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What hand to plane to buy first?

17K views 49 replies 18 participants last post by  RGtools 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm interested in purchasing my first hand plane for some jointing work and surface smoothing. I'd love to have the large veritas jointing planer, but it's $275. What would be a god general purpose plane to get my feet wet that will do a multitude of jobs and not cost a million dollars. I'd like something higher quality though.
 
#3 ·
Here is the text for a 5 1/2 that is selling on ebay

A beautiful Stanley/Bailey 5 1/2 corrugated plane with a rust and pit free base and finish baked on. The base has been lapped flat using diamond plate and different grits of sand paper on plate glass. The base has three patent dates; the last being APR/19/10. The rosewood knob & rosewood tote have been refinished and have very nice gain and color. The full-length "Stanley Sweetheart" logo blade and chip breaker have no rust and the blade has been sharpened scary sharp using diamond plate and Japanese wet stones at 25 degrees. The frog has the small brass depth adjusting wheel. The Stanley key hole lever cap is smooth to the touch and has no edge problems. Overall, this plane is tuned and shop ready.
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
a #5 is the jack of all trades, its small and light enough and can be set to smooth surfaces and it is long enough to kinda to jointing and flattening of surfaces (although compared to a #7 you would have to do more manual work and check surfaces for flat more often). older stanleys are good candidates as they are not too expensive.

mind you, LN LV Stanley or anything else - you will also have to develop sharpening skills or hand planing will seem very unfriendly and can become a hassle real fast. with a good setup and sharp tool it's a pleasure to work though.

With that said - I would suggest getting a dedicated smoother #4 and a dedicated jointer #7 so that you'll spend less time fiddling with changing the setting on a #5 and just have 1 plane setup properly and ready to work. initial cost will be higher but you'll get to work WITH the planes more than work ON them that way.
 
#6 ·
If you have to do everything with one plane, it is basically impossible to beat the Low Angle Jacks.

Lie-Nielsen

Veritas

With the alternative blades, you can do almost everything. The vintage approach is good too, and would be a great way to start to build out more focused tools. I personally prefer and purchased the Veritas on every measure except aesthetic - I have come dang close to buying the L-N just because I want one so badly.
 
#7 ·
If there was only one choice. The block plane we be my first pick.
Really depends what you are doing, however the block plane is the work horse in my shop.
Don't have spend much to get something that works. The LN bronzes are pocket ready and easy to keep sharp.
Get a replacement iron for a Stanley ( Hock) and bit of a tune-up and you are ready to go.

Thanks jb
 
#8 ·
I agree with the other posters, a #5 type plane can do a lot. You can joint with it, but I would not use it for longish boards. It can smooth if you tune it for that. It excels at fast stock removal when dimensioning lumber. I use a #5 type on my shooting board, perfect balance for size and weight.

Since the $275 for a Veritas plane keeps you from buying it, yet you want quality, I suggest any of the planes suggested above. I would also suggest buying a blade for each operation you want to perform with the plane as a smooth plane blade is done up differently than a jointer plane blade and one you would use for rapid stock removal.

But, if you want to get into using handplanes, you MUST have a method to sharpen the blades. You will have a horrible experience if you try to use a handplane with a dull blade. They also require some tuning, even the high end LNs and such require tuning when you get them from the manufacturer. Take the time to read up and understand how to tune, sharpen, and use handplanes which will result in a positive experience for you.

Good Luck and welcome to the world of handplanes!!!
 
#10 ·
A good used #5 or 5-1/2 would do nicely. To improve your chances of finding a good one, I'd expand the short list to include Record, Millers Falls (#14), Sargent VBM, Union, Winchester, and Keen Kutter.

I have a MF 14 that I like a little more than my Stanley #5. I find the handle to be more comfortable. It also cost a lot less ($12 shipped vs $30 shipped.) If you look at Keen Kutter - the K models are based on the Bedrock planes, the KK are based on the Bailey. The Winchester planes were made by either Stanley or Sargent depending on model. I have a transitional jack and I'm not too keen on it - but I know it needs some adjusting.

