I posted a message a couple of weeks ago. The subject was what should I get as my first hand plane. (already had a block plane) The concensus seemed to indicate a no. 5 Jack. I purchased the no. 5 from Lie Nielsen here in Maine. I haven’t used it yet but I can tell that it is a beautiful tool. My question is as follows: It seems the more I read the more I get confused. I recently read something that says a beginner (which I most definitely am) should start with a smooth plane( no. 4 or 4.5) and a jointer (no.7 or 8). Then I read another book (The 7 essential skills etc.) that indicated a no.5 Low Angle Jack plane should be used for a year or so before purchasing any other. Did i get the wrong plane? Should it have been a Low angle no.5? Should I add a no.4 to my inventory?
Thanks Ed.
Replies
Ed -
I am a relative newbie, so take my response with a grain of salt. That said, I think getting a L-N no. 5 as a first plane was a great choice - and I'm green with envy. This may be fiction, but I think that a Jack plane is called that because it is a Jack-of-all-trades tool. It's long enough to use as a jointer on shorter boards, it's short enough to use as a smoother in a pinch. It's massive enough to use as a shooting-board plane. Sure, you'll want a dedicated smoother and jointer eventually. Then you'll want a scrub, a miter plane, a shoulder plane, a low angle jack, a router plane, and, and, and, and, well, you get the picture. But for now, I'd be confident that you've got a tool you'll use a lot. Start making shavings!
- Justin
Thanks Justin for your response. I feel alot better about my choice after reading the various response I got from you and otheres. Thanks again
Ed,
Remember, they are just trying to sell books. Personally, I'd use the #5 as much as possible, and it will become obvious to you what jobs could be better done with a different plane. You should eventually end up with one of each, of course! Enjoy your LN, its a great tool, first, then you can worry about all the others. I think you'll find that the strong points of each type significantly overlap, so one particular plane is not the only right answer to each job. Sure, there are jobs were a #4 is the best option, but a #5 will also work. The trade off would probably be a little more time. In my humble opinion, the #5 is almost as universally useful as you can get, so you chose wisely. Have a good one,
Steve
Edevo,
Ditto on what everyone else has said. Remember that the key differences between many of these bench planes is angle of blade, mouth opening, length..at least relative to getting wood flat. You can change the mouth opening on your #5 and you can change the bevel angle on the blade to enhance either a smoothing or scrubing action. I think its more important to learn how your plane responds to your adjustments than having a whole bunch of planes and constantly guessing at the settings.. Eventually maybe you will want three or more blades for your #5...
Thanks BG. I feel alot better about my choice after reading your response. Thanks again
Thanks Steve. I feel alot better about my choice after reading your response and those of others...Thanks again
No need to reply to this. I, too, am a newbie and bought a L-N #5 as my first plane a few months ago. Got some expert instruction from an occassional poster and master woodworker, Richard Jones.
I also took it with me to the Houston woodworking show this past weekend after I noticed that the L-N people had a booth set up there. I had the L-N guy take me through the paces on my #5 and he agreed it was a good first choice.
He also said I would eventually want a smoother and a jointer.. but that I should perfect my technique with the #5 first. He gave me lots of good info and tips. I wound up buying a dovetail saw from him which is a thing of beauty.. just like the #5.
bill
EDEVO,
FWIW, your next investment (if you don't already have them) should probably be a high-quality combination water stone, 1,000 on one side & 6,000 on the other side, to keep a razor sharp edge on the plane iron of that terrific new LN #5.
If there's one thing more satisfying than owning a LN plane, it's having the self-confidence that comes from knowing how to keep it well-tuned, and watching the long, sinuous shavings pile up as you work!
Happy planing,
Paul
My best advice to you is to take that book, "The Seven Essentials etc" and burn it. The author has very strong opinions about a number of matters but those opinions arn't always consistent with the experience of the majority of woodworkers.
There are lots of different types of planes because people have seen the need for them over the long history of the craft. I can't say that a Jack is the "best" plane to start with but it isn't a bad first choice either. You will probably develop a need for others and when you acquire them you will learn to use them as best suits your own style of work.
Ed
After 30 years of using, making, rebuilding and refitting hand planes (I don't own a L-N) I would say that if I only could own one, other than a block plane, it would would be a jack. My advice would be buy or build them as you see a need unless you are a collector. IMHO a woodworker is best served to create a harmony between hand and power tools that best suits what she/he intends to produce, time space and $ available to produce it and perhaps most importantly temperment. I can say with certainty that most of the tools I have simply wanted over the years mostly sit and gather sawdust in my shop (my lovely Clifton multi-plane is a prime example). My best and dearest tools are the ones that I have acquired, built or rebuilt, because a need arose in the midst of planning or producing a piece.
All that said, everyone must seek their own way. Have fun.
Wayne
I also had a little buyers remorse after I bought my first LN plane, a 5 1/2. "I should of got the 4" blah, blah, blah. Last night I had curls of spanish cedar (adirondack Chairs) hitting the ceiling. It was awesome. I've learned that clamping two boards together before glueing them up, and planing out the jointer ripples makes for a perfect glue line. So the extra width on the 5 1/2 really comes in handy for me when gluing up thicker stock. thats not why I bought the plane, it's something I discovered once I started using it. My advice is use your #5 for everything and count the days till you get your next LN. The more you use it, the more you'll know it's strengths and weaknesses. which will make your next purchase a more informed one.
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