What do people think of the LN #66 beading tool?

[Jeff Leimberger]

Hi all,

I may have a chance to pick up a Lie-Nielsen #66 beading tool for around $100. If you have used one, what was your impression?
Better than a shop made block with the blade clamped in a slot? If not better, just prettier?

What do you think?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Derek Cohen]

Fantastic tool. The original Stanley is as good, but the LN is a lot prettier! :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tom M King]

I had a job that required making a bunch of replacement pieces for a 200 year old reeded mantle. I have an old Stanley, and bought the LN cutters for it. I also tried some of LV cutters, and ended up liking the LV cutters better. The tool I ended up using, and liking the most was the wooden beading tool from Lee Valley. It's very light weight, and gives better feedback for the feel of what the cutter is doing, and also can go farther from an edge than the Stanley, and knockoff versions.

This one: http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32679&cat=1,230,41182

[Derek Cohen]

Tom, I often use the LV cutters in the #66, although they are smaller and need a careful fit. The only issue I have with the LN cutters is that the arris is not as fine as the LV (finer is better), and therefore leaves a broader line. The LN cutters are thicker and do not flex as much. I also make my own cutters from 3/4" wide used bandsaw blades.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Thomas Wilson]

I find the beading cutters on a LV combination plane give a smoother cut. They are ground with a bevel more like a conventional plane. The LN 66 works more like a scraper. In softwood, the 66 leaves a fuzz. On the good side, it is fast to change blades and set up.

[Rob Young]

I find the beading cutters on a LV combination plane give a smoother cut. They are ground with a bevel more like a conventional plane. The LN 66 works more like a scraper. In softwood, the 66 leaves a fuzz. On the good side, it is fast to change blades and set up.

The #66 *is* a scraper so it works exactly like a scraper. Try going around a curve with a combination plane some time. Or using the combination plane as an emergency backup small router plane.

Horses for courses.

[Gary Ragatz]

A while back, I was working on a small table and wanted to put some beading on the aprons. Shopped around some and tried buying a vintage Stanley 66 on eBay, but it was an auction and got too rich for my blood. Looked at the LN, but it was way over my budget. I ended up with Lee Valley's cast scratch stock http://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/page.aspx?p=73766&cat=1,41182 . It was < $65 for the tool and 8 extra pre-fab cutters (I didn't want to make my own). I used it on my table, and a couple of other projects since then, and I happy with it. When I was shopping, I also saw a couple of positive reviews for the Veritas beading tool from LV - http://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/page.aspx?p=62030&cat=1,41182 - a little more expensive than what I got, but still pretty affordable.

Since I made my purchase, I've had a chance to play around with a friend's vintage Stanley 66 (didn't know when I was shopping that he had it, or I could have just borrowed it). I think it's a little easier to handle than the LV I bought, but results seem about the same.

Anyway, if the Veritas or the LV (or the other LV Tom King mentioned above) are of interest, I had an email from LV this morning, announcing free shipping on orders over $40 for the next two weeks.

[Derek Cohen]

Here is a review of the LV Cast Scratch Stock: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/LVCastScratchStock2.html

It includes a comparison with the LN #66, along with pics of using the LV cutters, as mentioned above. Plus a mod for the LV scratch stock.

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/LVCastScratchStock_html_4d6672ce.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Tony Zaffuto]

Here is a review of the LV Cast Scratch Stock: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/LVCastScratchStock2.html

It includes a comparison with the LN #66, along with pics of using the LV cutters, as mentioned above. Plus a mod for the LV scratch stock.

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/LVCastScratchStock_html_4d6672ce.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

Coincidental that I just ordered the LV beading tool this morning (free shipping started today!). I have a thing for scraping type tools and already own a LN 66 as well as the LV wood handled beader. Why do I need another beading tool? For one thing, I accumulate Preston tools and I like the looks of the LV version! For another, I don't have one!

I read your article on the LV & LN and as soon as the LV arrives, I will have one of my machinists make a straight fence for it, ala your design! Great suggestion in that article, Derek!

