TomInNC Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 Killing time during a Zoom meeting while browsing the LN site. I don't have a shoulder plane yet, and I am trying to figure out what size I should start with. I would primarily use the plane for cleaning up tenons. The LN site suggests getting the large shoulder plane to start. When I looked at a few of the videos, though, the large plane looks absolutely massive when compared with the small and medium. Is the large plane difficult to use on the typical tenons you would use for, say, building a table? For what it's worth I have relatively large hands, so I'm less concerned about my ability to hold it than I am how well the plane would lay on a small shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 You can find smaller old Stanley clones quite easily for cheaper. They are easy to tune. I have never wanted larger than the medium, but I keep both rabetting block planes and a rabetting coach plane. To clarify, I personally would recommend the medium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 This comes up frequently. If I could only have one I would go medium (about 3/4") but, I really love my large. Both are Veritas which I find easier to hold and control. That doesn't mean they are the "best". They just work best for me ;-) Some people find the grip awkward. For me it is ambidextrous and falls right into my hand. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 I also like my Veritas Large Shoulder Plane for the same reasons Glenn mentions above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 I have the LN medium and large. The large is about 60% heavier than the medium one, so yes, big difference. I prefer to use the large one whenever possible. If you're using them upright, for tasks other than cleaning shoulders, they're not the easiest planes to use... I think the Veritas shoulder planes have better ergonomics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomInNC Posted April 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 Thanks for the feedback. It looks like LN isn't even taking backorders for the medium anymore. I know it is pretty common for their tools to be on back order, but is it common for them to not even take orders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 10 minutes ago, TomInNC said: Thanks for the feedback. It looks like LN isn't even taking backorders for the medium anymore. I know it is pretty common for their tools to be on back order, but is it common for them to not even take orders? https://www.lie-nielsen.com/pages/tool-availability-covid-19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomInNC Posted April 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 1 minute ago, Immortan D said: https://www.lie-nielsen.com/pages/tool-availability-covid-19 I am aware of the Covid backlog issue, but I was wondering if this was an issue even pre-covid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortan D Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 No. All tools were available for ordering. If the tool was not in stock, they would send you an email with the estimated delivery time and give you the option to remove that tool from your order or just wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomInNC Posted April 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 2 minutes ago, Immortan D said: No. All tools were available for ordering. If the tool was not in stock, they would send you an email with the estimated delivery time and give you the option to remove that tool from your order or just wait. Ok. Thanks. I made the plunge into hand tools last March. Bad timing I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 You could always check out Ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted April 29, 2021 Report Share Posted April 29, 2021 8 hours ago, gee-dub said: This comes up frequently. If I could only have one I would go medium (about 3/4") but, I really love my large. Both are Veritas which I find easier to hold and control. That doesn't mean they are the "best". They just work best for me ;-) Some people find the grip awkward. For me it is ambidextrous and falls right into my hand. I couldn't have said it better so I will just agree with gee-dub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted April 30, 2021 Report Share Posted April 30, 2021 3/4 or 1" are the best to start with as they are easy to handle and keep square to the workpiece. I have a couple of Stanleys and they are fine. Then graduate to a smaller one say 1/4" or 1/2" for smaller work. I have a Sheffield UK 1/4" Clifton 400 Shoulder/Rebate/Rabbet plane and it is really good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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