lie neilsen hand plane

list,

I am a complete novice when it comes to woodworking and am just beginning with my first few projects. But at the end of last year I made the expensive mistake of going to a woodwork show. There was a Lie Nielsen stand and I came away with a block plane :) Its just a lovely thing, and I've used it a lot.

Now I think I want a bigger beast for smoothing and jointing. Ive been looking on ebay at old stanley planes (cheap) as a possibility or would I be better off buying a new (expensive) Lie Nielsen.

As a novice I have no idea of the difference in performance of these two tools. Indeed I really don't know which size of plane to go for, my research points to a number 5 (whatever that is) are the two brands numbering schemes equivalent?

any comments gratefully received.

Tom

Reply to
Tombo
Loading thread data ...

Either used (if you can get one old enough), or for new you can't beat the price-performance of Lee Valley.

#5 (Jack Plane) would be a good starter; the LV 5.25 is a nice compromise in size.

scott

Reply to
Scott Lurndal

Stick with the used Stanleys on eBay. For about 40 to 50 bucks you can get a #4 and a #5. The 4 for smoothing and the 5 for jointing. Will save you several hundred dollars over LV or LN. Once you clean those Stanleys up a bit, sharpen the blade, and lap the sole, you'll be happy to have saved the money. But don't get me wrong, I have a LV low angle block plane and a LN small low angle block plane, love both of 'em, just can't see spending hundreds of dollars on smoothing/jointing planes when there are an abundance of old Stanleys out there.

Some of my favorite plane websites:

formatting link
KevinB.

Reply to
Kevin B

get a Lie-Nielsen low-angle jack plane. Lee Valley is going to come out with their version of this plane soon, however, and the LV planes usually beat LN in price, to some extent, and add a few features, too. The fit-and-finish of the LN planes can't be beat, though. I have just the one LN plane and 2 LV planes, and I'm extremely happy with them all.

Here's a nice article on the merits of a low-angle jack plane that can give you an idea of why I think it is a good place to start:

formatting link
I also have bought several old Stanley planes from Ebay, so I guess I've gone to many venues for planes. One thing is true of all the sources - it is very easy to spend a lot of $$ on planes (DAMHIKT).

Mike

Reply to
Mike in Mystic

I guess it all depends on whether you want a tool or a project. I'm sure there are good deals to be had in old planes if you know what you're looking for, but you can end up with junk too. I bought two planes on eBay, and am batting .500 on the pair.

One was a Stanley #220 (I think that's the right number; it's a block plane). It required a little bit of work, but I ended up with a good tool at a good price.

The other was a Record #5. It was a disaster. The lateral adjustment lever was basically non-functional. I tried buying some new parts from Highland Hardware to fix it, but the stuff I bought, even though advertised to fit Stanley or Record, didn't have the same kind of mouth adjustment mechanism as the original, so I've still got a pile of parts that aren't doing me any good.

I've since invested in 3 Lee-Valley planes (5-1/4, low-angle block, and the new shoulder plane). I spent more money than I might have on eBay, but I got three useful tools that I could use out of the box.

You pays your money and you takes your chances.

Reply to
Roy Smith

Tombo wrote in news:408d87d2$0$95320$ snipped-for-privacy@mercury.nildram.net:

Any of out UK-resident experts wish to chime in with opinions reflecting currently available options over there?

IF the OP were in North America, the above answers would be right on. I don't know if there aren't other answers more applicable. There certainly are/were excellent British products made in past years.

Patriarch, heading to a show this weekend in California....

Reply to
patriarch

I have bought many old Stanleys in various conditions and have never regretted it. Forget Ebay though. The pictures usually suck and the bidding war idiots usually run everything way beyond what its actually worth. I find planes at yard sales, flea markets and auctions. A couple weeks ago I got three old Stanleys all #4's for $20. That's for all three, not each! I had about an hours time getting them back to user condition but they are absolutely dead on now and work great. I'm fairly proficient however at grinding and honing bevels if I may toot my own horn so that phase of the re-conditioning doesn't take me very long. Your mileage may vary.