T.Z.

[Nicholas Lawrence]

Learn something new every day. Today I learned that LV makes three different beaders. Who knew?

[Thomas Wilson]

The #66 *is* a scraper so it works exactly like a scraper. Try going around a curve with a combination plane some time. Or using the combination plane as an emergency backup small router plane.

Horses for courses.

Of course, the 66 is a scraper. The difference is in sharpening. A scraper, whether card scraper or scraper plane, has a straight edge which is considerably easier to sharpen and to apply a hook than a beading cutter. The fuzzyness of my efforts with the 66 is at least partly due to not having a slip stone small enough to dress the edge of the bead.

Back in my Williamsburg phase, I did lots of bookcases and kitchen cabinets with beaded face frames. When I did an arch top, I cut the bead on a straight piece then ripped it off and bent it into the arch on the panel. I would think cutting a bead cleanly on a curve would be difficult. I have not tried it.

TW

[Derek Cohen]

Tony, it's a great little beader. You will like it ... even better with the straight fence.

These two beaders, along with the Garrett Hack design, are the ones to short list.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Rob Young]

Learn something new every day. Today I learned that LV makes three different beaders. Who knew?

You can't "bead" that with a stick!

An "unbeadable" deal!

[Rob Young]

Of course, the 66 is a scraper. The difference is in sharpening. A scraper, whether card scraper or scraper plane, has a straight edge which is considerably easier to sharpen and to apply a hook than a beading cutter. The fuzzyness of my efforts with the 66 is at least partly due to not having a slip stone small enough to dress the edge of the bead.

Back in my Williamsburg phase, I did lots of bookcases and kitchen cabinets with beaded face frames. When I did an arch top, I cut the bead on a straight piece then ripped it off and bent it into the arch on the panel. I would think cutting a bead cleanly on a curve would be difficult. I have not tried it.

TW

Not terrifically difficult but you do have the grain going at least 4 ways as you work around a circle (unless it was glued up from wedges). And it helps to have the right fence attached to a #66. Most of the ones I've seen in the wild are missing the 2nd fence. Heck, they are missing all but the one scratch stock that was left installed from its last use.

Too tight a radius and it is a nightmare. Gentle radius, not so bad.

Generally don't hook a beading cutter. Just leave it nice and square sided. Helps to polish the faces and edge though.

[Tom M King]

[QUOTE=Derek Cohen;2914251]Tom, I often use the LV cutters in the #66, although they are smaller and need a careful fit. The only issue I have with the LN cutters is that the arris is not as fine as the LV (finer is better), and therefore leaves a broader line. The LN cutters are thicker and do not flex as much. I also make my own cutters from 3/4" wide used bandsaw blades.

Regards from Perth

Yes, I remember now. The LV cutters (3/16" reeding cutter specifically) matched the 1828 mantle reeded pieces exactly. That's the trouble with multi-plane cutters too. They leave a little flat beside the beads.

[Gary Ragatz]

Here is a review of the LV Cast Scratch Stock: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/LVCastScratchStock2.html

It includes a comparison with the LN #66, along with pics of using the LV cutters, as mentioned above. Plus a mod for the LV scratch stock.



Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

Thanks for posting this. I'm not much of a metalworker, but I think I'll take a shot at that flat fence.

Best,
Gary

[chris carter]

FWIW I have the LV cast scratch stock (Preston). When I got it I had never in my life touched a beading tool. I had a project that needed a bead so I went and bought it as the price was right. I was concerned about the curved fence, but honestly, the thing is downright idiot proof and I cut a beautiful long straight bead on my first attempt not really knowing what I was doing. In fact, I’ve never ever failed to have it cut dead straight and perfect on a straight board. It works equally well going forwards and backwards. Once I get my line established I can go rapid fire both directions in an absolute blur – probably fast enough to start a fire – then just work the very ends using the body as a depth stop. I gather the LN66 is uni-directionsal??

I will say though – making your own cutters is the least fun I’ve ever had. So last Xmas I asked for the master set so I will only have to make the occasional specialty one in the future.