Which Lie-Nielsen Block Plane?

I recommend the one with the adjustable mouth. You have much more control.

On the non-adjustable, I think it is just a matter of visual preference. Both would work fine. It is a smaller plane and does not have the mass of the 62 1/2.

Another option would be to buy an old Stanley 60 1/2 or 65 and fit it with a Hock blade. Some examples from eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-STANLEY-NO-60-1-2-LOW-ANGLE-BLOCK-PLANE_W0QQitemZ140160435809QQihZ004QQcategoryZ13874QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Stanley-65-Wood-Plane-Low-Angle-w-Knuckle-Joint_W0QQitemZ150163318979QQihZ005QQcategoryZ13874QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Look for block plane blades on this page…
http://www.hocktools.com/products.htm

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Absolutely the adjustable mouth. Whether bronze or iron makes no difference. However like Wayne says; consider a Stanley 60 1/2 with a Hock iron. I’ve been looking for a good 60 1/2 for a while. I’m still using the old Stanley I’ve had for 25 years. It gets the work done.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Iffy if you have made the commitment to go LN, then you are prepared to spend the cash. I wouldn’t go the Stanley route. It’s a stop-gap. I have one and because I’m on the cheap it will have to do. I will likely order the Hock after-market, just to bring it up to working capacity. Another worthy alternative is the Lee Valley-Vertitas bliock plane. i would go with the low-angle with the adjustable throat on any one I was contemplating.

But I think Wayne has suceeded in infecting me with Lie-Nielsen fever. Have I been a good enough boy to ask for one at Xmas. Probably not!

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Naw, Douglas, you can’t have a nice one until you learn to play with the one you got.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

I would say get a hock blade for it Douglas and see what you think. My 65 with a hock blade performs at the same level as my 60 1/2 LN.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

You guys never let me have any fun. I’m asking Mom. ROTFLMAO

Sorry Iffy, didn’t mean to hijack your thread…

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

ROTFLMAO??? What exactly does that mean??

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

rolling on the floor, laughing by butt off..

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Just to avoid any confusion, Iffy, Wayne is recommending buying one of the older, better-made stanley 60 1/2 block planes, not something you can buy off the shelf right now. You’ll have to look at places other than the local Home Depot, like antique tool websites or eBay or estate sales, to get one.

My 60 1/2 with a Hock blade cost me a total of $57 (including the blade, a separate purchase) and I use it almost every time I’m in the shop. I’m incredibly happy with how it has turned out.

And just because you buy one LN tool doesn’t mean your whole collection has to be LN, by the way. If you want an easy way to get into planes, then by all means make your first purchase a LN block plane. It should arrive almost ready to use, right out of the box (you’re paying for that, by the way…). But maybe try a Veritas smoother for your next purchase. Or you can even find old Stanley or Record planes on eBay that have already been lapped flat and cleaned up with a nice, sharp blade in them.

If you find that you like using planes a lot, you could give a try at buying an older one and cleaning it up (start cheap and small, so you don’t invest a lot of time and money if you find you don’t like it; if you do, then work your way up to some larger, more expensive planes). I think taking one apart and fine-tuning it is a great way to learn how your plane works (and thereby get a better understanding of how to use it).

My recommendation for which one to get, regardless of the brand, is the low-angle adjustable mouth block, by the way.

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

BTW, if you missed it the first time. Here is a link to Ethan’s restored 60 1/2. I saw one of these au natural at a flea market a few weeks ago for $8.

http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/RedHeadedMerganser/blog/630

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Thanks for the link, Wayne!

-- Ethan, http://www.merganserwoodworks.com, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

Also, going back to the original question, the look of the bronze is worth $20 to me. The lower cost cost planes are smaller in size and great for carrying around in a shop apron, but they will be limited in some operations and with some wood, which is where the adjustable mouth comes in handy. I would buy an adjustable mouth first, even if it is an old Stanley or Record, then buy the smaller plane as the addiction more firmly takes hold.

: ^ )

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Thanks for all the help guys. I’ve updated my shopping list to specify the adjustable mouth model, rather than the non-adjustable one.

Oh wait. I just remembered my anniversary is coming up. Dang. Guess I’ll have to put it off a couple more weeks.

I’m sure she would love a new Plane…. lol

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Iffy,

My wife bought the L&N low angle adjustable mouth block plane for me as an anniversary gift last year. I am more than happy with it and would not trade it for the world.

-- Chris

I have a few Lie-Nielsen planes. The one I use the most is the low-angle adjustible mouth block plane. After honing to my satisfaction, it has been the best all purpose plane I have ever used. Right out of the box you’ll feel the heft of the small plane. It is a beautiful thing. Of course this is just my opinion.

-- bobdurnell, Santa Ana California.

I have the L-N adjustable mouth block as well as the L-N bronze block plane. The little bronze plane gets a LOT more use – its size makes it so comfortable. And it is just darn handy!
But the adjustable mouth is an advantage for some tasks – it just isn’t as comfortable as the smaller (cheaper!) one.
Just my opinion,
Phil

Iffy,
Just buy them both.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Phil, I guess the question is which one first….

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Wayne
I bought the Bronze one first then spent the next year wondering if the adjustable one was better. Finally bought the adjustable and then found myself using the bronze one most of the time, anyway ;)

Cheers
Phil

Where are you getting HOCK plane blades for a block plane at 3 1/2 to 4 onches long

-- WOOD/DON (...one has the right to ones opinion but not the right to ones own facts...)

Don, Craftsman Studios is my current favorite place to get Hock blades…

http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/H!BLOCK.htm

Info on which blade to choose is here

http://www.hocktools.com/faq.htm#BLinfo

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Thanks Wyane I have not found the size I needed untill now.
Don

-- WOOD/DON (...one has the right to ones opinion but not the right to ones own facts...)

Your welcome Don.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I have the low angle adjustable mouth plane and can’t wait to have/use the smaller bronze plane…

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

I finally ordered the L-N Adjustable Mouth Block Plane, last week. I just checked the UPS tracking number, and it should be waiting for me when I get home today :)! I need to find a reason to leave work early… cough cough!

-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/

Nothing like a case of plane fever…. Seems to be contagious these days. I’m sure it will live up to your expectations it is a wonderful tool.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Mike – I thought you WERE the LN low angle block plane!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

When I picked that picture I was just getting ready to order it :). I guess i got interrupt and only just now got it ordered. I was looking for a good picture of their 5 1/2, which I bought last year. I did leave work a little early to have time to play with it. UPS always shows at my house around 2:30 or 3:00. Last night it was 5:30 :(. I had to settle for catching up on some magazines that have been sitting on the table for awhile.

-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/

How do you like the 5 1/2? I bet that is one sweet plane? Are you using it as a smoother? For shooting?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Right now I’m using the 5 1/2 for both. It is sweet, and once I leaned how to sharpen the blade it got even sweeter!

-- Mike - http://inquisitivewoodworker.blogspot.com/

I would love to have a Bedrock 605 1/2 or the LN. Currently I have a $20 antique store find. I have not restored it yet.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Glad you picked the Lie-Nielsen. I have the adjustable iron model and I love the heft of it. I did resharpen the iron to my liking though. The low angle alows one to really get even with end grain. Best of luck.

-- bobdurnell, Santa Ana California.