On 5/6/2010 8:46 PM, GarageWoodworks wrote:
On May 6, 9:44 pm,
wrote:
I only one one hand plane, a Veritas #4 smooth plane and I LOVE it. I
want to buy a block plane and I am either going with:

Lie-Nielsen adjustable mouth (http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?
sku=60_5) OR

Veritas DX60 adjustable mouth block plane (http://www.leevalley.com/US/
wood/page.aspx?p=61963&cat=1,41182,48942)

Anyone out there with experience with any of these or both?

Sorry about the link wrap problem.

Lie-Nielsen: http://tinyurl.com/5zkheh
Veritas: http://tinyurl.com/26m4536

As supremely cool as that Veritas plane is (I don't own one, but I've tried it
out at a woodworking show), I have one nagging problem with it: it's too
friggin' heavy! Normally, "heavy" is a desirable attribute in a hand plane,
but I have a lot of block planes, and I use them a LOT, but I just don't like
them if they're too heavy. My very favorite block plane is a good old vintage
Stanley 60-1/2; it's a dream to use and it's probably the lightest of the
bunch. The Lie-Nielsen 60-1/2 is of course a modern day (and much improved)
replica of the Stanley, but I'd wager it's quite a bit heavier than the
Stanley. I've only just held (and never tried) the Lie-Nielsen so I don't know
how heavy it feels in actual USE compared to the Veritas, but I'd be surprised
if it didn't feel lighter.

Regarding the Stanley 60-1/2, I think it's the *size* and form-factor that
draws me to it perhaps as much as its light weight; I just love how that plane
feels! Because of that same form-factor (and in spite of my concerns about
their weight), I think you've picked two very good candidates for
consideration. As much as I love the design and engineering effort that went
into creating the Veritas, I think my personal preference would be to stick
with the more traditional design of the Lie-Nielsen.

If you do think the extra heft of these planes would be bothersome, you might
try snagging an old Stanley 60-1/2 on eBay. Hell, snag one anyway, even if you
DO get one of these other planes; I guarantee you'll find a use for it.

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