Block plane

[Matt_S]

Got my birthday coming up and am after a block plane. Now I've looked at a lot of old threads and planes for sale but have a couple of questions.

Firstly does my theory sound right? I think that a LN would be best as I reckon I can keep it sharp and it will work well. If I go for an old Stanley its not such an expensive tool to make a hash of sharpening. But I think LN is route to go as I won't be able to get/keep and old Stanley working well.

I have decided on low angle, but;

what is the benefit of bronze? is it worth the extra £20?

(Especially as a newbie) Is the adjustable mouth worth having, surely without you still get a fine finish? Will it just be fiddly to use? Or is there more to an adjustable mouth than extra thin shavings?


thanks for help

 

[Adam]

Got my birthday coming up and am after a block plane. Now I've looked at a lot of old threads and planes for sale but have a couple of questions.

Firstly does my theory sound right? I think that a LN would be best as I reckon I can keep it sharp and it will work well. If I go for an old Stanley its not such an expensive tool to make a hash of sharpening. But I think LN is route to go as I won't be able to get/keep and old Stanley working well.

You can easily keep any old Stanley sharp no problems. It will reliably do 100% of the tasks you ask it. If you want a shiny new toy however, sure, go for a LN, or a LV or a clifton etc.

I have decided on low angle, but;

what is the benefit of bronze? is it worth the extra £20?

No rust?

Adam

 

[Matt_S]

No rust! You know I feel rather silly I was waiting for an answer explaingin down to molecular level differences between bronze and iron and how they slide over wood

 

[Waka]

Matt

The make of block plane you decide on is normally dependant on how deep your pockets are and if you like shiny things. I have a Stanley block plane that is not all that old and with a bit of fettling does all I ask of it, and keeps its edge well.

Now LN & LV are nice to hagve in the cupboard and they do work probably better than my Stanley, but its all about choices.

Let us all know what you get, but be warned going down the LN & LV slope is not a cheap one, also there is no bottom to this slope.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Hi Matt,

You might find this helpful https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1815

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[George_N]

I got a Stanley #9 1/2 off Ebay for about £12 and all I have ever had to do to it was hone the blade. It is definitely the most used plane I have. I originally started out looking for a low angle #60 1/2 but even second hand they seem to go for silly money (£45 - £50). If and when I add a low angle block I will probably go for a Veritas rather than a s/h Stanley, unless I find one at a reasonable price.

 

[woodbloke]

Matt - I've had in recent years both Stanley and Record block planes, both low angle and standard angle......I have always been very disappointed with their performance, 'specially for depth of cut and lateral adjustment. I now have a LN, for sure, more pennies and as Waka quite rightly says, you'll never see the bottom of the 'slope', but at the end of the jour and all things considered, no contest :lol: - Rob

 

[Matt_S]

Looking at your comments I'm now certain of the shiny route!

Although I feel like I could maybe keep a Stanley working well. As George mentioned and I'd noticed the 60 1/2 s are going for a bit, I'd seen half decent ones for around £30 and I definately want a low angle.....so might as well spend another £20 and get the iron LN102 ......but then its only another £20 for the brass one.

Oh no I'm not on the slope am I? :wink:

 

[bugbear]

1 thing to note is that the "normal" LV and LN block planes are a good deal bigger than a Stanley #60 1/2.

The latter is a true "one handed" tool, but the up-market ones are more like small 2 handers.

Note that both LV and LN offer smaller block planes.

BugBear

 

[Alf]

BB, don't think the LN is bigger. Heavier, yes, but not bigger.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Frank D.]

I see the LN 60 1/2 and the 9 1/2 as truly one-handed planes (that's the way I use them, and I don't have very big nor extremely strong hands).

 

[engineer one]

well you could always start out with the veritas Apron plane, very nice, and handy :lol:

from sharpening experience with other peoples' new record and stanley
they do not stand up to abuse very well IMHO.
paul :wink:

 

[DuncanvdH]

I would agree. I have the stanley 60 1/2 ( now with LN blade) and the LV low angle and apron plane. Both the stanley and the apron fit nicely in your hand, but the LV low angle is a little bit large (wide) for comfortable one hand grip for handling in awkward places.

Duncan

 

[engineer one]

i have the lv apron plane, and an ln block low angle, every body is right about the size of the ln.

to me the important thing is that the adjusters on the lv and ln are much more sturdy and reliable than the stanley and record ones which tend to
be pressed metal rather than "proper" metal. :roll:

paul :wink:

 

[Matt_S]

After leaning towards a shiny new plane, LN in particular, and getting lots of advice. I've got an old Stanley 60 1/2 for my birthday!

Decided I couldn't justify the cost of new ones, although could have got the iron 102 wouldn't have been the one I wanted... so got a 60 1/2 from ebay, in good nick and was a lot cheaper than from the second hand tool websites.

Was concerned about my sharpening skills so far from my jack and chisels so I've oredered the veritas mk2 guide with birthday money which should be here soon

 

[Amateurrestorer]

Matt, a good choice mate,I have both the LV low angle block and a Stanley 60 1/2 and the Stanley is the one I usually go for.

 

[bugbear]

A

Was concerned about my sharpening skills so far from my jack and chisels so I've oredered the veritas mk2 guide with birthday money which should be here soon

Good decision. Even a Holtey works ... poorly ... if you can't sharpen it.

BugBear