Miniature tools

[rlundy90]

I recently bought some miniature planes, chisels and a spoke shave from Lee Valley Tools. I have to say I am very impressed with these tiny tools. Casting and machining is excellent.  They come sharp right out of the box, although I recommend a final honing. The bench and block plane work great for shaping and trimming parts. The spoke shave is really handy for trimming bulkheads to the proper angle and I like the edge plane for trimming planks. Much, much quicker than sanding or trimming with a knife. They are a pleasure to use. They also have a shoulder plane, cabinet scraper, router plane and a plow plane. All are under $50 US.

[Jack12477]

I agree !  I have their entire set of miniature planes and use them frequently.  Great value.

[Moab]

I agree!!! They are great. I also have a very small (about 1 1/2” long) plane which I think is called a violin plane. It’s AWESOME! The blade is incredible. Not sure where to get this small plane but I have seen it recently.....Allan

[vaddoc]

Do you use a honing guide?

 

[DelF]

I'm another Veritas fan (Father Christmas was particularly kind this year!). My smallest is their inset plane. Although it's designed to fit into a wooden body that you make yourself (to suit the job in hand), I've found it works really well on its own as do all the Veritas tools. Just today I used the spokeshave to round off the front of a top, and the 1/8" chisel to turn a round hole in a mast cap into a square hole. I use them so much I rarely put them back in their cases. Probably a bad habit.

 

Vaddoc - personally I use a Trend fast track https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trend-FTS-KIT-Fasttrack-Sharpening/dp/B00309W78G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517936915&sr=8-1&keywords=trend+fast+track+sharpening+system&dpID=41iZoB4fF0L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch . Although designed for full-size tools, it works on the miniature plane blades if used with care.

 

Derek