No, the reason not to get a multi-purpose tool is that if you do, you lose the excuse you'll need to buy another tool later on.
Never embark on a train of thought that leads you to buying fewer tools. ;)
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Thom Sturgill's and Danny Thompson's suggestion is a good one. I've owned a bronze LN 102 for 6 or 7 years. It quickly became one of my favorite tools and my block plane of choice over several others in my shop. Last Fall I was in the LN store and succumbed to the charms of their adjustable low angle block plane (the 60 1/2). I bought and I like it very much. But the little bronze 102 is still my favorite. I reach for it even when the LN 60 1/2 is laying on the bench right beside it. The 102 will introduce you to LN quality without breaking your budget.
My $.02
Hank
It's a trap!!!!!
Once you buy a LN you will never be happy with anything else!
Quick find someone else to give the certificate to before it's too late!:eek:
Any takers?:confused:
Just a comment on using the LN 60 1/2R to trim tenons. You can do that, but the LV medium shoulder plane is soooo much better for that application, especially trimming shoulders. The "R" is just a bit too big to work well in that application.
Personally, I would not purchase a 60 1/2R to use as a regular block plane. Because the blade protudes out the side, you can scar up some wood without intending to. You can also scar up your hand if you're not careful. I have a 60 1/2R and tried to use it as a regular block plane. I soon bought the regular 60 1/2.
But if you are going to buy the 60 1/2R, have LN add the nickers to it. It'll make it easier to cut rabbets, especially cross grain. LN charged me $25 to add the nickers some time after I bought the plane (had to ship it back to them). It might be a bit less expensive if you get the nickers as part of the original purchase.
Mike
[added note] I want to second Hank Knight's suggestion of the bronze 102. I have one and it's a great plane - feels good in your hand and works well.
I have the Lie Nielsen low-angle block plane. Paid the full $150.
Worth every penny, even if you're just using it to do general/trim carpentry projects. So much better than the crappy "Buck Bros." plane I got at Home Depot a few years ago. You really get what you pay for with their block planes.
Jason
You need to feel the L-N low-angle block plane in your hand...and you'll never want to let go! I glad I bought mine. The Veritas planes are also very nice and I assure you that I have some of those on my list. But no regrets here for my first "good" plane being from L-N!
John, I have several Lie Nelson's..and love everyone of them. I look forward to using them. The block plane was my first. I am working on a long term collection of them. I I would get the Lie, and never look back!! A good plane collection is priceless in my mind.
Anyone ever bought them from the craftsmanstudio dot com? Pric is $135 for the LN 60.5.
The Stanley block plane with the adjustable mouth will serve you almost as well as the LN. Just make sure you spend the time to flatten the sole of the plane, the back of the blade, and sharpen the bevel. Flattening and sharpening are far more important than the difference between the good Stanley and the LN.
The LN smoothing planes, jointers, etc., really are sweet, and you will never regret getting any LN product. There is a noticeable difference in quality -- not just a jyped vanity brand. To begin with, LNs arrive almost perfectly flat and sharp (they still should be flattened and sharpened), so there is MUCH less effort getting it ready. They're usable right out of the box. This applies to their block planes, too. As a minimum, there is a definite trade off of your effort versus the cost of the LN.
Ridiculous, buy replacement irons for stanleys. Seriously, the wood doesn't care what label is on the plane. Spend your money on stanleys, buy replacement blades if you absolutely can't stand the thought of having a blade that isn't ... whatever (hint - the vintage stanleys work fine if you know how to sharpen) and the money you would have spent on a LN - invest it. If I had a 75$ gift certificate to LN I'd buy a honing guide and some stones.