Three Mid-Priced Handplanes Tested for a Year

Рет қаралды 119,332

3 жыл бұрын

I tested three planes for year. Is one of them right for your shop and budget?
More video and exclusive content: / rexkrueger
Tools and Links Below! (Scroll down)
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Planes in this video:
Stanley Sweetheart No. 4: amzn.to/3nOtG3G (affiliate)
Stanley Sweetheart Low Angle Jack: amzn.to/3h2E5qZ (affiliate)
Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane: amzn.to/3b3zOzI (affiliate)
ECE Jack Plane: bit.ly/3epiGXD (non-affiliate)
ECE Jack in Europe: www.fine-tools.com/doppelh.html (non-affiliate)
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Take your planing to the next level with these videos:
Hand tools for $100 #3: Fast plane restoration with BENCH GRINDER:
• Hand tools for $100 #3...
True Beginner: Learn to use your hand plane!:
• Learn to use your hand...
True Beginner: Basic Sandpaper Sharpening
• True Beginner: Basic S...
Will a premium plane really cut "out of the box"?:
• Will a premium plane r...
Super-tuning the Stanley 12-404 plane:
• Super-tuning the Stanl...
Fast freehand sharpening: no jigs, no guides, no sandpaper:
• Fast freehand sharpeni...
Also, check out this playlist, All About Handplanes:
• All about Handplanes
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Make your own planes with the Specialty Plane Bundle! It includes:
- Router Plane
- Spoke Shave
- Low Angle Jack Plane
- Rabbet Plane
- Grooving Plane
• Specialty Plane Bundle
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Get custom badges and emojis you can use during chats: / @rexkrueger
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Wood Work for Humans Tool List (affiliate):
Cutting
Gyokucho Ryoba Saw: amzn.to/2Z5Wmda
Dewalt Panel Saw: amzn.to/2HJqGmO
Suizan Dozuki Handsaw: amzn.to/3abRyXB
(Winner of the affordable dovetail-saw shootout.)
Spear and Jackson Tenon Saw: amzn.to/2zykhs6
(Needs tune-up to work well.)
Crown Tenon Saw: amzn.to/3l89Dut
(Works out of the box)
Carving Knife: amzn.to/2DkbsnM
Narex True Imperial Chisels: amzn.to/2EX4xls
(My favorite affordable new chisels.)
Blue-Handled Marples Chisels: amzn.to/2tVJARY
(I use these to make the DIY specialty planes, but I also like them for general work.)
Sharpening
Honing Guide: amzn.to/2TaJEZM
Norton Coarse/Fine Oil Stone: amzn.to/36seh2m
Natural Arkansas Fine Oil Stone: amzn.to/3irDQmq
Green buffing compound: amzn.to/2XuUBE2
Marking and Measuring
Stockman Knife: amzn.to/2Pp4bWP
(For marking and the built-in awl).
Speed Square: amzn.to/3gSi6jK
Stanley Marking Knife: amzn.to/2Ewrxo3
(Excellent, inexpensive marking knife.)
Blue Kreg measuring jig: amzn.to/2QTnKYd
Round-head Protractor: amzn.to/37fJ6oz
Drilling
Forstener Bits: amzn.to/3jpBgPl
Spade Bits: amzn.to/2U5kvML
Work-Holding
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Screw Clamp: amzn.to/3gCa5i8
Get my woodturning book: www.rexkrueger.com/book
Follow me on Instagram: @rexkrueger

Пікірлер: 325

@cbdeandc 3 жыл бұрын

When you get to a point where you CAN afford a better tool, "Buy once, cry once."

@kretieg2943 3 жыл бұрын

The same is said of buying Televue eyepieces. "You only cry once."

@alexchavez2114 3 жыл бұрын

I have an exam tomorrow and this makes for the best procrastination

@loopis9886 3 жыл бұрын

Gl boss

@MCsCreations 3 жыл бұрын

Great luck, dude!!!

@oliverdelica2289 3 жыл бұрын

Woodworking is always the answer

@DullPoints 3 жыл бұрын

As a complete loser. Please save yourself from my future and buckle down now so you can retire early instead of never.

@NCharlesworth86 3 жыл бұрын

I have to administer 2 exams tomorrow and same

@bobt2522 3 жыл бұрын

Long-term reviews have a different value than box-opening reviews. Thanks for the effort. Your comment at 7:40 is going into my vocabulary. I know several people like that.

