Thread: Choosing a block plane

Jisk,

Here's my two bobs worth.

I have both the Veritas low angle block and the LN 102 and I use both on pretty much a daily basis as a professional woodworker. The 102 is the plane I grab for precision, "finer" jobs and I go for the Veritas when I need a bit more grunt as it is a heavier plane.

The adjustable mouth is great and you can open it up and really hog off timber quickly or you can set it fine and take gossamer thin end grain shavings.

The mouth of the 102 is very fine - so fine in fact that I had to open mine up a bit.

If I had to choose just one, I would go the Veritas or LN adjustable mouth block plane as it does all jobs. I had the Veritas for a while before I bought the 102 without complaints but when I boughht the smaller 102, it has quickly become a favourite.

Easiest way to deal with your dilemma is just buy both of them and be happy!

regards,

AD

Hi jisk, I have, and use, the LN 601/2, the Stanley 60 1/2 AND Terry Gordon's all wooden block plane. I find the adjustable mouth to be a major plus. I can plane a piece with the mouth open (the plane's that is) and get a good result but when the mouth is closed down the planed surface is 'polished'. The HNT Gordon plane does not have an adjustable mouth but the fixed mouth is very fine and also gives a beautiful finish.
My recommendation, if price is a major issue, would be to buy a second hand (and old!) Stanley 601/2, mine cost $65. If money is not an issue, the LN601/2 is a beautiful tool. If you can afford, and need, a second plane, then I would definitely recommend the HNT block plane.
Hope this helps, Fletty

This might put a Cat amongst the Pigeons

http://www.hntgordon.com.au/prodcatblockkit.htm
http://www.hntgordon.com.au/prodpricelist.htm#prodblock

Saves some $$$$ for the next Plane.
and also,
you have personal input into its Production/assembly.

Jisk

my two bob's worth ...

the LN #60½ adjustable mouth block plane (or the Veritas equivalent) PLUS a second high angle (35°) blade — gives you many planes in one
wide mouth rapid stock removal, narrow mouth finer shavings, very narrow mouth for the near impossible stuff
very narrow mouth and high angle balde for the impossible stuff


ian

Originally Posted by ian

the LN #60½ adjustable mouth block plane (or the Veritas equivalent) PLUS a second high angle (35°) blade — gives you many planes in one
wide mouth rapid stock removal, narrow mouth finer shavings, very narrow mouth for the near impossible stuff
very narrow mouth and high angle balde for the impossible stuff

Can't put it any better, except in a case when there can be grabbed two separate planes of the specified subtypes with described features.

kippis,

sumu

Okay, so it sounds like the 102 is a no-go due to being too limited because of its narrow mouth.

I'm not considering the HNT at this stage because it looks like a standard angle block plane, whereas I'm after a low angle block plane (hence my shortlist). I also want to be able to tweak the plane with the twist of a knob rather than knocking it about, like I do with my current mujingfangs.

Is there much difference at all between the Veritas and Lie-Nielsen 60 1/2 options in operation? Or is it just the paint job and racing stripes...

AD, I'd love to be able to buy all three and shelve the ones that I didn't like as much, but I don't have that luxury!


Thanks guys.

I am pretty sure the HNT is not a standard angle, rather it is 60 degrees and good for nasty grain when doing the thousand and one jobs you use a block plane for other than just end grain though it does a good job their as well. I like mine, I also love my LN 601/2 being small but with enough heft to do a great job - fine mouth is excellent. No experience of the veritas but happy with my combination.

So is there no practical difference between the Veritas and LN? I'll probably put the Lie-Nielsen on my wishlist then, because it's, well, sexier

There is nothing wrong with sexy. Even if you are only talking about tools.

Originally Posted by jisk

So is there no practical difference between the Veritas and LN? I'll probably put the Lie-Nielsen on my wishlist then, because it's, well, sexier

I wouldn't say that... The Veritas has grub screws that greatly improve lateral adjustment of the blade and a very nice optional handle that transforms it into and even better plane than it already is. And to top it off it's cheaper than the LN. Neither of which are available on a LN. LN is made of superior materials in that the lever cap is bronze instead of ally. Both have used cast iron for the body. Ally isn't something I'd use in tools I make but they are up to the stresses that the Veritas is subjected to. I would agree with one thing... the veritas are some what ugly compared to the traditional style adopted by LN but that's only a real consideration if you're a collector and not a user.

Also I would be ordering it direct from Lee Valley. You should find even with the extra shipping charges it's cheaper than buying it here, really sad (if anyone from carbatec... are listening - but i doubt it).

I am going to prepare a formal comparison of a few block planes in the near future. So I will be brief and make just a few observations about the LN vs LV.

The LN is narrower than the LV. The LV is quite a wide plane. One of these will suit you better than the other.

With a sharp blade, I doubt that you will notice a difference in the way they cut, but ....

The LV is superior when it comes to every type of adjustment that you can name - mouth, lateral adjustment, lever cap (which affects fore-and aft adjustment).

There are accessories to fit the LV, such as for cutting camphers and a tote to convert it into a small smoother. The LN has nothing at all.

Technically, the LV is just a better design than the LN. I own the LN. Only because its size suits me better. Anyone considering these two block planes must handle them together if they can. If the LV suits you, then it is a no-brainer.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I can't comment on the LN blockplane, I own the LV low angle plane. It may not be the prettiest plane on the planet, but it blows away the Stanley block planes I've used in the past. Others have mentioned the accessories you can buy to broaden it's application. However, one thing that hasn't been mentioned is that the LV sides are flat, whereas the LN are rounded, so you could also use the LV block plane on a shooting board.

Harry

Both the LV and LN adjustable mouth block planes have flat sides. Both may be used on a shooting board. I believe that you are thinking about the smaller, non-adjustable LN 102/103 (equivalent to the LV Apron ) block planes. I have the #103 and the sides of this are coffin-shaped.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek

thanks for correcting my misinformation! I was thinking about the review of the smaller LV & LN planes in issue 56 of Australian Wodworker

Merry Christmas to all!