Thread: Veritas 5-1/4 Bench Plane Vs Low-Angle Jack Plane

Wolfs,
perhaps look at Derek C's comments in this thread:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=54314

I have been saving up for one for quite a time, but kid's birthdays etc always seem to be a priority. Soon though....

Cheers

Hafgan

In my experience, it depends. I own a Lie-Nielsen 164 replica which is a might fine tool but there are occasions where the bevel up approach just doesn't seem to work all that well. I bought the set of ECE Primus planes that Soundman had for sale on the weekend. I'm beginning to think that these (and other quality bevel down planes) are superior for dealing with our hardwoods.

Mark, I've got the ECE Primus smoother, and the block and jointer planes. LOVE the smoother, but I'm a bit ambivalent about the other two ECEs ... the mouth on the block plane is quite large (and non-adjustable), and I find the jointer kind of awkward. I'll be interested in your experience once you've used them in anger.

I was cutting some chamfers on Victorian Ash yesterday with the block plane. I expected to have to finish up with the smoother as the grain jumps all over the place but I only had to do that for one chamfer and only in part at that. I think that the solid bed is what makes this plane. The iron just cannot chatter or move.

I don't have the Trying plane. The third plane is the German Jack Plane. Mind you, I am seriously considering buying one now as I am so impressed with the performance of the two planes I have put to the test so far. It's a little hard to justify as I have a very good (and old) Stanley No 7 that is well tuned.

Wolfs,

I happen to be a fan of the HNT planes, which when properly sharpened and with a touch of linseed oil on the sole are fantastic to use.
I have a LN block plane and it has a sweet action. My Record and Stanleys are OK for softwood, but the HNT's of which at present I have three have one other advantage that I use frequently and that is the ability to be used when the blade is reversed as a very efficient scraper.

Wolfs,
I think the beauty of the LV bevel up planes is that they form a system. The bevel up Jointer, Jack and smoother all use the same blade. if you were to buy all three then you would have 3 blades ground at 25 degrees. Simply grinding higher micro bevels on two of them would give you a range of effective blade angles that would handle everything from shooting end grain to smoothing difficult hard woods and they can be easily swapped between all three planes.

If you are only buying one of these planes then you don't get quite the same economy but you still get the extra versatility if you buy an extra blade or two.

Like you I bought the LV block plane and It's great - I also bought the large tote and front knob that turns it into a No 3 size smoother - again extra blades can be bought for this with different angles to do different jobs. I have to say I really like the thought that LV put into their tools but I also love the quality of the build and, unlike many, I really like the aesthetics of their tools.

Cheers

Coxy

Finally gave in to temptation (and the high aussie dollar!) and purchased a few planes from LV :

BU smoother
LA Jack
LA block plane (with tote and ball)
Wenzloff carcase saw
various odds & sods.....

......now all I have to do is actually start making some things!! More time in the cold shed this winter until we get a new one.....but really, who wants to complain when they have new t(oys)ools to play around with.

Cheers

Hafgan

Originally Posted by Wolfs

I have searched the forum but can't quite find the answere to the following, although there is lots of relevent information.

I recently upgraded my old low angle Stanley block plane with a Veritas block plane and am very pleased to own a high quality tool at a reasonable price. And so now I have the aim of upgrading my Stanley #5, which performs OK after lots of tune up, and my Record #4 Smoothing plane, which really is not all that flash.

So to upgrade the #5 which Veritas is the most appropriate, the #5-1/4 Bench Plane or the Low-Angle Jack Plane? Reading the Carbatec catalogue the low angle plane seems to cover most requiremts, especially with an additional high angle blade, so what does the #5 offer that is better?

Thanks for the replies in advance.

Hi Wolfs,
I am a little late to this discussion, however you haven't said that you have made a decision yet, so here is another item to ponder.
The LV 5 1/4W has a narrower blade than their LA Jack. The first is 2 inches wide while the second is 2 1/4 inches.
This is similar to the comparative widths of the traditional Stanley Bailey designs, where the 5 1/4 has a 1 3/4 inch wide blade and the Number 5 Jack plane a 2 inch wide blade.
Added to the all round versatility of the LA Jack, the extra width may just sway you in its direction.
From a totally untested perspective, I have a personal distrust of the handle arrangement on the LV bench planes - other than the LA planes. I've never heard or read anything to back this up, but it just seems to me that the handle arrangement, suspended in the air as it is, would act as a lever on the frog to which it is attached, causing stress on the plane through long term use. Others may have an opinion on this as well. Just a thought..........
Let us know which way you go.
Regards from Tele Point
SG

PS: Congratulations Hafgan, you have a great set of tools there.
You are the envy of half the forum.
Onya mate

SG,
the purchases are only due to the advice from all the forumites, yourself and TS especially! Thanks for the advice

Cheers

Hafgan

PS saving my pennies for the rainy day actually worked! H.

OK, heres my 2 cents worth, I have the following Jacks,

1. LV 5 1/4
2. LN Bevel Up
3. Clifton 5
4. LN 5 1/2
5. Record 5

My opinion? The Record I use on rough dirty timber till i can see clean wood. The LN Bevel up, as someone else suggested earlier has limited use on our woods and I would suggest that if you were to go with a bevel up then the Veritas with three different blades ( 25,38 and 55 degrees) . The Clifton is soooo pretty, much like the trophy bride, good to look at but not a bad user. The LN 5 1/2 is superb and if you can afford it buy it, it's worth every cent. The cheapest place for LN planes is a web site called "thebestthings.com", I doubt you can beat their price.
Of all the above I would use the Veritas 5 1/4 the least and if I had my choice of only one it would be the LN 5 1/2. Second would be the Veritas BU with 3 different blades.