@Culpride 3 жыл бұрын

Someone should make that a new meme format xD

@MrGarethG 10 ай бұрын

"I have a lot of friends I don't like" - The Dowager Countess of Grantham.

@eoindgrace 3 жыл бұрын

Every time I see one of these reviews of "mid-priced" planes, I'm ever more thankful for the still in the box 1950's Stanley No. 4 that my Dad came across for buttons in a charity shop. :)

@JSarmat86 3 жыл бұрын

100% agree! I've had a sort of Stanley 12-404 knock-off plane, but without adjustment screws, so i had to adjust the iron with a hammer. After some KZfaq "research", I've bought a Stanley No. 4. Oh My God! That was the best 35 USD invested in my woodworking tools. It wasn't the best quality hand plane - it has plastic handle and front knob and some stamped parts, but in terms of performance, it's just on another level in comparison with my old hand plane. The vintage Stanley/Record No. 4 represent the Lie Nielsen and Veritas for the beginners. They are simply the best.

@Canalcoholic 3 жыл бұрын

Makes me appreciate my late father’s (and probably his father’s) 1910s No.4, and the 1960s one I picked up for a tenner from a vintage warehouse.

@mikeking7470 2 жыл бұрын

My #4? I bought it new at the local hardware store about 1975. I dug it out and cleaned off a bit of surface rust and the price tag. And put it to work. It was what I suppose was called the Handyman since it did not come with box or instructions but I have it working pretty well. My first love is not that plane, it's my Millers Falls #9, I got that one on Ebay, all in with shipping? $45.00. It's so pretty.

@cpzmelbs 5 ай бұрын

Still in the box? So you have never used it... I dont understand what exactly you mean or thankful for in this context. other than possesing a nice object from your father

@eoindgrace 5 ай бұрын

@@cpzmelbs no, not mint unopened, just whoever had it before me stored in the cardboard box it came in. It's seen plenty of use both before and during my ownership.

@valuepurposemission7517 3 жыл бұрын

lololol "this plane is like a lot of people i know ....... i respect it , but i dont like it very much." :)) you are now my favorite youtuber :)

@Culpride 3 жыл бұрын

Someone should make that a new meme format! xD

@renel2196 3 жыл бұрын

I relate to that phrase so much!

@roryconiglione9486 3 жыл бұрын

OMG, you are the best. I hate out of the box tool reviews. Use it for a while, then talk to me. You used it for a year! You are the best.

@maverickstclare3756 3 жыл бұрын

Amazon review: I plugged it in and it works I guess - 5 stars

@schm4704 3 жыл бұрын

Kunz Plus 5 owner here. I had a similar experience: I had to flatten it once, which was a little disappointing, but it performs very well ever since.

@anthonywitman9934 3 жыл бұрын

Every shop should have a set of t handle allen keys. That would solve the long hex key issue

@markzambelli 3 жыл бұрын

Every shop should have a little Rex tucked away in a comfy cupboard waiting on standby. That would solve _every_ issue.🔨

@anthonywitman9934 3 жыл бұрын

@@markzambelli you are not wrong.

@mikeking7470 2 жыл бұрын

Shopsmith does most of it with one 5/32 key. I have them all over the shop including one mounted to the inside of a cupboard door.

@corwin32 3 жыл бұрын

0:30…”and that concludes my detailed explanation. Thank you”

@seanbrotherton542 3 жыл бұрын

Well said. Low cost quality tools are a good starting point. But when you start to figure out what you like and need it's good to have an idea of what you're going to upgrade to. Thanks for another awesome presentation. 👍

@twcmaker 3 жыл бұрын

I'm really getting into your videos Rex. The part that goes above and beyond is suggesting planes to go with each. Some might already have these planes and be looking for the 'next one up' great video. 👍👍👍

@heyitsthatdude17 3 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this video Rex. Getting long term reviews on products just doesn't happen much sadly, and is really valuable when evaluating a product or brand. I know there are some tech products I've bought that have had great first impression reviews, and worked great initially, but then went to crap in not too much time later. Thanks for the vid!

@jgo5707 3 жыл бұрын

The issue you described with the sole of the Stanley changing and getting a shaving in only the center, this is the exact issue I have on my plane. Thank you for diagnosing that!!!!!!!

@luismartinez6421 3 жыл бұрын

After some time watching Rex videos (and doing less thing on wood as I would like to) two things remain constant: fine tuning on the tool and maintenance. As a guy who have spent a lot of time in heavy industry (automotive), pointing out the fine setup and maintenance is equally valid with heavy equipment and hand tools. Nice work Rex!

