MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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I've decided I need a new block plane - the Faithfull one I bought in the mid 90s has never worked particularly well (tended to chatter rather than cut cleanly), the blade wasn't square from new and the adjuster has now broken.
So what's good, but not hilariously expensive for a serious DIYer?
In years past I would just have bought Record (I have a Record smoothing plane which has been fine), but I'm led to believe the quality isn't what it was.
Quangsheng Luban seem to get decent reviews. What are the Rider ones from Axminster like? Veritas, Lie Nielson etc is WAY out of budget. Anything else I'm missing? Secondhand is a possibility, but old, sorry "vintage", Record or Marples seem to be about the same price as new ones, and will still probably need a new blade.
Also - do I want normal or low angle? Use is a mix of confined space, minor edge trimming/rounding over; plus end grain work tidying up dowels etc.
Thank you!
I've the Stanley No 9 1/2, and in truth I've never liked it. I got the No 60 1/2 low angle but didnt like that either so sold it. Just prone to chatter on endgrain no matter how sharp.
Theyre fine on parallel grain, and ive no problem there, in fact plenty of use without issue, but endgrain its useless.
I'm quite a fan of record power planes -I've No6,5, and 3 bench planes. as well as No077 and 078 rebate
Maybe look for a Record 9 1/2 they seem to go cheaper than the Stanley
When I get around to it and can justify the price, it's the Lie-Nielsen No507 rebating block plane for me 😀
Mine is a Stanley G12-020 that is decades old. Adjustable mouth and iron set at 13°
There must be a pile on ebay and car boots. Stanley still make something similar #5-12-020
EDIT you can't get completely into internal corners, but you probably know that
EDIT you can’t get completely into internal corners, but you probably know that.
Thats where the chisel plane comes into its own. You'd want a No77 for that task.
You’d want a No77 for that task.
ahem. 77 is a dowel maker isn't it? 78 is a fillister plane with a bullnose option which often breaks off then ebayer sell them as "78 special" and try and pretend they are somethng they aren't.
Block planes are for 1 handed use most of the time a normal bench plane will be just as effective. having tiny hands I'm going to recommend a number 3
Quangsheng Luban seem to get decent reviews.
That's what I have. It's a lovely little plane. Really well made and feels lovely and weighty in the hand.
The Rider ones seem quite nice to hold last time I was in Axminster , not sure about in use but I imagine they're fine. The Veritas ones are nice too.
If you're anywhere near Workshop Heaven, then Matthew there has a demo area and welcomes folks coming in to try them out.
Block planes are for 1 handed use most of the time a normal bench plane will be just as effective. having tiny hands I’m going to recommend a number 3
I've got both and the best plane is the one that does the job 🙂
I’ve got both and the best plane is the one that does the job 🙂
absolutely, i'd go as far as to say the best plane is the nearest one 😀
I've got a few old Stanley planes from the 40s and 50s and I thought nothing of them until I started watching Paul Sellers YouTube videos.
ahem. 77 is a dowel maker isn’t it?
Record No077A(I forgot the A bit) Bullnose rebate plane with removable nose so you can use it as a chisel plane.
Not a true chisel plane such as a Woden or Lie Nielsen, but can be used as as thats what I've been using mine for for the last 20 years or so.
Thanks all.
Rutlands do a "made by Luban" block plane. Do we know if thats the same as the Quangsheng/Luban one Workshopheaven sell? It seems to be mostly the same, but slightly cheaper and there are some subtle differences in the spec which may or may not be typos. Rutlands are relatively close to me, so can visit and fondle.
Unlikely the same, but likely similar.
We used to have Workshop Heaven come and demo to our furniture students at College and he said that he worked directly with Quangsheng to produce planes for them.
There was a very similar version knocking about that had a very similar spelling, Qiangsheng or something, and Matthew didn't have complimentary things to say about it (He would say that of course but he's passionate about the tools he sells)
Looking at Rutlands, it is indeed them that sell the Qiangsheng which is not such a quality apparently.
Thread on it here..
To be honest, if you're not a complete tool geek, then most planes in that sort of price bracket will likely be great for you.
Most planes can be greatly improved with some fettling and learning how to keep them razor sharp.
I'm not a tool geek. I use my Quangsheng which was a gift, and a cheap Stanley.
Both work really well.
Record No077A(I forgot the A bit) Bullnose rebate plane with removable nose so you can use it as a chisel plane.
Not a true chisel plane such as a Woden or Lie Nielsen, but can be used as as thats what I’ve been using mine for for the last 20 years or so.
ah got ya. just automatically assumed stanley