Hand Planes

The Perfect Plane

Pray for a miracle!

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

‘perfect plane’? ... I don’t think it exists. But one I am very happy with is my Stanley No 3 (circa 1894 – 1898). I bought it on eBay, put a Hock blade and chip breaker in it, and am happy as a clam.

If vintage tools aren’t your thing (they do take some ‘fettling’), then either Veritas or Lie-Nielsen is the way to go.

You’ll also find that happiness comes in the form of several planes that are used for different purposes.

-- The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. -- Vincent T. Lombardi

Have you thought about trying out a Japanese plane? There is some time you need to devote to fitting the blade and conditioning the dai but the results you get from a Japanese plane are well worth it.

-- http://timberwerksstudio.blogspot.com/

I concur with the Dane on this one, put down two marks next to a cleaned up, tuned up #3. Here is a photo of mine doing what it does best, making hamster nests…. I have a representative example of all of the Stanley sizes and the little #3 is the one I always seem to reach for….I was taking pretty big “Bites” diagonal to the grain in this photo but I can close it up and peel ribbons all day long with the occasional hone & strop. The little bevel up block plane was for some of the gnarlier purpleheart pieces that wanted to tear out a little. Between the little 9 1/2 and #3 you can really do most anything.

-- Jerry, "Some people are like Slinkies, They aren't good for much of anything, but they put a grin on your face when you push them down a flight of stairs"

Steve
The perfect plane is being held by the perfect woman petting the perfect dog in her fathers sawmill adjacent to his gun shop and liquor store. Out back is the old barn filled with rusty tools.
Let the search begin!!!!!

-- "Not skilled enough to wipe jam on toast!"

Thanks all…..appreciate the advice. Still looking.

-- Stevec3606

I was kidding.

The Veritas item sounds great. I do not own it but it sounds great. Pick up a used Stanley #4 and sharpen the blade up. clean it up there are tons of websites that tell you how.

the one which will correct all my cutting errors, never dull in use and help me make the kind of projects I see here.

I have #3 thru #8 and none of them will make the board longer if you have a cutting error and it does not work

-- "Not skilled enough to wipe jam on toast!"

ebay thats where i found mine i have two #4 and two #4 1/2’s there nice planes and work very well i want the new ones from stanley but all i can say is ebay cue alot of people are out of work and trying to sell everything GOD BLESS THEM and GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING!

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop,www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

Perfect not on this planet

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Thanks to all of you. I found a used Stanley #3 on ebay; paid a little more than I really wanted but I seem to have been bitten by the Hand Plane bug. Haven’t gotten it yet but I can’t wait to get it, tune it and try it out. Appreciate the advice.

Meanwhile, I’m still working on the lighthouse I promised my wife I’d build two years ago. Can’t make one of those things without a good hand plane.

-- Stevec3606

I was at tool show the other day and saw a $1900 hand plane….(the kit was only $750.) Also in the show was a plane that made see through, long shavings (like a foot or more.)

It’s all about how sharp, how well tuned….and always only planing straight grained soft wood to prove how great your plane is.

-- arborial reconfiguration specialist