Otherwise I agree with the general statements above. The low-angle jack from LV is a phenomenal plane and very high on my aquisition list. That is if I can stop buying planes on eBay for a week so I can afford it =p
 
#11 ·
I was leaning towards a jointer plane like a #6-7 and there's a nice Record plane on ebay right now for $65 buy it now. Looks like new. I also found an older stanley 220 block plane that my dad had left which seemed to work ok as I was tinkering with for fun last night. I'd love to have a #5 jack plane, a jointer plane, and a smoothing plane. I don't mind spending $75-$100 for a decent one because I feel like quality handtools is money well spent, but I have to warm up to the $275 Veritas. I'm sure it's nice, but I'm gonna get a feel for liking planes before I splurge on that.
 
#13 ·
#5's are all over ebay and you can get them for cheaper then most of the other size bench planes.

The manufacture of the plane is not as important as the users ability to properly sharpen and tune the plane. If I was starting over I would pick up a #4, #5, #7 and a block plane and then spend some money on sharpening tools/supplies.
 
#14 ·
Wood River makes a solid user plane at a good price. The number 6 handles a really fair amount of work for your first "real" plane. If you can, grab a second blade that you can grind a camber into so you can hog material off with it. Sold at woodcraft. Keep in mind the kind of work you would like to do though since that will affect the size plane you would need. if your tend towards smaller work go with a 5 instead.

Also don't forget sharpening gear.
 
#15 ·
Just remember that learning to use planes and learning to restore planes are two different things. Your main focus seems to be learning to use planes, so perhaps you should buy something either new or something used but modern. Planes do very specific things. That's why there are so many different kinds. Each one has a different job, though some overlap. Deciding which plane to buy entirely depends on what you want to do with it. My go-to plane is a Lie-Nielsen low-angle jack plane. It is long enough to do most jointing work and it has a fine-enough mouth to do smoothing work.

If you can save up for a new (or gently used) Lie-Nielsen or Veritas plane, I think you would have a better first experience and that might keep you going. If it is a question of not wanting to pay for an expensive plane (which I can totally relate to) and buying a cheaper plane is the only way to get you into planing, then buy a cheaper one.

As fun as this kind of conversation is, I would also recommend that you buy a plane and get to work. No matter what plane you buy, you'll always be thinking about which one to buy next.
 
#16 ·
I have a feeling I'll get addicted to it. I think my primary focus that I'm interested in is making boxes. I know everyone and their mother makes boxes, but it's something useful that you can get creative with. So edge jointing is important to mix different species of woods together for visual effect so a jointer would would be nice but also a smoothing plane to get everything smooth. I have a thickness planer, but no jointer so I do most edge jointing on the table saw or router with straight edge, but the setup takes a little time. It'd be nice to throw a piece in a vice, grab the jointer plane and be done with it in the time it would take to set up a router and straight edge.
 
#17 ·
I think the idea about planes to me is that it adds even more hand crafted nature to the workpiece. When you give someone a gift that you made that you hand planed, smoothed, jointed, etc, it just promotes even more pride. I'd love to learn to hand cut dovetails too, but that will be another day. I love power tools, but sometimes it takes so long to set them up that by learning the skill, you'd be done with the task before the setup is complete. Plus, it seems like hand tools last forever and are simple so spending good money on something that will last forever as opposed to spending money on new (poor quality made in china) power tools of today that break and need expensive replacement parts such as motors and gears, etc makes sense. Plus, a hand plane is a lot safer than a power jointer.
 
#19 ·
What about this set? Looks like a decent set of 3 for a little more than one Veritas:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2021170/33442/WoodRiver-Ultimate-Cabinet-Makers-Kit.aspx

Or is it worth just splurging and buying 1 veritas low angle jack plane to get started. I figured if I hated it, I can always sell it and not lose much on it. I feel like quality tools is something that doesn't lose value quickly. Or should I put the money towards a power jointer since I don't have one? I basically have $300 to spend. haha!
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
The question I would ask is what type of work are you doing?

