Replies

1. 
   RMillard | Oct 11, 2003 02:46pm | #1

   I use both wooden and metal bodied planes everyday. The wood planes if made from properly dried and finished stock will hold their shape. If they did not a quick pass with another plane wood true it up. Wood planes are less fatiguing to use due to their lighter weight. They also just seem to “feel” better, but this is a personal thing. Metal bodied planes are of course more rigid, so this is why I prefer them for smoothing.

   Right now I have the following bench planes .

   LN 4 ½ w/high angle frog

   Stanley Jack, Fore and Jointer

   Clark and Williams 30” jointer w/ 50 degree bed

   A Home made wooden scrub plane.

   If I were to start over, this is what I would buy.

   LN 4 ½ W high angle frog

   C&W Jack, and Jointer w/ 50 degree bed

   LN Scrub plane or make one like I already have

                                                 Rob Millard

1. 
   BG | Oct 11, 2003 04:09pm | #2

   Rob,

   That is a very interesting assortment of planes on your wish list.  I'm surprised by two: the wood jointer and the LN scrub.  I would think the weight in the jointer would be important...and I have modified an old #3 to use as a scrub, very pleased, it would seem to be a bit of waste to spend money on the LN for such a function...but, I'm really asking, maybe there is something to learn here.

   Also, as long as it's a wish list...no Norris smoother?

1. 
   RMillard | Oct 12, 2003 12:40am | #3

   BG

   I’m sorry that my wording did not make clear what I intended to say.

   I own a Lie Nielsen (LN) 4 ½, Clark & Williams (C&W ) 30” jointer, and Stanley jack, fore and jointer planes. If I were to purchase my bench planes now, having gained experience, these are what I would buy, LN 4/12 and C&W jack, fore and jointer planes.( I might even leave out the fore)

   On the subject of the scrub plane, I too modified a Stanley plane ( in my case the Jack) to use as a scrub plane. But the chatter, pushed me to make a wooden plane with a 3/16” iron and 50 degree bed. This plane, while lacking in appearance, performs excellently. The LN scrub although expensive , would probably work better than a modified bench plane, but not as well as my homemade plane. I prefer the wood planes for their light weight . The C&W jointer I have is huge, but it is so comfortable to use, that I use it for things that really don’t require a long plane. I like the heft of a metal smooth plane, since it seems to me, to help achieve a chatter free surface.

   As for a Norris style plane it is on my wish list, I just wish they were cheaper.

                                            Rob Millard

2. 
   sailalex | Oct 12, 2003 03:45pm | #4

   So, I guess the main advantages to a wooden plane is the lighter weight and the "personal feel" aspect. I am somewhat surprised that "back in the good old days" when hand tools were the norm and plenty of wood (and not much money) available that wood planes were not more prevalent. Seems everyone would have made their own planes from wood. Maybe the more modern era of tool collectors has spawned this interest.

1. 
   BG | Oct 12, 2003 05:29pm | #5

   sAILALEX,

   I may be completely wrong, however, I suspect the popularity of metal planes would have been more with carpenters than cabinet makers when they first evolved.  A carpenter had to carry all his tools, and the metal planes, jack is the best example, could be adjusted to scrub, joint and smooth..all with one plane.  The wood planes are single purpose for the most part....many wood planes for shaping wood are still available. 

2. 
   GHR | Oct 12, 2003 06:28pm | #6

   There is no functional difference between a well made wood and well made metal plane.

   The fact that people can list differences is do to the economics of production and that elusive "snob" factor.