Vertical Low Angle Jack vs Custom 5 1/2

[Radu Tenenbaum]

If getting only one, which is the more versatile, Veritas Low Angle Jack and the Custom 5 1/2? With 25, 38, and 50 Deg blades, the LA Jack offers effective 37, 50, and 62 cutting angles. The bevel down Custom has similar range with interchangeable frogs of 40, 45, and 55 degrees and you can order custom angles. They are similarly sized with the custom being a bit over a pound heavier. The Custom can accomodate a fence, and I don’t think the LA Jack does that. I’ve read a lot about the LA Jack’s shootng board capabilities, but I think the Custom does that as well. From my newbie perspective, it seems as if the Custom is the more flexible option, granted at a slightly higher price. Any opinions on this?

[William Fretwell]

The LA jack is somewhat specialized. Very useful for some functions like shooting and some difficult grains. As for a custom plane with numerous frogs, a fence you may never need, I would acquire regular planes first.
Changing the set up, tuning etc is a lot of work and time. The reality is you want tools you can grab and use.

[Tony Wilkins]

I have an LN #62 (ie low angle Jack), a custom #5 1/2, an LV 5 1/4, and an LN #4. If you’re going to get a premium plane anyway, I think the custom planes are a good choice. In a lot of ways they have the advantages of both a low angle and a traditional bevel down. I do use the fence occasionally. I like that I can swap out the angles and also have the ability to use a chip breaker. I’m not a huge fan of the adjuster but I can live with it.

[Jim Koepke]

Before Lie-Nielsen and Lee Valley developed shooting planes my choice was to purchase an LN #62 (Low Angle Jack Plane) for use as a shooting plane. My shoulder suffers from an old injury and shooting with a bevel down plane aggravated it.

Years later, after trying a dedicated shooting plane at a Tool Event, I purchased a Veritas Shooting Plane. (it has a lower effective angle than the LN Shooting Plane)

Now my Low Angle Jack Plane doesn't get much use. It is a great plane, it just doesn't happen often that it is the only or best plane for the job. Though mine only has one blade and it is kept at 25º. Not much gnarly grain that needs a high angle to work here in the Pacific North West.

jtk

[steven c newman]

To quote Montgomery Scott...."The more one complicates the "plumbing" the easier it is to plug up the drain".

It is entirely possible to have too many "options" in one plane....only to have it merely sitting around looking kind of cute.

WR #62 sits in the tool cabinet's bottom shelf....right beside a Stanley No. 5-1/2, Type 11.....there is also a Millers Falls No.15,Type 2 in the shop.....been a while since I have found any use for all three of them. But, they do look cute sitting there on the shelf.

[Jason White]

I had both of those Veritas planes. Same size and weight. I sold the 5-1/2 custom and kept the LA jack. No regrets.

[Jim W. White]

I would echo this sentiment from above: "I would acquire regular planes first. Changing the set up, tuning etc is a lot of work and time" My LV LA jack is one of my most often used planes. I have an old Stanley Bailey 5 1/2 that I absolutely love but I (personally) would not bother with a custom even if presented with one at a bargain. ..~2 cents

[Tony Wilkins]

Why isn’t a custom plane a ‘regular’ plane? I made the caveat on my answer ‘if you’re going to buy a premium plane anyway’. The custom planes have extra bells and whistles but operate just the same functions as my Bailey and bedrock planes I’ve used. I’d argue that with the adjustable mouth they’re easier to use than Bailey or Bedrocks. I find I use my 5 1/2 more and more as both a super smoother (ala Charlesworth) and a short jointer.

[Rafael Herrera]

If you are a beginner, get a Bailey or Bedrock plane. The extra features are interesting but won't perform any better than a well set up bench plane. Try a traditional bench plane if you can before you buy. Swapping frogs or blades is nonsense, beware of the gurus.

