Replies

1. 
   cowtown | Apr 12, 2005 10:35am | #1

   I guess it would depend on what other planes you have, wouldn't it.

   If you don't have a #5-oid (and I don't know any old-plane-user-aficanado-or-nut what don't have already at least one 5-oid on the shelf , and the other option presented here is for a low angle, albiet of recent manufacture.

   Personally, I'd opt in WINK for the low angle, cause a 5-oid Satanley can be bought on the used market for literally peanuts, while a low angle of any type other than a block plane is less likely to be available at the same price.....

   seems like a no-brainer to me. I could be wrong. SWMBO has been lately singing that C&W song... " I used to miss him, then my aim improved....."

   Not that I don't empathize with ya. I had to chose between a 190 at 75 bucks or a 72 (BULLNOSE) at twice the price on Friday. (I did miss the 278 though!!!!)

   Good tools cost money, scarce and rare tools cost even more. (hey, the guy that got the 278 raided SWMBO's purse before he went out GSaling....Wonder how HER aim is......

   Eric in Cowtown
   Now yu 'murcans know why we got gun laws in Canada....

2. 
   Peter36 | Apr 12, 2005 06:21pm | #2

   What other planes do you have. It will totally depend on that of course.

1. 
   AndrewD | Apr 12, 2005 08:41pm | #3

   Hi Peter,

   I already have a # 4 1/2 with a high angle frog, a #7 Jointer, a cabinet maker's scraper, and a low-angle rabbeting block plane all of which are Lie-Nielsen.  I have a #3 Stanley Sweetheart smoother that was my Uncle's.  However, I don't use the #3 a whole lot because it has sentimental value, and I don't want it getting damaged.

1. 
   Peter36 | Apr 14, 2005 04:11am | #4

   Hi Andrew. Well you have some nice tools there. I have a #8 a #4 1/2 a cabinet makers scraper , rabetting block and regular block and a scrub. I really find no use whatsoever for a jack. When I am working with rough wood I scrub it then use the #8 and finish with the 4 1/2. Personally there is no need for a jack in the mix. What do you see yourself needing one for? THis will probably help decide which tool to get.          Peter

1. 
   AndrewD | Apr 14, 2005 04:33am | #5

   Peter,

   When I am milling rough wood, I find that it would be nice to have a plane that is not as heavy and tiring as the #7.  I don't have a scrub and I haven't ever used one.  I figured that the jack would be an all around good general use tool.  One that I would turn to first.  By the way, I noticed you said you had a cabinet maker's scraper.  Is it a Lie-Nielsen?  I love mine.  It was the first plane that I got.  Do you know anything about the LA smoother from LN?  I like that as well, but have never used one.

1. 
   Peter36 | Apr 15, 2005 02:44am | #6

   Hello again Andrew. I use my #8 regularly when milling wood. I don't really find it tiring to use since I am not lifting it, and I almost think that it is easier because the mass pushes through any tough areas so easily. Yes my cabinet scraper is a LN. I much prefer a planed surface to a scraped one but it has definatly been a useful tool. I have used several low angle tools but I don't like them. Regular angle tools plane much better. Low angle tools are basically designed with a budget in mind. They do an adequate job and of course you can change the angle to imiatate a 45* angle but it is not what they are really designed for. They are cheaper due to the lack of a frog and all the machining involved. So with a budget in mind they are maybe the way to go, but other than that they are really only end grain tools. However to each his own. Hope this is of some help to you.     Peter

2. 
   AndrewD | Apr 15, 2005 04:09am | #7

   Hey Peter,

   Thanks for the post.  I will probably get a LN #5.  I don't like the idea of not being able to laterally adjust the iron on a LA.  This will probably be the last plane that I buy.  Unless that is of course I find one at an estate sale with a price tag too good to pass up.  It seems like many people find practically brand new LN planes used only once or twice at estate sales and auctions for a fraction of the cost of a new plane.  I wish I could get that lucky and find a few LN planes that I don't have for really cheap.