Replies

1. 
   AndyEngel | Apr 09, 2004 03:11pm | #1

   I haven't used the Veritas, but I bet it's nice. I do love my Lie Nielson, though.

   Andy

   Arguing with a Breaktimer is like mud-wrestling a pig -- Sooner or later you find out the pig loves it.

1. 
   PeteBradley | Apr 09, 2004 04:51pm | #2

   I haven't tried the Veritas either, but I've had a L-N adjustable mouth block plane and I love it. Pricy, but works really well.

   Pete

2. 
   glatt | Apr 09, 2004 05:02pm | #3

   If I were buying one, I would probably get the Veritas.  I have a Lie Nielsen #5 bench plane, and it's really nice.  They make good planes, based on the old Stanley Bedrock design, but using beefier components.  They take a good traditional design and use higher quality materials.  You can't go wrong with a Lie Nielsen.

   View Image

   Veritas, on the other hand, does a real good job of looking at how planes have been made and seeing if they can improve on them.  From what I have seen of the Veratis low angle block plane, it looks like it is built just as well as the Lie Nielsen, is slightly easier to adjust, and is a little cheaper.  So I think the Veritas is a nose ahead of the Lie Nielsen.

   View Image

   I wish I could give you a first hand account of the Veritas plane, but I am not so lucky.  Here's a thread at a boatbuilding forum.  A few of the people there talk about how great the Veritas plane is.  http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi/noframes/read/78752

   Hope this helps.

1. 
   Sundstrom | Apr 10, 2004 05:45am | #8

   Thanks alot for your reply, it was very informative.

1. 
   professor | Apr 10, 2004 06:00am | #10

   Sunny,

   since others here commented on the veritas but didn't have any experience with it I thought I'd chime in.  I have the disease known as "Plane addiction " with probably a hundred in the shop.  The Lie neilson is a sweet plane and you wouldn't go wrong.  That said I like the Veritas better.  the finger indentions on the sides are a boon to people with big hands like myself and the adjustment is better than on any other plane on the market ( spiers and norris style planes excepted).  Also it has two little set screws on the body which will center the blade and keep it in the same position after it is reinserted into the body after sharpening.

   As far as the steel in the blade it seems to hold an edge quite well though it is not exceptional. It is easy to sharpen and is about an eighth inch thick so it does not chatter.  That is important.  To top all that off it just feels good in the hand .  Yes I know that is subjective depending on the user but to me it just seems right.

   Veritas also makes a little block plane that they refer to as an apron plane.  Check it out in their catalog.  Now THAT is one SWEET little plane.  I find myself reaching for it often and when I am trimming I keep it in my apron.  It is the one to have for trim work.  I think the veritas planes are a great value for perfomance and looks versus price.

   No way I would pay the extra for the Lie Nielson over the veritas.  I do have some Lie neilson stuff and plan to get more but not block planes.

   My two cents ( well ok more like a dime ..... sorry to be long winded)

   Good luck

   mark

1. 
   Sundstrom | Apr 10, 2004 06:58am | #12

   Thanks for the response (long winded is better)  I think you've persuaded me to go with the veritas.  Thanks again

   Josh

1. 
   talkingdog | Apr 10, 2004 08:26am | #13

   I've got a skewed angle LN block plane. It is really

   my pride and joy, a tool I use constantly. The skewed

   angle on the blade is a real plus.

   I have observed over several tools that LN has some

   quality control prodlems, though. My plane shipped with

   an imperfectly milled body, with a little spur

   of bronze that was carelessly left under the blade

   mount. 30 seconds of filing fixed that, but still.

   Having been in their shop, I know that that particular

   milling operation was performed by a big CNC machine,

   probably with the operator's mind on cruise control.

   They should have caught that on inspection.

   I've seen other similar problems with other planes from LN.

   Inspect your purchase very carefully!

