whats the nicest hand plane you have used/ favourite

[tobytools]

Pretty much the normal things you might want to do with a plane, straighten edges, shooting? mitres, bit of truing up etc.

Then a 5 or 5.5 would be best as a 4 isn't the best for shooting ect. So all in all and 5 is your best bet

But a 4 is much better for general smoothing and working awkward grain round knots, (which if you're going to work with softwood, as some of reggie's other posts suggest; is going to be a frequent occurrence), and whilst a longer plane can prove helpful with shooting, any plane can do it and purpose built mitre planes tend to be quite small (the Norris A11 [and subsequent holtey version] are about 10" long).

I wonder if this is unique to woodworkers, or if mechanics, fitters, boilermakers, indeed any craftsman has 'favourites' or just see their tools as things they use for work?

I guess it depends, but I've met numerous people at steam-fairs and tractor pulling events who have an affinity for old tools for mechanical and metalwork (especially spanners)... In terms of fitters, they seem to be divided fairly evenly between people for whom it's just a job, and people who are endlessly tinkering for themselves and being paid to do so at work makes it all the better. Do boilermakers still exist outside of the NRM's workshops? I'd have assumed it would just be another facet of large scale welding/fabrication these days.

first mention of holtey plane best ever

 

[tobytools]

This thread is an interesting example of the often quite personal, even intimate relationships woodworkers have with their tools (behave yourselves, you know what I mean!), planes especially.

I have 2 expensive jointers, (LN and Veritas) and they have their place, but I still reach for an early (pre First World War) type 11 Stanley No 8 with so much pitting, there's more hole than sole! Does the job though, no fuss, just does it. Original blade, no fancy steel, no frog adjuster. A grand old girl.

I do think of how many other craftsmen have used it and what they have made as I am using it; sentimental I know, but I'm not the only pro woodworker to think that way. In the recent BBC4 series on woodcarving, a modern day carver (could have been Chris Pye but don't quote me) was using old gouges with the names of previous owners stamped into the handles; he said the old tools meant something to them because they had a weight of history within them.

I wonder if this is unique to woodworkers, or if mechanics, fitters, boilermakers, indeed any craftsman has 'favourites' or just see their tools as things they use for work?

El.

I saw that program, and I agree I like tools with old owners names and a bit of history. I like the newer tools but I love older tools more just because that's what our elders used and they did a great job. Maby im just living in the past (im 23yr old) but if chipendale could produce the finest work in the world with old hand tools then they must work. (had a beer now so sorry if I don't make sence)
Old tools rule

 

[Reggie]

For the time being I will mostly work in softwood (pine), ply and mdf. when I feel that I can actually handle a project that really warrants a better wood then I'll be happy to use hard woods.

I have no preference for who owned a plane, the manufacturer doesn't bother me either, I do have an appreciation for the old tools though, I have the utmost respect for anyone that does/has used them.

The things that will bother me are ease of use, I guess I'm like everyone, you want the tool to work and not have to fight it to make it productive, anything over and above general maintenance or just plain stupid where you have to dislocate 3 fingers to get at a screw to adjust something. Ultimately, I need it to be cheap, right now I have a very small budget for tools, so clearly I will have to accept certain limitations, apparently my father has got a stanley plane I can borrow (no idea of the model), I think that will be a good start to at least get a feel for using one.

 

[Andrewf]

This is my favourite plane. It has had a hard life and doesn't get used that often. But I love the way it has a worn patched from its previous users left hand.

Also it has previous owners names on it.
D Frost my father
TG Frost grandfather
D Drake grandfather's business partner.
F Gurton shipwright who worked for my grandfather.

All who I spent time with as a child in my grandfather's yard building boats.

 

[rafezetter]

This should be interesting, I'm looking at getting my first plane, I won't lie, it will be as cheap as possible, stanley no4 seems to be very popular, so it will be interesting to see how highly/lowly people regard them against other brands.

A No4 or No4 1/2 won't cost more than £5 - £7 at a car boot. DO NOT BUY A NEW ONE. They are excrement on a stick.

Lol don't hold back will you? Yikes

Reggie if you don't find anything on ebay that takes your fancy - I live closeish to this shop - that several here have been to and it's well regarded - last time I was in they had lots of various planes - you could give them a call and get some advice on what they have in stock, maybe even have one put aside for purchase I could collect and send to you (a thinly veiled excuse to go in there anyway!).

Infact - if anyone contacts them and wants to buy I can do the same, box it up and send how you want (recorded signed for recommended).

http://www.bristol-design.co.uk/

 

[iNewbie]

I saw that program, and I agree I like tools with old owners names and a bit of history. I like the newer tools but I love older tools more just because that's what our elders used and they did a great job. Maby im just living in the past (im 23yr old) but if chipendale could produce the finest work in the world with old hand tools then they must work. (had a beer now so sorry if I don't make sence)
Old tools rule

Its Romanticism.

Personally I like quality in a product - whether it be an old/new tool. Its like some form of reassurance of my own failures...

 

[Benchwayze]

Reggie,

If you are looking for Stanley/Record No. 4 or 4-1/2, try oldtools.co.uk. I have never had a bad tool from them.
If you don't want to pay too much, then look at the pre-WW11 models. Not antiques by definition, but far superior to anything made post WW11. And that includes my first Stanley No. 4 purchased in 1962. That's been fettled of course and it's a good 'un, but it still isn't as good as the £18.00 jobbie I got from Oldtools.

