Any update on the 'New' LV Plane?

[Lars Thomas]

Seems like several months ago, there was a 'rumor' that Lee Valley was introducing a new plane soon. Anyone have an update?

[Brad Olson]

I think you are refering to the heavy low angle smoother and Rob Lee on woodnet said that they are being machined right now. IIRC target release date is late May early June.

[JayStPeter]

There are several on the way ... which one?

As mentioned, the heavy smoother is supposed to be end of May. Same with a scrub.
The other plane I know about (and one I'm waiting for) is a low angle jointer. Last word (yesterday) is late aug or sept.

Jay

[Rob Lee]

There are several on the way ... which one?

As mentioned, the heavy smoother is supposed to be end of May. Same with a scrub.
The other plane I know about (and one I'm waiting for) is a low angle jointer. Last word (yesterday) is late aug or sept.

Jay

Hi -

Jay's correct...

But he forgot the router plane in the fall too...

Cheers -

Rob

[Aaron Kline]

But he forgot the router plane in the fall too...

You know the rule, pictures, even if they're those prototype drawing deals,
we need pictures, and don't fool us, we woodworkers know everything

[JayStPeter]

Hi -

Jay's correct...

But he forgot the router plane in the fall too...

Cheers -

Rob

I knew I was forgetting one.

[Rob Lee]

I knew I was forgetting one.

Well .... of the ones you know about, anyway,,,,

Cheers -

Rob

[Dan Forman]

So, what is a "Heavy low angle smoother" in comparison to the current low angle smoother?

Dan

[Brad Olson]

So, what is a "Heavy low angle smoother" in comparison to the current low angle smoother?

Dan

Just that, a much heavier plane.

IIRC it will share the same blade width as the LA jack and LA jointer planes making the blade much wider than the current LA smoother plane they offer.

I don't know if an exact weight was given, but with smoothers the heavier and wider the better.

[Lars Thomas]

Thanks for the update, tease and insider info. Lars

[JayStPeter]

So, what is a "Heavy low angle smoother" in comparison to the current low angle smoother?

Dan

It compares to the regular low angle smoother sort of like a #4 1/2 compared to a #4.

Jay

[Dan Forman]

Thanks for the clarification.

Dan

[James Mittlefehldt]

Hi -

Jay's correct...

But he forgot the router plane in the fall too...

Cheers -

Rob

ROUTER PLANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would it be breaking any kind of rule of confidence within your organization to give a few detalis on the Router Plane. I purchased a Stanley Router Plane from LV when I first started woodworking and have used it for many things that no doubt would be done better by more specialized planes, but I like it very much. SO, are you planning additional cutters than what came with the Stanley, would the additional cutters be they available be comaptible with the older Stanley's, etc, etc, etc?

Interested people want to know.

[tony roth]

Just that, a much heavier plane.

IIRC it will share the same blade width as the LA jack and LA jointer planes making the blade much wider than the current LA smoother plane they offer.

I don't know if an exact weight was given, but with smoothers the heavier and wider the better.

A have a simle question about this -- if heavier and wider is better, then why use either of the lv la smoothers for smoothing, why not use the lv la jack for all smoothing? i ask bc i have a lv la jack and have been using it with ha blade for smoothing with excellent results. i generally joint with a no. 7 first, so the boards are very flat when i start final smoothing with the lv la jack. i'm trying to determine where i would use the lv la heavy smoother and what it might add. any help with this question is much appreciated. thx. tony.

[Derek Cohen]

Why a heavier LA smoother plane? You really want to know? Well, this is my take on it ..

When I wrote an article last year about the development of bevel up planes (and the part played by Lee Valley here), my conclusion was that we were witnessing the beginning of a handplane design revolution. There were many advantages in the bevel up design that potentially made for a better smoother than was possible in the bevel down design.

Now we are seeing the next stage in the ongoing developments in bevel up smoother design. The Heavy Smoother is going to be a different beast to the current #4 -size smoother (or remake of the #164). Where the small smoother is a wonderful allrounder (and it is a tremendous performer), as is the LA Jack (which is more along the lines of a panel plane, one that also excells in a wide range of areas, including smoothing and on the shooting board), the Heavy Smoother will not only be sized as a #4-1/2, but it will be a no-compromise smoother. Standard cutting angle will be 50 degrees.

One of the benefits of the bevel up design is in the lowered centre of gravity. Better for handling, better for cutting. We will see this area developed further. It will not be able to used on a shooting board (no flat sides to ride on). Mmmm sounding interesting?

Well, you'll just have to wait and see (unless Rob wants to say more - all I am able to offer are the teasers)!

Regards from Perth

Derek