Recommend a smoothing plane

MossM

Hi

Relatively new to this and getting confused by the variety of planes and choices available. Looking for a smoothing plane to work some ash into condition for shelving, media unit etc and my heart broken from sanding.

Not looking for a collectors item but want a plane that is true and durable, any thoughts/resources or sellers/shops good for advice

Thanks in advance

Moss

tabby aspreme

Get a secondhand no 5 Stanley to start with, look online for information on how to flatten the sole and polish the blade , that should be good enough for ash, if you want to do more with it you could get an aftermarket high carbon steel blade and a two piece cap iron , also get a cabinet scraper and learn how to sharpen and use it , there great for difficult grain.

recipio

Have a look at the Quangsheng range of planes. They are made in China but are built to a high standard for the Western market - at Chinese prices. I have their block plane and its a pleasure to use.

peter bermingham

Here ya go the ones recipio is on about in all fairness they look well made are they a copy of Lie-Nielsen by any chance http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Quangsheng_Planes.html

MossM

Thanks for the advice guys, will track down a second hand no 5 Stanley and a cabinet scraper and take it from there!

Wossack

with a bit of fettling (what you'll prob have to do with a 2nd hand anyway), the silverline stuff is supposedly pretty decent for the price - Id be looking for a #4 from them personally

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kURYRhTDzMg

jack of all

Wossack wrote: »

with a bit of fettling (what you'll prob have to do with a 2nd hand anyway), the silverline stuff is supposedly pretty decent for the price - Id be looking for a #4 from them personally

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kURYRhTDzMg

I think Recipio's advice is best if you want to buy new- pay a modest sum for a mass produced Asian plane that will work well with very little work. Those Silverlines, Faithfull etc are cheap but you get what you pay for. Years ago I bought an Anant handplane from a very reputable German tool dealer, thinking it would be an economical buy- it was a complete waste of money with poor quality castings, badly finished in every respect and required a good deal of work to get it working properly. If you have time and want to learn a few new skills you can pick up a secondhand Record or Stanley for €30 or a lot less and get them to work better than new. Plenty of online videos and resources to get you started on the slippery slope of old tool restoration!

tabby aspreme

peter bermingham wrote: »

Here ya go the ones recipio is on about in all fairness they look well made are they a copy of Lie-Nielsen by any chance http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Quangsheng_Planes.html

Some nice tools on that site.

recipio

Have a look at www.finetools.de. They have some nice Japanese stuff not available elsewhere.

imakebiodiesel

I have to agree with the member who recommended a second hand Stanley no 5 jack plane, its a great all round plane, long enough to be able to true up planks but when set to a fine cut can produce a really good finish. Record also made an excellent version of the no 5. The cheap copies are just that and are not worth the time wasted trying to make them work properly.