A
Anonymous
Guest
Hi all
As will no doubt be clear by now, I received a pre-production veritas BU jointer a couple of months ago and have been using it at every opportunity. A big thank you to Rob
Considering it was a pre-production model, I was astonished at the quality. For instance, I ran a CMM machine over the base and got the readings shown here
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... hlight=cmm
How is it to use?
Well, I sold my Stanley #7 after a couple of weeks of using the Veritas :wink:
Unlike Alf, I find the rear tote to be fine and experienced no discomfort at all which may be because I have larger hands, and the front knob is just that, a knob that one very occasionally holds.
I found the balance and weight to present no problems to me either. The plane is not too heavy and feels considerably lighter than my 4.5 or 5.5 when in use which is probably down to the way one uses it when compared to a smoother.
Like all jointers, it takes a while to get used to the stroke and pressure transference between your hands, but once used to this technique, the plane is a dream to use.
My plane came with 3 A2 blades. I found all of them have remained sharp for absolutely ages and they hone up very quickly on the diamond stone followed by the 6000 grit waterstones. Since purchasing :shock: my very own Veritas mk 2 honing guide, a suitable edge is put on the blades in about 1 minute (including fitting blade into guide).
The blades are ground at 50 degrees, 38 degrees and 25 degrees.
50 degree - not used it much. Hard to push through wood and no improvement in the finish on any of the woods I use when compared to 38 or 25
38 degree - fantastic. This one has stayed in there the most. Beautiful finish on all woods including very twisted Oak that tears out with almost every other plane I have!!
25- degree - Loved it but it did tear out on the oak mentioned above. however, on other woods, it required noticeably less effort in use and is a good choice if only buying one blade.
For info, the woods I tried it on are: Oak (new pieces and a couple of very old planks with very twisted grain) Ash, Sycamore, Pine, Mahogany(s), poplar, Cedar, Beech
The only thing I don't like about it are the sides. They should be ground flat to allow shooting. A cabinet maker of 50 years experience tried it and the first thing he said was 'how do you shoot with it?'
Should have the fence soon and I will give my thoughts on that as an addition to this mini review
Bottom line
I love this plane. I reach for it to do jobs other than jointing. I would most definitely buy one if I did not have the tester. The quality of manufacture and materials (not withstanding that incredibly flat sole) is just short of LN in my opinion (REMEMBER that the review plane is pre-production though), but the innovation and design are above LN (although I do, subjectively, prefer the styling of LN planes)
Given the choice of this plane or the LN jointer which would I buy?
THIS ONE.
9.8/10
As will no doubt be clear by now, I received a pre-production veritas BU jointer a couple of months ago and have been using it at every opportunity. A big thank you to Rob
Considering it was a pre-production model, I was astonished at the quality. For instance, I ran a CMM machine over the base and got the readings shown here
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... hlight=cmm
How is it to use?
Well, I sold my Stanley #7 after a couple of weeks of using the Veritas :wink:
Unlike Alf, I find the rear tote to be fine and experienced no discomfort at all which may be because I have larger hands, and the front knob is just that, a knob that one very occasionally holds.
I found the balance and weight to present no problems to me either. The plane is not too heavy and feels considerably lighter than my 4.5 or 5.5 when in use which is probably down to the way one uses it when compared to a smoother.
Like all jointers, it takes a while to get used to the stroke and pressure transference between your hands, but once used to this technique, the plane is a dream to use.
My plane came with 3 A2 blades. I found all of them have remained sharp for absolutely ages and they hone up very quickly on the diamond stone followed by the 6000 grit waterstones. Since purchasing :shock: my very own Veritas mk 2 honing guide, a suitable edge is put on the blades in about 1 minute (including fitting blade into guide).
The blades are ground at 50 degrees, 38 degrees and 25 degrees.
50 degree - not used it much. Hard to push through wood and no improvement in the finish on any of the woods I use when compared to 38 or 25
38 degree - fantastic. This one has stayed in there the most. Beautiful finish on all woods including very twisted Oak that tears out with almost every other plane I have!!
25- degree - Loved it but it did tear out on the oak mentioned above. however, on other woods, it required noticeably less effort in use and is a good choice if only buying one blade.
For info, the woods I tried it on are: Oak (new pieces and a couple of very old planks with very twisted grain) Ash, Sycamore, Pine, Mahogany(s), poplar, Cedar, Beech
The only thing I don't like about it are the sides. They should be ground flat to allow shooting. A cabinet maker of 50 years experience tried it and the first thing he said was 'how do you shoot with it?'
Should have the fence soon and I will give my thoughts on that as an addition to this mini review
Bottom line
I love this plane. I reach for it to do jobs other than jointing. I would most definitely buy one if I did not have the tester. The quality of manufacture and materials (not withstanding that incredibly flat sole) is just short of LN in my opinion (REMEMBER that the review plane is pre-production though), but the innovation and design are above LN (although I do, subjectively, prefer the styling of LN planes)
Given the choice of this plane or the LN jointer which would I buy?
THIS ONE.
9.8/10
