I will be attending the woodworking show in atlanta this weekend with the intention of purchasing a veritas plane. But I am in doubt as to which one and am requesting some advice.
I want to be able to smooth table tops as well as set frame and panel doors. Can one plane be used for both? I am stuck between a low-angle smooth plane, a #6 fore plane, a low-angle jack plane or even a #5 1/2W. I am partial to the low-angle plane because I recently purchased a low-angle block plane and I can’t get over how much I can do with it and how easy it is to use.
Any advice will be much appreciated and thanks ahead of time!
dlb
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The undisciplined life is not worth examining.
Replies
IF you buy a BU plane, you can switch between LA and HA. Using a LA on tear out prone wood will result in much frustration. A BU Jack would be a very useful type and size. I started with a 10" smoother and quickly found it too light and small. Now that I've got the Jack and the jointer I don't know why I didn't get them earlier! (oh yeah, the cost! :) )
I have the veritas low angle jack (bevel up) and I use it flatten and smooth. Changing the blades is very simple and you can smooth difficult wood with the high angle blade without tearout. If I was going to buy one veritas plane this would be it. I have also the bevel up jointer and was going to purchase the bevel up smoother but after using the low angle jack and discovering its versatility I may not even buy the BUS. Hope this helps. The reviews of the veritas bevel up planes by Derek Cohen at http://www.wkfinetools.com are very informative.
Sorry, should have replied to dlb rather than spike2.
Edited 1/24/2006 2:43 pm ET by RandyWalker
For doing fairly long pieces of wood/panels, such as table tops and doors, I would consider a #5 1/2. It has the length to keep your panels flat, can be set to take thicker or thinner shavings for rough work or final finishing, and has the mass to deal with cranky grain.
Rather than the Veritas #5 1/2, consider the LN. Yes, it is a little more expensive, BUT, you can also get the 50-degree high angle frog (HAF) for about $75. When you're planing a piece of uncooperative wood, you can switch frogs and take care of that nasty grain. It's just like getting another #5 1/2 for less than a quarter of the price. (As an aside, the #5 1/2's HAF also fits LN's #4 1/2, #6, and #7 planes; eight planes for little more than the price of four.)
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