Jim

Reply to
James D. Kountz

Tom, for a beginner I think the best is buying a few used planes. Check Ebay, estate sales, classifieds, local and mail order used tool dealers. I'd reserve my money for the planes that LN replicates where the orginals are way too expensive and rare to use reguarly in your shop...such as the low angle smoother and jack.

One poster suggested getting a Stanley #5 jack, but I'd advise getting a #6 fore plane instead. It's a bit bigger and heavier, but to me personally it's more versatile. You can use it to thickness, smooth, joint and trim end grain. Because of it's longer length you can joint longer boards than with a #5 and the extra weight helps you through the stroke.

Once you

I'd say get a #4, #6 and a #8 and skip the #5 and #7, but that's just my opinion. To me the difference between a #4 and #5 isn't big enough. Once you clean and tune your used Stanley planes they'll perform just as good as the LNs or LVs. One note: stay away from the plastic handled Stanleys and Records. No matter how much I've tried tuning my plastic handled #4 Stanley it won't shave as well as my wooden handled #6 Stanley which I haven't tuned at all. I'm not sure what vintage the #6 is but I'd guess 70s or 60s. The #6 will make shavings as thin one ply of facial tissue. The #4 can't even come close.But it's not wasted. I just use the #4 for hogging and whenever I need to take off more to get to the marked line. I was lucky with the #6 though in that it was in cherry condition....barely used if at all.

Yes. They are the same for all brands, Clifton, Record, LV, LN, Stanley, etc. Go to:

formatting link
THE best source on Stanley plane models.

Go to:

formatting link
learn how to tune a hand plane.

And finally, go to:

formatting link
click on the "planing notes" link. In it you'll discover a wealth of information!

hope this helps,

Layne

Reply to
Layne

...

...

I've never owned a Lie Nielsen, so I can't comment there. They are pretty much the Cadillac of planes, though ... lots of people swear by them.

I can tell you that the old Stanley planes are extremely good. I recently got a Stanley #3 (about 1927 vintage I think). Just a sharpening, and that plane cuts like a dream ... little thin long wispy shavings or long corkscrew curls. Those old rosewood handles fit like a glove. It has a gorgeous old patina, and it hefts just right. Usually I look at my tools as means to an end - but with this old plane just using it is an end in itself.

I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think you'll be sorry with a good condition old pre-WWII Stanley.

Cheers, Nate

Reply to
Nate Perkins

Question, Stanley is still making planes, is there anything about the current makes that is not up to the same standards as the old ones?

Alex

Reply to
AArDvarK

AArDvarK asks:

Nearly everything. Mouths have been opened up, handles are molded plastic (with mold lines that cause blisters), soles are not flat and take a loooooooooooooooong time to flatten.

Charlie Self "Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak being often but an explosion of anger." Thucydides

Reply to
Charlie Self

Curse them! They need to re-grow-up then! Thanks CS! Alex

Reply to
AArDvarK

and Clifton for future purchases.

My old Stanleys work fine, but the $40-50 models took plenty of work to tune, and I added Hock irons at $35 a pop. One of the Stanley's I bought on eBay was incomplete.

Barry

Reply to
B a r r y

Clifton is great, too, I agree. I picked up a fore plane during the Woodcraft closeout for a gloatable discount. I might not have a complete set of one type of plane make, but I'm pretty happy with the hodgepodge I have come up with. And my LV MK.II power sharpener should be here today or tomorrow, so I'm stoked about that, too. Neandering definitely isn't as cost effective as it could be, although I definitely haven't made it nearly as economical as could be, that's for sure.

