New smoothing plane

[Smeg]

hi, nearly all my planes are second hand stanley planes, usually acquired from markets, antique shops etc. And once i've fettled them a bit they're all fine but i've decided i'm going to treat myself to a new smoother. I have seen some pictures of the new premium stanley planes but i have yet to talk to someone who has actually owned/used one. So anyone got one? or is there a better alternative? I like the look of LN and Veritas but they're a bit pricey in my opinion, plus i work in a busy workshop where one of those might be a bit too shiny and go walkabouts . I also like the look of clifton but they're still a bit of a stretch budget wise.

Any help appreciated

 

[Vann]

I think you've just about covered it. Lie-Nielsen No.4 or 4.5, Veritas LAS or BUS or Clifton No.4 or 4.5. If they're too expensive then there's the new Stanley No.4 or the LN copies from Wood River (US) or Tilgear - they're reputedly not quite to the same standard, but close.

I've seen some initial reviews of the new Stanleys (can't remember where offhand - try a search on this forum)

If you're worried about shiney tools going missing at work, probably all the above are potential targets.

You could just shout yourself some new up-market cutting irons.....

Good luck, Vann.

 

[woodbloke]

hi, nearly all my planes are second hand stanley planes, usually acquired from markets, antique shops etc. And once i've fettled them a bit they're all fine but i've decided i'm going to treat myself to a new smoother. I have seen some pictures of the new premium stanley planes but i have yet to talk to someone who has actually owned/used one. So anyone got one? or is there a better alternative? I like the look of LN and Veritas but they're a bit pricey in my opinion, plus i work in a busy workshop where one of those might be a bit too shiny and go walkabouts . I also like the look of clifton but they're still a bit of a stretch budget wise.

Any help appreciated

I reckon you're between a rock and a hard place here. It's great to have these up market tools but they do have a 'magpie' value in a busy commercial 'shop. Vann's suggestion of a better blade and chipbreaker is a good one in my view. If I were in your shoes I'd look at the Hock blades from Classic Hand Tools, either in A2 or 01 carbon steel. The other thing to do is to spend a bit of time (if you haven't done so already) on fettling your existing smoother. Clifton's are very good (one or two members hereabouts own a few :roll: :wink: :lol: ) as are the offerings from LN and Veritas, but I wouldn't want to leave one unattended for a while - Rob

 

[Vann]

I've seen some initial reviews of the new Stanleys (can't remember where offhand - try a search on this forum)

Have a look at woodworkforums.com in the "hand tools - unpowered" section there's a thread titled "Goodnight Sweetheart" that looks at the new Stanley No.4.

You could just shout yourself some new up-market cutting irons.....

A lot of people like the slightly improved performance Stay-Set cap irons (made by Clifton) give to existing planes, and they can be used with your existing cutting irons if you want.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Smeg]

Thank you for the suggestions, i think i might try a new stanley smoother and i'll let you know how it is when i get it.