Shoulder plane help?

[Mike Henderson]

I apologize for a tag on question but I see that most of you are recommending the LV over the LN. The prices between the 2 are pretty close so I'm guessing most of you feel the LV is the better tool? If so, why do you feel that way?

I believe the LN is based on the Record 073 shoulder plane. I didn't own the LN but I did own the Record 073. The LV is much better than the Record - just fits my hand better. Also, the 073 was too big. The LV medium is just the right size for the work I do.

I sold the 073.

Mike

[Pedro Reyes]

I apologize for a tag on question but I see that most of you are recommending the LV over the LN. The prices between the 2 are pretty close so I'm guessing most of you feel the LV is the better tool? If so, why do you feel that way?

I think the LV was designed with not only great ergonomins but also ease of use in mind, setting it up is easy, I have not used a LN shoulder plane, but the LV has adjustment screws to tweak it in almost every feature (mouth opening, blade, etc.).

To answer another question: Do I use it to trim cheeks as well? I prefer a LN rabbet block plane, also a beauty, or my LN 140 (ditto) but only because I have them, you know this slippery slope. I could do fine with just the LN shoulder plane, and if I had to even just chisels, but I'm no chisel ninja yet. I have not cut a dado that wide yet, so I have not used it for dado bottoms yet. In summary, if it is not endgrain I usually go for another tool.

/p

[Larry Fox]

Another vate for the LV Medium. Pretty incredible tool and I have found tons of uses for it. I, like at least one other poster, received mine as an XMAS present.

[Chris Friesen]

I apologize for a tag on question but I see that most of you are recommending the LV over the LN. The prices between the 2 are pretty close so I'm guessing most of you feel the LV is the better tool? If so, why do you feel that way?

The LN has a polished brass lever cap, while the LV one is black, but has a swivel knob for easier pushing. The LN blade is A2, the LV blade is A2 or O1 depending on preference. The LV also has four setscrews to set the side-to-side blade alignment, and a hole to stick a finger through for a more secure grip without having to squeeze the plane.

The LN is a more "pretty" tool, the LV has a more utilitarian look.

The LN is 3/4" (0.75") wide, the LV is 0.7" wide so it can fit into slightly narrow grooves/dados.

They feel different in the hand...if you can, try them both.

[Don Naples]

Another option is a plane from HNT Gordon.
http://www.hntgordon.com.au/productioncat.htm

He states the purpose as:"Clean up the shoulders of tenons across the grain or a rebate with the grain. Can reverse the blade for use as a scraper on cranky grain." That is a handy feature.

I use one of his shoulder planes frequently. It has a good feel and the iron holds a good edge (Rc-62-64)

[Thomas Pender]

Like many of the others I have the LV Medium and value it. I use it to clean out dadoes, rabbets, grooves, you name it. I will admit it is also pretty and that folks have admired it. I intend to buy a large shoulder plane soon. Its kind of funny, the older and more experienced I get, the more I like really good hand tools. Just wait until you use a LV jointer plane for a few hours - it beats weightlifiting.

[Steve Thomas]

Another option is a plane from HNT Gordon.
http://www.hntgordon.com.au/productioncat.htm

He states the purpose as:"Clean up the shoulders of tenons across the grain or a rebate with the grain. Can reverse the blade for use as a scraper on cranky grain." That is a handy feature.

I use one of his shoulder planes frequently. It has a good feel and the iron holds a good edge (Rc-62-64)

Great Plane..
I have on too. The 3/4" version.
I also have the LV medium.

I like the HNT Gordon the best. Both give the same performance. and it only takes about 7minutes to learn to set the wedge correctly.

Go for either one.

[Peter Quadarella]

Thanks for the alternative suggestion! I will take a closer look at the HNT Gordon .

[Mark Roderick]

I love my Lee Valley shoulder plane. I used it recently while making the lip on the top of a jewelry box. I hogged off most of the material with a dado blade on my radial arm saw (forgive me, purists), then cleaned them up beautifully with the shoulder plane.