Low angle block plane...any favorites?

[davidrparker]

I'm getting ready to buy a plane to do the laps on a Macgregor canoe (4mm occume) and wonder if anyone here has a real favorite for this job. I've seen some nice ones on ebay, Stanley #60 1/2 and #65. Which of these would you go for, or is there yet another that is better?

Thanks, David

[Rob Stokes, N. Vancouver]

I've got several Stanley and Record block planes, but the one I always find in my hand is Lee Valley's Apron Plane (with the A2 blade).

It's a little smaller than a regular block plane, but that rarely matters. the A2 blade takes a little longer to get an edge on it, but it lasts forever (well - unless you go iron hunting with it). I like the ability to fine-adjust it and it's tuned up and pretty much ready to go out of the box (except for sharpening).

Highly recommended.

Rob

[andrewdarius]

David,

I have an old 65. A furniture conservator I know turned me on to it. It has a very comfortable shape, which is a blessing when you are putting the hours in.

Andy

[StevenBauer]

I'll second the Lee Valley apron plane. I've got half a dozen block planes including the Lie-Nielsen and several Stanleys but the one I use the most is the little Lee Valley Apron Plane. Get the little leather pouch, too. :)

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/planes/05p2701s5.jpg

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/planes/67k7316s2.jpg

[Bill7254]

I like the Lie-Nielsen and use it all the time. I have no experience with the Lee Valley apron plane but I have a larger Lee Valley plane I like very much.

[Bill Lowe]

If you can shave with it it will probably work ok

[Dave Fleming]

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL780/3097474/6292566/260524285.jpghttp://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL780/3097474/6292566/260524286.jpg

[Charlie Santi]

David go look around on ebay. Put this number in an item search: 280125416322. It is a very nice 60 1/2 I have used for about 20 years. I know we are not supposed to promote our own sales, but you are looking for a good worker plane. This one has built many boats. While I am breaking the rules check out my other items on ebay. My ebay name is merlins there are 5 planes listed now 3 of which are nearly museum quality. I will be selling many tools and boat fittings over the next several weeks to raise money to replace my dead laptop.
Charlie

P.S. To the regulars I still lurk around, I am doing better learning more every day how to live with my disibility.

[Hughman]

http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL780/3097474/6292566/260524285.jpg

That's a Stanley 140! Great plane, I reach for that one all the time. Found mine at a yard sale for under $20.00.

Very versatile

[Bob Smalser]

http://i17.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/a4/7d/6c38_1_b.JPG

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/4/2/3/8/9/9/webimg/53456410_tp.jpg

Stanley #60 1/2 or #65. I usually keep a lookout on Ebay for steals, and have got them for under 20 bucks to pass on to local beginners. Just make sure they don't have cracked mouths or holes in the sole like this one (Although for 10 bucks I'll buy that one and repair it.):

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/4/2/3/8/9/9/webimg/53456427_tp.jpg


Learn how to tune them (there are several tool and sharpening articles in the FAQ), and they'll plane end grain White Oak just as well as a Lie Nielsen, just not as long without resharpening. But that's OK, most of us need the honing practice anyway. ;)

Added: the #60 1/2 pictured sold for $21.50 today:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300120491391&rd=1&rd=1

[Dave Fleming]

Sorry Hugh, that is the Millers Falls version, a Model 07.
Skew Block Plane with removable side.

Had it since I started my apprenticeship in 1962.

Sweet tool!;)

[Hughman]

Sorry Hugh, that is the Millers Falls version, a Model 07.
Skew Block Plane with removable side.

Had it since I started my apprenticeship in 1962.

Sweet tool!;)

Hard to tell the difference from here, could you bring it a little closer? ;)

(Stanley, Millers Falls, Fulton, Dunlop, etc. must have used the same foundries for the bodies of the bench planes. There's not a bugfart worth of difference)

[davidrparker]

Please pardon my ignorance but what are the differences between the #60 1/2 and the #65?

[Dave Fleming]

DP go here......

http://www.supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan9.htm

;)

[Bob Smalser]

Please pardon my ignorance but what are the differences between the #60 1/2 and the #65?

