Kevin Hampshire
12-03-2016, 1:33 PM
348733The Veritas Miter Planes have been out for a while but I didn't notice any reviews so I thought I'd post my first impressions. This was a Lee Valley Cyber Monday plane.
First off, I was interested in this plane primarily as a block plane and less for shooting and miters. I already have the Veritas (right hand) Shooting Plane and a LAJ.
There were some unanticipated surprises about this plane. It's larger and heavier than I expected which is fine for it's designed uses. I knew that the plane had it's own specific blade but I didn't know that it would be shaped more like a rabbeting blade. The maple handles on mine aren't a perfect match but maybe that's why it was available on Monday.:) The screw slot on the lever cap is wider than the one used on the shooting horn. I had a screwdriver blade that fit the shooting horn screw perfectly which is a good if you intend to remove and replace that horn. Lastly, I'm 6'4" (sorry, no idea what that is in metric) tall and trying to hold this wide heavy plane like a block plane is slightly awkward. I've only taken a very few preliminary swipes with the plane so that may change.
I broke these surprises out for emphasis. The shooting horn is approaching perfection for my grip. I could not believe how natural it feels. Pulled out my Shooting Plane and LAJ to compare but they both feel a bit awkward after trying the Miter Plane horn. Not intended as a bad reflection on those planes which are wonderful to use for shooting, but I am trying to convey how well the shooting horn works. Not really a surprise but I forgot how well Veritas (and LN) planes performed straight out of the box. The performance of the plane is outstanding and all I did was give the blade a couple of quick casual swipes to hone.
I'm not sure if the Veritas Miter Plane will become the larger block plane that I was thinking about but that's fine as I still need/want and intend to get the Veritas LA block plane. There is some end grain on some 4" x 5" bench legs that I plan on testing this plane against. We'll see if the Miter Plane or LAJ are the best for that use. I don't have a miter jack but it's something I'd like to build and try out. I suspect this plane is way better suited for a miter jack versus the LAJ and Shooting Plane.
I forgot to mention that this plane has the fine thread adjuster.
First off, I was interested in this plane primarily as a block plane and less for shooting and miters. I already have the Veritas (right hand) Shooting Plane and a LAJ.
There were some unanticipated surprises about this plane. It's larger and heavier than I expected which is fine for it's designed uses. I knew that the plane had it's own specific blade but I didn't know that it would be shaped more like a rabbeting blade. The maple handles on mine aren't a perfect match but maybe that's why it was available on Monday.:) The screw slot on the lever cap is wider than the one used on the shooting horn. I had a screwdriver blade that fit the shooting horn screw perfectly which is a good if you intend to remove and replace that horn. Lastly, I'm 6'4" (sorry, no idea what that is in metric) tall and trying to hold this wide heavy plane like a block plane is slightly awkward. I've only taken a very few preliminary swipes with the plane so that may change.
I broke these surprises out for emphasis. The shooting horn is approaching perfection for my grip. I could not believe how natural it feels. Pulled out my Shooting Plane and LAJ to compare but they both feel a bit awkward after trying the Miter Plane horn. Not intended as a bad reflection on those planes which are wonderful to use for shooting, but I am trying to convey how well the shooting horn works. Not really a surprise but I forgot how well Veritas (and LN) planes performed straight out of the box. The performance of the plane is outstanding and all I did was give the blade a couple of quick casual swipes to hone.
I'm not sure if the Veritas Miter Plane will become the larger block plane that I was thinking about but that's fine as I still need/want and intend to get the Veritas LA block plane. There is some end grain on some 4" x 5" bench legs that I plan on testing this plane against. We'll see if the Miter Plane or LAJ are the best for that use. I don't have a miter jack but it's something I'd like to build and try out. I suspect this plane is way better suited for a miter jack versus the LAJ and Shooting Plane.
I forgot to mention that this plane has the fine thread adjuster.