Which planes to buy

[Berserker]

Hey guys,

I've been lurking here for a while and thought it was time to make my first post.

I've been building my collection of power tools for a while now and have been neglecting hand tools up until now. I've just moved house and have a shiny new 10 x 8 shed as a workshop courtesy of my very understanding wife. I really want to get in to woodworking and decided it's time to replace my £5.99 Homebase hand plane.

This is where I get confused... what do I buy? I don't know what all the numbers mean (no.6 etc) or what a block or smoothing plane does. What would you consider to be the most essential type of planes to get first for general woodworking, and what brands would you recommend? I know Stanley are popular but there are loads on ebay and I don't know what to look for. I'm looking to spend as little as possible to get good quality gear, so any help is appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[bugbear]

Hey guys,

I've been lurking here for a while and thought it was time to make my first post.

I've been building my collection of power tools for a while now and have been neglecting hand tools up until now. I've just moved house and have a shiny new 10 x 8 shed as a workshop courtesy of my very understanding wife. I really want to get in to woodworking and decided it's time to replace my £5.99 Homebase hand plane.

This is where I get confused... what do I buy? I don't know what all the numbers mean (no.6 etc) or what a block or smoothing plane does. What would you consider to be the most essential type of planes to get first for general woodworking, and what brands would you recommend? I know Stanley are popular but there are loads on ebay and I don't know what to look for. I'm looking to spend as little as possible to get good quality gear, so any help is appreciated.

Many thanks

What plane you need depends entirely on what you want to make - give us a little more background, and advice will be forthcoming.

BugBear

 

[Mike Wingate]

Quangsheng Low Angle Block Plane. http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Qua ... Plane.html

Quangsheng Low Angle Bevel up Jack Plane. http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Qua ... Plane.html

I have both and they are really great tools. Then think of sharpening and honing kit. I like Diamond and ceramic stones to do the job.

 

[wizard]

I started off with a Stanley 4 ½ the older the better

 

[RogerP]

If you only have one I find a number 5 a good all-rounder. As wizard says - older the better.

 

[longinthetooth]

For general woodwork, joinery / furniture making -
All-purpose first buy: Quangsheng No. 5 Bedrock Pattern Jack Plane
£129.50

Second buy later on: Quangsheng Standard Angle Block Plane
£79.50

A good balance of effective build quality / price.

Or second-hand, similar-sized OLDER Stanleys, but you'd have to learn how to divine their age before buying ...

 

[wizard]

For general woodwork, joinery / furniture making -
All-purpose first buy: Quangsheng No. 5 Bedrock Pattern Jack Plane
£129.50

Second buy later on: Quangsheng Standard Angle Block Plane
£79.50

A good balance of effective build quality / price.

he said cheap

 

[longinthetooth]

he said cheap

A relative term, and he didn't use that word. He asked for a balance of cost and performance & I suggested 2 ways of achieving that.

 

[tobytools]

Hi, you want a all-rounder so I would say a no5 1\2 as it will do every thing you need. Then get a block plane, QS Is what I just got but a bit ££ so get on eBay and get your self a cheap record block and plane.

Or of you want cheap cheap get some wooden planes they work cost next to bout and are widely available once again eBay or a carboot sale will do the job.

You won't need alot of hand planes as they are very versatile, so all in all you will need a:
Smoother
Jack
Joiner
Block (low angle)

the only down side with a eBay or carboot plane is it will need to be cleaned, sharpened, restored ect. And time is money so...
Let me know what you decide.

I have a spare record 0110 and a anat no4A with footprint iron that I want to sell. Pm me if your interested
Hope this helps

TT

 

[tobytools]

Hi, you want a all-rounder so I would say a no5 1\2 as it will do every thing you need. Then get a block plane, QS Is what I just got but a bit ££ so get on eBay and get your self a cheap record block and plane.

Or of you want cheap cheap get some wooden planes they work cost next to bout and are widely available once again eBay or a carboot sale will do the job.

You won't need alot of hand planes as they are very versatile, so all in all you will need a:
Smoother
Jack
Joiner
Block (low angle)

the only down side with a eBay or carboot plane is it will need to be cleaned, sharpened, restored ect. And time is money so...
Let me know what you decide.

