LN #7 1/2 vs LN #7 plane, which one?
tcbaldmtn
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
Looking at purchasing a jointer hand plane. I know the physical difference in the planes. How well do they perform jointing the long grain of a board? Basicall which is better?
Replies
I looked long and hard at those two planes almost 2 years ago now trying to make that very same decision...
The low angle jointer has a fair bit going for it;- all its mass is concentrated low in the body of the plane letting it use its heft to cut with authority, the bevel up blade will let you set any angle of attack you want simply by changing your honing angle..
That said, it has some draw backs too... The setting of fixed throat will invariably be a trade off between maximum stock removal and minimal tear out; no doubt it'll be set to be at optimum somewhere between the two...
In addition, the lack of lateral adjuster means you'll have to be particularly careful when reassembling the blade after honing, the alternative is that you hone a slight radius into the leading edge of the blade...
I ended up opting for the #7... to-date I've no regrets. The plane has performed exceptionally well since the day I unwrapped it. The ability to tune the throat opening to suit the cut is invaluable. In addition, as it shares the same frog and blade as the #6, #5.5 and #4.5, it can be integrated into a systems approach when used along with any of the others, sharing common spare blades, York pitch frogs etc.
In use, I've yet to see it struggle with any of my native Scottish woods, and believe me I've tested it on everything from quarter sawn sycamore (real fine, delicate grain that's easily torn out) through elm that has character by the truckload (grain direction going nutz, grain density changing from fairly course to super dense) to really gnarly oak (shot fulla knots)... To date the plane's handled everything with contemptuous ease...
Best recommendation I can give it is to say that if I'd to replace all my planes tomorrow, the #7 would be in the top 2 on my list....
If you're really interested in a low angle jointer, you might want to have a look at the forthcoming Lee Valley version. From what I hear it has all the good points of the #7 1/2 while addressing its shortcomings in a manner that's becoming Lee Valley's trade-mark...
Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
My first inclination is to say the #7 because the #7 1/2 is new and WWs have always used the old #7. But L-N is trying some new things and getting people to look beyond the old standard way of doing things. So why not give them a call and ask. They'll ask about how your planning to use the plane and make a suggestion based on your needs.
Don't forget to tell us which one you end up getting and why.
Oh, if they are comparable I might choose the #7 1/2 since it is a little over a $100 less. :)
geoff
Edited 9/20/2005 8:53 am ET by baldmountain
I'm with Midnight. I'd take a look at the new Lee Vally LA Jointer. The adjustable throat makes the difference for me. I have an ECE Jointer, but have been eye balling the LA jointers for some time. I saw the Lee Valley unit at the MontanaFest and it is a substantial plane with some great features.
I use the LieNeilsen #7 and love it. The #7 1/2 blade seems unnecessarily wide at 2 5/8" (compared to the #7 at 2 3/8") and heavier than I need. But it's personal preference. Try to get your hands on them before you buy if you can. And avoid soles concave along the length with a gap at the mouth area, however small. Even L-N's can sometimes use work. That said, you can lap out small errors if you're patient enough.
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