Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi everybody,

Since my first into to your wonderful forum I have had a read through the archive and discussion forum. For a newby builder there is some great help there.

I have been collecting together some basic tools for my first build. I need some advice on a block plane as this is one very important tool to have in the workshop!!

Lie-Neilsen make a good one I believe. There is an iron and a bronze model. What is the difference apart from the cost? Would the iron one beok. I think the 102 will be ok for a start. My wood is straight grain so should be the right choice.

If there are some suggestions out there on a suitable block plane I'd like to hear it!!!! I don't want to spend a heaps of money but will be prepared to spend what I need.

Thanks for you attention

Cheers

Alan

l-n does make nice tools, though the only one i have was a gift from sweetie.

if you don't want to spend that much, and i don't, go for an older english stanley or record 9 1/2 or 60 1/2. they can be had for very reasonable prices and really do work quite well when tuned correctly, and that is not hard to do. mine still have the original stanley irons and i have always found them quite able to do the job when sharp. granted, they don't hold an edge like the l-n, but for the price are good value.

looking at you post again, i realized i neglected to ask jut what tasks did you envision performing with your block plane?

Alan,

I have the L-N 102, and it's the one I use most in all of my work requiring a plane. As stated above, there are good antique planes available, but you have to find one at a good price. I think the 102 is a good value for the price, and a very usable plane for lutherie.

Gene

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

[QUOTE=crazymanmichael]looking at you post again, i realized i neglected to ask jut what tasks did you envision performing with your block plane?[/QUOTE]

I want to use the plane for taking back the top and back edges and shaping braces.

[QUOTE=gozierdt]Alan,

I have the L-N 102, and it's the one I use most in all of my work requiring a plane. As stated above, there are good antique planes available, but you have to find one at a good price. I think the 102 is a good value for the price, and a very usable plane for lutherie.

Gene[/QUOTE]

Thanks Gene. Do you prefer the iron or bronze model and for what reason.

Thanks

Alan 

Hi,

I have the iron version, I think there was a sale when I got it several years ago, not sure. The bronze plane would be a little heavier, which could/could not be an advantage depending on the circumstance, but probably isn't too significant in any case. Also, the bronze wouldn't rust, if that is an issue (of course, the blade could still rust), and it is prettier. I'm very happy with the iron version.

Cheers,
Gene

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Alan-
I'm a big fan of the Stanley 60 1/2 planes, but they're really too big for shaping braces and the like.
Something like the Lee Valley Veritas Apron Plane (which I bought recently and like a lot), or even Lee Valley's 'Little Victor' plane might be a better bet.
The Veritas Apron is similar to the LN102, I think.

These are all a bit pricey, but even used planes get expensive if you have to pay shipping costs.

The couple of Veritas planes I own have pretty good blades, BTW.

Cheers
John

The L-N 102 bronze/brass? version is probably the finest, most versatile plane I've ever used. Can't say it any more plainly than that.

-j.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I don't know what the price difference is, but the Veritas low angle block plane from Lee Valley tools is a wonderful tool.
The jobs you mentioned are more easily handled by other tools. I find a block plane too large for any but the grossest jobs on brace shaping. I find a sharp chisel more effective than a plane at trimming the top & back flush to the sides. (I now use a flush trim bit on a 1/4" router for that job.)
Where a REALLY good block plane shines is when you're planing the neck shaft / peghead joint or shaping your heel & tail blocks. The LV block plane is about the most used hand tool in my shop.

The choice for me between Bronze or Iron was simple... Bronze is heavier which is a real added plus in such a small tool, for smooth and easy cutting. The Bronze also wont rust and is easy to keep looking good.

Iron tools have been the mainstay of plane bodys since wood planes (and they work dang fine too!), but LN really are onto something with these bronze bodied smaller tools.

I'm currently shopping for a couple planes too. At first i wanted LN, and later switched to Veritas, since they are a bit cheaper and probably do the job just as well.
Now I hesitate between an adjust mouth / Apron and a 4 smoother / jack.

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Build log

Alan, there is nothing worse than trying to do accurate work with a poor tool. Unless you are knowledgeable about tuning planes, which all of the Stanley and Records need out of the box, do yourself a favor and buy the Lie-Nielsen or Veritas. Both are ready to go as purchased. I bought all used tools when I was starting out and it took a long time to figure out what I was doing, because I didn't know what a fine tool is capable of.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

I too really like the low angle Lee Valley Block plane. Wonderful plane!! But I use an Ibex Plane, curved bottom and 1/2" sorby paring chisel for shaping braces, makes the job efficient and fun!

Shane

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Canada

I own Std. LV Block and Low Angle LV Block. I own the LN adjustable mouth Low Angle. There is more but I resist. The LV LA with regular and toothed blades and the add on tote and higher knob will serve one quite well. With the tote and bigger knob, it becomes a little smoother. Toothed blade helps with exotics. And, the set screws that LV uses in their line of planes is a great feature. One can remove the blade for honing and return it to its exact location.mt PS LN's are much prettier. And, on that rabbet block, one must use care in tightening the iron and cap down. You can get an unappreciated arch with a heavy hand.

Alan,

MIK have the Veritas LA block plane at $199.
Lie-Nielsen's Australian website has the LN LA brass block plane for $149 and the iron model for $119. Prices are in Aussie Pesos.

Ive got a Veritas LA blockie that gets alot of use in my shop.

Cheers Martin

[QUOTE=ToddStock]A toothing blade is not a bad investment - both LN and LV have them for several planes of interest to builders.
[/QUOTE]

Todd, could you please explain the different purposes of a toothed blade and a standard blade?

Cheers

Alan

Hesh, where did you get those wood chips in your picture with your planes? I know they weren't just lying around your shop

                                          Red

[QUOTE=ozziebluesman]

[QUOTE=ToddStock]A toothing blade is not a bad investment - both LN and LV have them for several planes of interest to builders. [/QUOTE]

Todd, could you please explain the different purposes of a toothed blade and a standard blade?

Cheers

Alan

[/QUOTE]

A toothed blade often works better on woods where youre getting tear-out with a regular blade. The toothed blade is also useful as you can more easily see where youve planed as it will have a striated appearance from the toothed blade. The latter is especially obvious if you work the plane diagonally and with the grain in alternating directions with each pass. See Campiano's book for instructions on using a toothed bladed plane to work a top this way.

another vote for the LN 102 in bronze.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Question: anyone have a reccomendation for an online store that sells Lie-Nielsen, and may be willing to ship internationally? Local price for the 102 is fine, pretty much, but the differences get a bit silly if you want any of the pricier planes, and with the dollar where it currently resides...

[QUOTE=Mattia Valente]Question: anyone have a reccomendation for an online store that sells Lie-Nielsen, and may be willing to ship internationally? Local price for the 102 is fine, pretty much, but the differences get a bit silly if you want any of the pricier planes, and with the dollar where it currently resides...[/QUOTE]

Mattia - you might try buying direct from LN.  http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?cat=504

BTW - I'm a big fan of the LN bronze 102.  It's by far my most used plane.