I have a spare record 0110 and a anat no4A with footprint iron that I want to sell. Pm me if your interested
Hope this helps

TT

 

[Jacob]

As above, 5 1/2, 5, 4, all good. I'd get just one and get good at using it before you venture further.

 

[Grahamshed]

I have also brought a Quangsheng low angle block plane and No 5 standard jack plane in the last week or so ( from Workshop Heaven, Mathew is a very informative fellow ) and am very pleased with them.
Buying old planes on ebay / bootsales may well be a good way to go but only if you already know a good bit about planes and what you are looking for.

 

[bugbear]

I have also brought a Quangsheng low angle block plane and No 5 standard jack plane in the last week or so ( from Workshop Heaven, Mathew is a very informative fellow ) and am very pleased with them.
Buying old planes on ebay / bootsales may well be a good way to go but only if you already know a good bit about planes and what you are looking for.

Yeah - best way is to get an experienced friend to buy and tune your first s/h plane.

I got an experienced guitar player to come with me when I bought my first guitar, which was good, but second hand.

BugBear

 

[Berserker]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'll look out for a No. 5 Stanley probably. I've seen them refurbed and honed for under £50 so I'm hoping it will be okay... I can't believe the prices some planes go for!

Thanks again.

 

[tobytools]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'll look out for a No. 5 Stanley probably. I've seen them refurbed and honed for under £50 so I'm hoping it will be okay... I can't believe the prices some planes go for!

Thanks again.

I personally think older record planes area better than Stanley, feel better and made better but that's me, my opinion. (fact) For £50 you could get a good no6 jack and a no4 smoother.
Record all the way- brittish
If you think £50 is alot check out holtey hand planes or infill planes
TT

 

[MIGNAL]

Old Woodie. Tons on Ebay for very little. Easier to fettle than silly old Stanley/Record Planes and you won't need to buy the mandatory upgraded chipbreaker and blade!!! £50 suddenly turns into £100+

 

[tobytools]

Old Woodie. Tons on Ebay for very little. Easier to fettle than silly old Stanley/Record Planes and you won't need to buy the mandatory upgraded chipbreaker and blade!!! £50 suddenly turns into £100+

I agree about the upgrade, but an old plane will still perform with minor restorating. I've just flatteren the sole of an old woodie using a no8 in a vice upsidedown. So now he needs a joiners plane
(I know there are other methods to flattering the sole and by planing ill be opening the mouth ect. And to put an end to that sparking argument I will soon enough inlay a throat piece.

So woodies are good but sooner or later will need work done, its easier than bench planes tho trust me
TT

 

[G S Haydon]

Hello Berserker

Welcome to the forum, I hope you enjoy the woodworking journey. On a first plane I would suggest the venerable #4 "Bailey" type plane http://gshaydon.co.uk/blog/4-plane/ . Although referred to as a "smoothing" plane it will do a wide variety of tasks. How much you spend is a personal choice with quality second hand from a dealer or e-bay the cheaper option, or the other end of the spectrum you have Lie-Nielsen and the like (mine is second hand).
There is not too much to look for really. Don't bother with a basket case (unless you like restoring tools), something that looks good will most likely be good.
The numbers are a by product of the Bailey type planes. 1 > 4 are generally smoothing planes for fine finishing, 5 > 6 for stock prep, 7>8 preparing long edges. The block planes are for smaller works.
Hope that helps.

Graham

 

[Berserker]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I'll look out for a No. 5 Stanley probably. I've seen them refurbed and honed for under £50 so I'm hoping it will be okay... I can't believe the prices some planes go for!

Thanks again.

I personally think older record planes area better than Stanley, feel better and made better but that's me, my opinion. (fact) For £50 you could get a good no6 jack and a no4 smoother.
Record all the way- brittish
If you think £50 is alot check out holtey hand planes or infill planes
TT

Thanks tobytools, I'm watching a few old Record ones on ebay too. I wasn't referring to the £50 when I said how expensive they can be, more the £150+ that people are suggesting as budget planes and the £300+ ones I've seen on my searches :shock:

 

[longinthetooth]

... something that looks good will most likely be good.

It's silly to say that to a novice. It's not about how it 'looks' - what can a novice 'see'? Above all it's about how accurate the sole is. How is the novice to assess this?