Thread: Which are the best planes?

Here is a list of some ultimate plane makers:

• http://www.marcouplanes.co.nz/
• http://www.sauerandsteiner.com
• http://andersonplanes.com
• http://holteyplanes.co.uk
• http://www.billcarterwoodworkingplanemaker.co.uk
• http://hntgordon.com.au/
• http://www.breseplane.com
• http://www.planemaker.com/
• http://www.phillyplanes.co.uk/
• http://www.classicplanes.com
• http://www.crownplane.com/
• http://www.knight-toolworks.com
• http://www.dlbarrettandsons.com

Ok, thanks very much, I'll check them out.

Al, unless you are the bloke who just won $15 milion in the NSW Jackpot, I'd keep looking at Lee Valley/Veritas or Lie Neilson - Vertias is slightly cheaper but LN has some really strange planes - all mine are Lee Valley.

There is no need to stuff around rebuilding the plane fixing manufacturing errors with either LN or Veritas. The ones Thumbsucker posted are mainly in the Rolls-Royce class as opposed to the BMW or Mercedes class of hand planes.

These days Stanley are in the Trabant class, Record not much better, then you get fair manufactures like Clifton who make stuff like Stanley was making 25+ years ago before the increasing cycle of cost cutting & consequent diminishing markets.

No bsrlee, unfortunately I'm still scavenging like most of society. Yeah, thats more the sort that I'm looking at. The other ones are really nice, and thanks to thumbsucker for that, but I'm keen on looking a bit more into the lie nielsen ones. More the style that I like. I'm hoping I can pick up a #7 in the near future, (near as in when I can afford it), so that'll give me a #4, a block, which is on its way, and then a 7. Hopefully that'll cover me for a fair while.
Al

My default maker to start with is Veritas by Lee Valley, then Lie Nielsen, then Stanley (though I plan to sell off a bunch of my stanleys). I think Veritas is the best maker when all factors are considered, i.e. price, inventiveness, service... I have yet to find something they've made that disappoints, and I'm one that is rarely truly happy with what I buy.

Gotta love HNT Gordons

Originally Posted by funkychicken

Gotta love HNT Gordons

What are Funkychicken planes like

Cheers
Michael

I will throw in my vote for HNT Gordon's. Terries planes are pound for pound the best planes you will ever use. They are a pleasure to use, without a doubt.

My second choice would be Veritas on technical grounds, but I hate the Veritas totes, cramps in the palm . Lie-Nielsen is always so much nicer looking and the totes are more comfortable, the price difference is not huge between the two makers, so it has marginal influence.

Originally Posted by mic-d

What are Funkychicken planes like

Cheers
Michael

You'll see

The best plane is the one you can afford.

If you are a wooden boat making, former sandwedge bar owning, architect.... a bunh of lee valley planes is just fine & no body would expect less.

But if you are a grubby tradesman like me, second hand & refurbished stuff from a flee market or ebay works very nicely TVM

ODL stuff is nice... not necessarily oldest but at least pre 70's.
stanley, record, falcon/pope, turner. all come much cheaper than a new one and less work to tune.
carter if you don't mind a bit of work are ok.

you should be able to come up with a #4 that don't need much work for under $30 a #5 for a bit more...... a #6 or#7 will be a bit more expensive.

cheers

A lot of people seem to like the HNT Gordans. Whats the benefit of the high angle, as opposed to the low angle or the standard?

High angle is really good with difficult grain in hardwood. It stops tearout

I have spoken to quite a few people who love their gordon planes, but for me the cost is a bit much for a plane that you have to hit with a hammer to adjust.

I have used a few planes that have no screw adjustment..... what a PITA....I prefer to have at least 20th century technology in a hand plane.

cheers

I tend to agree. If I was going to spend serious money on a plane, I would want a serious plane.