Block Planes.

[Neomorph]

I'm in a quandry. One of the things I want is a block plane for taking the edges off things like tenons and easing corners when it isn't worth getting the router out. The problem is the sheer variety in prices out there.

For instance Axminster sell their cheap block planes for around £15, Stanley ones for around £45 and LN ones for a mind boggling £112.67. I know the build quality is better the more you pay but is it worth spending a lot for only doing small trimming jobs.

I would definately pay more for smoothing and jack planes but I'm having a hard time trying to justify paying a lot for a block plane.

I'm also looking around at second hand ones. The ones that are on Ebay go for either silly prices or ridiculously low ones. Problem is I don't really understand why some are high and others are low.

Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RogerS]

Hi John

I was fortunate to buy off eBay a low-angle skew block plane (can't remember if it was Veritas or LN) for £85 from an antique furniture restorer who no longer used it.

It is a joy to use, fits so nicely in the hand. If you can stump up the extra go for LN or Veritas and I guarantee that everytime you use it, you'll be wearing a little smile.

Roger

 

[George_N]

The ones that are on Ebay go for either silly prices or ridiculously low ones. Problem is I don't really understand why some are high and others are low.

A L-N 102 block plane recently sold on ebay for £108...they retail at £76...says a lot about some eBayers.

I'm also on the lookout for a low angle block plane but I've heard that the modern Stanleys aren't that great and I can't justify the price of the L-N.

cheers

George

 

[LyNx]

i got the veritas apron plane, around £50 - £60 and it's a cracking little plane.

Andy

 

[George_N]

i got the veritas apron plane, around £50 - £60 and it's a cracking little plane.

Andy

I take it that the apron plane is fixed mouth. Have you ever found that to be a disadvantage?

cheers

George

 

[Adam]

Some good information in this thread.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8842

Adam

 

[LyNx]

I take it that the apron plane is fixed mouth. Have you ever found that to be a disadvantage?

Not at the moment i haven't but it's still early days. I'll let you know after a few months of really using it.

Andy

 

[Anonymous]

Neo

I have 1 staney, 1 record and 4 LN block planes.

I reckon that for your task, the Record (brand new one will be fine) is the best bet

 

[JFC]

If its just to knock edges off why not buy a stanley 90 , then you have a great little plane that will give you other uses .

 

[Neomorph]

Neo

I have 1 staney, 1 record and 4 LN block planes.

I reckon that for your task, the Record (brand new one will be fine) is the best bet

FOUR!!!

Ahh so you have one spare... I'll pm you my address so you can send it my way. :wink:

Seriously though I've had a friend give me damn some good advice... wait until the summer and go trawl the car boot sales. There is a good chance I could pick one up there. It's not as if I'm in any real rush to buy one at the moment... I'd rather make a good purchase that I will be happy for many years than with a rushed purchase that wouldn't get any use. At least the suggestions here have given me an idea as to why the block plane market is the way it is (very useful plane) and that the older Stanley planes are better than the new ones.

I've got this nagging feeling though that if I don't actually find one this summer that I will save up and get my first LN or if I can't force myself to part with all that money I'll go for the Veritas... possibly the low angle one.

One thing for sure though is that I will be getting a cheap and nasty plane first though - possibly a neglected second hand one. I haven't ever done any fettling so I need to have a practice piece before I trash something as expensive as a Veritas or an LN.

 

[engineer one]

well john, not sure if this helps but,

a client just asked me to sharpen the blade on his block plane,
a NEW record 60, (by new i mean since Xmas)

looking at the base, i thought i will clean it up,
after ******* hours i checked it with my straight edge, still got a
side to side bow that is VERY visible.

so in my 'umble view go for the Veritas block plane at about 85 quid, they are worth it.

paul

 

[Neomorph]

Paul, hat's one of the reasons why I don't think buying cheap is worth it. The Veritas low angle even comes with the option of buying add-ons which make it even more useful...

I'd say only the LN looks sweeter but the Veritas has the added advantage of adding the ball tail and front knob to use it as a tiny smoothing plane.

 

[Alf]

I'd say only the LN looks sweeter but the Veritas has the added advantage of adding the ball tail and front knob to use it as a tiny smoothing plane.

Gonna be a proper rear tote available (and a kit) soon, too. Looking increasingly like the candidate for my BriMarc vouchers, 'cos I could do with a smaller bevel-up smoother.

Cheers, Alf