Scouse,

I know exactly how you feel about previous owner of old tools. I have some obviously well-used chisels and saws. The condition they are in, and the way they handle tells me that D. Harmer (for instance) was a real woodworker, who surely could leave me in the dust... But I still look after his/her chisels.

 

[Richard T]

Toby - you had a go with all those venerated makers the other day; which was your favourite?

 

[tobytools]

Toby - you had a go with all those venerated makers the other day; which was your favourite?

yes i did and it was lovley, its hard to say really but i know that the HOLTEY comes on top as they are beautiful plane and work a treat. and loving old tools and the designs of these infill planes based on the Norris, Mathieson and Spiers patterns (but they are new) was very satisfying, its just the whole bang

saying that the LN plane are great also im saving up for one now probley get a 5.5
i loved them all! the norris A1 was great to. its hard to say really the stanley bedrock range where up there to, they where all perfect tools amazingly set up not a single flaw in any of them.
very good day.
tobytools

 

[AndyT]

Come on then Toby, tell us about your day out planespotting - I'm sure you want to really! (and it does sound somewhat gloatworthy).

 

[Fromey]

My QS No. 7

 

[tobytools]

Come on then Toby, tell us about your day out planespotting - I'm sure you want to really! (and it does sound somewhat gloatworthy).

okok, only because you twisted my arm,
as most could assume im young and inexperienced in woodwork (but passionate) and the nicest gentleman (no names) gave me the opportunity to try a few tools and practice some T&G wich i did to my satisfaction, and had the opportunity to try a good range of other planes most of the ones i mentioned in opening thread. used the No. 51 Shoot Board Plane, discussed sharpening methords (im going to try the scary sharp when im back from holiday) and general chat about all thing wood. when T&G "ing i used the LN 48 half inch.
and using the smoothing planes was a real treat, learned alot of masterful techniques, tip you name it a, real eye opener. ive never used many hand plane befor this but i do love it great fun. ( i want a norris or a holtey)
AndyT have you used similar planes?

i just brought a veritas medium shoulder plane and 2 LN spokeshave with other bits of ebay, cant wait to try them out. start my course in September then its on to joinery.

 

[Harbo]

I'm not a collector but I have a few planes: Norris A1, Norris A6, Spiers Coffin, Holtey 11SA, LN9 some woodies, some Chinese and a Japanese.
But my go-to planes are my 3 LVBU ones - Smoother, Jack and Jointer - no messing, fettling etc etc they just perform!

Rod

 

[bugbear]

Best I've used was a Sauer & Steiner (both smoother and panel).

My favourite, and most often used, is my tuned up Record #05.

BugBear

 

[Reggie]

It's so easy to want to pull the trigger and go and buy something but I need to resist the urge, borrow a stanley from my dad for a while and see how I get on.

I think the tendency for beginners is to know that you need X,Y,Z tools and try and gather them as quickly as possible, which is an issue as they(I) probably don't know what they're looking for in a good plane, with that in mind, what should someone look out for when looking at 2nd hand planes?

 

[Eric The Viking]

My goto plane is a fettled Stanley #5 circa 1980. It now has rosewood handles and sometimes a Japanese laminated iron (the irons get swapped around).

My favourite - that's hard. The wife's grandpa's war-finish #4 possibly. My 1923-ish #7 that's a bitza but works nicely? My Dad's 41/2?

Nah. It's tough, but the winner is probably the Record 5 1/2 I bought from Jimi a while back (wot he fettled). It's the right weight, right size, cuts beautifully and looks smashing too. You sharpen it, wind the iron down, and within seconds you're just making creamy flat surfaces and lots of almost-transparent shavings.

Personally, I'd recommend you look for a #5 or #5 1/2. They're not much more than a smaller plane, but they are easier to use in many circumstances. Smaller planes are all very well, but harder to set up and use. Let a 5 1/2 get you into good habits and give you easy success to start with, and go for more specialist ones as you need them.

But I'm just a DIY person really.

E.

PS: you've not yet said where you are. We don't mind nor mean to pry, but it's harder to recommend shops etc. of you're in Glasgow and they're in Southampton.

 

[Reggie]

I'm near brighton, east sussex. Travelling is an issue for me due to illness but I do make a trip out to brighton every few months. It turns out that the stanley my dad has is actually a Record No. 4 dating possibly from the late 60s, so I'm going borrow that.

So the first thing as I understand it is the difference in length of the plane, with the 5 having an extra 5" length over the 4's 9" base, are there any other major differences?

Is there anything in particular I should look at to determine whether it's in need of repair or beyond saving?

 

[bobbybirds]

I like different planes for different purposes of course, but if I had to pick the one that gets reached for the most often and make me smile every single time I take a swipe with it, I would have to give the nod to my Vertias BU Smoother. That plane is such a joy to set up and use and the ergonomics and feel on the wood just work perfect for me, every time!

Now if we are getting into the more specialized planes, I regularly use and love both my LV small plow plane and LV large router plane. I would have a hard time choosing if I was only allowed to keep one...

 

[David C]

A late 60's Stanley 5 1/2.

Initially it was barely usable, but it improved as I learned more about tuning.

Replacement blades appeared and improved steadily. Finally chipbreakers did as well.

I did the vast majority of my work with this, over a 30 year period, and still choose to use it despite having some grander planes in the cupboard.

best wishes,
David

 

[MIGNAL]

Nicest to use? This:



Not necessarily the best performing Plane - just that it feels better to use than most other planes that I've ever used. I pick this up before any other plane that I own.