Combination Planes - The differences

[Bluekingfisher]

Gents - pardon my ignorance on this question, however I know there are a lot of knowledgeable individuals on the topic of hand planes out there.

So, I'm thinking of purchasing a combination plane. I have mainly Stanleys so to keep the blood line going I was looking at several of the Stanley versions.

Is any one able to translate the differences between the Stanley No's 45, 50 & 55 planes please.

Much appreciated.

David

 

[Paul Chapman]

Have a look at Alf's website - probably more information there than you need to know http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/combinationplanes.html

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Have a look at Alf's website - probably more information there than you need to know http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/combinationplanes.html

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Nice one mate, I'll have a gander at it.

David

 

[bugbear]

Gents - pardon my ignorance on this question, however I know there are a lot of knowledgeable individuals on the topic of hand planes out there.

So, I'm thinking of purchasing a combination plane. I have mainly Stanleys so to keep the blood line going I was looking at several of the Stanley versions.

Is any one able to translate the differences between the Stanley No's 45, 50 & 55 planes please.

Much appreciated.

David

You may be limiting yourself. There are two designs by Record that are NOT equivalent to Stanley models
that are widely held to be extremely useful and well thought out; the #043 and #044.

BugBear

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Gents - pardon my ignorance on this question, however I know there are a lot of knowledgeable individuals on the topic of hand planes out there.

So, I'm thinking of purchasing a combination plane. I have mainly Stanleys so to keep the blood line going I was looking at several of the Stanley versions.

Is any one able to translate the differences between the Stanley No's 45, 50 & 55 planes please.

Much appreciated.

David

You may be limiting yourself. There are two designs by Record that are NOT equivalent to Stanley models
that are widely held to be extremely useful and well thought out; the #043 and #044.

Bugbear

I'm not a Stanley Snob, i was just trying to reduce confusion by considering the 3 already mentioned models.

What does the Record options provide that are different?

 

[bugbear]

Gents - pardon my ignorance on this question, however I know there are a lot of knowledgeable individuals on the topic of hand planes out there.

So, I'm thinking of purchasing a combination plane. I have mainly Stanleys so to keep the blood line going I was looking at several of the Stanley versions.

Is any one able to translate the differences between the Stanley No's 45, 50 & 55 planes please.

Much appreciated.

David

You may be limiting yourself. There are two designs by Record that are NOT equivalent to Stanley models
that are widely held to be extremely useful and well thought out; the #043 and #044.

Bugbear

I'm not a Stanley Snob, i was just trying to reduce confusion by considering the 3 already mentioned models.

What does the Record options provide that are different?

They're both dedicated ploughs, not combination planes; the #043 is nigh perfect for drawer bottoms and small work, and the #044 is about the only "pure" metal plough on the market.


http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/groovingplane.html#043

http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/ploughplane.html

BugBear

 

[Vann]

...and the #044 is about the only "pure" metal plough on the market.

Hi Bugbear. What do you mean by "pure" metal plough plane?

Cheers, Vann.

 

[bugbear]

...and the #044 is about the only "pure" metal plough on the market.

Hi Bugbear. What do you mean by "pure" metal plough plane?

Cheers, Vann.

It doesn't do mouldings, beads, it doesn't slit, it doesn't flute, it doesn't (really)rebate. It ploughs.

BugBear

 

[Bluekingfisher]

I had a look at the cornish work shop web page, certainly a lot of info. And to be honest more than my primitive plane brain can accommodate.

As i am a inexperienced with combi/plough planes and perhaps looking to create rebate/mould/housing joints, would the #50 be a sensible option? From my readings the 45 & 55 seem much more complex?

 

[Vann]

...and the #044 is about the only "pure" metal plough on the market.

Hi Bugbear. What do you mean by "pure" metal plough plane?

Cheers, Vann.

It doesn't do mouldings, beads, it doesn't slit, it doesn't flute, it doesn't (really)rebate. It ploughs.

Hmmm.... okay. But doesn't the 043 fit that description too?

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Vann]

As i am a inexperienced with combi/plough planes and perhaps looking to create rebate/mould/housing joints, would the #50 be a sensible option? From my readings the 45 & 55 seem much more complex?

From my understanding, the more complex the plane, the more difficult it is to use. So the simplest combi that can do what you need would probably be the best one.