@woshafer 3 жыл бұрын

Good stuff Rex! You're the first channel I've chosen to sponsor in 6 years. Worth every penny.

@dfu1685 Жыл бұрын

Very nice work and great explanation of the mutual benefit and appreciable need for the patrons.

@trackie1957 3 жыл бұрын

A coworker of mine used to say “It’s only metal” that annoying corner on the Kunz can be rounded in seconds with a file to make it better for shooting, and speaking of shooting, the side of the iron on my Stanley cut my hand, so I took that sharp edge off, too. Much safer, more comfortable shooting now!

@rickkempf77 3 жыл бұрын

Wow! So much information thank you for all of you very well thought out and thorough videos!!

@jjeffles 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the solid, in depth review, Rex!

@ared18t 3 жыл бұрын

Yes Yes I've been wondering when this would come out forever I'm really happy today this made my day. They don't season the metal on the Stanley's so I'm not surprised it got a hollow.

@chriscrevelsguitars 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rex, I was just considering between the Kunz and the Stanley SH. Great video!

@seanallard3659 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the information. Keep up the great content

@Lyndalewinder 3 жыл бұрын

Very good video Rex. There are some really good value old Stanley planes on eBay if you keep looking and I've found they don't take too much work to get them up and running again

@MCsCreations 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic review, Rex! Thanks a lot! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

@simonezanola3509 3 жыл бұрын

Every time a i search a tool review and find an "unboxing video" i think that long time work Is the only way for testing. I really appreciate the serious method and the "light" approach of the video: chapeau

@David-hm9ic 3 жыл бұрын

"Unboxing" is a warning to watch something else for me.

@philkieran7521 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video rex really enjoying the stuff on patreon at the moment

@randsipe224 3 жыл бұрын

Rex, I have a vintage Stanley 4, 5, and 6 plus a Grisly I bought on your recommendation. My best experiences have been with the old Stanley 5 and 6 after adding a new Hock blade. I also added a Wood River V3 blade to the #4 and it also has had markedly better performance. This Leeds me to believe it’s all in the blade.

@danielvanmeter8549 8 ай бұрын

Nice to come across this review. I just bit the bullet yesterday and ordered a Kunz #4,5 and 6. I also got a Veritas pocket plane. This review gave me a little piece of mind on my impending delivery. Time to move on from my ACE Hardware planes.

@allenwc 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, thorough. Excellent review. Thanks kindly.

@johanflodkvist80 3 жыл бұрын

I like the video, it was entertaining and contained a lot of... passive information. As in giving a deeper understanding of different plane aspects thats relevent with or without any interest of the specific planes, thanks for that. It did feel a little weird though, that you didnt even touch the subject of a vintage no.4 in this context. I might have missed something , and can think of a number of reasonable reasons why. I just wanted to share the feedback. Thanks for your work, always a pleasure to watch!

@chrishibberd 3 жыл бұрын

Great video Rex! I had exactly the same experience with the Kunz plus no.4 just a couple of weeks back. It was bowed along it's length with a hollow starting before the blade and it was actually convex cross it's width. It looks like yours is the same based on the wear pattern when you sanded it, the back end looks to flatten in the middle first with pen still on the edges. Whilst it is beautifully engineered, at this price point i expected more and lacked confidence in it so unfortunately it's been returned. Shame as I really liked it otherwise.

@theeddorian 3 жыл бұрын

Nice review. The pros and cons are really well explained. I have never really settled on a favorite shooting plane. I've used and still swap around between a Veritas no.6, various Stanley's up to a Bedrock 607 and even a low angle block plane. The work piece seems to dictate which one is best.

@mongocrock 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video Rex thank you for the follow up.

@Dseated 3 жыл бұрын

I bought a $50 CAD footprint #4. Had to flatten and prep it using your antique restore videos. Used it for 6 months and had to do that again. So I bought a $287 CAD Veritas #4 instead of going half way and still having to prep them. You deserve one Rex.

@CultureStress 3 жыл бұрын

I just did that price comparison on the Kunz vs the Veritas and yeah...it's nice to have manufacturing located in Canada for once, eh?

@dwainlambrigger3769 3 жыл бұрын

Veritas will win out against any of the planes tested in the video, far and away. I just don't think they are considered to be in the same class however. These planes are clearly a step below Veritas.

@johnmcgee7171 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent Rex. Thanks.

