On 14 Dec 2005 10:31:56 -0800, "DonkeyHody"
wrote:

I don't own a plane.
I have lots of nice machines. Thickness planer, yes, power plane too,
but not one honest neander plane.
Question is, what should I buy, seeing as how I'm still a virgin
(plane-wise). I'd rather not buy something from the BORG that I'll
outgrow in a year. I don't yet have the skills to really appreciate a
fine piece of equipment, but I'm willing to fork over the dough and
grow into it. I just don't want to blunder into some specialty item
that's not versitile enough.


Have to add my 2c.

First off, agree with all the others about the block plane, my most
used by far. If your going to stick with machines for bulk
planing/jointing, then I'd suggest you learn to use scrapers first,
hand and plane types.
My problem with larger planes is that I don't have a good place to
secure the wood, no big sturdy bench, your not going to be happy
jointing or planing on a couple of workmates not matter what plane you
have!
I have all kinds of planes, most used or cheap or old and cheap
The mediocre ones can be tuned fairly well.
Used every one of them for something. Have a great older Stanley
jointer plane, used it for rough planing a couple times (in 20 years),
have never even bothered to tune it. Without a secure work piece it's
useless. I'd rather use my Inca jointer to finish and my Makita power
planer for rough work (Well tuned THIS is a very handy tool).
However my $30 Record low angle block (tuned) with adjustable throat
will finely slice anything I can muscle it through. Use it for all
sorts of things, small chamfers (no jigs), smoothing jointer blade
nick lines, tenons, etc...
I also keep a crap block plane handy for "construction"
A shoulder plane with removable front piece is very handy as well. I
have a small 1941 Record 077A, works great for all sorts of things.
I'd like to use my OLD nameless #12 scaper plane more, and have a
couple under $5 flea market wood planes not worth repairing that I've
used for "rough" work.

If you've got the bench or whatever and want to neander your wood, the
others have given great advice, smoother, jack, jointer.

And yes, a bench is finally on my radar.

--------------------
Steve Jensen
Abbotsford B.C.
chopping out the mortise.
BBS'ing since 1982 at 300 bps.
Surfing along at 19200 bps since 95.
WW'ing since 1985
LV Cust #4114

Nothing catchy to say, well maybe.....
WAKE UP - There are no GODs you fools!