Having said that, so far I've only used my 043 in ernest (and they don't get any simpler than the 043).

Cheers, Vann.

 

[bugbear]

Hmmm.... okay. But doesn't the 043 fit that description too?

Cheers, Vann.

IMHO the #043 isn't a fully general plough - it's restricted in both cutter size and reach (although
a complete delight where applicable).

BugBear

 

[Paul Chapman]

As i am a inexperienced with combi/plough planes and perhaps looking to create rebate/mould/housing joints, would the #50 be a sensible option? From my readings the 45 & 55 seem much more complex?

I would go with the Stanley #45/Record #405. I find their weight helps them to work far better than the #50. They will also take almost any combination plane blade (although those not designed for it will need adjusting by hand).

The #55 is far more complex and has one skate which can move up and down so as to take asymmetric cutters. Unless you really need that feature, go with the #45/#405.

Hope this helps.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

Some good stuff here about Stanley combination planes (including the #45 and #55) and how to adjust them http://www.antiquetools.com/perm-col/so ... index.html

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Thanks again Paul, it certainly does help. I was looking at the Stanley #50 but can see why the lighter design could hamper handling.
Thanks too for the link
David

 

[Racers]

Check out St Roy program about combination planes.

http://video.pbs.org/video/2365021501/

Pete

 

[Bluekingfisher]

Thanks Pete

 

[Trafalgar]

The Stanley 55 sets up exactly like a 45 for simple ploughing. The accessory skates, vertically adjustable runners, etc. do not come into play at all - you use the same ones you'd use on a 45 - the main body and the left skate and fence.

The 55, to me, feels like it has a bit lower center of gravity when ploughing and this is a good thing.

The 55 does not get tedious until you start running certain curved mouldings. For everything else -- ploughing, rebating, housings, and beading it works just like a 45 but with a little more heft and lower center of gravity.

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

The Record #043 is a truly simple, one-handed plough plane. There are many that love this plough plane in the way one loves a mini or a Beetle (the original ones). It has charm and intimacy. However there are better plough planes if all you want to do is grooving.

The Record #044 is a larger version of the #043, with a wider selection of blades and a handle. I sold mine when I got a LV Small Plow. The #044 remains an excellent small plough plane. The blade adjuster on the #044 is rudimentary (requires a screwdriver), and absent on the #043.

The LV Small Plow (ugh .. the spelling!) is a fantastic plough plane. Beautifully balanced and has a wide range of blades and accessories from which to choose. Keep it simple in your choice of these, and it is a better (modern) #044. Unfortunately it is very expensive in the UK.

Comparison of LV and both Record ploughs here: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReview ... Plane.html

The Stanley #45 is large and cumbersome. It takes more effort to set up. It is, nevertheless, an excellent groover and dado plane. It has something the LV Small Plow lacks - nickers for cross-grain planing. It also has a good blade adjuster, like the LV. Use the #45 as a plough or dado plane only - the skate makes any beading work extremely tricky unless one is using very straight grained timber. I have not used the #55, but it is a similar design.

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[deema]

I have the Record 405, which I find simple to use and setup. In fact, I find it the most simple plane I have for setting up. I may have been really lucky, and found the one in a million, however:

You load the cutters into one of the skates and tighten up the holder, adjust the blade to get nice shavings. Adjust the foot for the depth and off you go. For most applications I use both skates. The second skate is best added with the blade loose and not tightened up. Push the skate so the blade is just peeking out, and the tighten everything down. The blades are really good quality and hold an edge for a long time.

The fence is perfect and the only setup I needed to do was ensure that the wooden fence was true with both faces parallel to each other. It wasn't when in bought it secondhand.

The ONLY downside, is that the ploughing blades are (which is for most of the makes and models) imperial. Absolutely no use if your using standard metric ply etc for draw bottoms cupboard backs. Fortunately you can grind the blades down to a 'modern' metric size. I bought a couple of single blades off eBay for this purpose (6 and 9 mm).

I was a little put off buying one if these combination planes at first, reading up on them on the net made them seem to have mystical properties. IMO they are easier to setup and use than getting a good result from a standard bench plane. I have never regretted buying one, so I would encourage you to have a go.

Mine came from eBay about 6 months ago. It was a nice boxed plane with everything that originally came with it including the manual. Cost £40.