@mmgross144 3 жыл бұрын

Great job Rex! Have you ever looked at the Groz line of Austrian hand planes? I have Nos. 5,6,&7 and, after tune up, they all work quite well. I haven't set up shooting board yet (shame on me) but I look forward to seeing how the No.5 performs. I also have a vintage Craftsman No. 5 1/2 that works really well.

@normanfrostjr.6912 3 жыл бұрын

Several months ago I started looking around on youtube for ways to make better miters for my picture frames. I etch mirrors with my art work. My frames are less than perfect and in some cases not very good. Another goal was cutting my costs in anyway posable. I watched some of yours and Paul Sellers and a few others. The more I watched the more I started creating tools that didn't at the time seem to have any thing to do with my frames. I have picked up this fever of all things wood. I find myself thinking about it all the time. because of the fact I'm disabled and poor many of the things I'm working on are slow coming and have many things in different stages of build. This however makes me think in between cost getting there and this challenges me. So for the first time in along time I find myself motivated to do something. Keep doing what your doing so I can keep learning and doing what I'm doing, having fun for the first time in many years... Before now years ago I learned some basic carpentry, not woodworking. I never owned or touched a plane until the 404, I think its poorly made, but it has probably taught me more about planes than any other could have. This is one hell of journey. Thanks...

@clearwaterwoodworkllc Жыл бұрын

I've been looking to try out a handplane. This was just the review I was looking for. I like the idea of the out of the box working condition of the Stanley No. 4. I will probably give this one a go.

@owendukes145 3 жыл бұрын

For the work that I do all I use and have is a low angle jack plane and that is perfect for anything

@AtifHasanReflections 3 жыл бұрын

Perfect.. very informative !!! thanks for posting :)

@derrilldersch9816 3 жыл бұрын

I love your channel thank you for all you do

@temjiu9915 3 жыл бұрын

another great video. I love the long term review...makes such a huge difference after a year or two of use. Only downside is it's hard to do these reviews regularly :D gotta wait a year in between each! All things considered, I've gotten great results out of the Wood River planes I've purchased. They are mid range price, great design. worth checking out in that price range. My others are Lie Nielson, so they don't count. But let me tell ya...getting a quality plane in your hands like the Kuntz or Wood River makes you realize why the quality matters...They are so much nicer to use! Just holding my Lie Nielson is a pleasure, makes working with them enjoyable. Same with the Wood River. Definitely worth investing in if you are serious about your woodworking and have the budget.

@tillkochy2169 Жыл бұрын

Great Review!!! I recement the 62 low angle Jackplaine, you can shoot you can scrub(toothblade )

@DetroitSicilian 9 ай бұрын

Appreciate you, Rex!

@TurningsbyTurner 3 жыл бұрын

Well thought out, long term analysis Rex! Sehr gut! 👍

@RexKrueger 3 жыл бұрын

Danke!

@iankrom510 3 жыл бұрын

I like the tool in your profile pic. What is it?

@TurningsbyTurner 3 жыл бұрын

Mine is just a letter T.

@alswearingen323 3 жыл бұрын

Been really happy with my Juuma. Of course, living in Germany for years means I have quite a few wooden planes. Once they're set, they're fine.

@jimcarter4929 3 жыл бұрын

I think your evaluation of these planes is pretty much spot on. I have the same number four sweetheart and filed down the front of the handle but it still not quite right in the hand and adjusting and weight does makes it a clunker. However it is good at shooting and will smooth very well when the vintage number four is dull or needs small mouth. As far as videos go I think you got three or four in total from this series. Still think you are better off in long run with vintage four and five if you can swing it, that and low angle block plane and you are set. Oh yea, thanks for heads up on Spear and Jackson saw, got one per your recommendation, cleaned plate with acetone, set kerf at 33 thou. and ran over with file twice to relax rake a bit, saws great, impressed. Front of saw did P.S. set., only thing is I have to squeeze little finger to lift saw to start, then works great. Little better at cross cut than rip but still great saw, I even cut some dove tails just for S and Gs and was doable. Thanks for such informative videos.

@tellthemborissentyou 3 жыл бұрын

I am using Luban planes made by Qiangsheng from Ruby's store on Aliexpress. They are really good quality at a great price, better than my old stanleys.

