Terry, I will have to get back to you on the effort involved with using the 4 1/2. I have a Cherry table top that will be getting smoothed tomorrow with it that measures 18" by 44". It should be a good workout...

With my initial testing I was not having any issues pushing the plane through the wood...

I also found that the reason I was not getting full with shavings was because the board was not flat yet. I took a few more shavings and I started pulling shavings 2 1/8' (the full width of the scrap)

Congratulations on the new Family Member!