Replies

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Jan 13, 2004 09:15am | #1

   Hmmm, IMHO, for shooting miters and freehand, and assuming you want another Veritas, I'd recommend their low angle smooth plane.  Great planes those low angle smoothers.  I prefer the Stanley 62, but their getting pricey.  Lie Nielsen's version of the 62 looks like a nice plane. 

   I've got a 603 Bedrock that I find indispensable, and I see you could use something about that size in your lineup, if you want to add another.  Whatever you do, buy quality though.

   aka Steve
2. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Jan 13, 2004 11:12am | #2

   Eric,

   This may be heresy here, but I don't really use much more than what you have there, and I'm a trade cabinetmaker.

   The planes I use regularly are:

   • No6 (for general bench work, jointing and shooting)
   • Shoulder plane (for fitting joints or taking a smidgeon off a rebate, etc)
   • Block plane (HNT gordon palm smoother - fiddly work)
   • Smoother (Old east german wood smoother, adjustable throat, Lignum Vitae sole approx 1950)
   • While not strictly a plane, I also use a cabinet (card) scraper alot - probably should fit in above the shoulder plane in order of use.

   At one time, I had the plane 'bug' - I've got a lot of planes I won't use in the near future, but are handy to have around just in case.

   But, your list looks complete enough for me.

   If you were to say "I've come into a small amount of money that has to be spent by tomorrow", I'd say go to a better smoother than the one you have there - either an old Stanley or preferably a high angle smoother - Lee Nielsen, Lee Valley or HNT Gordon. 

   Another occasional use plane is a jointer (I have a No8 and a HNT Gordon jointer).

   I find that the high angle helps reduce tearout in difficult grained timber - if you're only working standard woods it may not be necessary

   The third one you may want to dabble in is a Stanley or Record combo plane, does fancy grooves, reeds, flutes.  Eg:  Stanley 50, Record 40-50 plane numbers sequence

   Hope that this helps (and it's my opinion only, I'm sure that others will differ),

   eddie

3. 
   RANGERP75R | Jan 13, 2004 05:57pm | #3

   Eric

      I agree with D Stirrer on the low-angle smoother if you want a shooter. If you did a lot of figured wood (curly maple,etc.) I would go #4 1/2 York pitch or get an extra iron for a regular pitch #4 1/2 and back-bevel 5 degrees. Then there's that low-angle #5 jack from LN that can do several things by using different iron bevel angles.

      Glad it's you that has to decide. In the meatime, I'm gonna take a nap. ha.. ha....

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)