@ericvogt5460 3 жыл бұрын

E.C.E makes another Line, the „Primus“ which is kind of an composition of a wooden plane and the mechanics of an iron plane like the stanley. Nice tool to work with, and easy ti setup without an hammer and fiddeling around :)

@simonezanola3509 3 жыл бұрын

Search for "reformputzhobel" (german term for adjustable plane): you'll find Ulmia excellent Planes (the sole is made of lignum vitae, the body pear wood and both cit depht and mouth width are adjustable by screw). It's s the same meccanismo of vintage danish JPBO. Most important: used ones (not Beatles) are sold for 50 euros...

@joshwalker5605 3 жыл бұрын

ive got one and its my favorite

@1947wdx 3 жыл бұрын

Wood river #4. $200.00 US at woodcraft. Based on the stanley bedrock design. Solid well made plane that is much better than any of the planes you show.

@mhstretch 3 жыл бұрын

I have a 4 1/2 and it is very well made and works well on a shooting board among other things.

@velcroman11 3 жыл бұрын

I have an old, like 70 + years old, Stanley Jack plane. It works GREAT for just about everything I need. I do have a very small plane to work on small jobs.

@chadjazeera9960 3 жыл бұрын

You are a gem sir. 💚

@logresmentotum7065 3 жыл бұрын

Nice one. Thank you

@upsidedowndog1256 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video, not sure how I missed it the 1st time out!

@davidclark9086 3 жыл бұрын

I have been using the ECE for close to 30 years and love it but I do have an old Stanley No 5 for all the rough stuff.

@1320crusier 3 жыл бұрын

I have that Stanley and its developed an issue with leaving tracks from that mouth adjuster bit. I cleaned out the area and it does the same thing still. Beyond that it is a good smoother and once I get it right again its staying there.

@richardpope1323 3 жыл бұрын

Rex, after watching a variety of different KZfaq tools reviews over the years, I have to say that you do the best job of anybody I have seen. After seeing someone take a no 4 out of a box, take it apart, and bitch and moan about it's deficiencies; sharpen the iron and test it; then proceed to tell viewers how bad it was; I was left wondering if he had put some more effort into tuning it up, what the result would have been. Personally, I prefer wooden plane, of which I have a variety, as well as a few older Stanleys, No 4's, a 5, and a 6. I have some Stanley combination planes too, including the longest Jointer plane I've ever seen (36 inches). Anyway, keep up the good work. I send people to your channel now when they ask me questions about hand tool setup all the time. I help them when I can, but I don't always have the time available myself. Yo will be seeing me on your Patreon soon, after I'm done with my taxes.

@SvenSapelson 8 ай бұрын

I have a second Kunz Plus jack plane and I have used it for a year (first one was replaced by warranty because body broke near the frog set screw). The good: 1. Frog and body meeting surfaces are machined well 2. Adjustment mechanism works well 3. Iron good 4. Comfortable to hold and to use The bad: 1. Sole came wery crooked (both planes i had) 2. Chipbreaker crooked (both) 3. Iron crooked (only on one plane I had, but badly) The ugly: 1. It took me over 6 hours to get it working. Works well after that and no problems. 2. Frog has a ugly and visible manufacturing defect. It does not affect functioning, though.

@kayosiiii 2 жыл бұрын

I use a number 4 Stanley with replacement chipbreaker/ blade a number 6 Stanley and an ECE scrub plane. I find that the downsides of a wooden plane are less of a problem for scrub planes and the weight / surface is an advantage.

@zidnyknight3611 2 жыл бұрын

thank you Rex

@k.levirusco3834 3 жыл бұрын

They’re kind of an expensive one but they look very versatile so I would love to see you review the bridge city dual angle planes, HP-2 dual angle block plane and HP-12 dual angle bench plane. If they can replace two or three planes they might be worth it but I don’t know if they’re just gimmicky.

@clashofphish 3 жыл бұрын

I'm not expecting it, but I would be really interested to hear Rex's thoughts on a super high end plane, like Bridge City Tools or another niche high-end toolmaker.

@snycustomworks7390 3 жыл бұрын

nice video, well explained.. 😊

@anthonymiller8979 3 жыл бұрын

ECE makes both a Jack and a Smoother that look nearly identical, each has a different bedding angle to the iron and pssoible a small, only 1/2" or so difference in ength. Both great tools and I use ECE planes in my shop.

@jguil4d 3 жыл бұрын

I dunno, Rex. The Veritas #4 is only $227. Seems like a better tool than the Koontz (sp?) for that price. Unless you think it’s also likely to need flattening.

