How many hand planes do you actually need

[Modernist]

Alan Peters trained amongst others with Barnsley. My father also trained under him and confirms that the No7 was /should be used for almost everything, obviously apart from specialist applications, shoulders etc. We also know that Barnsley himself regularly travelled with a small block plane in his pocket to relieve the piston fitting drawers in homes of varying humidity.

 

[Benchwayze]

The router is such a tempting little machine.

But doesn't always give as good a finish as a plane and can cost a fortune in cutters. That's one of the good things about non-powered hand-tools - there's virtually no on-going cost.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Indeed... No argument.

John :wink:

 

[lurker]

Other than *** :shock: :shock:

Is there a more satisfying feeling & sound than a well set up plane taking fine shavings off a bit of wood??

(is it obvious that I've not been in my workshop for nearly three weeks????)

 

[Modernist]

Arranging a cold shower shouldn't be too difficult - but no.

 

[woodbloke]

The router is such a tempting little machine.

But doesn't always give as good a finish as a plane and can cost a fortune in cutters. That's one of the good things about non-powered hand-tools - there's virtually no on-going cost.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Without turning this into a hand vs power tool discussion...the router, for all it's faults (noise, cost of bits, dust etc) is just so versatile. With the right cutter and knowing what to do with it, you can do pretty much anything, from making fluted legs to complex curved mouldings etc.

In the trade, we were each given our own personal router and at the beginning of each job, the foreman came round and asked what specific bits were needed for the new project...most of the time it was either a top or bottom bearing guided cutter (the most useful cutter btw)

I'm not against hand tools (specially if they're shiny) and as some know, I have a modest collection (but not honing guides :lol: ) but for me the router is absolutely essential. That and the biscuiter (...and Domino, if I had one) :-({|= - Rob

 

[Jake]

The router is such a tempting little machine.

But doesn't always give as good a finish as a plane and can cost a fortune in cutters. That's one of the good things about non-powered hand-tools - there's virtually no on-going cost.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Indeed... No argument.

John :wink:

Apart from the new additional planes.

Who do you two think you are kidding?

 

[Doug B]

Surely the answer to the thread title "How many hand planes do you actually need" is simple..





Just one more. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Paul Chapman]

Who do you two think you are kidding?

About what :?

 

[dunbarhamlin]

There are a small few pre-fire recordings - see the first integrale cd.
Similarly, I have a small few planes beyond those strictly necessary

 

[Benchwayze]

Hi Jake,

I'm not trying to kid anyone about anything! I hope. :?
I use a router often, mainly because I can use it sitting down for some tasks. I can plane sitting down too, over short lengths. But it isn't easy!
So my 'specialist' planes don't get used as often as they might.

Of course it depends on what I am working on as to whether or not I want to suffer for my hobby!

Doug B wrote:
Surely the answer to the thread title "How many hand planes do you actually need" is simple..


Just one more.


=D> =D> =D>

John

 

[Jake]

Oh god I should have added some smileys to make it really obvious that I was not being entirely serious.

It was just a jest about the absurdity of the idea that the use of hand planes is without ongoing costs unlike power tool usage. There is plenty of evidence in this thread that only the very strong of will can claim that!

 

[Benchwayze]

No probs Jake.

Certainly routers get through enough bits, and there's always one more profile you can convince yourself you need.

The ongoing cost of keeping two handplanes isn't exactly zero, but it might depend on what sharpening methods you use. I would think the 'scary-sharp' method costs more in wet and dry, over time.

(Although my waterstones don't seem to last as long as my Carbo used to.)

Here's a smiley! for you!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

John

 

[Philly]

Going back to the original question, there was a recent post on similar lines...

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... ght=planes

Some interesting thoughts there, before it turned into another gloat-fest...
:roll:
Philly

 

[awkwood]

In the workshop i use a No 7, 4, 09 1/2 and stanley 93 or record 072 on a daily basis,
In the toolbox for site work No 5 ,09 1/2, stanley 93, and all are used daily

 

[Alf]

How many hand planes do you actually need

None. Have a nice day.

 

[big soft moose]

Other than *** :shock: :shock:

Is there a more satisfying feeling & sound than a well set up plane taking fine shavings off a bit of wood??

you need to get out more

 

[Smudger]

Perhaps better to ask what people find useful!

Bench Planes:
LN Low Angle Jack - a 'go-to' for a lot of jobs*.
Record 05SS - less subtle than above*.
Record T5SS - shuting, very useful. Needs AI cutter*.
Record 04½, 05½* - when a bit of heft is needed
Record 03 - unused
Record 04SS - rarely used

Block Planes
LN 60½ - go to block plane*
Stanley 60½ - always around*
Record 0220 (2, 1 with AI cutter) - used occasionally
Several other Record block planes, but I can't remember where they are! - never used.

Specialist Planes
LN Edge Plane - used when frustrated...
LN #66 Beading Plane* - used a lot at the moment
Record 043 - often used*
Record 077A Bull Nose - useful occasionally*
Record 076 - never used, bought in error...
Record 078 - used when 043 not meaty enough
Record 080 Scraper (2) - never used, really.
Stanley #50 - rarely used. Some evidence of a second one, somewhere...
Record 071 Router - used a couple of times to prove a point.
Stanley #40 Scrub Plane - very occasional use
A couple of Stanley #39 skew rebates, never used.

Plus
A box of dismantled Millers Falls planes awaiting resurrection, several sad block planes in bits.

Plus
Another set of Stanleys (#3, #4, #4½, #5 plus block planes) in France.

Oh b*gger. Doing this has really worried me...

* = I would find it hard to live without.

 

[eoinsgaff]

Ha ha, very true Alf. We're not really living in 100% reality though.

 

[jimi43]

Lurker....MUCH though I hate to admit it you are a man after my own heart. (the "like ***" bit!)

ALL my planes apart from one came from bootfairs...except the Aled plane...

I made mistakes along the way...but I found some real gems and I would say which ones do I use...well most of all my little baby Isaac G....as I have said before...it is simply gorgeous.

Then...I love my No.7 Record SS....I feel like Arnie S with that thing! Properly tuned it now goes WHHHOOOOOSSH...and it is SO satisfying...

I love the halves too...the weight and width of halves makes them stand out above their counterparts...the No5 1/2 is great. But I do use a No.4 a LOT.

I need smaller planes for the guitar making so the Isaac and Aled's plane are great here..along with a dinky IBEX 12mm......

ALL the above I use almost every day....but I think the word "need" depends entirely on what sort of woodworking you do most....

Planes and chisels are so tactile for me...engineering masterpieces that I just like to feel...the older the better. Now I am off to the "Need Chisels" thread....

Jim

 

[awkwood]

i've been using an old record No 8 ss for shooting the edges of oak boards that are 4.8 metres long, i dent use very much at all but its a great tool on long edges. Its not a very pretty plane, its got rather pitted in the past, but works very well
Its not a plane you need ,but its useful none the less