Tool review – Veritas router plane

ByPaul Sellers

For more information on the router plane, see our beginner site Common Woodworking.

Hand routers = controlled power

I often explain that tool reviews are seldom based on viable tests through longevity of use but at the time the tool arrives and  then through one time usage by the author of the report. I may do something similar from time to time, but always with the caveat that this is not field tested over a prolonged period. That said, I rarely recommend any tool that has not had that prolonged testing at the bench in the daily work I undertake as a practicing craftsman. Most tools must be in use by me for about two years and so I present the Veritas router at this time having used one since it first came out some years ago.

When I test tools sent to me by manufacturers I test them and send them my findings. When I find something of concern I let them know and ask them to modify the product. I give six months and then try the product again. Whether the changes are made or not, I then feel the liberty to release my findings as a review. When safety is a primary issue for me I handle this on a moment by moment basis. No point waiting six months if someone is in danger.

I recall receiving the first prototype from the R&D engineering at Veritas. I want to say 6 years ago, but it could be more. I loved the way the tool felt, though the piece was made from plate steel at the time and now it is a cast body, powder coated and pristinely finished. I love prototype tools. There’s something beyond innovative that strikes me when a new design emerges from the techy screens of R&D that becomes the tangible entity in your hand and the minute I held the Veritas router I fell in love with it. It has lots of bottom weight to undergird the hand pressure and gives a real oomph when needed, which, though rare, gives the certain confidence I like.

There are many features I really like not the least of which is the expected quality Veritas stakes its whole reputation on. The polished Padauk handles are of course from sustainable resources and the quality of the engineering means that this is undoubtably a lifetime tool for anyone no matter the rigors of the work. The fine depth adjustment means I can set fractional depths of cut with the accuracy I need and of course the brass on steel means smoothness in each revolution I make. We use this tool on each bench at the New Legacy School of Woodworking but my Veritas router has been in full time use for several years as I said. There are of course a couple of other makers of old including record and Stanley and they have worked for over a century now. Record models are no longer available, which is the sad demise when productive companies come under new ownership of giants like Irwin.

A feature I really like about the Veritas is the ease with which it can be sharpened. On all other models the cutting iron is a fixed shoe shape that can be hard to get to the stone and equally hard to grind and hone. Not so the Veritas cutting iron. Veritas developed a strategy whereby the two piece system can be quickly separated from one another and then the cutting section attached to an alluminium holder that allows presentation to the sharpening stones in the conventional way. It’s quick and simple and it works without fuss. The carbon steel alloy holds a good sharp edge and the edge holding qualities mean sharpening is fairly infrequent. My overall impression is of course quality, functionality and longevity. This tool ticks all of the above for me and it’s one I reach for over all others. I love it and so too my students who all vow to buy one for their tool arsenal asap.

12 Comments

  1. I could not agree more. I’ve been using mine since it came on the open market and there isn’t a project that doesn’t see the blade of my Veritas router. Like you I recommend it to all of my members and consider it to be the Jack plane of joinery.

  2. Thanks for the review, Paul! I was actually trying to decide between the Veritas router plane and the one sold by Lie-Nielsen. I think I’ll go with your recommendation and get the Veritas. I’ve been extremely happy with everything else I’ve gotten from Lee Valley.

  3. That’s it! The difference between the Veritas and the Lie-Nielsen is the bottom weight! I’ve been trying to figure out why I leaned more towards buying the Veritas, besides the collar system. But that’s it. The bottom weight makes it feel more stable on the registration face. Now to see if I can save up my pennies.

  4. If one already has a plow plane, is there any need for the fence for the router plane? Similarly, is there any need for the various width irons if one already has a plow plane, or will the two irons that come with the router plane suffice?

    1. I actually have never used a fence with a router plane that I can recall. I use the router for levelling the bottom of housings and dadoes and also for larger surfaces of inlay recesses. I think that sometimes we need a narrower 1/4″ wide cutting iron and most times the wider 1/2″. There are techniques in using a router with the wider iron that help negotiate stock that resists mid-cut and this would best be demonstrated on video so we will do that for you shortly if we get a break from usual filming.

      1. Thank you for the guidance on the router plane fence and blades and the possibility of a video, time permitting. Even more exciting, it sounds like the next book is coming along!

  5. Thanks for the review Paul !!
    I wonder if anyone can give me some advise… I plan to buy the Veritas Router plane, but i also need (less) a plough plane and I wonder if I can cut a groove with the router plane with the fence installed (not just leveling the bottom) ??? To me it looks like they overlap in function but i have never tried any of those tools. And I don’t really want to invest in both tools (at least not yet)
    Has anyone done that?

  6. I have the Veritas but need a 3/8 blade. Will the LIe Nielson blade work in the Veritas router?

  7. I’ve just purchased a Veritas router plane after missing out on a series of Stanley versions on eBay. Good examples often exceeding £110 plus delivery which is close to the price of a Veritas or Lie Nielson.
    After using the Veritas for a couple of weeks I feel that I may have made a mistake. The screw which holds the blade in place keeps coming undone, causing the blade to dig into the wood. It is necessary to constantly check the screw to avoid this problem. It appears that I am not the only person to experience this problem ( See Axminster reviews). I am disappointed that a reputable toolmaker like Veritas has not identified and corrected this problem. I wonder if anyone has experienced the same difficulties and perhaps can provide a solution.

    1. As a conjecture, you might consider one of the medium thread lockers made by Loctite and several others. They sell various strengths, so if one strength seems too strong, or not strong enough, you can try another.

  8. March 13th 2019. 65 years young. My wife says “…what do you want for your birthday?”. I say, “…take me down to Lee Valley and I’ll show you!” As I only live about eleven minutes drive from Lee Valley I’m a lucky and happy chappy, and now, needless to say, the proud owner of a Veritas Router plane, sadly it’s on back-order 🙁

    Chris. Ex-pat from UK now livving in Ottawa.

Comments are closed.

Privacy Notice

You must enter certain information to submit the form on this page. We take the handling of personal information seriously and appreciate your trust in us. Our Privacy Policy sets out important information about us and how we use and protect your personal data and it also explains your legal rights in respect of it. Please click here to read it before you provide any information on this form.