@jguil4d 3 жыл бұрын

@@eblackbrook I hadn’t heard of them. Thanks. But either way, if I’m spending “almost $200” on a smoother or Jack, I think I’d just go get a premium plane.

@mongocrock 3 жыл бұрын

Or save another month or two more and have a Lie Nielsen in cast iron for $300. It has IMO a better adjustment system.

@dwainlambrigger3769 3 жыл бұрын

@@jguil4d I would put up a Veritas plane against the Lie Nielsen. They are both high-end planes.

@PeterSchmiedeskamp 3 жыл бұрын

For $200 you can also get a Wood River #4, which gets you a pretty nice bedrock clone with a bunch of refinements and modern machining tolerances. For traditional bevel down, I’m glad I accidentally chose that path. I think to do better, I’d have to go Lie Nielsen, which might buy me a tiny bit less backlash in the adjusters, and the satisfaction of buying from an artisan tool maker… but that comes with a bigger price tag for sure.

@erkeltree 3 жыл бұрын

Having been asked by quite a few people how to " Fix a plane so it cuts". I have given up, they all want a quick onetime short class. They do not listen or understand the set up and maintenance involved. I refer them to two u tube channels yours and Paul Sellers. Between the two of you their is so much knowledge on call, who could ask for more.

@demidemiow 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you !

@gordonpromish9218 3 жыл бұрын

solid review

@Vincent-S 3 жыл бұрын

Ha, there's a few curiosities settled about the Stanley and Kunz! As aside about the wooden foreplane, if you want adjusters and can find it, try a later production transitional, preferrably a no. 26 since it uses 2 inch wide irons, because they use the same "clockwise-more blade, counter clockwise-less blade" depth adjustment as later metallic planes and use threaded inserts to hold the frog and frame down to the wood body. Pretty much the same frog screws also as a metal Stanley after a check. You can identify them by Bailey's name casted in front of the front knob. The depth wheel is still the small one and about a mile and a half away from your finger (I can just barely get a grip on it with my middle finger), but still does a good job and is familiar after using a 1950's no. 4 for a while!

@viktor67990 3 жыл бұрын

As for ergonomics of stanley sw, i think it's more of a personal preference. Handle and overall hand positioning fits perfectly in my hand. I'm not an alien, so it might fit other people too :) The biggest shortcomming is that you can forget to lock that mouth adjustment screw or it may come loose unintentionally... and if you're lucky like i am, adjustable part will hit the iron and leave a chip in a2 steel. Anyway, this is a good go-to plane. Not expensive enough to be afraid to use it and good enough get the job done.

@PaulSteMarie 4 ай бұрын

A2 steel's primary benefit is that it's easier to heat treat without warping. I'm rather skeptical that you'll get much difference in the edge when compared with W1 or O1. One thing I'd love to see is a side-by-side comparison of Stanley's current production #4 planes. That Sweetheart model is rather different from the other three models Isee at Amazon, which range in price from $24 to $74.

@trackie1957 3 жыл бұрын

A great source of fairly flat, stiff lapping plates is the scrap bin of a granite countertop place. Advantages of stone are it’s waterproof, stable, heavy and pretty flat (I don’t know how flat, though. It’s not a calibrated surface plate, after all). Damage to a stone surface makes a pit or scratch, but the material doesn’t rise above the surface, unlike metal or wood. And it’s usually free...

@jimbo2629 3 жыл бұрын

Buy an old Stanley and , if necessary, upgrade the blade. For me a top quality blade in a Bailey type adjuster is the best. That cow horn plane digs into my hand so I glued some foam in place just behind the blade. I have a Qiangsheng, but I find it to heavy for prolonged use.

@contessa.adella Жыл бұрын

OMG…My dad had a couple of those ‘coffin planes’ in the shed…chucked when he died. How I wish now to have kept one for posterity.

@robertberger8642 8 ай бұрын

Good video!

@hermit84 2 жыл бұрын

Don't know about America but here in Germany the iron planes are sooo expensive if you want them used. Of course new ones are even more expensive ;) I bought a wooden ECE, which was only about a year old, for about 40$. THIS is the ultimate starting plane because you still have money left to also buy a used wooden scrup and a jounter plane :) For 100 bucks I got everything I need for the next years. And setting them is just some practice (and to be honest, as a free-time woodworker some seconds more fiddling is not so important).

@JohnColgan. 3 жыл бұрын

Nice comparison of 3 previously reviewed planes. That ECE looks cumbersome with the front horn.

