Comments on: Which smoothing plane do I buy?

By: Paul Sellers

Paul Sellers — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:16:00 +0000

Were I to choose two bevel-up planes for my toolbox I would most likely go for the Veritas small bevel-up plane and the bevel-up jack plane. One has the compactness I like and the other the added length for jointing edges for highly refined work and especially so for end grain. I relied on this plane heavily when I made two cabinets back in 2009 from mesquite veneers with ebony and oak inlays. In addition I would add two more block planes from their collection, the Veritas apron plane http://www.veritastools.com/Products/Page.aspx?p=107; again compactness wins my vote and then their block plane, the DX60 block plane is a really fine tool. http://www.veritastools.com/Products/Page.aspx?p=483
I hope that this helps. All too often we want an either or when in actuality it is a question of both, but circumstances are different for people and so they must set their own priorities.

By: Paul Sellers

Paul Sellers — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

I like the Veritas small bevel up plane very much, but these bevel-up planes cannot replace the bevel down planes for many reasons. I think that they are good secondary planes, but they cannot replace say the #4 Stanley plane for regular bench work. One of these days I will do a film on the #4 smoothing plane to prove many of my point but time escapes me right now.
If it is a question of simply liking a new plane and this fits your fancy then go ahead. As I said, I like the plane, but it will not and cannot do what a bevel-down plane can do in the everyday long run of woodworking life and though many people are giving these planes great ratings, in the core of hand planing, they are in my view quite limited.

By: Paul Sellers

Paul Sellers — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:17:40 +0000

I’m in the airport now, but thank you for the offer.

By: Patrick Anderson

Patrick Anderson — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:21:00 +0000

Paul,

If you’re still in the US, I have a spare UK no4 that I could send to you to tweak and then the OP just needs to pay to ship it to him.

Let me know if you’re interested?

By: Paul Sellers

Paul Sellers — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:02:00 +0000

Thanks for this, Mole.

By: mole

mole — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:37:00 +0000

Traditional Thai planes are still being made, as far as I have found.. I know only one expert plane maker here (http://www.facebook.com/wenhandplanes). I understand that these planes are Chinese”s style, as the plane maker’s teacher is Chinese. Other than these quality wooden hand planes, we do not have any good quality iron plane around here. Sourcing from abroad is much more comfortable I started to learn woodworking since 3 years ago too (following the hand tools path.. uh, how comes I didn’t see Paul’s teaching at that time!). During the tools accumulating period, I have acquired some Veritas and ECE hand planes. k.Satjapon, if you want to try your hand on some of these planes before making your investment, you can contact me (0867755100, ah, yes I’m in Bangkok). .. last.. thank you Paul, I really like the way you teach, especially on how to utilize the path of wood grain. So now, I’m back to practice my wood splitting skill )))

By: Paul Sellers

Paul Sellers — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:10:00 +0000

No, not all diamond plates are created equal. I use EZE Lap and they have proven well worth the money for me because they last and they stay dead flat. DMT too are good plates. They cost a little more.

By: Paul Sellers

Paul Sellers — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:07:00 +0000

Perhaps you are right, but if he is following a western tradition, his preference, then he is likely to want a western plane like a Stanley or a Lie Nielsen and such like that. I likely gave him a fuller answer than he wanted I suppose. I certainly don’t think he should stick with a Thai plane if for instance it doesn’t work as well as one of Tom Nielsen’s planes.

By: joel

joel — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:25:00 +0000

I agree with your comment: “The important thing for me is to try where possible to buy domestic products” so would not it make more sense for someone in Thailand to first find out if traditional Thai planes of any quality are still being made. And if the answer is yes – then that is what he should buy. It’s actually an extremely interesting question for me. What do traditional Thai woodworking tools look like? and is there any of that tradition left?

By: PhilM

PhilM — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Wow! That’s very generous of you Sir! I am sure the OP will be very happy to get such valuable assistance from you.