best combination plane

[tobytools]

What your fav combination plane and why, thinking of getting an Stanley 45. Want to refix an old tool box's bottom with toung and groove, FOR strength as I just put a ruff ply base on it. And just want one. For its multi purposes

 

[Vann]

Record 043. Small, simple, easy to use.

But if you want a nice new shiney one, the Veritas Small Plow plane is said to be (loosely) based on Record's 044, which is recommended by others (not used one myself).

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Dangermouse]

If you want one with nearly all the bells and whistles and is cheaper than the mighty Stanley 55 a Record 405 is a good bet. I have one and its the bees knees.

 

[loftyhermes]

My favourite, just because it belonged to my uncle is a Sargent 1085 with 54 different cutters.

 

[G S Haydon]

+1 on the Record 405

 

[tobytools]

All points taken into account, I want either a Stanley 45 or 55 what's pros and cons with both and what's superior all round, thanks. I do want a sergent 1080 th but can't see any yo buy?

 

[Paul Chapman]

I want either a Stanley 45 or 55 what's pros and cons with both

The Stanley #45 and #55 are quite different. The #45 is fine for cutting grooves and beads (which the #55 will also cut) but the #55 will also cut mouldings with asymmetric cutters , which require the skates to be set at different depths. Here's a (not very good) picture with the skates set at different depths



Here are some of the #55 cutters



Here's a picture of the plane showing the screw-adjustable skate



Unless you need the versatility of the #55, you would probably be better off with the #45 as the #55 can be a bit of a faff to set up.

Hope this helps

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[tobytools]

I want either a Stanley 45 or 55 what's pros and cons with both

The Stanley #45 and #55 are quite different. The #45 is fine for cutting grooves and beads (which the #55 will also cut) but the #55 will also cut mouldings with asymmetric cutters , which require the skates to be set at different depths. Here's a (not very good) picture with the skates set at different depths



Here are some of the #55 cutters



Here's a picture of the plane showing the screw-adjustable skate

Thanks Paul. The 45 it is, now to have a brows for one that's the right price. I do want a 55 tho as a collectors bit need to save tho .mint in box


Unless you need the versatility of the #55, you would probably be better off with the #45 as the #55 can be a bit of a faff to set up.

Hope this helps

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[bugbear]

Unless you need the versatility of the #55, you would probably be better off with the #45 as the #55 can be a bit of a faff to set up.

I think that's even truer that the narrow case of #55 vs #45. A #50 is a good deal easier to set up, and handier to use, than a #45.

But (for ploughing) a #44 is even better.

But (for ploughing drawer bottoms) a #043 is even better.

Versatility vs Usability is the theme.

BugBear

 

[custard]

Toby, you're not far from me. If you want to run off some T&G I've got the Lie Nielsen 1/2" and 3/4" T&G planes as well as the 45 and 55 multi planes (or we could use a router table!). PM me if you're interested.

 

[tobytools]

Record 043. Small, simple, easy to use.

But if you want a nice new shiney one, the Veritas Small Plow plane is said to be (loosely) based on Record's 044, which is recommended by others (not used one myself).

Cheers, Vann.

just got an 043, missing the cap iron that hold blsdes in place, do you have a spare for sale? thnx

 

[Dangermouse]

Toby try not to get too carried away and keep buying tools / planes that are worn out or have parts missing. There are plenty of good stuff out there cheap.

 

[tobytools]

Toby try not to get too carried away and keep buying tools / planes that are worn out or have parts missing. There are plenty of good stuff out there cheap.

Thanks for the warning I do get carried away some times but, I got it in a lot (as you do)
I only buy when price is right. But I know what you mean (spares are all ways good tho)

 

[bugbear]

Toby try not to get too carried away and keep buying tools / planes that are worn out or have parts missing. There are plenty of good stuff out there cheap.

Agreed - dirty can be made clean, but worn or missing is harder and often much more expensive to fix.

BugBear

 

[woodbrains]

Hello,

I like my Record 405. It is not too mental to set up and the weight is nice. I suppose it is not so different from the Stanley 45 it is just that I am a Record fan. I could be wrong, the Record has a fine fence adjuster, but the Stanley doesn't; someone correct me on that. I find the fine adjuster a useful addition, so may be a consideration. I know the Fulton I had didn't.

I also have a 043 but think it is a bit small, if it were the only one I was to own. Useful for narrow grooves in small drawers, though.

Mike.

 

[AndyT]

Toby, you did say that you have a need to do some planing of tongue and groove, as you:

"Want to refix an old tool box's bottom with toung and groove, FOR strength as I just put a ruff ply base on it."

Although most combination planes can make T&G, it is somewhat awkward. With a small simple plane such as the 043 it will be especially difficult, since you would need to cut the tongue in two separate operations and you will be removing wood with one cut which you will then need as a reference surface for your second cut.

Any combi plane with a dedicated tonguing cutter will be better.

A pair of wooden T&G planes is better still - but can be hard to find as a matched set.

The Stanley 48 and 49 neatly solved the problem in a single plane with no loose parts - the fence swings round to conceal or reveal one side of the U-shaped cutter. The result is a far less fiddly plane to use. This is the design that Lie-Nielsen have used for their currently available dedicated T&G planes, as mentioned by Custard.

 

[tobytools]

Thanks Andy, I know the 043 isn't best I had. Chance to get a 48 but didn't want to part with £55, custard is giving me an chance to try out various tools (your a star custard) I think in just going to save for a LN. £££ need to save a bit tho. The box only sit in a corner but its nagging me that is not at its best you know.. I have tounge wooden plane but as you say I need the other one. Maby a plough plane with right blade would do the trick?

 

[bugbear]

Any combi plane with a dedicated tonguing cutter will be better.

Which (in practice) is #50 and "up".

BugBear (who likes his #050)