Here are my thoughts and musings after a bit more time with the Veritas Small Plow Plane.
A small plow plane can be a very useful tool. Anyone building paneled doors, case sides boxes or drawers will appreciate the ease of plowing slots or adding decorative beads on their projects.
At the beginning of my writing on the VSPP my experience with some no longer made plow planes was mentioned. To me, the VSPP is most comparable to the Stanley #50 which is a Stanley version of a small plow plane. In my experience on some jobs a small plow plane is not only quite capable, it is preferred.
There are a couple of things, in my opinion, that could be different is the 1/4” tongue-cutter. It measured 0.791” wide which is good for 3/4” stock. Some of my nominal 1” wood is wider.
There is a hex drive screw used to secure the depth stop holding assembly. When trying to install the chip diverter used with the tongue-cutting blade it was helpful I had a 3/32" driver to adjust this screw a bit. Including an allen key would be helpful for those who might not have the correct size.
The following replies have been edited to make my response easier to understand.
Originally Posted by
Jim Koepke
A question that seems to come up at times about this plane is if it can use blades made for the Stanley #45 or #55.
The answer is not as simple as yes or no.
jtk
While out in my shop with another woodworker looking at planes including the VSPP an attempt was made to use a fluting blade. It protrudes too far beyond the skate to be of use. The Stanley tongue-cutters and sash cutters have about as much protrusion beyond the cut out to work properly. Grinding them back would be a lot of good metal lost.
Originally Posted by
Frederick Skelly
I, for one, would be interested to hear more of your thoughts of how the LV compares to the 45, 50 & 55.
Take care,
Fred
To me the Veritas Small Plow Plane is more on par with the #50 than the #45 or #55. The #50 does have nickers available. For most uses the nickers on my plow planes are not used. A knifed line along the edges usually leaves a neater looking cut.
The #55 is a plane all to itself with the movable skate being adjustable up and down to accommodate non-symmetrical molding blades.
I like the smaller plow plane for plowing slots for drawer bottoms and such. Even light beading seems like less work with a smaller plane. When working with wide, large bead or reeding (multiple bead) blades a hefty plane seems the better choice. The #45 & #55 are larger planes with a bit more heft for heavier work. The Veritas Large Plow Plane may be the modern day answer for those who do heavier work.
Originally Posted by
Phil Mueller
Thanks Derek. I'm considering this purchase and anticipate using it both with and against the grain. Just seeing if you thought it best to purchase extra blades for back beveling.
Along with Derek Cohen’s answer of using a back bevel, when going against the grain, problematic grain or cross grain it can be helpful to knife cut the sides of the blade’s path. This helps to avoid side wall tear out and splintering.
Originally Posted by
lowell holmes
Why would anyone need a large plow plane. My Veritas small plow plane does everything I've ask it to. It plows grooves and with the tongue iron in it does tongues. It also does a great job making rabbets.
The large plow plane will likely have a wider array of blades. Hopefully it will also allow the movable skate to slide under the blade. I like using a blade wider than my intended rabbet with both skates on the work. The large plow plane looks like it will also have nickers. These are handy for cross grain work.
Originally Posted by
steven c newman
I think I'll just make do with what I have on hand...
Just might do me, for now......
That was also my feeling. Then one day my favorite antique mall had a #50 priced lower than I could refuse. My original thought was if it didn’t work out it could likely be sold for a profit. Well, it is still in my shop with no intentions toward selling.
If you see one Steven, don’t let it get away if it is priced right. You may not want to resell it once you use it.
Derek Cohen on the Large Plow:
Originally Posted by
Derek Cohen
This one is almost 'drop a blade in and go'. And it does much more than the Small Plow. Where the Small Plow is nimble, the Large Plow has power, yet retains that delicate feel as it is not that much larger.
That's about as much as a teaser I will offer at this time.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Small - nimble
Large - power
Well said thank you,
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Member
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote