What planer to buy?

I think the shop owner had good suggestions.

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Thanks for your reply,

What do you think is the better gift for allround woodworking? Unfortunately i have to choose one.

You couldn’t really go wrong with either, I agree with Jim.
The first LN plane I would buy is the #4 because that’s the plane that’s worth being tuned up the best.

Thanks for your reply,

What do you think is the better gift for allround woodworking? Unfortunately i have to choose one.

- Thebeardedape

That’s kind of a loaded question as it depends on what he is going to use it for. Both a #4 and #5 are great all around planes with the #4 being more used for smoothing and the #5 being the all around Jack of all trades plane. If you are looking for something he can use to replace sanding and finish prep in the shop I would suggest the #4. If you are looking for something he can use for early stages of finish prep plus the occasional need to do something like take a 1/32” off a board, making panels join together for glue up perfectly, or do fine finesse work on a joint it’s hard to beat the #5.

Although I would throw out a 3rd option and say if he doesn’t already have one get him a low angle block plane. I’m assuming he mostly uses power tools and a block plane fits really well into that world when you just want to tweak what comes off the power tool just a tiny bit to make it perfect without having to go back to the machine and try and adjust it for a 2nd cut.

Do you know what other hand planes your dad has?

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Thanks to all,

To me it sounds like the #5 is the best option for my dad. In my understanding the #5 is different from the low angle jack plane which i believe is #62, what the shop owner suggested. Am i right? If so, why should i pick the #5 instead of #62?

My dad has 2 planes, all i can tell you about them is that one fits easily in a hand. The other is larger, an old english planer from stanley which he got from his dad.

The small one is probably a block plane. I’m not sure about the other, if it’s a stanley it should have a number stamped on the toe of the plane.

A traditional bevel down plane has a fixed cutting angle determined by the angle of the frog (usually 45 degrees). A low angle bevel up plane has the angle set by the irons bevel angle plus the angle of the frog. So a 15 degree frog plus a 30 degree bevel angles gives you a 45 degree cutting angle. You can’t adjust the cutting angle of a bevel down plane without changing the frog where you can with a bevel up version by changing the irons bevel angle. Hope that makes sense.

Its a difficult question to answer without knowing what kind of ww’ing your dad does.

#5 low angle jack is a good choice if he already has a #4.
He can use it with a shooting board (get the optional hot dog handle).

I think the safest bet is a #4 smoother.

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I’ve just watched a ton of videos, i think the 62 is the best choice. It’s seems to be the most versatile plane to have. For rough and precise work. So this might be a great starter plane.

My dad likes to make furniture i believe.

A jack plane is pretty useful for a lot of things, so it’s usually a safe choice.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

Alright, i’ve made my choice. Thank you all !

Interesting thread none the less, but based on the question, I was expecting to recommend a benchtop planer..

I have a LN #62. Its one of my least used planes. If you plan to use planes, you’ll need more than 1 or 2. I always suggest starting with a #4. Its a smoother. Most of the time a beginner just wants to smooth.

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You might look at a Lee Valley Veritas Low Angle Bevel Up Jack plane I prefer it to my brother’s LN version. There are several reviews on LJs