Thread: Lie Nielsen Violin Maker's Plane (#101)

It is time to rationalise the tools seldom used. This was one I purchased because I really wanted it - and it is a great little block plane - but I have three similar planes, and really do not like to have more than are needed. So my cost is your gain. This plane is essentially new, actually better than new!



The Lie Nielsen Violin Maker's Plane is, to quote LN, "Loosely based on the Stanley No.101 block plane, the Lie-Nielsen Violin Maker’s Plane features several significant improvements that put it in a class of its own. The body and cap are made from Manganese Bronze for extra weight, durability, and resistance to rust. The blade is 1/8” thick for chatter-free cuts and made from cryogenically treated A-2 steel for prolonged edge life. The addition of a finely controlled blade depth adjuster make this little workhorse perfect for detail-oriented jobs like instrument building or model making.

The body is 3 7/16” long x 1 3/16” wide x 1 5/8” tall. The blade is 7/8" wide x 1/8" thick and bedded at 18 degrees. Weight is 0.50 lbs. "


To better gauge its size, here it is alongside my LN #103, which is a medium-sized block plane ...



It is a plane to keep in your pocket and pull out when you need to chamfer an edge or add a small bevel. It does this wonderfully (that is dry, hard Jarrah) ...



Why is this particular plane "better than new"? Well, I breathed on it Actually, I had a gripe when I got it home and played with it: the mouth was larger than I expected. I looked into this and discovered that all these particular block planes had larger-than-usual mouths. Consequently, I closed up the mouth using brass shim. This is brass veneer epoxied to the bed of the plane. I dare anyone to tell it has been done ...



Close up ...



Now the plane sets up beautifully!



So, there we have it - a nearly new Lie Nielsen Violin Maker's Plane, in its box, for someone discerning!



The LN prices can be seen here: Search - violin Essentially, LN is asking $199 for the same plane. I would like $145 (postage extra).

Regards from Perth

Derek