Replies

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 26, 2003 09:18pm | #1

   jazzdog

      I am in the market for a LN low-angle jack, but the new shoulder plane is the new Veritas medium shoulder plane for $139. I have had a Stanley 93 for many years. I will let you know what I have found with the Veritas and try make a comparison.

     The Veritas has two adjuster screws on each side to set the alignment of blade from side to side. Once you make the adjustment, you don't have to touch them anymore. Even when you take the blade out to re-sharpen or just hone. The depth adjuster on rear is smooth and precise. 

     The rear top knob is brass and will flip from side to side to fit your hand, depending which direction is more appropriate for the job your doing. It is very comfortable. There is also a through hole in the rear center a finger can go through. The balance is great and the plane fits into your hand like it is something that should just be there naturally.

     Out of the box, the sole and sides are true 90* degrees and don't need flattening. Clean the protective coating and your ready. The blade is sharp, but does require a prep honing in my opinion. Polished the back and angle in a short time last nite as it is almost there anyway.

     This is low-angle and the the width is .700. Just shy of 3/4". Shaves like a dream and may replace my razor in the bathroom. It's that good. The blade is A 2 which takes a little more time to sharpen because of the extreme hardness. But I suspect that the edge will hold much longer with the A 2 steel. I haven't had enough time to determine that yet as I just did the finals last nite. That is based on what I have heard the plane guys say in comparison of HSS.

      My Stanley 93 is fine. It has a 1" blade and the nose comes off to form a chisel plane. Versatile feature. I got the Veritas mainly because of the .700 blade. I can get into the bottom of 3/4" dadoes and clean them out. Either plane will do tenon and joint clean up fine. I could have opted for a Stanley 92 with a 3/4" blade at a cheaper price. I didn't for two reasons. First, dadoes aren't always 3/4". Unless you are using hard-wood ply which is 3/4, standard ply cheats you on that mark. The Stanley won't fit a dado I cut for standard ply. I don't use it much, but do build a lot for charities where quality of wood is not the motivator. Second, the Stanley 92 is about $90, By the time I add a Hock iron, I'm back to close to $139.

     The LN you mentioned are probably great. They just didn't fit my needs at the moment. The small has 1/2 blade and the large has 1 1/4. I am impressed with both LN and Veriats quality as I have really begun to focus my attention on hand-planes. Before they were just there for me to use, not to understand the fine points of how, why and what they can be capable of. After 31 years, that attention is over-due.

   Time to go as Atlanta has a T-storm. Don't know much about computers, but I do know a little about mother-nature and lightning. Lightning doesn't get along with computers well and I know who wins that bout! ha..ha..

   Qustions... ask

   sarge..jt

   
   

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   Edited 10/26/2003 2:22:51 PM ET by SARGE

1. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 27, 2003 01:20am | #2

   Sarge,

   Thanks for respond so promptly! My "L V" post may have been somewhat misleading, as, in my feeble mind, Lee-Valley and Veritas are the same.

   A few questions: I don't recall whether your Veritas shoulder plane has an adjustment mechanism for the mouth: is it fine enough to stave off tearout? How thick/thin are the shavings you're getting?

   Nice to hear that the side-to-side blade adjustment feature works so well. How does this interact with the side-to-side blade angle adjustment?

   Does the width provide sufficient bearing surface to prevent tipping when shaving a tenon to final thickness?

   I'm curious to hear your thoughts after you've had a while to use this tool, and whether the dimension by which the nose extends beyond the blade allows you to trim your sideburns when shaving <G>.

   Today, you have your thunderstorm and we have rampant fires here in San Diego with inordinate destruction and loss of life. Many roads closed. Ash fills the air as though nuclear winter was upon us. Much to pray about.

   All the best,PaulWhether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 27, 2003 02:05am | #3

   Paul

      The mouth is adjustabe and the adjuster screw is located up front in the nose. How thin of shaving does it get. I was playing on some maple scraps. It might vary and adjustment have to be made on other woods, but how thin of shaving do you want? Hopefully, that answers that question. All lateral adjustment take place with the side screws.

      Is the width sufficeint enough to maintain balance on tenons while trimming? I haven't trimmed a tenon yet, but I would say yes. The plane has a very balanced feel in my hand. Even though it is narrow, I don't think there will be a problem and here's why.

      I have discovered over the years that there are great quality tools and no so great. I have seen great work done with not so great tools. How? The craftsman. We seem to put too much emphasis on relating quality of work to quality of tool. Take a cheaper tool that has been tuned, balanced and tweaked  and put it in the hands of someone that knows how to use it and has developed "touch". Now, take a quality, high-grade tool and put it into the hands of someone that doesn't have too many clues. Who produces the better result? You could relate that to golf clubs or any other tools. 

     The width is narrow, but through the years I discover I can take balanced chisels of different statues (long, short, fat-handled, slim-handled, etc,) and as long as they are balanced produce good work without a major adjustment from one to the other. Because they were high quality chisels. No, because they were at least all balanced and my intuitions adjusted to the individual characteristics of the tool. Is a wider plane more stable then? Technically yes, but my take is depends on who's holding it.. 

     Sorry about the fires, am over-hearing on news at this moment. Hope things get better there. Will report on how the plane functions after it gets a better work-out. How will I use it to shave? Can't reveal all trade secrets. You never when I might be forced economically to become a barber. ha..ha..

   sarge..jt 

1. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 27, 2003 06:15am | #4

   Sarge,

   Thanks for taking the time to pen such a thoughtful response; you're a true gentleman - no wonder folks here speak of you with wonder and awe!

   I'm going to listen to more of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" now.

   Talk to you soon,PaulWhether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

1. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 28, 2003 02:20am | #5

   Sarge,

   I am genuinely interested in your "review" of the Veritas shoulder plane, but thought I'd let you know I went ahead and ordered one for myself today - boy are you persuasive!

   It'll be interesting to compare notes after we've both had a little time to play with our new toys.

   Autumn in San Diego continues with falling ash instead of falling leaves. Hope everything's well with you in Atlanta,PaulWhether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 28, 2003 03:05am | #6

   Paul

      Good luck with it. All is well in Atlanta with the exception of colds. Supposed to have gone back to work as on vactaion last week, but everyone in my family has the flu. Better flu tho than burning shrubbery.

   Take care...

   sarge..jt

3. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 04, 2003 11:18pm | #7

   Sarge,

   Thought I'd let you kow I received mine today - nice tool! I'll give you an update after I've had a chance to play with it.

   All the best,PaulWhether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

4. 
   RANGERP75R | Nov 05, 2003 05:18am | #8

   Paul

      I think you will enjoy it. Heavy, but well balanced. Fits your hand like a glove and constructed and machined well. The more I use it, the more I like it. It's a perfect mate to the Stanley 93 with the .700 width. I played around and cut a perfectly aligned dado with it free-hand. The rear adjustable knob puts it in position so you have control.

     First plane I have bought from Lee-Valley. I am impressed with their twin-tail vise and the hand scraper holder they make. I do have those and they are excellent quality and performance.

   Let me know what you think...

   sarge..jt