Early Access Video: You don't need a block plane
Added 2019-06-22 11:13:21 +0000 UTCFriends:
All woodworkers seem to think that you NEED a black plane for fine woodworking. I thought so, too. Until, a few weeks ago, I went to grab my block plane and found it covered with dust. Why?
I hadn't used it in weeks.
This got me thinking. What do I actually use this tool for? Not much. It's supposed to be the best tool for trimming and the ONLY tool for end-grain cutting. But I've slowly started doing both of these things with my bench-plane. I hardly ever touch my block plane.
Why does this matter? Because people spend a lot of time and money trying to find a really high-quality block plane. They could save this money and focus on tools that are more versatile.
In this video, I put two block planes to the test and see how they really perform against my plain old Stanley No 4. The results are illuminating.
And this is yet another video where I try to convince you to buy fewer tools and spend less money. This channel is truly sponsor-proof. Thank goodness for my Patrons!
Enjoy your weekend!
--Rex
Comments
Agreed, but I'll never turn down a gift! 😁
Nic Beurskens
2019-06-28 11:16:36 +0000 UTCI actually sold my 110. That tells you everything you need to know about that particular plane. If *I* got rid of it, it much be terrible.
Rex Krueger
2019-06-28 11:14:03 +0000 UTCTruth be told, I love Lie Nielsen tools. I just can't justify the expense.
Rex Krueger
2019-06-28 11:13:07 +0000 UTCI got a Lie Nielsen #1 block plane in brass from a friend as a gift. I use it regularly for chamfers and stubborn end grain on small pieces. I agree with everything you said in your video. The thing for me is it was a gift, and the small size makes it easy to handle in tight places or on more delicate boards. The infrequent use also means it is always razor sharp if I am in the middle of something. Everything equal, I'm thankful for the extravagant gift but, I'd never buy another one.
Nic Beurskens
2019-06-27 07:02:20 +0000 UTCThanks Rex! I picked up an old Stanley 110 (the Ford Pinto of their block plane line). I was seduced because it was still in it's original box. That should have told me something about how often it was used during the course of its existence. In any case, I sharpened it up, tested it, and it worked just fine. I haven't used it since.
Mark L
2019-06-24 15:51:38 +0000 UTCBut pricy. for end grain on the shooting board, your chinese bench plane works just fine. and all for USD 30.
Michael Riese
2019-06-23 21:14:00 +0000 UTCI've heard those HNT planes are great!
Rex Krueger
2019-06-23 20:09:42 +0000 UTCStill using that Chinese bench plane for end grain and that’s about it together with the HNT Gordon 55 degree smoother.
Michael Riese
2019-06-23 12:44:27 +0000 UTCIt's an Australian company. Not quite big-box store budget brand but a half-tier up from that in price. They make garden tools and basic DIY stuff, pliers, screwdrivers, chisels, saws, hammers etc.
Matthew Leigh
2019-06-23 06:27:53 +0000 UTCWe all are trying to keep the flow of tools and wood going. He works hard at it his way, and I get to learn a bunch of stuff watching his vids. .
Michael Ross
2019-06-23 05:36:47 +0000 UTCCosman is a little bit of a shill, but he's also a real-deal woodworker.
Rex Krueger
2019-06-23 01:23:10 +0000 UTCIf I had one for each Patron, I'd seriously do it.
Rex Krueger
2019-06-23 01:22:13 +0000 UTCIt might only be available here in Australia. But right in your cheap tools that are great.
Scott Pratt
2019-06-23 00:44:18 +0000 UTCNever even heard of that brand!
Rex Krueger
2019-06-23 00:35:32 +0000 UTCMaybe you should offer those to your loyal Patrons just to see who is really paying attention. :)
Jim Williams
2019-06-23 00:13:48 +0000 UTCI bought a Trojan block plan for $18 Australian and it is awesome. Ready to go straight out of the box. Very simple to use.
Scott Pratt
2019-06-22 22:41:04 +0000 UTCI bought the 5 1/2 based on Cosman's rec. Of course he likes it because he consulted on its design, But, he mounts a really good defense. I won't repeat it - there's a YouTube channel and a vid about tuning one up out of the box. Its based on a Bed Rock but with a less fragile ductile iron body and all the little things you want right. I am nowhere near as anal about sharpening as he is, but I get really good results and I like the mass of it. It is super for shooting dense wood. I use a lot of old white oak.
Michael Ross
2019-06-22 17:15:53 +0000 UTCI love Patrick, though I've never bought a tool from him. That Kobalt plane is too rough for even me. I've heard that the Wood River planes are excellent and many British woodworkers are just like you: 5 1/2 for everything. I have one, but we've never been friends. Never seemed to cut well enough.
Rex Krueger
2019-06-22 16:46:34 +0000 UTCExcellent presentation. I couldn't agree more. I have a couple of crap smoothers and I end up using a Woodriver 5 1/2 for most everything. I skew it for smoothing on narrower boards. Chinese made, but a great value. I have a 4 that my Dad bequeathed me, a no name that I keep a scrub iron in. The other is a Kobalt from Lowes, it was in the $37 range, but I don't like it in a bunch of ways. Particularly, the advance mechanism is junk and the mouth is way to big. I had to lap it for a really long time to get it flat enough to please me. I adjust it with a hammer. Interesting that the instructions that came with it never mention the thumbscrew advance and only describes hammer adjustment. I really don't recommend this one. I look forward to your next video. I would like a nice old 3, but I haven't found one online that is actually a good price and I get tired of looking. I might go Woodriver for that too. But, I should check with Patrick Leach. He is a great source for used planes, Patrick won't back down on pricing, no super bargains there, but excellent value. I like supporting him. I bought a MS28 Record 044 plough from him that was pristine. Again, thanks for very good video.
Michael Ross
2019-06-22 15:25:14 +0000 UTCOh, don't feel bad. I own DOZENS of block planes. They all gather dust.
Rex Krueger
2019-06-22 15:17:58 +0000 UTCAw Man I went on a block plane buying spree just last week. Actually I think you hit the nail on the head with this video. When I think back to when I bought my first block plane from Lowe’s, It was for making small adjustments to drawers and cabinets around the house.
Peter A Merritt
2019-06-22 12:47:41 +0000 UTCFunny how anyones view on things change as time progresses. I just don't see how the color of a plane could make a difference... ;-)
Frans van Ballegooijen
2019-06-22 11:39:09 +0000 UTC
