I just bought a new LN low angle jack plane with second blade for smoothing maybe a week ago. Really impressed with the manufacturing and it’s been a nice plane so far (I beveled a cherry top for an end table with ease, ok it was a workout.)
Fast forward a week later and of course a 4 and 4 1/2 LN planes in great condition for a reasonable price popped up on Craigslist and I’m wondering if it’s worth getting a second smoother right away or get something like a shoulder plane first for trimming tenons since I can probably get away with a LAJ for smoothing.
I’ve only ever used my block plane, a old record no 5 which I could never get setup right to cut decently (I probably could have, but wanted to spend more time working wood than my tools) prior to my LAJ so curious for opinions before I plunk down on something I may or may not need.
I was looking at the smoother for cleaning up saw marks on my tapered legs and smoothing table tops up to coffee table sized, which are things that I build often.
Replies
I’d get the #4. I have the LAJ and my #4 is a great complement. I have a shoulder plane I hardly ever use even though I do quite a bit of mortise and tenon joinery.
How do you cut your tenons? By hand or with a table saw? I'm curios because I plan on doing this mostly with my table saw and wondering now much I'd have to tune them up with this method.
Both. If I use a table saw they’re generally fine right off the saw. When I cut them by hand I true the shoulders up with a chisel using the Phil Lowe method. I’ll usually undercut them just a little all the way around too.
It just depends on how you work and what your building, I’m very lucky to own all these planes and I can tell you all get used fairly regularly, but if it was me I would probably get a shoulder plane next. You can get by with the low angle jack for now for several jobs. ps definitely get the lie Nielsen shoulder plane you won’t regret it - I started with the medium but also have the large now.
I was thinking about going straight to the large shoulder plane. Which size do you use the most?
My most used size is 1/2". The best all rounder is the 3/4". The large is rarely used. Just too heavy and cumbersome.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Shoulder planes are sometimes used for tuning shoulder, but more useful for tuning rebates. Take a smidgeon off to get to the desired depth, or square. I use them for this a lot. You cannot be without one.
Still, the LA Jack is not a smoother - too long. So you still need a smoother.
Regards from Perth
Derek
A block plane is a handy thing, as you know. A block plane with alternative configurations is even better. Consider one of these:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/planes/block/47881-veritas-standard-and-low-angle-block-planes
which can have a tote and a knob as well as its standard configuration. (Have a look at the accessories shown at the bottom of the above Lee Valley web page). The tote and knob make it rather like a No.3.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2020/05/26/how-to-choose-a-smoothing-plane.
As with your jack plane, you can have alternative blades with different edge grinds for different tasks or timber types.
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This wee plane is very useful.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/planes/block/65373-veritas-skew-block-plane
It can do rabbets and shorter tenons as well as being just a block plane. You can get a depth limiter for it too. Go mad and get both the right-hand and left-hand versions! :-)
Lataxe
You'll see a night and day difference with the Lie Nielsen low angle block and the one you've been using. Think about that as an option.
4-1/2 is a beast to use. I don't care for them.
The planes I useby far the most are, in order, a LieNielsen low angleblock, a regular #5 with a cambered blade, and a LN #4. Those three do 80 percent of my planing.
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