Can anyone recommend a miniature hand plane?

[Bettina]

As I am never going to be "allowed" to have a lathe at home can anyone recommend a good miniature hand plane for tapering masts and spars? Looking online there are many out there but I would rather invest in a good quality and recommended item, Best wishes, Bettina

[WackoWolf]

You can take a look a what "Lee Valley" has. I have a couple of theirs and have never been sorry that I got them. They are in the US.

 

http://www.leevalley.com/

[druxey]

Lee Valley is a good tip for quality planes. However, I find a well-honed chisel, used bevel down, easier to use than a plane. It is especially useful where a mast or spar goes from round to octagonal or square. You can 'get into the corner' nicely with a chisel.

[HSM]

I have some luthier's (stringed instrument makers) finger-planes that are awesome to use! Small I bought them at a second-hand store but I'm sure they are available on the internet. I have 3 different ones, each with a differently curved, or straight blade.

[RiverRat]

Stanley has this inexpensive plane I've always been happy with for small work....

 

http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=PLANES&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=12-101&SDesc=Small+Trimming+Plane

 

I've used it for such as turning 1/16" diam. round sticks into square stock.

 

Brian

[Bettina]

Thank you to everyone who has replied to this post.

You have all given me some great ideas and also fantastic links to sites I never knew existed.

I have checked them all out and my credit card is in my hand and getting ready to have a hammering…oh happy days!!!!!!

[j21896]

Hi Bettina,

 

I hate to "muddy the waters" if you've already made your choice, but I absolutely love my Lie Nielsen model maker's plane:

 

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1307

 

I also have the convex sole version.  They are a tad expensive, but the quality is fantastic!

 

Cheers,

Robert

[Artificer]

Bettina

 

I have to agree with Robert on this one, I use a Lie-Neilsen 102 low angle block plane and can highly recommend them, they are very high quality. They can be bought in the UK, try the Axminster's website they stock them, be warned they are not cheap, the current price of the 102 block plane is about £100-£110. The tagline used by Lie-Neilsen is that they are 'Makers of Heirloom Quality Tools' and they aren't kidding.

 

Dave

[Bettina]

Hi Bettina,

 

I hate to "muddy the waters" if you've already made your choice, but I absolutely love my Lie Nielsen model maker's plane:

 

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1307

 

I also have the convex sole version.  They are a tad expensive, but the quality is fantastic!

 

Cheers,

Robert

Dear Robert

They look beautiful. Which one(s) in particular would you recommend for mast and spars? Best wishes, Bettina

[Bettina]

Bettina

 

I have to agree with Robert on this one, I use a Lie-Neilsen 102 low angle block plane and can highly recommend them, they are very high quality. They can be bought in the UK, try the Axminster's website they stock them, be warned they are not cheap, the current price of the 102 block plane is about £100-£110. The tagline used by Lie-Neilsen is that they are 'Makers of Heirloom Quality Tools' and they aren't kidding.

 

Dave

Dear Dave, yes I can see that they look superb. Again, may I ask you what you, which one(s) would recommend? Best wishes, Bettina

[Artificer]

Bettina

 

I personally use a bronze No.102 low angle block plane, it's solid, fits in the hand well and is a pleasure to use, it certainly makes the task of tapering masts a lot easier.

 

Dave

[Bettina]

Bettina

 

I personally use a bronze No.102 low angle block plane, it's solid, fits in the hand well and is a pleasure to use, it certainly makes the task of tapering masts a lot easier.

 

Dave

Thank you Dave, they are currently out of stock but I will definitely get one of these. Thanks for all your help

[stantona]

And please don't overlook making your own plane. You can make it any size you wish, any shape you wish, and out of any materials you wish.

 

Alex

[j21896]

I use both of these Bettina:

 

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1307

 

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1313

 

And Dave is spot on, they really are "heirloom quality".  The blades are thick, heavy steel, that is finely machined.  They can be dialed down to very fine, smooth and accurate shavings as needed.

