what to buy in the US

[Anonymous]

I'm fortunate enough to be visiting a friend in the US in about a month's time, so I'm thinking ahead as to what non-power tool bargains I might be able to pick up with the favourable exchange rate. If I order now it gives time for stuff to be delivered to him for me to bring back. Obvious limitations are weight and size, and I'll take a chance with customs and import duty.

Bearing in mind that my current project list is a load of shaker-style cherry bedroom furniture of which I've taken 3 months to make the 2 bedside tables and still have a lot of timber to use and space to fill, and then next year maybe move onto some ash/elm/maple/beech sideboards/display cabinets/book cases to "complement" the Ercol dining suite I have - all very simple and square, my current thoughts so far are:

L-N plane - may save about £20 but get the new chip breaker. Which one? thinking of the 5 1/2 for final finishing of pieces that have been through the planer/thicknesser, and maybe take the veritas scraper plane insert. Don't currently own a plane other than the L-N block I got a month ago so grateful for advice on where to start. But NO Alf, I am NOT going to get the whole set

Veritas scraper plane insert for above from Lee Valley - anyone tried it, is it worth it or should I stick to wearing my thumbs out trying to use the simple plain variety of scraper

Leigh dovetail jig from Lee Valley - about £100 cheaper - any advice on accessories or bolt-ons that prove useful/essential

any other suggestions for bargains or best places to order from for delivery to Florida...

Cheers

m

 

[Aragorn]

The Leigh Jig isn't exactly small! Might struggle with that in your hand luggage!
L-N is clearly the way to go :wink:
Your could fit quite a few bronze blocks in your luggage, a Bogg's... #4½ is very useful.... since you're making a saving, may as well pack in a#6 or #7....
This could go on for a while

 

[Midnight]

hmmmmmmmmmmm.... L-N 5 1/2 coupled with an additional high angle frog would cover a ton of possible eventualities.... it'd look pretty impressive alongside the L-N 112 too... to prevent them burned fingers..

thinking purely along safety lines... of course...

Ahem....

 

[Chris Knight]

I have had a Veritas scraper plane insert for ages and I have never got on with it - it always chattered and messed up the surface. I really do recommend getting to grips with the handheld variety before going for any kind of scraper plane because only then will you know what a plane should be doing.

There is little to beat the feel of a well sharpened hand-held scraper producing fine curly shavings.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, scratch the scraper insert....

what does the high-angle frog actually do? I know the low-angle is good for end grain, but why would you want to go the other way?

M

 

[devonwoody]

I purchased a Triton respirator when on holiday in Australia this year , They have agents (or might even be owned by an American firm now) in the USA.
This equipment is not available from Triton agents in the UK, and although not 100% perfect( what ever is) I can recommend the use of the equipment , and Triton Australia replaced a part within 3 days from Australia, that need replacement. Not many firms in Europe could do that!!!

 

[Anonymous]

what does the high-angle frog actually do? I know the low-angle is good for end grain, but why would you want to go the other way?

The high angle, or York Pitch frog is of benefit when smoothing gnarly grain on difficult to work, abrasive, interlocked and hard woods. It reduces tearout.

Have you tried the Stanley scraper plane? I have one, and get pretty good results with it - saves the blistered thumbs on the 'normal' scrapers.

The Leigh, as mentioned, is way to big to get through!

One of the L-N low angle bench planes may be worth thinking about - the smoother or the jack. If it was me, I'd be picking up the L-N skew block plane, the Veritas medium shoulder plane, and probably a few more planes. Just for plane's sake

 

[Philly]

MP,
To answer your high angle question, see this thread...

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1398

The plane really makes easy work of impossible to plane timbers. So the new frog for the L-N's is worth a look at (at the right price )
regards,
Philly

 

[Anonymous]

Have you tried the Stanley scraper plane? I have one, and get pretty good results with it

first time i think I've ever seen anyone have a good thing to say about non-vintage stanley planes on this site I was thinking about the veritas insert as it was only about $25 - more than they and i'll stick the the £3.99 handheld scrapers and put up with the thumb pain.

How big is the Leigh jig? I know it can do joints upto 24" so I'm figuring maybe 2"6' overall, maybe slightly more. I've got a bag that big and a business class baggage allowance Have to admit that is my main target as its such a saving, I've not been happy with the results from my el cheapo Perform jig, I've got a need to do some larger size single dovetails on my current projects and will definitely want to do greater that 12" joints in the foreseeable future...

 

[Neil]

How about getting some router cutters? Nice & small and light for fitting into your luggage and some nice savings to be made. I almost bought the Infinity rebating set which Charley reviewed a while back, and I worked out that even with delivery, duty & VAT it would have been cheaper than CMT prices. In the end, Axminster put the CMT rebate set on special offer so I went for that instead, but if I was in your shoes I would definitely consider getting some.