[Derek Cohen]

If getting only one, which is the more versatile, Veritas Low Angle Jack and the Custom 5 1/2? With 25, 38, and 50 Deg blades, the LA Jack offers effective 37, 50, and 62 cutting angles. The bevel down Custom has similar range with interchangeable frogs of 40, 45, and 55 degrees and you can order custom angles. They are similarly sized with the custom being a bit over a pound heavier. The Custom can accomodate a fence, and I don’t think the LA Jack does that. I’ve read a lot about the LA Jack’s shootng board capabilities, but I think the Custom does that as well. From my newbie perspective, it seems as if the Custom is the more flexible option, granted at a slightly higher price. Any opinions on this?

Hi Radu

Welcome to the forum!

The question always is, 'what do you plan for the plane'? Since you mention shooting, I suspect that you want an all rounder, notably a "super smoother". Well, David Charlesworth made this style famous, and it is favoured by Rob Cosman. Both these focussed n beginners, where the length and weight of the #5 1/2 -type is an advantage. Of special note, the choice of wood here is flat from a thickness-planer, and so the hard work has already been done.

Personally, I like the LA Jack, but rarely as a smoother. It is excellent on a shooting board, and for jointing shorter boards. One used to be my go to, 10 years ago, when it was used with two blades, a low angle for shooting end grain and a high angle for face- or edge grain. I still use one, but my preference has changed.

I do not have a #5 1/2 plane. Frankly, I do not see the point - it's one of those in-between sizes for me. For smoothing I prefer a #3 or #4. However, I do have Custom planes in #4 and #7, and can comment about these planes. The bottom line is that they are very good planes, but you do need to get used to the tiny chipbreaker screw. That said, it is not difficult, and then it is a fantastic plane ... but you wouldn't use mine as they are set up for an experienced user. The #7 has a 40 degree frog and the #4 a 42-degree frog, which means both need to be used with a chipbreaker closed up. Then they will plane anything, end grain or interlocked face grain. Fantastic. For you ... forget about changing out frogs. It is time-consuming. So, if this leaves one frog, it means the Custom plane is not the all rounder for you. It is easier to change out two blades on the LA Jack.

For all this, my recommendation is the same as Rafael's - if you are starting out, get a Bailey and learn the rudiments of using a plane. Then you will be ready for a specialised plane, and it may be something else.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Reed Gray]

I have 2 LA jack planes. One I keep one of the toothed blades in. I love it for roughing, more than my scrub plane. It is easier to push through the wood, and I don't get tear out. As for the other one, I get mixed performance from it. Some times it works great, some times not so great. I am guessing that is me, and not the plane, in part because I am still learning these tools. I need a lot more practice.....

robo hippy

[Jim Koepke]

Radu, Welcome to the Creek. I didn't notice this is your first post.

You do not indicate your location in your profile. You may live near another member who would be happy to have you visit their shop to test drive a few planes.

Do you currently have any planes?

My accumulation of planes are mostly Stanley/Bailey planes including #5, #5-1/2 and #6 size planes among others. There is also a low angle jack. My #5 & #6 are both used more often than my #5-1/2.

jtk

[Ben Ellenberger]

Welcome!

I’m another vote for just getting a regular #5 to start and using it for everything if you haven’t used a plane before.

[Radu Tenenbaum]

Thank you for all the responses. You're a knowledgeable lot. I'm a retired engineer and a beginner woodworking hobbyist. Got a table saw, miter saw, drill press, router table, planer and the standard set of powered hand tools. Small bandsaw and bench top planer in the future. I'm pretty much done with the shop furniture and am now getting started on making smaller boxes. I purchased my first plane, a Veritas Low Angle Block Plane, a few months ago and have found it very useful. I love the design and it's easy to use. But it's too small for shooting the stock I'll be using. I subsequently bought a very used and rusty Stanley 5 which I cleaned up some, but the sides weren't square and I wouldn't be able to use it for shooting. It was also much more hassle to set up compared to the Veritas. So I got rid of it. I've now decided on a Veritas Low Angle Jack and have just posted a query on the classified forum.

[Reed Gray]

I spent some time yesterday putting a new profile on my LA jack plane. The blade was slightly off square, and I fixed it as well as got a very slight crown to it. Made a huge difference. A little wax on the sole makes a big difference too....

robo hippy