@Illevas001 3 жыл бұрын

It's actually super comfortable, however you want to make sure you get the right version depending if you are left-handed or right-handed, as the horn shape is different. Right-handed versions are easy to find in the US, but the left-handed ones not as much. Since I am left-handed, I ended up ordering the lignum vitae version direct from Germany along with their block plane and I have been very happy with my purchase. The only modification I have really made to the plane was to edges of the blade where your hand goes in the back because it was digging into my hand. After rounding the edges over, it's now super comfortable to hold and works like a dream.

@kencarlile1212 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video as usual, Rex! Request: a video about scrub planes and foreplanes and affordable/midrange examples of those? I'm just not sure where to start with that (and the ones on ebay seem... overpriced).

@borjesvensson8661 3 жыл бұрын

I think he made a video about different planes were he talked about scrub and fore planes. If you cant find an old wooden scrub plane both ece and ulmia makes inexpensive scrub planes that is basically like this smoother but large mouth, no chip breaker and narrower body. www.fine-tools.com/schrup.html. If you want a metal one just take the worst metal no 5 or 4 you have and round of the iron and back out the moth as much you can, might not even need to round the chipbreaker as wooden scrubs usually dont have chipbreakers. All continental scrub planes have narrower bodies to make them easier to push with the deep setting a scrub haves. Thats why you dont convert a worn smoother to a scrub as you might with a jack to a fore wich have greater mass and maybe less rounded irons that is not set as deep. But a old scrub dont need to bee in good condition to work good, as long as the bedding and cheeks are in order and shavings dont get stuck in the mouth, the flatness of the sole dont matter much as it is the try/jack planes work to straighten the piece. Mine looks beat up as all hell as any soon would after use. In fact a scrub plane is a good candidate for first homemade plane as it dont matter much if they are perfect or not and if the first one is ugly it dont matter either. Even the iron is simpler to make as there is no chip breaker. The mortice in a plane is not that hard to make if you let go of the preassure to get it perfect, but there is noting wrong with glued together planes either.

@J.A.Smith2397 3 жыл бұрын

Always love your bits of humor n editing 😆

@pinkerbot 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Rex. Thank you for an in-depth review :) Where I live in europe, shooting boards are not traditonal, so that is probably why european planes are not designed to work whith those. Have a look at a mitre jack, i am curious to see how you find working with those instead.

@nickglover 2 жыл бұрын

I just picked up a Woodriver #4 plane. It's cheaper than the Stanley and the Kunz (by like $10) and is set up pretty nice right out of the box. My understanding is that some of the older Woodriver planes weren't great, but the V3 ones seem to be pretty well received. I'd be curious to see a similar long-term review of that one.

@mariushegli 3 жыл бұрын

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

@riccardo-964 3 жыл бұрын

funny, I'm replying here just because of that...

@mr.shellcracker9161 3 жыл бұрын

i've been really interested in those ec planes. They seem completely different compared to the standard stanley style.

@johnmcgee7171 Жыл бұрын

Rex, I really enjoy your videos. You have a great presence and delivery. Your topics are well chosen, interesting and practical. For all these reasons l am loath to point out any mistake or shortcoming. So please take this in the spirit in which it is offered. You often refer to planes of the Stanley type as "metallic". They are metal. Metallic is defined as something related to or resembling metal. And when you are demonstrating anything to do with planning, l notice that you do 90% of the work with your arms. Any of our woodworking heroes, Sellers or Cosman for instance, recommend pushing with your whole upper body. Keep up the excellent work. You are close to the top of the heap for woodworking videos.

@BensWorkshop 3 жыл бұрын

That's one of the reasons why I like vintage tools. Often cheap, plenty of life, and good quality. Finding them does take patience though.

@steh8217 3 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, in addition to my metallic planes, I have a load of wooden planes. Picked them up at carboot sales for £3-4 each, couldn’t say no and now I can “set and forget” them and they cut beautifully 😁 vintage tools all the way!!

@jeffcharityvincent1686 3 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I have three planes, two are Stanley and one Union. #4, #5 and a #8. All of them came to me by asking around and all of them came to me for free. All of them were in very poor condition; very rusty, dull and needed a lot of work. Now all three are beautiful to look at and use. The newest one was made in the early 30's. Vintage tools are a very inexpensive way to get into this, but they will require love to get them serviceable.

@PKD-ze4hr 2 жыл бұрын

Just found your videos and can’t stop watching. How does the grizzly plane compare to these. I have a few vintage planers you are inspiring me to restore.

