I've been a plane user for nearly fifteen years, but since it has been the same plane for the entire time - the standard block plane - I need help now that I'm trying to expand my tool and skill set.
I currently have three planes:
Veritas standard block
Veritas Medium Shoulder
Veritas #6 Fore
I would like your thoughts on which of the following three planes would expand and/or improve my hand plane capabilities the most: Veritas 4.5 HA Smooth, Veritas LA Jack, Veritas LA Block?
I can only afford one Veritas plane every three months or so, eliminating the "just buy them all now" solution. I realize a list of projects planned for the near future might be of use, but as I have a multitude of projects ready to be realized it really doesn't matter. I'm simply interested in expanding my ability to cope with woodowrking tasks bia the hand plane as much as possible. I assume the 4.5 HA and the LA Jack would add more to the mix than the LA block, but then again, what do I know? [In too many situations, the answer is "next to nothing."]
Garrett Hack's book is winging its way to me as I type, but even if I already had the book I would still want and value your advice. Thank you for any and all help.
-Steve