Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Aug 06, 2009 04:55am | #1

   I use a #5 jack plane from time to time. Mostly for woodworking, but occasionally for shaving down a door.

   And a small, low angle block plane for trim work. My favorite is a Stanley # 60 1/2.

   He who permits himself to tell a lie once finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual; he tells a lie without attending to it, and truths without the world believing it. [President Thomas Jefferson]

1. 
   Houghton123 | Aug 06, 2009 05:14am | #2

   I concur with the jack plane and block plane as the first two. After that, I'd add a rabbet plane. The Stanley No. 78 is a good one, for reasons I'll explain below. You won't use it often, but, when you do, you'll be grateful you have it.Two examples, both siding related:1. I was installing horizontal wood lap siding on an outbuilding on our Victorian property. The siding on one side of a window didn't quite match up with the siding on the other - one side was about 1/8" higher. A couple of minutes with the rabbet plane, shaving off the top of the high siding, solved the problem.2. My son was replacing some "tear drop" horizontal lap siding (this is his term; don't know if it's a standard term) on his landlord's place. This is not a common siding pattern, and the new siding was subtly different in dimensions from the old; he was able to taper-plane the rabbet on the lap to blend it in.The No. 78 is neat because it's got a bullnose position for the iron for when you need to get into tight spots.Some people like rabbeting block planes, but these are a lot pricier.Find a good field sharpening system: oilstones, water stones, sandpaper on MDF or glass; lots of systems.Bill, who has just a few planes - stopped counting at 50, so I would never have to give a precise answer if LOML ever asks, "How many danged planes do you have, anyway?)

1. 
   Shep | Aug 06, 2009 04:10pm | #6

   I recently bought my first BedRock, a #605. It was a little worn, so I'm still in the process of fettling it. I'm looking forward to putting it thru its paces.

1. 
   FastEddie | Aug 06, 2009 07:10pm | #10

   I'm still in the process of fettling it

   Never heard that term."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   Shep | Aug 06, 2009 10:52pm | #11

   old term for tuning a plane, used by us old carpenters

2. 
   popawheelie | Aug 06, 2009 05:50am | #3

   I have a block plane in my box and a small trim? plane.

   I also find it convienent to have a small hand power plane.

   "There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."
   Will Rogers
1. 
   Sancho | Aug 06, 2009 07:40am | #4

   I dont use alot of planes, but I tell ya when I need to shave something inna hurry I use a block plane

3. 
   Shep | Aug 06, 2009 04:03pm | #5

   I really like planes. I'm like Houghton- I don't know exactly how many I've got. I do know I've got 8-9 block planes, and I'm sure I'll be buying more. I have a fetish for block planes.

   Anyway, now that you know more about me than you wanted LOL...

   I carry 2 block planes in my van, a regular a and a low angle. Partly because they both have there uses, and partly because when one hits a nail, or gets dull, I can pull out the other one.

   I also have 2 rabbet planes, a Stanley 78, and a smaller Stanley; I don't know the number. The 78 I use for any rough kind of rabbeting; the smaller one I can carry in my tool belt if needed, and is handy sometimes.

   I also have a Lie-Nielson butt mortise plane in my van. Its great if I need to mortise in a few hinges, or strike plates, and don't want to make a lot of dust. And its surprisingly fast.

   Whatever plane (s) you have, its important to keep them sharp. I've seen guys take one out of the box, and try to use it. Then say the tool's a piece of cr*p.

   edit to add: the 2 block planes I carry in my van are both Records. They were definitely higher quality than the Stanleys available at the same time. While Record planes aren't made anymore, Stanley has come out with new, improved models. From what I've read, that's actually true. Or get Lie-Nielson or Lee Valley planes. Both are excellent quality, and won't need hours of work to tune them up.

   
   

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   Edited 8/6/2009 9:08 am ET by Shep

1. 
   Houghton123 | Aug 06, 2009 04:23pm | #7

   I concur on the butt mortise plane. This is one plane that you can make for yourself in an afternoon: http://www.woodcentral.com/articles/handtools/articles_114.shtmlBill Houghton

1. 
   Shep | Aug 06, 2009 04:35pm | #8

   Nice work!

4. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Aug 06, 2009 06:01pm | #9

   Basic is a low angle block plane.  Stanley is good.   Putting a fine edge on the blade is important.  Here's a good method and a simple tool to help do that. https://home.comcast.net/~rexmill/sharpening/scary_sharp/scary_sharp.htm

5. 
   paulbny | Aug 07, 2009 01:27am | #12

   I keep a Lie Neilson Bronze Low Angle block plane in my pouch when trimming.  VERY useful for trueing up oddball corners and breaking sharp edges.  Bought one for a buddy I work with alot for christmas just so he would have to keep borrowing mine.  There a mite expensive but worth every penny.  The other one I use on the job is a full size block plane.  It's just big enough to shave a door edge.   I keep them sharp on the job with a DMT Duo-Sharp diamond stone.