3. 
   glatt | Apr 09, 2004 05:07pm | #4

   Another quick thought:  Have you tried posting this in the Knots Fine Woodworking forum?  I bet more people there have tried a high end plane like this.

4. 
   gdavis62 | Apr 09, 2004 05:11pm | #5

   Gonna carry one of those L-Ns or Veritas around a jobsite with you?  Don't set it down somewhere and lose it. 

5. 
   milanuk | Apr 10, 2004 05:19am | #6

   This is just a silly question, but what is the plane that you already have? I have one of the regular Stanley contractor grade block planes (20-21° bed)that I picked up in Lowes, I think, when I first started. Works ok, but doesn't have an adjustable mouth, and isn't the best for end grain. I've been eyeballing the Stanley 9-1/2 and 60-1/2 since ( and finally ordered the 60-1/2 today) which both have adjustable mouths, and the 60-1/2 is the low-angle model. Most places seem to have them for btwn $45-50; found them in Highland Hardware's catalog for $38. Obviously one day I'd love to have a Lie-Nielsen, but for now the Stanley will have to do for me.

   Monte

1. 
   Sundstrom | Apr 10, 2004 05:43am | #7

   We're probably in the same boat.  I have the same old stanley plane you do.  I'm ready for a new one and that 60 1/2 you just ordered is probably more than adequate.  I just figure if I'm going to spend fifty, I may as well spend a hundred and get the best one out there.

1. 
   milanuk | Apr 10, 2004 05:50am | #9

   Ordinarily I'd agree w/ you whole-heartedly. I'm looking at expenses for the summer projects, and $100 for a Veritas or $150+ for a Lie-Neilsen just put things over the top. Gotta leave them something for x-mas/b-day ideas ;) That and SWMBO would/will skin me if I don't start putting forth some product to justify the toy...errr.. tool expenses ;)

   Monte

2. 
   ian | Apr 10, 2004 04:13pm | #14

   this could open a real can of wrigglers ...

   I've got quite a collection of block planes.  LN #140 low angle skew, LN #9, LN #60-1/2R, LN #62 low angle jack (my hands are large enough that I can use it on its side one-handed), Stanley 60-1/2, plus a couple of others.  ALL the LNs are great planes and if I could only have one it would be a toss up between the #62 the #60-1/2R.

   BUT, outside my shop it is always the Stanley.  The LNs are for use in the shop and only go to site when I know that I and only I will use them or have access to them. 

1. 
   PhillGiles | Apr 10, 2004 06:09pm | #17

   Sidebar question regarding hand/handle sizes.

   You remarked that your hands are big enough to use the L-A jack as a block plane; so, do you find the handles on the LN bench planes a little small ? I've tried the LN planes at work-shop shows, but shyed away because the handle felt a little cramped and that's a pretty expensive potential mistake. Same with the Veritas planes, they seem to be thinning the handles to make them look better and they no longer serve a larger hand..

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   ian | Apr 11, 2004 09:59am | #23

   Phil

   holding a plane takes a bit of practice before you get the right grip.  In bench planes I've a couple of Stanleys and two LNs.  The #3 requires a slightly different to that for the #6 or #7.  The differences relate to the plane's size, weight and the fore and aft balance.  In respect to the LN L-A jack, by large hands I meant that I can hold the palne one handed and use it on it's side, in much the same way that I can hold a block one handed on it's side.  So in my hand I'm wielding a plane the length of a short jointer, with the cutting action of a L-A block â€” a pretty good combination.  Holding the plane the conventional way took a bit of getting used to because there's no blade to rest the index finger on. 

   Ian

6. 
   PhillGiles | Apr 10, 2004 06:53am | #11

   Years ago I bought a Hock blade from Lee Valley for my 9½ Stanley - the improvement was amazing. I'm not sure if the Veritas blade that LV sells is as good, but I don't think they have the Hocks any more.

   .

