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Hi all,
As it is christmas I was going to ask my g/f to get me a really good block plane as my present. I've used a Lie Nielson one before and was very impressed. It also very compact & pretty (which would appeal to my girlfriend)
What I was wondering is what would be the most useful all round one to get?
I like the small bronze 102/103 ones, but would i be better with standard or low-angle?
Or would the No. 60 adjustable mouth one be a better allrounder?
any suggestions?
thanks
ali
Alibh,
Let me ask the obvious, what do you plan to do with it?
Cheers
PS: it's totally ok to say "I just want to put it in my shed and look at and play with it"
I have 2 Veritas block planes and they are good.
Bob L,
there will be a lot of 'gazing in awe' at it :D
bit other than that it will be used for finishing, chamfering, smoothing table tops, end grain stuff etc.
i'm fairly new to all this but i understand that low angle planes are especially good for end-grain work.
does this mean that a standard angle plane is a lot worse for this sort of thing?
and does the larger No.9 and No.60 cope with this as well as being more versatile in other areas?
Hey if I'm quick, I'll post before Derek does :)
I suppose the core questions are
I agree with you that the small bronze block planes are very pretty.
- how much does the GF think you are worth? and
- what sort of work do you intend to do with the block plane, or will it form the start of a L-N collection?
My pick for usefullness is the #102, the iron version being less expensive than the bronze (and a little lighter making it a better choice for the apron pocket)
The #103 is just as useful if all you're after is a block plane.
However, if the GF is sufficiently enthusiastic (and cashed up) I'd opt for #60½ low angle adjustable mouth version. because it's a little more versatile
But if the GF's after looks and can afford the dosh, go for the #140 (low angle skew with nicker). Left or right makes little difference as if you're serious about using it you'll get the other soon enough anyway.
Owning many of the L-N block planes and having played with the ones I don't have, if I had to choose just one L-N block plane, I'd get the #60½
Merry Christmas to you,
Merry Christmas to you
ian
Have you forgotten this review so soon!
http://www.wkfinetools.com/contrib/d...lane/index.asp
I have the bronze LN #103, and for some years I was under the impression it was the #102! This was because it cut endgrain so well. I now also have the low angle LN #60 1/2. I still pick up the #103 first. It really is so nice in the hand. Having said all that, if I were to have just one block plane, it would be low angle - just more versatile.
Regards from Perth
Derek
LN #60-23 low angle LN #102 or a HNT block plane :cool: