Been using both a Stanley No. 60-1/2 low angle block plane….and a Stanley No. 9-1/2 Standard Angle block plane…

Question would be how you want to sharpen said planes…

Also, be careful…these little planes tend to breed like rabbits ….instead of 2 sitting around…you'll soon wind up with a dozen of the little buggers…DAMHIKT….

 

For small work as you describe and in my hand; nothing feels better than this gem:

https://www.lie-nielsen.com/products/small-block-planes?path=handplanes&node=4063

For larger work; this one:

https://www.lie-nielsen.com/products/rabbet-block-plane-w-nicker?path=handplanes&node=4063

But you have to use it. So best that you go out and try them to see which feels best in your hand.

 

Hands down the Lie-Nielsen 102, an everyday workhorse around this workshop

 

Love my L.N. 102, but the Veritas apron plane comed with the PMV-11 iron? Might also want to look at a
Stanley #103 or the Millers Falls #75, both great little planes and very affordable on E-Bay.

 

Plenty of choices out there….and you avoid all the sales hype, to boot..

 

Question would be how you want to sharpen said planes…

- bandit571

I'm thinking about getting a Worksharp3000

 

I use a plane occasionally and like my Stanley 60-1/2. I sharpen on a Worksharp.

 

I have a couple of knuckle joint block planes I like. Stanley's may be pricier but other brands can be got for not that much. They have a great feel in the hand.

I like the idea of the Lee Valley planes with the accessory handle you can put on the back. You pay a premium for all of it but it looks like a useful plane, particularly for making guitars.

 

Loren, what is the point of that accessory handle?

 

I think it gives you more options for holding the plane. I think luthier Brian Burns recommended it. I use his sharpening system so that's why I was intrigued.

The whole setup would be over $200 and I've got by ok with the stuff I have so I have not pulled the trigger.

 

Been using both a Stanley No. 60-1/2 low angle block plane….and a Stanley No. 9-1/2 Standard Angle block plane…

Question would be how you want to sharpen said planes…

Also, be careful…these little planes tend to breed like rabbits ….instead of 2 sitting around…you ll soon wind up with a dozen of the little buggers…DAMHIKT….

- bandit571

Sage advice. Got to think ahead on this part. Sure you have the plane but it will get dull and so you need to be prepared. Also they do seem to breed. Due to an wrist and arm injury I have not used hand planes. Last year someone came over and worked with my particular issue and we came up with a way to operate a hand plane and not be in pain for a few days. In that time I have acquired these beauties. Already had a way to sharpen so that was not an issue. The fourth one was on the table at the time, it is a Wood River #4. Thanks to the generosity of some fellow woodworkers, (I suspect more to get me addicted to hand tools) all these were given to me. My next acquisition will be a joiner plane of some model.

 

That is what happens when you leave them alone in the dark with no adult supervision.

The blue 60-1/2 is my go to block plane. I don't know why i have so many. Maybe because I'm lazy? Nearly all of them have adjustable mouths but I tend to leave them setup for varying thickness of cut and just grab the one I need for the task at hand.

 

I know Chris Schwarz raves about the Lie Nielsen 60 1/2 being the best block plane ever made. I have an old Stanley 60 1/2 and it does everything i need from a block plane. I wouldn't mind getting one of the little 102s or violin makers for luthier work etc. I have a really old 19 as well that i never use. I also have a Slickplane that works great for rounding over and chamfering.

 

I also have a Slickplane that works great for rounding over and chamfering.

- SMP

I just googled that. looks interesting. how do you sharpen the curved irons, and how quickly do they dull?

 

I also have a Slickplane that works great for rounding over and chamfering.

- SMP

I just googled that. looks interesting. how do you sharpen the curved irons, and how quickly do they dull?

- HarveyDunn

Tbh, i haven't needed to sharpen them. I picked up an extra set of curved and a set of the chamfer blades once because I think it was Rockler that had them on sale for $10. I just barely knock the corner off so they don't seem to get much wear since they are carbide. Since they are carbide I probably wouldn't try to sharpen. I've probably had this close to 10 years? For $15 just replace the blades every 5-10 years:
https://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-W1101-8-Inch-Slickplane-Replacement/dp/B0000DD0TT/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_3/137-2761186-8550936?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0000DD0TT&pd_rd_r=ff4dda1f-5ac3-4784-ba8b-b6b4e6050837&pd_rd_w=Svual&pd_rd_wg=QVr9t&pf_rd_p=8ad921d8-8b3b-4c8e-be01-c425a146feba&pf_rd_r=6Y8BBFCWGHJ5AKVCE6N7&psc=1&refRID=6Y8BBFCWGHJ5AKVCE6N7

 

I also have a Slickplane that works great for rounding over and chamfering.

- SMP

I just googled that. looks interesting. how do you sharpen the curved irons, and how quickly do they dull?

- HarveyDunn

Tbh, i haven't needed to sharpen them. I picked up an extra set of curved and a set of the chamfer blades once because I think it was Rockler that had them on sale for $10. I just barely knock the corner off so they don't seem to get much wear since they are carbide. Since they are carbide I probably wouldn't try to sharpen. I've probably had this close to 10 years? For $15 just replace the blades every 5-10 years:
https://www.amazon.com/Woodstock-W1101-8-Inch-Slickplane-Replacement/dp/B0000DD0TT/ref=pd_aw_fbt_img_3/137-2761186-8550936?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0000DD0TT&pd_rd_r=ff4dda1f-5ac3-4784-ba8b-b6b4e6050837&pd_rd_w=Svual&pd_rd_wg=QVr9t&pf_rd_p=8ad921d8-8b3b-4c8e-be01-c425a146feba&pf_rd_r=6Y8BBFCWGHJ5AKVCE6N7&psc=1&refRID=6Y8BBFCWGHJ5AKVCE6N7

- SMP

Great you had to post the weblink, then I HAD to go and look. Yup, ordered the plane. Bloody addicted.

LOL

 

I'm a big fan of a 60 1/2. I use it more than all my others put together.

 

I think it gives you more options for holding the plane. I think luthier Brian Burns recommended it. I use his sharpening system so that s why I was intrigued.

The whole setup would be over $200 and I ve got by ok with the stuff I have so I have not pulled the trigger.

- Loren

I have the knob and tote for my Veritas block plane. Makes it into a small smoother. Love the plane but a little large for some tasks. My LN 102 is my most used block plane. Small and handy. If I didn't have it, I'm sure the Veritas apron plane would work as well.

 

I have an old Miller's Falls 57, that was my grandfathers. Man, it feels good in the hands.

I also have a Stanley 60 1/2 that needs the little tension piece for the lever cap. One of these days, that'll hit the top of the priority list.

If I were to buy new, especially if it was my first and only, I'd probably go with a skew blade and a fence. Veritas, Lie Neilson, Wood River all seem pretty good, LN is usually put up as the best, I've never owned any of the new ones. But, drool over them all the time.

 

I have an old Miller s Falls 57, that was my grandfathers. Man, it feels good in the hands.

I also have a Stanley 60 1/2 that needs the little tension piece for the lever cap. One of these days, that ll hit the top of the priority list.

If I were to buy new, especially if it was my first and only, I d probably go with a skew blade and a fence. Veritas, Lie Neilson, Wood River all seem pretty good, LN is usually put up as the best, I ve never owned any of the new ones. But, drool over them all the time.

- Axis39

I wouldn't put Woodriver in the same sentence as Lie Nielsen or Veritas. Between those two, it's user preference as they are both of the highest quality.

 

I wouldn t put Woodriver in the same sentence as Lie Nielsen or Veritas. Between those two, it s user preference as they are both of the highest quality.

- Foghorn

While Woodriver is not in the same class as LV and LN, they are still solid planes and a good choice for the budget conscious. Their main issue is the extra tuning required to get them set up. Sole flattening, mouth tuning, etc.

I know he's a paid spokesman, but the results I see Rob Cosman achieve with Woodriver planes is impressive.

No plane will produce acceptable results if the user doesn't know how to handle it.

 

While Woodriver is not in the same class as LV and LN, they are still solid planes and a good choice for the budget conscious. Their main issue is the extra tuning required to get them set up. Sole flattening, mouth tuning, etc.

I know he s a paid spokesman, but the results I see Rob Cosman achieve with Woodriver planes is impressive.

No plane will produce acceptable results if the user doesn t know how to handle it.

- Rich

That is what I found as well with the two Wood River planes I have. Did some tuning and minor sole flattening. Produced nice ribbons.

Way lighter than anything else I have handled but for smoothing out pine edge banding on plywood, and be lightweight, not too bad.

 

No plane will produce acceptable results if the user doesn t know how to handle it.
- Rich

And a big part of that is how it fits your hand.
I bought a Veritas DX60 when they first came on the market(8-10years?) It felt different in my hand compared to the Stanley's I was accustomed to , but I thought I would get used to it. It was too sexy to pass up!
I tried like hell to love that block plane, but It didn't happen. Today, I'll reach for the old Stanley every time.

 

Today, I ll reach for the old Stanley every time.

- Tony_S

I always go for the com plane.
After I'm done using it that's all I do.

 

I wouldn t put Woodriver in the same sentence as Lie Nielsen or Veritas. Between those two, it s user preference as they are both of the highest quality.

- Foghorn

While Woodriver is not in the same class as LV and LN, they are still solid planes and a good choice for the budget conscious. Their main issue is the extra tuning required to get them set up. Sole flattening, mouth tuning, etc.

I know he s a paid spokesman, but the results I see Rob Cosman achieve with Woodriver planes is impressive.

No plane will produce acceptable results if the user doesn t know how to handle it.

- Rich

I agree with that. It's the difference between a Cadillac and a Caprice. They'll both get you there but one will do it with more style and a smoother ride!