For handtool woodworkers: which bench planes do you work with?

[AJBaker]

I've amassed an all right collection of bench planes over the years. I have everything from No 4 to 7 by Record or Woden, a wooden jack plane (found in the UK, but made in the US), and a few continental planes including scrub, smoother, and several in between.

All these planes work well at their job, and I've used them all at various times, but when making furniture and doors these days, I find myself reaching for the same planes most of the time:

A continental scrub plane
A wooden jack plane
Woden No. 7
Record No. 4 (or sometimes 4½)

The first two are good for rough stock removal, and the No. 7 planes edges and surfaces true. It's a big plane, but surprisingly easy to wield by resting the heel of the plane against my forearm.
The No. 4 is then for cleaning up and rough spots if necessary.

My other continental planes are fine, but less convenient than the metal planes. With the exception of one plane I keep around for carpentry work (lightweight, cambered iron, big mouth), they rarely get used.

My No. 6 and 5½ work well, but they're barely any easier to use than the No. 7 and aren't as good at that job.

My No. 5 should in theory be a great all around plane, but I now find it to be a bit of a master of none. My wooden planes are better for rough work, my No. 7 is better for jointing and flattening, and my No. 4 is better for cleaning up at the end. I'm a bit surprised, as I otherwise think it's a great size, but I just don't really need it.

I still sometimes use my 4½, it's nice for smoothing big surfaces, but I could get by with just the No. 4.


What do you use in the workshop?

 

[thetyreman]

I've narrowed it down to a no7, no 5 1/2 and no 4/12 but sometimes use a no4, mainly when I want the lightest weight possible, I also use wooden ones, an old jack wooden one for hogging off a lot of wood fast and a high angle smoother for difficult woods like flamed maple or curly cherry.

 

[Cabinetman]

Furniture maker, no4, it’s just about the only plane I use, and all my furniture is finished straight from the plane, end grain, arris removal, jointing planks, it’s all done with the 4.
Ian

 

[Just4Fun]

For years I only had a #5 and that was fine. Now I have 4s, 5s, a 6 and a few woodies. Most of the time my choice is simple: if a plane is close by and sharp I will use it. Sometimes I want a specific plane but often any plane will do.

 

[AJBaker]

Furniture maker, no4, it’s just about the only plane I use, and all my furniture is finished straight from the plane, end grain, arris removal, jointing planks, it’s all done with the 4.
Ian

Do you also prepare your stock with the no 4, or can you run your boards through a machine first?