New Veritas® Small Bevel-Up Smooth Plane

I’ve not tried it. I wonder how long it has been available. The blade is not interchangeable which is understandable but requires buying another assortment of irons. I like that fact that the sides are machined square so you use it on a shooting board.

You know I am really enamored with vintage planes and their restoration but I am trying to buy tools that I really need and not become a collector. With this set of planes it is difficult to rationalize putting the $$, time and effort into a full compliment of vintage Stanley planes.

Really, what functional weaknesses does this set have(other than the price difference). The only two that I can think of are:
You may need a # 5 for rough work because of the ease of chambering the blade relative to a bevel up iron
You may need a #8 for jointing because of the longer sole.

-- I hate being bipolar. It's awesome! :^ ) ^:

I was in Lee Valley last week and they let me test drive it on a piece of cherry. I was impressed for sure. It is smaller and lighter (obviously) than the larger BUS, and felt very good in hand. I was thinking the tote would be slightly uncomfortable but was pleasantly surprised that it felt really comfy.. The adjustments are simple and easy. Overall, a great little plane! If I didn’t have the regular BUS already, I would buy it. I need a plow plane more at this time… lol

I belive it just came out. The web site says August, but I did not see it a couple of weeks ago, so I am guessing late August.

I guess it depends on what your building. The what other planes would you need question is interesting one. Standard Jack planes can be found pretty cheaply. On the jointer front, I think the LN set has the edge.

This looks good for someone who prefers smaller planes and wants a low angle plane.

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

Bob, I really like their little plow planes. They are pretty cool. (Shoulder planes as well)

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

I have both the LV large and small shoulder planes. They are great tools for sure! I can’t wait to get the plow however. No question that I will be using that right away!

Wayne, that looks like a very nice little plane, might have to drive over and see one in person…

-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."

Easy Randy, leave one for the rest of us..

;-)

-- Glen, Vernon B.C. Canada

Beautiful little plane, looking like a gem.
But some one have to teach them to make some beautiful totes…
To me it is the only thing I do not love about their hand planes.
They could look here:
http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/planetote01.html
Best thoughts,
Mads

-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.

I agree on the totes…

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

Mads / Wayne, what is the difference? Looks very similar to me.

Ok, I just looked again at the photo again and at the catalog, this one does seem to be a little odd looking compared to the rest, a bit “stumpy”.

The totes on my other Veritas planes fit my hand very well, I am more uncomfortable with the Lie Nielson plane totes.

Thanks Glen, I won’t be the first to buy it (just because I noticed it late), but remember one of my favorite sayings “The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese”…

-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."

Justfine, there are nothing wrong with the totes! I just find them really ‘un-designed’ they are stumpy, un-elegant and they seems heavy on the planes that I find extremely well designed. I have a giant respect for Veritas, they try to improve, reinvent and do this in both use and design, they are really plane makers, not just producers, but they never really got the design right on the knobs and totes in my taste (and I read this many places so I think I’m not alone). But I repeat in my taste. If I had the money and was not so hooked on the old planes and the history around them I would choose Veritas over LN with no doubt, but I would redesign the totes and knobs and change them since I am really picky on design (I’m an architect not a carpenter).
Actually I think the biggest problem is they ALMOST look like the old, but they don’t really, and they are made from wood in color and style as the old but yet they look not like the old, so they become strangers to us. So I think the right thing was to rethink completely, perhaps carbon fibers would be the thing or a really dark wood, but I think also the shape needs to be rethought… I would be happy to take the job of redesigning them, I feel sure it could be done with success and that they would raise the sales a lot if they got this last thing right, I actually find it sad they are not the no one on the market, they deserve it. To me LN is too ‘pling’ but in twenty years when they will be on E-bat full of wear and patina they are going to be amazing I think. I think Veritas with some better totes would be even more bad ass, and probably become the new ‘Stanley’s’ that everyone would copy in the future.
It is a discussion that can make noise, but as usual I dear my but – laugh.
Best thoughts,
Mads

-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.

Justfine: I also find the Veritas totes very comfortable. I also agree with Mafe. They just don’t look right. I have considered an aftermarket replacements but can’t justify the cost. Mafe, your objections to the tote design are accentuated in this #3. it looks even worse. The ” hang angle” is differnet. Also, it appears to fasten from the bottom and would require a different approach to replace it.

Cessna: I bought a type 13 Stanley #3 this weekend for the purpose you stated. Even if I had know about tuis new BU Veritas I think I would still buy vintage

-- I hate being bipolar. It's awesome! :^ ) ^:

Well, hopefully Rob Lee will see this discussion and take some notes from it, and I am sure he will contact you Mads… don’t be surprised if he does!

Maybe this is a case of function over form?

I proudly support the Canadian company, and enjoy every tool I have purchased from them over the years…

-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."

I more than respect Veritas, I think they are with no compare the most important plane creators since Stanley set the standard everyone just followed for so long – finally someone who had the will and the courage to go new ways, I am deeply impressed and full of respect.
There has been plenty who ‘just’ made Stanley planes better than Stanley, and at a higher price, but to make them better and at a fair price, this is a challenge only they have taken and done really impressive.
If you look at the NX60 block plane and the apron plane from Veritas, they kick ass, they are so well designed, here the wood is away, and their modern approach makes sense. The design and the function go hand in hand. But I think also the wood could probably stay, just better designed, but this is all feelings, to make a good design you need production and all the rest of the factors into consideration, and you need hours of feeling when it is right.
Best thoughts,
Mads

-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.

The only Veritas plane I have is the apron plane, and my small Stanleys are really jealous!
Big smile,
Mads

-- Mad F, the fanatical rhykenologist and vintage architect. Democraticwoodworking.