NeilCFD

 

[Alf]

first time i think I've ever seen anyone have a good thing to say about non-vintage stanley planes on this site

Ah, but the Veritas is even better... :wink:

To cut down on the blistered thumbs try: sticking plaster, the thumbs cut off a pair of leather gloves or flexible magnetic sheet stuff (sort of thing you get as a fridge magnet sometimes).

Instead of the York pitch frog, experiment with a back bevel. It'll only cost you the price of a re-grind - or a new blade if you really want to splash out.

Dunno what to suggest getting from the US really. Neil's idea of router cutters sounds a good one. Personally I'd be getting a 2 1/4" blade from Ron Hock for my new/old #5 1/2, but that's a bit of a specialised suggestion! :lol:

Cheers, Alf

 

[Anonymous]

If you're into Japanese tools, then the Japan Woodworker in the US has some nice stuff. If your friend can order them for delivery at their place, for you to pick up, then I'd be tempted.

Wouldn't bother with them if you're just tempted to try Japanese tools, cos the stuff they've got is top end (drool)

http://www.japanwoodworker.com

 

[Chris Knight]

MP,

You don't say where in the US you are going but if near Atlanta, have a look at Highland Hardware - well worth a visit. As is the "Cutting Edge" if near Houston.

In any case, it's worth posing a question on the US based boards to find out about woodworky places wherever you plan on going

 

[Anonymous]

Chris - trip is Chicago (business), NY (business) then Florida (personal time and friend location), but I was planning to limit myself to mail order/internet deliveries to the florida address as i don't get much time in any one place.

Esp - Never tried the japanese tools. Keep meaning to put up a post about whether the £15 saws in APT are worth trying as a starting point...maybe next time

Devonwoody - price on the triton respirator doesn't look that cheap compared with the trend airshield over here that most people seem to favour judging by a previous thread, but thanks for pointer

Looks like the L-N high angle frog will only fit the 4 & 4 1/2 as it takes a wider blade....but as the 4 1/2 is listed as a smoother and that's what I plan to use it for it would probably make more sense. And I certainly see some small tearout on the power P/T even on the cherry I am working at the moment so using that for a final finish would hopefully fix that, plus if I end up working with maple....

Alf's suggestion of a back-bevel is cheaper....maybe go for the 4 1/2, leave the extra frog for now knowing I can add it in later if I want

I seem to remember someone posting up that they had ordered L-N chisels, but a search doesn't turn up what i remember and there's nothing on the L-N web site...am i imagining it?

I'll take a look at the Infinity stuff and have a think about what i may need in the coming months....

cheers for all the ideas

m

 

[Noel]

Can almost guarantee that they'll be a Woodcraft no matter where you are.Do a store search at www.woodcraft.com
Apart from NYC


Rgds

Noel

 

[Alf]

http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/ is in New York.

For those wishing to shop in person we have a small informal showroom at our warehouse in New York City. In addition to our displays we also have a workbench set up so you can try most of our tools out. We are located at 27 West 20th Street (between 5th and 6th avenue), Suite 507. While we are in an old factory building, the area (4 blocks from the Flatiron building) is loaded with lots of interesting shops and eateries. Come visit! Our showroom is open Monday - Friday 10:30am - 6:00pm EST

Joel posts regularly on WoodCentral, and is a Good Guy.

The high angle frog for the #4 1/2 should fit the #5 1/2, and even the #7 I believe. But a back bevel will fit anything. :wink:

LN chisels at http://www.lie-nielsen.com/chisel.html and the thread about them here I doubt they'd be delivered in time as there's a backlog AFAIK.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Anonymous]

MP

The Liegh jig is BIG and heavy and you would be lucky to 'sneak' it in a suitcase. Expect duty.

LN 4 1/2 is really quite heavy but superb. I am considering the 50 degree frog myself as I haven't bought anything from LN for a month and I need a fix..

Sorry Alf, can't stop myself

Cheers

Tony

PS my favourite LN plne has to be the Rabbet block.

 

[Midnight]

re the York pitch frogs...

L-N currently manufacture 2 of em..... 1 to suit all their 2" blade planes (#4,5) the other to suit all their 2 3/8" blade planes (#'s 4 1/2, 5 1/2, 6 & 7)

I've had one occasion where I needed to fit the frog to my #7.... I won't say it was easy work... but it worked like a charm.....

 

[Anonymous]

L-N currently manufacture 2 of em..... 1 to suit all their 2" blade planes (#4,5) the other to suit all their 2 3/8" blade planes (#'s 4 1/2, 5 1/2, 6 & 7)

LN chisels at http://www.lie-nielsen.com/chisel.html

shame they don't actually list them on the "complete tool list " page. Still, that's where you guys score so highly Guess I'll drop them a line and check lead times...

cheers

m

 

[Anonymous]

Can almost guarantee that they'll be a Woodcraft no matter where you are.Do a store search at www.woodcraft.com

Oh dear. I think that Noely has solved the supply problem. There's a woodcraft just down from orlando airport that looks huge and has the full L-N range....this could get expensive

cheers

m