Cost. Plus the 60 1/2 is a tad smaller by around a quarter inch in both dimensions....the original apron plane.

That ball-shaped lever cap was more expensive to make and is considered more desirable. I myself don't find it any more comfortable to use, or more pretty for that matter. And as the latch is the handle, they can be more trouble to adjust, prone to coming undone in your hand as you push, although that's more common on the high-angle block planes like the #18 below. The lever cap latch on the #60 1/2 is shielded from your hand.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/7309305/260544228.jpg

[skuthorp]

I used the one like in Bob's last pic, a Stanley, and welcome to the Macgreggor owners, what length and decked or open? Another owner here has just fitted his with leeboard mounts on the hull with the oppropriate strengthening but I'll be interested to see if he gets hull distortion in use.

[davidrparker]

I used the one like in Bob's last pic, a Stanley, and welcome to the Macgreggor owners, what length and decked or open? Another owner here has just fitted his with leeboard mounts on the hull with the oppropriate strengthening but I'll be interested to see if he gets hull distortion in use.
Thanks, I'll be building the 15' 8" version decked. I received my plans from Iain yesterday (the revised, redrawn version, very nicely drawn, fewer molds and strakes and additional sail plan options) and will be starting on the building frame this week.

Anyone know anything about a Stanley 12-960 plane? There is a listing for one on ebay new for about $30.

[andrewdarius]

You'll need to cut the gains at the ends of the planks also. Here's where the 140 will do double duty. It'll cut the bevels along the length of the plank and simply take the side piece off the plane to cut the gains. Lie-Nielsen makes a version of the 140 and also a low angle block rabbet plane which will do both jobs also, but the mouth is not adjustable and annoyingly small at times.

[Brian Palmer]

I've always had a fondness for one of these "Orange Block Planes." I hear they are rather hard to find these days, as all the good ones were snapped up by collectors.

http://www.wkfinetools.com/contrib/dCohen/z_art/orBPlane/index.asp

;) :D Brian

[Bob Smalser]

You'll need to cut the gains at the ends of the planks also. Here's where the 140 will do double duty. It'll cut the bevels along the length of the plank and simply take the side piece off the plane to cut the gains. Lie-Nielsen makes a version of the 140 and also a low angle block rabbet plane which will do both jobs also, but the mouth is not adjustable and annoyingly small at times.

But no plane is either perfect or all-purpose. And before spending the trust fund perhaps some whys are in order. ;)

http://i24.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/a4/95/45ae_12.JPG

These #140-type planes with removable sides cut rabbets only in one direction. Wood grain is rarely so cooperative, and the whole purpose of the skewed iron is to fight against the grain. In perfectly straight-grained softwood this is possible, if more difficult than with a real rabbet plane. In the less than perfect woods found today, and in any hardwood...planing against the grain can be ugly at best.

http://i24.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/a4/1a/be69_12.JPG

Lie Nielsen also makes a rabbeting block plane (copying an old Sargent design) that rabbets in both directions so you don't have to fight the wood grain when going the wrong way. But as a rabbet plane this one is limited too, as it's too short for anything but very shallow rabbets. Plus these designs are fragile and won't stand much kicking off of scaffolds.

Note below the height and heft of planes designed to cut and fit rabbets and shoulders in comparison. Also note the skewed irons on the woodies and that I have the fence on the #78-type Miller Falls mounted on the wrong side. These planes were also made with cutting in a preferred direction in mind (they were designed for right-handed workers)...and in the large, fixed workpieces found in boats, often only one direction is possible, hence the skew. But unlike the #140, they will plane in both directions.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/2594266/83656771.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/9139397/127231191.jpg

[skuthorp]

building a Mack, I thought yuo'd like this
http://intheboatshed.net/2007/06/12/oughtred-sailing-canoe-wins-2007-watercraft-boatbuilding-prize/

[Greg Nolan]

I have found the Millers Falls no. 56 low angle block plane with an adjustable mouth my favorite -- slightly smaller and lighter than the usual Stanley, and more comfortable in my hand. Often available on eBay.