Aussie Woodwork Forum Decides Which Handplanes are the Best!

[NewLou]

I can hear the groans............sides are about to be taken. All will know where our true allegiances lie! Its time to decide which handplanes are the best! This thread may guide all purchases for generations to come........

Feel free to add make model number to your post. May the force be with you .....................

For me I can't go past Any of the HNT Gordon range of Handplanes I just love em......................Beauty, Style and Functionality or yeah I forgot to mention there Aussie made too

[Ben from Vic.]

My head says Veritas.

My heart says Lie Nielson. I recon they've got to be one of the nicest looking planes on the market (without going into the stratosphere).
And I have one.

[vsquizz]

You forgot,

- Makita
- Any one thats sharp

[Wood Borer]

I am sure not many will be surprised I voted Lie Nielsen. I have some and I will get some more.

Terry's planes are also on my shopping list.

[Zed]

I vote for whatever derek votes for.

[Termite]

It depends on what criteria determines the "Best". For example I've got a little 8" Muji smoother that I reckon is the ducks guts and cost $24 bucks. Best value?
By the same token I feel that $300 bucks is good value for a LV LA smoother, which is a top plane. Is there $200 extra value to go for the same thing in a Lee Nielsen?
The point I'm trying to make is what do you judge by, is a Rolls Royce the best if you want to go bush bashing, is a Jeep the thing to impress folks at the opening night of the Opera?

[Wood Borer]

Termite,

I couldn't agree more. You are now talking about value for money in which case most or all of the more expensive planes would be in trouble competing with the likes of the wonderful Muji's.

The Muji's are fantastic value and are good planes. I have one (Craig kindly smuggled it across the drain) which sits amongst my good planes - the more expensive Records do not get a berth amongst my good planes like the Muji.

My advice is to wisely buy the best you can afford at the time and only the ones you really need after doing quite a bit of research.

Don't rush out and buy all the planes when you are still educating your kids and paying off your mortgage. These expenses will come to pass much quicker than you think after which time you will be able to afford better planes plus you will have more experience to use them and look after them.

[NewLou]

It depends on what criteria determines the "Best". For example I've got a little 8" Muji smoother that I reckon is the ducks guts and cost $24 bucks. Best value?
By the same token I feel that $300 bucks is good value for a LV LA smoother, which is a top plane. Is there $200 extra value to go for the same thing in a Lee Nielsen?
The point I'm trying to make is what do you judge by, is a Rolls Royce the best if you want to go bush bashing, is a Jeep the thing to impress folks at the opening night of the Opera?

AAAAAAAAAarrrrrrrrrrr .............Ye who sits on the Fence says Nothing!!!..........
For me theres always a jewell in the Crown ....... something that makes a particular tool special dispite the criteria, Something about it that makes it a pleasure to use an ability to always get the job done and a sence of satisfaction after using it.

For me the HNT planes take a while to master; always deliver, give a sence of satisfaction after use and because there made of wood and each bit of wood is unique always make me feel like I'm using something special. This is something I feel a knowing............don't need a set of criteria to work it out.................It's just the way it is

[AlexS]

My favourite for general use is an old 2nd hand Bailey 5 1/2 with an Academy cryogenic blade. For cranky timber, the HNT smoother is the go, now that I've mastered setting it up.

Best value, a wooden Japanese shoulder plane that I bought for about $15 at a Sunday market in Nagoya. Beautiful piece of work, but I hardly ever use it.

[Caliban]

My 7" muji smoother.

[silentC]

My favourite plane is my #4 Bailey - but it's made in Canada, so I can't vote

I aspire to owning an LV and a Gordon or two one day. The Muji is great too - but I just love my Stanleys.

[Christopha]

A plane poll! Just plane unnecessary to put it planely and also its as plane as the nodes on ya face that there are a lot more brands of plane than you have put in plane view..... hells bells theres not even the "MEEEOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW" plane!

[TassieKiwi]

Termite,

Don't rush out and buy all the planes when you are still educating your kids and paying off your mortgage. These expenses will come to pass much quicker than you think after which time you will be able to afford better planes plus you will have more experience to use them and look after them.

I want them ALL, and I want them NOW!!!

Kids and mortgage win, mostly

I love my #7C SW, for now. Have yet to get a smoother really smoothing, though accidentally got the 41/2 going one day.

[ozwinner]

hells bells theres not even the "MEEEOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW" plane!

Pussy plane?? :confused:

Al :confused:

[Cliff Rogers]

Pussy plane?? :confused:

Al :confused:

I think he is refering to the noise it makes.....
IE: how do you make a dog meow?

Stick him in the freezer for 2 days & then run him across an electric planer.
(or a band saw or a bench saw...)
"MEEEOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW"

I reckon the best plane is a Boeing 747...
'specially if you get a seat up top.