Lie Nielsen vs. Veritas

i don’t think that there is that much of a difference. they are both great brands so it is not like comparing something good to something bad. i wouldn’t think that there would be too much difference in quality. i would go for whichever one is less. or you could make one.

!

I buy Niesen over Veritas.. But in the end you are comparing 2 excellent products. Kind of like people who argue over Coke or Pepsi…. They in the end are both colas..

-- making sawdust....

i think the biggest difference is that the LN is an open throat plane while the LV is a closed throat plane. this could make a difference depending on what you want to do with the tool. If you plan on making grooves for rails and stiles the closed throat is a benefit. both planes can do bullnosed work, the LV has a removable front while the LN’s blade can be reversed. Again, a matter of how you work. Also, I believe the LN’s fence is standard while the LV’s is an option. Both are beautiful tools.

Just food for thought.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

also i think (you might want to check this so don’t quote me on it) that LN has a micro adjust and i don’t think the LV has that. just check on that though.

I envision using it primarily to clean out dados. Maybe the other things will come in time. I don’t know if open or closed throat makes a difference at my level of woodworking. I will check on the microadjust, teen, so thanks to all.

If any others want to continue to chip in their 2¢, go right ahead.

i just checked it out and the bigger LN has a micro adjust but no the smaller one. the LV also has it. they really are both the same in the smaller version and the configuration is a little different for the bigger ones. the only different i could find was that the LV could be used for bullnose cuts and the LN cant. i would probably go with the LV and then whether you get the bigger or smaller depends both on your pockets and your primary use. you said cleaning out dados, so it won’t matter much but i would think that the larger one would be more versatile and a little easier to control because it has the handles.

The LN can be used for bullnose cuts by turning the blade around so it faces backward (just like the original stanley 71).

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Buy both. : ^ )

There is a review of the LN and lots of other good plane reviews here

http://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7777

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

I’m wondering if the LN has the wave washer that steadies the blade during depth changes.
I’m also wondering who wants to buy my Stanley 271 for the price of the LV and, when pigs will grow wings.

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

Way things are going Doug, you might get that much on eBay….

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

Perhaps a small or medium shoulder plane may be more versatile. They can clean out dadoes and clean up tenons, etc. It costs more but may be worth it in the long run.

-- NorthWoodsMan

I thought I recalled a comparison review of Derek Cohen’s where the LV came out slightly ahead but I can’t locate it. But Derek is generally a LV plane maven so not sure how unbiased that was. I seem to recall the depth stop being mentioned as better on the LV vs LN. I’ve got a number of planes from both and I’m sure you couldn’t go wrong with either. The LV optional fence would seem to be a plus there as well though. I ended up with the LV router just because of the introductory pricing and haven’t used the LN router. No complaints at all with the LV. It works very well.

-- Use the fence Luke

Doug S., I have Derek Cohen’s article but it’s the Lee Valley vs. Stanley. (Thanks God for office color printers, by the way – here's the link). I found another review for those who are interested: link.

The Lee Valley comes with three blades and has a closed throat for $139; the Lie Nielsen has one blade for $125. Three blades for $15 doesn’t seem like such a bad deal. In for a dime…in for a dollar, eh?

Thanks to all who have responded. Looks like I’ll have a LV in the shop soon.

Grantman
Somewhere out there I think there’s either a D.C. review or lengthy WW forum post comparing the LV vs LN. I read it not too long after buying my LV. Just striking out with the Google search terms to find it.

-- Use the fence Luke

Hmmm. It’s possible I’m wrong on the author. I just found this Chris Schwarz comparison. This might be what I’m remembering.
http://blogs.popularwoodworking.com/editorsblog/LieNielsen+Large+Router+Plane.aspx

-- Use the fence Luke

Good article, Doug S I missed it on my search. I went to the Lee Valley site and found out the fence is an option for another $10. So, now for $150 I get a closed throat plane, three blades, and according to the Schwarz, a better fence. Thank God the commission check came in last month and my wife’s out of town. ;-)

In for a dime…in for two dollars, I guess.

The odd thing is that the Schwarz review mentions a better fence, yet when I look at LN’s website I see no mention of their’s even having a fence and there’s no pics of one either. Color me puzzled.

-- Use the fence Luke

I stopped into my local Woodcraft store the other day and saw the LN. Nice piece of work and it had a fence on display. That’s what started my search. Calling the store today, they had a Father’s Day sale, 15% off, so balancing off for tax & delivery, I bit the bullet and bought the LN for $113 total w/tax. The LV would have been another $40, so commission check notwithstanding, I opted for the Lie Nielsen.

At my level of woodworking and for what I perceive will be my needs, I’m sure I did OK. Thanks for stopping back with your feedback. It was appreciated.

Can we talk you in to taking a few photos and posting a review?

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

If anyone is looking to purchase LN planes, Craftsman Studio sells them for 10% less than LN, and about 10% less than anyone else. Even with shipping, it is a savings because most of us don’t have to pay sales tax.

-- NorthWoodsMan

http://www.finetoolj.com/ln/home.html usually has LN’s at 15% off and shipping is free.

-- Use the fence Luke

I bet anyone who owns both products will say the same thing you can go wrong with either. Two of the most relible hand tool on the market . Blkcherry

Wayne, thanks for the offer. I’ve never written a review before and I’m certainly not at the level of most of you guys (I’m guessing) so as long as it works, I’ll probably say it’s OK. However, if you’re dumb enough to ask, I’ll be dumber and agree. ;-)

I can only work on weekends so give me a few weeks on this.

Schwarz and Cohen are tough acts to follow. sigh.