Best Lie-Neilson bench plane

[Rob Luter]

I own the LN 102 and the small rabbet plane and chisel plane. I would say it is the 102 for me. I have heard many good thing of the #4 also but I have veritas plane for that segment and a stanley #4.
Perhaps it is my taste but I find that LN has more flare in the design while Veritas is more mechanical and ergonomic.....

Each to his/her own taste in maker tools.

Hoping Santa will bring me a LN 102 for Christmas. I have an original vintage Stanley 102. Once you have it dialed in it's a very handy tool.

[Bill McDermott]

Jerry, If you can wait... go to the L-N Hand Tool Event in Chicago on January 27-28. You can test drive the whole fleet, do side by side comparisons, explore frog angles and so on. Using them will help you decide. That said, I have Stanley 4 and 5's but like the LN 4 1/2 HA for many final passes. The other LN I really appreciate using is the Rabbet Block Plane.

[Jerry Olexa]

Jerry, If you can wait... go to the L-N Hand Tool Event in Chicago on January 27-28. You can test drive the whole fleet, do side by side comparisons, explore frog angles and so on. Using them will help you decide. That said, I have Stanley 4 and 5's but like the LN 4 1/2 HA for many final passes. The other LN I really appreciate using is the Rabbet Block Plane.

Good tip Bill...that's an easy way to evaluate... didn't realize they were coming to Chicago do you know where it's being held? I suppose I could look it up online thanks Bill great advice

[Frederick Skelly]

Jerry, since you have an entire suite of Stanleys, I'd do one of two things. Either buy the LN version of the plane you use the most, or buy an LN version of one you don't already have - like their shooting plane, etc.

But honestly? I'd buy the LN version of the one you use the most. For me, that would be a #4.

Fred

[Steve Kang]

Hoping Santa will bring me a LN 102 for Christmas. I have an original vintage Stanley 102. Once you have it dialed in it's a very handy tool.

It's also my favourite. I raised a panel with one the other day, I was very surprised at how well it worked.

[Chris Hachet]

I have the rabbiting block plane, scraper plane, Miter plane, and #4 smoother. Really want the # 5 1/2 even though I have a vintage stanley #6 that I just love using.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[Larry Frank]

I love my LN 4-1/2. I also use it as a shooting plane.

[Frank Drackman]

For me this is an easy answer. I love my LN #8 and use it daily. I have a bunch of other great planes and the three I use most are the low angle block, # 8, and #62.

[Robert Engel]

I would start with a 4 or 4 1/2.

Personally I have their 4 1/2, the LA jack and rabbet block plane. They are all Cadillacs :-)

BTW the WoodRiver planes are well worth a look (yeah, I know made in China). So far I have their block planes and a 4, 6 & 7.
They perform quite well even competing with the LN.

The only LV planes I have is a shoulder plane (like the design better than Stanley/LN) and their spokeshaves.

[lowell holmes]

I have the 60 1/2 and a bronze 140. They both fill a special place in my collection.

[Jerry Olexa]

Several years ago when I was starting my interest in hand tools, I recall the talk then was of the OUTSTANDING performance of the then new LN LA Jack plane? Is that still true or has the technology caught up with the demand? Or some even better? Thanks

[Jim Koepke]

Several years ago when I was starting my interest in hand tools, I recall the talk then was of the OUTSTANDING performance of the then new LN LA Jack plane? Is that still true or has the technology caught up with the demand? Or some even better? Thanks

In the time period you mention there has been the development of planes made pretty much exclusively for shooting purposes. My use of the LN LA Jack (#62) is primarily for shooting. It does come in handy at times for cleaning up proud dovetails and other tasks involving end grain. Occasionally it does get used on face grain or edge grain.

jtk

[Matthew Springer]

I started with a LN 5-1/2. I did so just because I could interchange blades with a #7 and a #4-1/2 (which showed up in short order after the first one). But I still really like the 5-1/2.

My basic rotation is still 5-1/2 with big camber set heavy -> #7 with slight camber set fine, -> 4-1/2 minor camber set super super light. I like the chipbreaker over a traditional scrub because it just makes less mess.

I eventually filled out my line up with an antique #4 and #3, for getting tearout in small patches, but I still reach for the 5-1/2 quite a bit. I wish LN would offer one without a blade so I could grab a LV PMV11.

[Jerry Olexa]

Since this thread, I followed your advice and acquired a LN #4..Haven't really used it much but feel comfortable it will perform at least as good as My 2 LN block planes.Its reputataion precedes it..

Next week, LN comes to town (thanks for tip Bill) and is conducting a workshop here....Another buying opportunity (w/o shipping charges)...My dilemma will be what is the next 2nd best target? I will stick with the bench planes although the shoulder plane, router plane are somewhat attractive..
So many choices.. The slope beckons.. Thanks for your help.

[Chris Hachet]

Since this thread, I followed your advice and acquired a LN #4..Haven't really used it much but feel comfortable it will perform at least as good as My 2 LN block planes.Its reputataion precedes it..

Next week, LN comes to town (thanks for tip Bill) and is conducting a workshop here....Another buying opportunity (w/o shipping charges)...My dilemma will be what is the next 2nd best target? I will stick with the bench planes although the shoulder plane, router plane are somewhat attractive..
So many choices.. The slope beckons.. Thanks for your help.

I actually find the cabinetmakers scraper to be helpful, most guys don't. My up vote would be for the #7, I love jointing and flattening boards by hand.