Hello,
I have the LN #7 and the little bronze block plane; lovely tools really. I was just wondering if there might be any more input regarding the purchase of the #4 vs. the 4 1/2. I do like the idea of the bronze #4 because I do fight the rusting thing on my other tools a bit. Nothing like unwittingly leaving a nice surface rusty fingerprints on the ‘ol #7.
I read the other posts on this but am looking for a bit more definitive input. Any reason why I shouldn’t just go with the bronze #4? I love the LN tools because they work very nicely and very quickly and I am most likely sticking with them…any ideas?
Any thoughts would be most appreciated.
Michael
We are what we repeatedly do; therefore, excellence is a habit not an act
– Aristotle
Replies
I would think with a name like S.J. Addis you'd be able to handle picking out tools :)
I'm not a fan of real wide smoothers unless you hand plane a bunch of table tops. Not only will the 4 1/2 be more difficult to push because of its increased width, you're also increasing your sharpening time and difficulty. I suppose you may have some extra wide sharpening stones but, even with that, it'll take more time to sharpen the wider iron.
I really like Lie-Nielsen's bronze planes but I also like his ductile iron ones. My favorite metal plane is a bronze LN #2. I always had it on job sites with me so it looks a little ragged but it's still and dandy that stood up to a lot of moving around in soft tool bags.
The bronze does develop a surface corrosion over time if setting idle. This will rub off and leave some marks on the wood during initial use after periods of not being used. It was never an issue for me because of frequent use and the speed with which it wears off. Someone else might find it troubling so I thought I'd mention it.
I'd have a hard time choosing between an iron and bronze LN plane but I'd have no problem choosing LN above other metal planes out there.
I own the 4 1/2 and I would buy one again. The added mass and width makes for a smoother that is difficult to slow down. In your particular situation I would definately choose the 4 1/2 over the 4 because of your #7. They share the same blade and I assume the same frog. You could order the 4 1/2 with the high angle frog and have a choice. You could also back bevel a blade and still have a stock blade. You could pull the blade out of the 7 when the 4 1/2 becomes dull and keep on smoothing. Personally I find the hand hold on a 4 1/2 a little tight and I assume that it is tighter on a #4. Either way though, you won't go wrong. Peter P.S. I hear through the grapevine that LN is bringing out a improved 4 1/2 that is all bronze has a bigger hand hold, and costs a lot more.
I have the 4 1/2 and find it to be an excellent tool as well as several other L-N tools. But, I do think it would be helpful to you to either email or call the home office and put the question to them. They are really customer-oriented and very eager to discuss their line with pospects/customers. Sometimes Tom Lie-Nielsen himself will answer the phone. Also, if you request a catalog, there is a brief discussion of each tool, but little in the way of comparison as you're asking. In my opinion, you'll get the best info straight from the horse's mouth.
I chose the #4, and I've been quite happy. You won't be disappointed with either choice, I'm certain. But, when I bought the #4 at a WW show, the L-N rep was pushing the 4 1/2; I just didn't have the extra dough. Their position was exactly as has already been expressed; the extra mass makes for better momentum.
I did see a logical other side, though; less width makes for quicker planing b/c there's less need for absolute flatness before you switch from flatening to smoothing. OTOH, with you #7, who cares?
Charlie
Cowtown Eric is a fan of the 4 1/2.
Maybe it's the increased mass that makes it less inclined to chatter, maybe it's the extra width,
I ain't really ever quatificated the advantages, all I know is that I preferr it over a 4.
Bronze ain't no big advantage up here in Calgary, where even when it rains, it's a dry rain.
Eric in Calgary
Let me put a little different spin on the answer: if at some time in the near future you intend to buy a L-N jack, having the 4's and 5's in the same series makes the blades and frogs interchangeable. Personally, since these are my first planes, I started with a #4 and also bought the HAF since I do a lot of work in highly figured hardwoods. Yesterday I bought the #5 jack. Swapping out the frogs and blades gives me the best of both worlds.
The 4 was a little small for my hands so I got the 4 1/2. It's on sale right now at WoodCraft as well.
Matt
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