Mike

Reply to
Mike in Mystic

I would ditto some of the comments about E-Bay, and except for the "collector" type of tools, most of the "user" stuff there is overpriced, at least in my local (NJ) market of flea markets, garage sales and the like. After you pay the "premium" for shipping/handling. If E-Bay is your best bet due to geography, look for the planes with holes drilled in the soles (a lot of folks drilled holes to hang up the planes on nails) as the collectors view them as damaged goods and the price goes down. I copy the pictures on ebay to my photo editor and vary the exposure/light/dark/contrast to get a better look at the plane. Read "Blood and Gore" (supertool.com) to get an idea of what to look for as far as dating. Pre WWII is nice, but actually, the "wartime" 4s, 5s, and 6s are solid tools, lacking only the frog adjustment screw (which only make the frog adjustment easier, i.e., the frog is fully adjustible) and have beefier castings, which I happen to like. They do take some time to lap properly, however. "Collectors" tend to avoid WWII production, because they have hardwood handles and lack the brass adjustment knobs, so you may find a "bargain" there on ebay. Personally, I get my planes from yard sales, fleas and swap meets. good luck

Reply to
Mutt

Hey Mike, I'd appreciate a post about that MK II after you break it in. I'm looking at one myself and would appreciate an experienced opinion.

Thanks,

Kevin B.

Reply to
Kevin B

To add to the excellent comments you've received thus far, I'd recommend you go slightly larger than a #5 for your next plane. A #6 would give you more flexibility, IMHO, as you can joint, surface, and even smooth boards with it. Rather than going for a L-N or LV, or Ebay for this plane you should do fine by contacting a reputable oldtool dealer (Patrick Leach or Tom Bruce come to mind) and saying you want an old user #6. You should be able to get one from them for somewhere between $60-90, and will likely want to upgrade the iron to a Hock or other aftermarket iron.

You might also want to consider the LV/Veritas line of planes. They have made some real improvements to the basic Stanley/Bailey designs, and they are priced nicely between the old planes and the high-end stuff. I would save the L-N purchases for specialty planes, and even at that, LV is rapidly encroaching on their territory.

Chuck Vance

Reply to
Conan The Librarian

Look at it other ways. Think of the resale value of the good stuff vs. current Record or Stanley stuff. You could quit wooddorking tomorrow and get a major portion of the cost of good tools back. Some Lie Neilsen items may even return 100% of the original cost!

Not to mention the sheer pleasure a really good tool, hand or power, is to use.

Or the fact that you'll pass it down your family tree.

I don't think the last two thoughts have a monetary price.

Barry

Reply to
B a r r y

I'd buy used Stanleys, but from a reputable dealer and not from Ebay. I purchased three such planes a few months ago for near-ebay prices. The difference was that I knew what I was getting and they came already tuned and sharp. My girlfriend bought me a new Stanley block plane for my birthday which is complete CRAP, although I still use it when she's around. For harder-to-find items like block planes, I buy LN or LV. Good luck.

Ed

Reply to
Ed G

Hey Kevin,

I found a lot of great information about the MK.II over at

formatting link
Do a search in the messageboard archive for "power sharpener" or "veritas sharpener" and you'll find a lot of great info. In particular, Lyn Mangiameli (sp?) had great tips for making the most of it, as well as giving it the seal of approval.

Lyn is (has?) done a study of planes and plane blades (I'm not 100% of the details), but basically he sharpens something like 150 plane irons a day (probably the same ones multiple times), and he says the MK.II is the best tool for edge tool sharpening (chisels and plane irons).

I think I can paste a link to the message thread:

formatting link
ya go.

Also, there is a review of various power sharpeners in the latest popular woodworking magazine, as well as a recent woodworkers journal (not this month, but perhaps the one just previous). Both reviews gave the MK.II high marks.

I'll definitely write up my thoughts when I'm done, but I'll be surprised if the results aren't great considering the above references. We'll see how much sharpening skill plays a part, as I am sure to have much less than the above reviewers.

Mike

Reply to
Mike in Mystic

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.