little touches in the knurling, all add to the elegance of the concept.
If I was going to buy one, I would choose the plain DX60 because to me it actually looks better.
The blingy one - the NX60 - just looks a little too much to me. I think it could lose the racing stripes on the sides and look better immediately. They are one brush stroke too many in my humble opinion. The phrase gilding the lily comes to mind.
The dovetail saw on the other hand is absolute art.
This is the best manifestation of the genius of simplicity that I have seen in ages.
Three parts, and a hidden tote bolt combined in an absolute classic of originality and function. And to my eye it looks good as well.
If there are any gongs to be given out, I think that the saw deserves five stars.
Strange that it hasn't attracted more attention.
If Santa is kind, maybe a saw will appear in the stocking.
Regards from Tele Point
SG

Great work by Rob and Derek - congratulations gentlemen a very nice piece of equipment and a great unbiased review.

I normally am regarded as an electron burner but would happily use what I have just seen.

Please send tissues and Windex so I can remove finger marks and drool from my screen.

Regards,
Bob

Just from reading your review, I can't see what advantage either of these planes have over the LA block (which I have) apart from looks and the somewhat esoteric 'ergonomics'.

Personally, I think they look like they would be easier to drop - and I'd be more worried about doing so than I might be with the more utilitarian LA block. You mention heft but the LA block is heavier. The side adjustment screws are present in the LA block. The sides of the LA block have a larger surface area which it seems to me would provide a more stable surface when using it with a shooting board.

The captive adjuster shoe is a good idea, although I have to admit I don't find that it causes me any problems because I know that it comes loose, so I'm careful when I disassemble it. The mouth stop I like too but again it's one of those things you're careful about because you're aware of the issue. I also doubt that it does any damage to the blade - you would have to slide it back pretty hard I think.

So what is there here other than looks to convince me to buy one? I think the attraction is in the 'prestige' rather than a tangible benefit to your woodworking. You said it yourself: "With regard to planing performance, there was little to choose between these well-tuned block planes." I think these planes will be for those attracted by shiny things

Doesn't mean I don't want one...

Hi Silent

Good points!

Let's say that we were making a choice between the LABP and the new Standard Black (DX60). They should be roughly the same price.

For beginners, the LABP is a non-starter for me as I prefer a narrower plane. The opposite may be so for you.

Then I would consider the LABP if I was looking for a 4-wheel drive, that is, something I could take anywhere. It is a terrific perfomer and accepts a number of accessories that will convert it into a #3-sized smoother as well as a chamfer plane.

The Standard Black is your sportscar. It has a narrower scope but does this very well. It is not only better appointed for a more sophisticated drive, with the depth stop and captured adjuster shoe, but it has a longer toe, which will increase registration and make it easier to start planing from a board's edge.

While it is a personal choice, the Black wins out for me on aesthetic grounds as well. It is a piece of art that would not be disgraced if placed on a stand in a gallery.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Dereks can only anticipate to a certain extent, why someone would want one version over another...

In Canada, we have our own reasons...



Cheers -

Rob

Aahh Rob, now that is another reason and another choice ...

I really did not address this point much in my review (which most are not aware but I think I set a record in writing it - about 1 day including the pictures). I was so intent on comparing the planes and their features - their form and function - that I did not give much focus to a central aspect, the rust resistance of the nickel-resist ductile iron Premium version.

A stainless steel-lookalike (SS) Premium plane has been living on Rob's window ledge for some months.... in the snow, rain and sleet. I'd say that it has demonstrated its rust-resistence!

Of course, some of us prefer to store our tools in a workshop.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek -

You can see a bit of rust in this photo - between the lever cap and body. The plane did spot up after a few weeks, so I washed in the sink, and took the spots off the shiney bits using a scrub pad...took about 15 seconds.

Normally - one would passivate SS to neutralize any surface iron, but with this nickel-ductile, we didn't do that. The spots are either surface iron, or iron bits left from handling during polishing.

Next time I bring it in , I'll take pictures of the cleaning...

Cheers -

Rob

The latest addition to my Block Plane family,
Attachment 89757

Not great photography but it is hard to take a picture of something this shiny with a flash.