@TimRoyalPastortim 3 жыл бұрын

Great video... any chance you can review a TayTools plane in a size you need? They seem pretty good, but there seems to be a dearth of good reviews

@nexusofice9135 2 жыл бұрын

Love watching Rex's "Plane Porn" videos. Something about them are always interesting in learning about manufacturing and design information about these tools.

@davidzaenglein836 3 жыл бұрын

A hex-head bolt or screw is one that requires a wrench. A socket head is one that uses a hex key OR allen wrench. Machine shop 101.

@joeleonetti8976 3 жыл бұрын

I think vintage is the way to go. Bought quite a few via eBay, etc and so far so good.

@FlyingRock225 3 жыл бұрын

How long ago? Last I looked they were $100+ for a half way decent one sadly.

@joeleonetti8976 3 жыл бұрын

@@FlyingRock225 I paid $75 6 months ago for one. There were many as of 3 months ago in the 50ish range if you look at non-Stanley names.

@JSarmat86 3 жыл бұрын

In the beginning, I've had a sort of Stanley 12-404 knock-off plane, but without adjustment screws, so i had to adjust the iron with a hammer. After some KZfaq "research", I've bought a Stanley No. 4. Oh My God! That was the best 35 USD invested in my woodworking tools. It wasn't the best quality hand plane - it has plastic handle and front knob and some stamped parts, but in terms of performance, it's just on another level in comparison with my old hand plane. The vintage Stanley/Record No. 4 represent the Lie Nielsen and Veritas for the beginners. They are simply the best (at least, the best I've tried).

@quillaja 2 жыл бұрын

Rex, I've been watching a lot of your videos lately. Thank you for all the advice and tips for beginners, and also helping beginners get started without spending thousands of dollars. I was looking at planes such as the Stanley 4 sweetheart you discussed in the video and saw them for sale in the $175-$225 range. In that price range, you could also buy a corded or cordless hand planer such as a Makita or Milwaukee. What is the difference between the manual hand planers and a powered hand planer? Why would I spend as much or more for the unpowered plane? I assume there are important advantages and disadvantages to both, besides just "purist" reasons.

@turboqzma 2 жыл бұрын

Power tools make a lot of noise and do use a lot of electricity.

@AlejandroRodriguez-se4ue 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Rex, Cuban viewer reporting from Havana! Hoping to see a new flag soon. Keep up the amazing work!

@blayne2029 2 жыл бұрын

excellent!

@heinzbecker4087 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Rex, again a very good video with a very good approach of long term testing. I really like that, because it doesn't really matter how an expensive tool works when unboxing it. A sustainable tool works for years - maybe decades. By saying that I wonder if it is better to buy one high class smoothing plane in my life, instead of buying a mid class plane and the high class after some years. I'm exactly at this point. I own several cheap hand planes (one Stanley No 4 and several wooden ECE and Ulmia planes) and I wonder if a MadRiver or the Kunz you showed is "enough" for my life or if I should step into the high class of Veritas, Clifton or Lie-Nielsen. There is one thing you said I would not agree. You said that you set your ECE plane and left it like that for a year!? I have learned that wooden planes should be unset completely, when you don't use them for a while. Otherwise the parts which hold down the wedge can break, when humidity influences the plane body and the wedge. When buying used wooden planes the breaks around that part are a one of the most important things to control.

@dwainlambrigger3769 3 жыл бұрын

Buy the high quality plane. It sounds like you have gone the mid-level and cheap route. I think you will be amazed at how the tool works. Keep the others for different tasks, but yes, get the high class smoother!

@halbritt 3 жыл бұрын

I'd like to see these compared to a Wood River #4. It's a more reliable clone of a Stanley Bedrock. I have one of their rabbet planes and I'm really impressed with it.

@rockytrh 3 жыл бұрын

I like the reviews, but I still think the best hand planes to buy are vintage Stanleys. When I started, I bought a new, cheapish Bench Dog #4 for $150. The tool is now my scrub. Later that year, I bought a type 19 Stanley no 5 jack on ebay for like $120 after shipping. That tool is lightyears better than that $150 bench dog. Comfortable in the hands, cut well, the iron holds an edge. Sure, I had to hunt for a plane in good shape and a good deal, but the effort was well worth it. Around december, I got tired of using the bench dog for finishing work and went on the hunt for a vintage Stanley #4 on ebay. Found a type 19 in good shape for $85 after shipping, and I absolutely love that plane. Vintage tools are the way to go for hand tools.