Nominally a #4 for smoothing a board….

a #5 for doing rough work if the blade is cambered. With a non-cambered blade it can do smoothing work as well. Some people keep two blades sharpened to support either task. Also some people use a #40 scrub plane to perform this task.

a #7 Jointer plane for flattening boards.

The three of these types of planes are normally be used in conjunction. Normally, the #5 is used to flatten the board and get it to a specific dimension, then the jointer plane is used to make the board flat and remove marks made by #5. Then a smoothing plane is used to put the final finish on the board.

If your using a plower planer and power jointer, you can drop the #5 from the list and continue with the jointer plane and then the smoothing plane.

The sizes can vary some for these planes (e.g. some people prefer smaller smoothers such as a #3 or a wider one such as a #4 1/2)

A block plane is good for fine work to augment power tool woodworking. I like low angle adjustable planes such as a Stanley #60 1/2 or #65.

Shoulder plane is great if your doing M&T joint work

Router plane for cleaning up dados

etc….

Recommendation would be a pre-WW2 Stanley and a couple of blades. Get sharpening supplies and learn to sharpen it. Set a blade for rough work and one for fine work, then branch from there to other planes. Second recommendation would be aligned with Al's. Buy one of every style plane on the market and try them all…. : ^ )

Actually, I think Don patented that approach.
 
#21 ·
Now that we know you are making boxes…. I low angle jack would be a VERY good way to go (grab the toothing blade for veneer work).

Wayne, Al and I are likley to enable you in your addiction way more that we should.

The router, or a decent plow plane would be the first specialty plane I would grab (if you use a TS the router is way more practical though)
 
#22 ·
#23 ·
Still interested in those wood river. I just picked up WoodMagazine and it was reviewed with 5 stars. That set of 3 might do the trick. Pick up 3 of those to get me started and then move on to maybe veritas as I grow. FYI, justfor fun, I was at harbor freight and they have a decent bench plane for $9. I bought one for fun because well it was $9 made in India and seems solidly built for what I paid for it. Ill let you know if it works or falls apart first try. Haha I still want some nice ones but I'll snap some pics of it for fun
 
#24 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have the WoodRiver low angle BP and the #4, and in my limited experience like them a lot and used both extensively while building my first big project workbench. The low angle BP really came in handy with fitting my large dovetails on the rails.

I also have three old Sargents (Comparison here):

#418 Fore Plane -- unrestored
#418VBM Fore Plane -- restored
#422 Jack Plane -- cleaned but unrestored early Type II
On the Sargent #418VBM I now have a Hock blade and that makes a BIG difference. On another I have the Veritas scraper plane insert. I have not used this much other than testing it out after receiving it, but it does seem to be a very good dedicated use for one of my older Sargent #418s. The #422 base, being very early (thin base), is not nearly as stable so it may end up as an ornament. Time will tell. I just HAD to have the TYPE II with the twisted frog and thin base ;-)

As others have said, have a GOOD sharpening system. I use the scary sharp method, but it is slow. If I could afford it I would upgrade to a good automated grinder system.
 
#25 · (Edited by Moderator)
I don't think it's about A hand plane. It's about what hand planes. In my book, it's these three:

1. low angle block plane
2. #4 or 3 smooth (depends on the size of your hands)
3. #5 jack

4. if you have the cash, a #7 is nice as a jointer for long edges. For surfacing face boards, the 5 will do the trick, followed by the 4.

If you buy and older Stanley or Sargent or Millers Falls from a reputable tool dealer you'll get a great tool that will last a lifetime for a fraction of the price. Add a Hock iron and yer golden. These three will be the most often used of all your planes.
 
#26 ·
That's why I think maybe the combo set of Woodriver might be a good place to start. It pretty much covers what Ill need as you just mentioned above. My other question was is it worth it to spend the money on the hand planes or get a decent power jointer. I don't have one yet, but I was thinking of buying hand planes for that chore instead of the jointer. I figured any decent jointer is going to run $300-$400 and that's for a low budget one. I could get the set of 3 hand planes for $369 and that sounds like it will do what the jointer will, but with a liittle more time and finess. Can hand planes take the place of a dedicated jointer in a shop, or should I still go ahead and get a jointer?
 
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