Thread: LN 4 or 4 1/2

There are advantages to yourself if you choose the 4-1/2 as you have outlined. The bling of a bronze body seems to be the only thing going for a number 4.
One downside of the bronze is that it can leave marks on your timber during the planing if it hasn't been used for a while.
I would buy the 4-1/2.
Cheers
SG

Yeh, 41/2

Originally Posted by sinjin

Has anybody had to decide on whether they would buy a LN number 4 or the number 4 1/2.
The blade is thicker in the 4 1/2 and also you can order the plane with 1 of 3 differnt york pitches. If your set on Bronze then the 4 is the only option.
I have the 5 1/2 and the advatage of the 4 1/2 is i can chnage the York pitch angle between the 2 planes if i go that way.
So any clues as to what people have bought. i know there are many nice planes around like Lv etc. but would really like to talk about these 2 planes please.
Also when buying from the US the prices seem pretty much fixed. the only varibale is the postage cost so who seem to be giving the best deals in that area.
TIA.

my 2 cents
an iron #4 weighs 4lbs
a bronze #4 weighs 4-1/2 lbs
an iron #4-1/2 weighs 5-1/2lbs

mass is often good in a smoother, avoiding the need to choose a higher cutting angle.
this would point towards the #4-1/2

you can get a 45° or 50° frog for both the #4 and #4-1/2 and a 55° frog for the #4-1/2.
I believe that LN is about to introduce a high angle frog for the #3 and maybe a 55° frog for the #4. It would be worth an email to LN in Maine.

the ability to swap frogs between bodies is IMO over-rated.
ideally you want to use the easiest to push plane that does the job -- my preference is to have two, or even three, planes on hand. I start with a standard cutting angle and switch to a higher cutting angle when I get more tear out than I want to correct with a scraper or by sanding.
stopping to change frogs is not something I'd want to do on a regular basis.

A back bevel on a spare blade is an alternative.

Hi ian and thanks for your tips. the No 5 1/2 i have i pretty much leave the 55* bed in that.
The 2 planes i'm keen on are the 3 and 4 1/2. So i was very keen when you said they are making a new frog for the No3.
anyway thanks.

I'd go for the 41/2. The weight (heft) and extra width seem to make flattening (smoothing) easier because there is less following of local bumps and valleys but, if bronze is a deal breaker, then check ebay etc to see if anyone is selling their 25th anniversary BRONZE 41/2
fletty

I vote for the 4 1/2.
I prefer working with wider blades, and the extra mass is a bonus.

Is your #5½ set up as a smoother? If so, the #4½ won't add much to your capabilities. Buy a spare 45° or 50° frog for the #5½, and get a #3 with frog pitch to suit your needs (when they come out). The #3 will get into places the #4½ won't. That also gives you the option of a bronze body (but iron is probably more practical).

Just my tuppence worth.

Cheers, Vann

I had a huge collection of Stanley and Record I always used just a handful. I sold the lot and bought just a few new planes.
These being Lie Nielsen 4 1/2, 5, 6 and 8. I haven't had a need for any others.
Block planes I now only have the Lie Nielsen 60 1/2, and 140. The 140 sees minimal use.
I have other planess on the wall but they never see any use these days. I might go for a low angle smoother and jointer in the future but don't really need them but old habits die hard and they might be nice to have.
I tried a Lee Valley plane (smoother) but it didn't fit comfortably in my small hands.
Col.

Good Morning Sinjin

I like my 4 1/2 which unfortunately is not an LN, but an SB with plastic handles and no sweetheart logo.

However, If I had a 5 1/2 smoother which I liked and was retaining and I was thinking about another smoother then the 4 1/2 is not so differentiated from the 5 1/2 and the 4 is a little smaller and the bronze is so lovely....

Yep, I basically concur with Vann but perhaps the 3 is too differentiated from the 5 1/2, and not sized for my hands.

That makes four-pence worth!

Cheers

Graeme

Hi guys, the first choice for me is actually the number 3...and when i heard they may be bringing them out with a 50 Deg pitch i will wait for that.
The 4 1/2 for me is really a bit of a luxury. I don't need it at at all to be honest.
And i may get one while the aussie dollar is doing so well. I tend to use the 55deg 5 1/2 most of the time and use a HTN Gorden just to finish off sometimes.
Like most here i guess we all have way more planes than we really need.
But the number 3. I had spoken to an old Cabinet maker via mail in the US and he told me the number 3 for him was one of his fav planes. I was originally thinking of a number 2 but after picking one up and admiring the cuteness i really did feel it was a little too small for my hands. The number 3 felt ok and with a steeper frog which i was only informed about after reading this post reckon it would be the ducks nuts for me.