Woodenskye Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I know most posts about what would you buy is met with some resistance or other comments, but I really would appreciate the advise. My budget is $600-700. I would like to use hand tools more, so I can work at night. Currently my plane collection consists of a harbor freight smoother, and a buck bros (Borg) block plane. I do have LV router plane. So here is my research from today. If you have any or all and can recommend. Package #1 LV low angle block plane PM V11 LV #4 smoother PM V11 LV medium shoulder plane Package #2 Woodriver low angle adjustable mouth block plane Woodriver medium shoulder plane Woodriver V3 #4 smoother Woodriver chisel plane Woodriver flat spokeshave Shinto rasp (based on Spags doing a brief bit on TWW Live) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Being that I work with a bunch of stanley, I wouldn't be getting caught up on the name personally. It looks like you're going to get a lot more versatility options from #2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I recently got a Woodriver V3 #4 and, while it's not a top of the line plane, I am very much satisfied. It replaces a cheap Great Neck #4 that I had. Besides honing the blade the Woodriver plane was good to go out of the box. I based my purchase partly on Graham Haydon's I ordered the low angle adj. mouth block plane and it should be here in a few days. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick S Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I would be inclined to go with option 1, but I would consider replacing the #4 with a bevel up jack, #62. It's one of the most versatile planes out there and can be used as a scrub, smoother and more by changing the plane iron only. In the long run, you'll most likely end up with a #4 anyway, but the low angle jack is more versatile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 I would actually go a little bit different route. Personally I think shoulder planes are somewhat useless. A #4 is okay but really if have a good sander I would wait on a smoother. If you set on LV I would go with the following: LV low angle block plane LV Low Angle Jack plane LV dovetail saw a couple of the PM V11 Bench chisels. (does not have to be an entire set, just get two) If it were me and someone here is $700 buy some nice hand tools for me: LN- Low Angle Jack Plane ( I have it and love it. So do several others. I have also used LV version and did not like the tote on it nearly as much as I like the tote on the LN) LN- Rabbet Block Plane ( the versatility of this plane goes far beyond the uses of a normal LA block plane) Two really nice chisels (I would go with 1/4" and 1/2" either LN or LV. I have LN's and I like the way they feel in my hand more than the LV PM V11's did. I also have a small set of the Narex Bench Chisels. They are okay but I would much rather have two or even one really nice chisels instead of the Narex set.) LV dovetail saw (for the price it can't be beat. Again I have one and love it!) Sharpening Medium (I would personally go with a combination stone to start out and then add a nice polishing stone later. I would also go with a simple wheel honing guide. I had the MKII and it was not very impressive.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Between Canadian made LV and chinese knock offs, wood river its definitely a no brainer for me. If i can own North American the Chinese ones arent an option. I agree with james on the low angle jack. If you are mainly a power tool guy, get yourself few blades with it and you are set. I would still want a shoulder plane to round out the collection but swap the #4 for the jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted July 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Thanks for the responses so far! All good information. I have chisels, dovetail saw and sharpening supplies, including the MKII. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 James nailed it. LAJ allows you to do some rough work, some jointing, some smoothing. Add any block plane and you can do a lot of what needs to be done with just the two planes. Then I'd add a large shoulder plane and a #80 cabinet scraper. You're probably getting close to $600-700 by now. If not, buy a couple card scrapers, a good marking gauge and a decent marking knife. Either LV or LN for the planes, doesn't matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Can o' worms :-). Package 2 but without the chisel plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 My Woodriver matches my Lie-Nielsen but with a touch of fettling required. The only reasons to prefer one over the other are bling (bronze) and politics. I will say again I own both and am not trying to jockey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted July 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Can o' worms :-). Package 2 but without the chisel plane. Why without the chisel plane? I watched your review which was well done and informative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Thanks for the responses so far! All good information. I have chisels, dovetail saw and sharpening supplies, including the MKII. Sorry, I was under the impression that the handles in your original post were the only hand tools that you had. I would still recommend the LN Low Angle Jack and LN Rabbet Block Plane and would also get another saw instead of another plane. LV has some nice saw options for a good price. I would get the LV Tenon (Rip) and LV Carcass Saw (crosscut), then add a $15 BORG hardpoint saw and you have enough hand tools to start building plenty of projects. If you want to be able to make rabbets you can set up a fence and use the LN Rabbet Block plane to make them. S-Mack is right if there are North American options that is was I go for as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted July 19, 2015 Report Share Posted July 19, 2015 Woodenskye I only dropped the chisel plane because I've not found the need for one, however I'm sure others do, hence can o' worms :-). Glad you liked the review, thanks for making the time to watch it. One thing that some people say about the WR totes is they suit a medium or small hand best, that's ok for me. If you have big ol' hands the veritas might be more comfy. Don't worry about it too much. Your list is pretty much should I buy these really good tools or these really good tools? Nice problem to have. Within reason most stuff can be made to work pretty well. I bought a new plane for £13.00 and it worked ok after a fettle. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted July 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2015 Ok, so I have changed some things and think I am ready to pull the trigger. So here is the plan: Woodriver Low Angle Block Plane Woodriver Low Angle Jack Plane Woodriver medium shoulder plane Shinto Rasp I may still may drop the rasp and shoulder plane for a bit, because I realized while researching that a good vise may be better money spent. I am considering 2 front vise options one from Rockler and from Jorgensen. I am going with Woodriver, because this Friday and Saturday they are having their anniversary sale and all planes are 15% off. Plus the short term free membership to Rob Cosman hand tool school doesn't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenskye Posted July 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 Does anybody know the difference between the PM V11 blades from LV, versus the blades used by Lie Nielsen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 I have almost all pmv blades - they are great. Easier to sharpen and retain an edge longer. No brainer for me when I am shelling out 200+/per plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekcohen Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 My budget is $600-700. I would like to use hand tools more, so I can work at night. What do you want to build? That will influence the tool choice you make. For example, you may need a jointer plane for larger work, but get away with a LA Jack if only doing small pieces, plus it can be used on a shooting board. In general, when starting out, I would advise that you purchase a tool when you see a need to use it. Does anybody know the difference between the PM V11 blades from LV, versus the blades used by Lie Nielsen? LV sell O1, A2 and PM-V11 steel, while LN only sells A2. I could point you to a review/comparison I made between these steels, but it is on my website, and I am not permitted to link to it. Look in the "Tool Reviews" for tests on blade steels and also on the LV/Veritas Shooting Plane. PM-V11 will outlast A2 by a considerable margin, as well as creating an edge comparable to good O1 steel. Regards from Perth Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vyrolan Posted July 21, 2015 Report Share Posted July 21, 2015 LV sell O1, A2 and PM-V11 steel, while LN only sells A2. I could point you to a review/comparison I made between these steels, but it is on my website, and I am not permitted to link to it. Look in the "Tool Reviews" for tests on blade steels and also on the LV/Veritas Shooting Plane. PM-V11 will outlast A2 by a considerable margin, as well as creating an edge comparable to good O1 steel. I see Derek's site linked here all the time...but I would advise you grab a drink before clicking, because there's a lot of info on his site and you'll just keep reading and re-reading...great stuff... Steels Compared for Chisels Shooting Plane Blade Steels Compared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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