On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 17:40:02 GMT, patriarch
wrote:

wrote in
:

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 06:54:33 -0500, Conan the Librarian
wrote:

Lawrence Wasserman wrote:

Without getting into a comparison with LV or LN, I have a new style
Stanley low angle block plane, model 12-960, and I find it works just
as well as my old Stanley 60 1/2.

Does the iron hold an edge as well as the old plane? That's my
biggest gripe with the newer Stanleys (well, there are more problems
than that, but those relate to the bench planes).

Anyhow, if it works for you, that's great. Personally, I wouldn't
buy *any* new Stanley bench or block plane on a dare. BTDT, got a
paperweight out of the deal.


Chuck Vance


last time I bought a new stanley plane was about 12 or 15 years ago. I
was working out of town and discovered that I had left my block plane
behind. went to the toyc^c^ool store and bought the best one they had.
low angle stanley made in england. it's fine.

I bought the same one about 3 years ago.

$55 + two hours of fussing with it, and it still isn't nearly as good as
the Veritas, right out of the wrapper. The blade doesn't stay sharp as
long. It won't stay as tightly (finely) adjusted. And it doesn't have the
same feel in your hand as the Veritas.

never having had a veritas in my hand (I don't think there were any
veritas planes at the time I bought that one) I can't make a
comparison. I did spend some time fettling, but it wasn't too bad...
it was a while ago, I don't remember exactly how long it took. it
sounds like there was some decline in stanley's quality during the
interval between our purchases.




That said, it hasn't been banished to the nether regions of tool hell, as
the Record #4 has been. THAT is a $75 boat anchor/mistake that won't be
repeated. Funny, the Records at the Adult Ed shop worked just fine.

Did you ever have a tool you were too embarrassed to even give away? As
in, 'I wouldn't wish that on anyone?'


"... Here, man, this is for you. no,, no.. don't look at it too
closely. you can have it, I got a better one that actually works. just
get that thing out of my shop...."





Patriarch