Replies

1. 
   jeffn7 | Mar 26, 2002 01:59am | #1

   I really like the Veritas line of hand planes. The low angle block plane that you referenced has set screws on each side of the body that allows you to center the blade in the mouth, it's a very simple and effective solution. I'm about ready to order the 4 1/2 they are featuring in their catalog.

1. 
   ChrisGibbens | Mar 26, 2002 02:39am | #2

   Jeff,

   When get the #4, let me know what you think.

   Chris

2. 
   IronDog | Mar 26, 2002 04:59pm | #3

   I purchased the Lee Valley/ Veritas 4 1/2 bench plane and think it is a beautiful piece of work! Great features, excellent machining and weight, thick blade and a great value compared to a Lie-Nielsen.

   I whole heartedly recommend it.

   Regards, Tom

1. 
   SCFrankland | Mar 26, 2002 07:22pm | #4

   I have used all the Lee Valley planes at a wood show I was at last fall.  I thought that the all performed beautiful.  I also had the chance to use the Lie Nielsen line and though I like the feel of the LN I have to say that the Lee Valley was way better bang for the buck.  I also picked up the Lee Valley low angle spoke shave.  Now that is the best spoke shave I have ever used.  It handles any kind of wood whither it is hard or soft, across or with the grain or end grain.  Well worth the money.Scott C. Frankland

   Newfoundland Wood Worker

3. 
   BenchMarkPhil | Mar 26, 2002 07:35pm | #5

   I have the LV 4 ½, very nice. If I were buying again I'd probably get the larger one. I have a review of the LV 4 ½ on my web site if you are interested.

   PMB

   http://benchmark.20m.com

1. 
   daleM10 | Mar 29, 2002 02:55am | #6

   I have recently purchased the LV low angle block plane and have found it thus far not too usable for the things that I thought that I would use it for. I was planning some Pauduk and found that there was a great amount of tear out. (unless I closed the mouth opening to less than 1/32" but it would take me 4 days to plane 1/8" off the face. I ended up using my Record #5 that was skewed much. If I didn't skew the plane much tear out occured.

    When I purchased the LOW angle block plane I thought that the low angle plus the small thoat opening would give me super thin shavings with no tear out. But this is not the situation yet.I must be doing something wrong. My #5 which cost me 60 bucks canadian works like a charm anytime I use it. I get the idea that hand planes are like dogs, if you are scared of them, the dog can tell and will usually bite you, same with the plane.

   daleM10

1. 
   Danford_C_ | Mar 29, 2002 08:26am | #8

   Dale,

   Low angle and regular angle block planes are designed primarily for end grain work.  Since a low angle block plane's iron is normally bedded at around 12°;  with a bezel of 25° the angle of attack would be 32°.  The reason why you got better results with the #5 is because it's iron is bedded at 45°.  Since the bezel is down on bench planes, it does not affect the cutting geometry.  Skewing a plane will actually reduce the angle of  the iron's attack.

   One of the main reasons why the Spires and Norris infill smoothers are so highly sought after is because they have the York pitch, which is a 50° bed angle, this is also the reason why they work so well on highly figured wood.  Some had a pitch of 55° which is about the maximum for efficient  face and edge planing.

   Dano

   "Form and Function are One" - Frank L. Wright

   Edited 3/29/2002 1:29:49 AM ET by Danford C. Jennings

4. 
   SCFrankland | Mar 29, 2002 06:14am | #7

   I also have a couple of Steve Knight's hand planes and you are right they do some nice work.  I have the 55 deg and a 45 deg smoother and both do real nice work.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Newfoundland Wood Worker