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

7. 
   fdampier5 | Apr 10, 2004 05:59pm | #15

   Sunny,  do you honestly expect someone to buy both planes and tell you which they prefer?

      That is what you are asking..  actually you'll get is a survey of who owns what.. because I doubt anybody who bought a Lie Nelson  will tell you that it's a bad tool the same with anyone who bought a Veritas, they will defend their choice vehimently.

     (for the record I bought the no excuses Lie Nelson, just because I'm not that confident in my ability and it's nice to have the best so that when I screw up (Inevitably) I know it's me and not the tool...)

1. 
   Shep | Apr 10, 2004 06:15pm | #18

      Frenchy-  I did buy both planes ( see my other post ) . I just happen to really like block planes and indulge myself every year or so. The one block plane I won't buy is the Bridge City one; its just way too expensive. I am looking at the Shepherd Tools thumb plane infill kit and will probably get one soon.

    I kinda figure its (somewhat cheaper ) than drugs and loose women.

     BTW, I'm up to 11 block planes and counting.

1. 
   fdampier5 | Apr 10, 2004 07:03pm | #19

   Hello my name is frenchy and I'm a woodaholic,

     (you can come to my meetings  we allow all forms of addiction.. )

1. 
   Shep | Apr 10, 2004 11:57pm | #20

    One point in my favor- my addiction takes up a lot less room than yours<G>

1. 
   professor | Apr 11, 2004 03:44am | #21

   Shep,

   What if you are like me and have both and addiction to wood and to planes ?

   My shop shows it believe me

   P.s   I forgot to mention those great old handsaws,  ......... and scrapers......... and clamps.......  You get the idea

   Mark

   Edited 4/10/2004 8:45 pm ET by professor

2. 
   Shep | Apr 11, 2004 04:50am | #22

      I know- I have a hard time passing up any old tools I find, even if I have no real use for them. Its getting harder and harder to get them into the house. My wife is starting to recognize some of the tools and realizing that there is some overlap between them. Its especially difficult when I can't even justify their use for my regular work.

      Nothing like hijacking/diverting a thread, huh?

3. 
   fdampier5 | Apr 12, 2004 10:06pm | #30

   Hello my name is frenchy and I'm a woodaholic,, oh and a tool addict..

     and a British sports car addict, and a race car... well you get the point..

     I hold meetings on a weakly basis... that is whenever I'm weak enough to add to the collection..

8. 
   Shep | Apr 10, 2004 06:00pm | #16

     Sunny-- funny you should bring this up. I have a block plane fetish; I can't help myself. I have both the Veritas and the L-N ( as well as many others) and I actually prefer the Veritas, although the L-N is much prettier.  I have fairly big hands and the Veritas just fits better in them. That said, both are a big step up from the Stanley and you can't go wrong with either.

9. 
   woodguy99 | Apr 11, 2004 02:36pm | #24

   Lie-Nielson in the shop, Stanley Contractor Grade in the field.  Except those times that I feel like showing off my L-N to the other guys or a customer.

   I haven't tried them, but the Swiss-made Radii planes look like they would work well, and you don't have to bother with sharpening.

1. 
   UncleDunc | Apr 11, 2004 04:27pm | #25

   >> ... Swiss-made Radii planes ...

   Rali?

   http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=123-365&LARGEVIEW=ON

1. 
   talkingdog | Apr 11, 2004 08:10pm | #26

   How can a plane be "perfect for rough and finish work."

   I could see being perfect for either, but not for both.

1. 
   UncleDunc | Apr 11, 2004 08:35pm | #27

   I wasn't recommending the brand, just correcting Mike's spelling in case anybody wanted to search for more information.

1. 
   talkingdog | Apr 11, 2004 08:51pm | #28

   Not blaming you--it's some copywriter who has probably never

   even touched a plane.

2. 
   woodguy99 | Apr 11, 2004 09:01pm | #29

   Yup, Rali.  That's what I said....