 

Cheers,

Robert

Edited March 14, 2013 by j21896

[Bettina]

I use both of these Bettina:

 

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1307

 

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1313

 

And Dave is spot on, they really are "heirloom quality".  The blades are thick, heavy steel, that is finely machined.  They can be dialed down to very fine, smooth and accurate shavings as needed.

 

Cheers,

Robert

Dear Robert, Thank you once again. Brilliant stuff!, Best wishes, Bettina

[dgbot]

I have the L-N 100 as well.  It is razor sharp when you get it and stays sharp longer.  This little plane is the best buy for the money I have found yet.

David B

[KARAVOKIRIS]

I'm also using Lie Nielsen planes : No 100 for shipmodelling and No 60 1/2 & No 4 for woodworking.

They are all top quality tools.

 

There is also a new smaller plane suitable for model making the L.N. No 101

(http://www.classichandtools.com/acatalog/Block_Planes.html)

 

 

Kostas

[Bettina]

I have the L-N 100 as well.  It is razor sharp when you get it and stays sharp longer.  This little plane is the best buy for the money I have found yet.

David B

Dear David, Thank you for the alternate model, will look at this as well, Best wishes, Bettina

[Bettina]

I'm also using Lie Nielsen planes : No 100 for shipmodelling and No 60 1/2 & No 4 for woodworking.

They are all top quality tools.

 

There is also a new smaller plane suitable for model making the L.N. No 101

(http://www.classichandtools.com/acatalog/Block_Planes.html)

 

 

Kostas

Dear Kostas, thank you for the advice on the alternate models and also posting the link as I am always grateful to find other sites for tools, Best wishes, Bettina

[janet bode]

Bettina

            here in U-K Axminstrer tools have just brought out the VERITAS miniature low angle BLOCK PLANE.

            A lovely tool to use it is 60mm long by 19mm wide not a toy, at £39.95(on offer) code no 504079,

            it"s great to use.

 

                                    JANET.

[BANYAN]

I use this plane also Janet; it's been great to use! 

 

cheers

 

Pat

[yamsterman]

hi bettina

try a lee nielson modelmakers plane.i got mine from axminster power tools.a bit pricey but well worth the expense.qaulity tool.failing that veritas have recently launched a range of miniature planes very similar to luthiers planes  complete with detachable ball shaped handles designed to fit the palm of the hand.again from above supplier.hope this helps .

regards...........mick

[michael mott]

 

And please don't overlook making your own plane. You can make it any size you wish, any shape you wish, and out of any materials you wish.

 

Alex

Alex have you made any yourself and do you have pictures?

 

I use Veritas low angle block planes, available also at Lee Valley, and also Druxey's comment about using the chisel is a good one.

 

Michael

[Q A's Revenge]

These are nice for fine work.

 

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodworking-hand-tools-hand-planes-bull-nose-planes-bull-nose-plane-anant+a77

[Yambo]

I don't know why you're never going to be allowed to have a lathe at home Bettina but if you're going to spend nearly £100 on a small plane you shouldn't discount the Proxxon DB 250 lathe. 

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Proxxon-Micromot-MICRO-Woodturning-Lathe/dp/B000PJ6W4O/ref=sr_1_1?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1399830989&sr=1-1&keywords=proxxon+db+250

 

It's not very big and I simply keep the hoover hose close by when I'm using it. 

[Zeekodadi]

check these out they have many sizes and shaps

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/ibexluthiersconvexsolepalmplane90mm.aspx

[Bettina]

Just a quick follow up for to all you kind folk who took the time in recommending a hand plane. I did buy the Lie Nielson No 100 and it is probably the best tool I have ever bought, worth every penny. Thanks to all

[mikeaidanh]

What a fine example of seeking and acting on advice Bettina.

 

Mike.

[Dziadeczek]

I have these two and they are excellent

 

 

 

[Justin P.]

I have these two and they are excellent

 

Those Ibex are great.   Nice shape too....   heres a source.

 

For anyone reading this since Bettina has already made a choice, the Veritas line of planes offered at Lee Valley are very good, heirloom quality tools as well.  They have a very nice mini-plane and spoke shave set that is a little less expensive than the Lie-Nielsen.