Help me pick my next LN tool

[Dan Sink]

For Valentine's Day and Father's Day, I asked my wife for Lie Nielsen gift certificates. I'm up to $100 in gift certificates. I've got a birthday coming up for which I'm going to ask for another gift certificate. Then there is the anniversary, then Christmas, etc. etc. You guys get the point. I want to save up until I can get a really nice tool. Of course, the more expensive tool I get, the more and more gift days I have to devote to asking for LN gift certificates.

So I'm just curious, what would you guys save for if you were in my shoes. I already have the 60-1/2 low angle block plane. Other than that, you can safely assume that any of LN's tools would be a welcome addition to my small arsenal of hand tools. Additional useful information is that my next big planned project is to build a simplified version of the french workbench in Schwartz's book. Ultimately, I just want to be able to build a variety of useful furniture for my house and for family members.

So I was thinking a #7 would be nice to flatten that workbench top, but that would require a lot of gift certificate saving. So maybe its better to get a #4-1/2 to smooth that workbench top and get an old jointer off of eBay? Or maybe the low angle jack is the way to go? Of course, I'd love to get a set of LN chisels as well. And a shoulder plane sure seems like it'd come in handy down the road. Of course, a rabbet plane would also be nice.

Just as a fun exercise, if you guys were me - what would you save your gift certificates to get?

[George Clark]

My vote goes for the low angle jack. A useful and very versatile plane. Lots of performance options are available by just changing the angle of the micro bevel.

Keep those certificates coming.

George

[Mike Henderson]

I would not use the certificates on a #7. I'd use them on tools that need the precision that LN gives you. Others might disagree with me, but I think a Stanley #7 will joint quite well.

If you smooth with a plane, a #4, or 4 1/2, would be good.

For the shoulder plane, you should look at the LV medium shoulder plane before you make a decision. Also, I have the LN rabbet block plane and don't use it very much. I probably would not buy it if I had to do it over again.

A set of LN chisels would probably get a significant amount of use. They're good chisels.

Mike

[Matt Evans]

As a guy who spends all day using a whole variety of woodworking tools, tailed or not, and has a halfway decent collection of hand tools to pick and choose from for most tasks, I would say that the medium shoulder plane is the tool I would be buying. So handy to have, so versatile, so well made...

Of course, I don't have one, not being able to justify replacing my wooden rebates cost wise. When I worked in a larger cabinet shop one of the guys there had one, and it really saved my rear end on a few occasions.

[Richard Magbanua]

It's always fun spending other people's money!

Initially, I'd say the low angle jack. I flattened and smoothed out my roubo with just a no.5 and a straight edge. I got the LA jack to do all of this plus, with an extra blade at 25 deg, I shoot my edges on a shooting board.
But what else do you have? If you already have dimensioning power tools you may think more about hand tools for joinery such as hand saws/chisels. A dovetail saw and carcass saws would see a lot of work on that bench. (I have a prog pitch LN dovetail saw on the way ) Decent vintage jack planes and smoothers are, for me, a lot easier to find than back saws.

[Henk Marais]

My vote go to a nice set of LN chisels.

Well thats what I want and what I would have bought if I had the opertunity.

[Keith Christopher]

Chisels. You will use them again and again and again, much like a block plane. My LN block plane gets more use than any other. And the chisels get used on every project.

[Danny Thompson]

Low-angle jointer, low-angle Jack or chisels.

[Richard Niemiec]

Medium Shoulder (although LV makes a very good one as well), Large Router (everyone needs a router plane, which I find particularly effective for sizing tenons), and the countersink tool, which is not all that expensive and you'd be surprised how much you use it. I have to agree on the bench plane comment above, i.e., that other than the 4 1/2, older Stanleys can be had for much less to do the normal jack and jointing work.

[David Gilbert]

The suggestion about a low angle jack is a good one. If you decide to go low angle you should strongly consider the Lee Valley low angle family of planes. They have a smoother, jack and jointer planes and the really nice feature is that they all use the same blades so you have a lot of flexibility. I have the LV low angle jointer and really like the adjuster (I think it's a Norris style). The LN low angle jack doesn't have a side to side adjuster so you have to use a hammer to level the blade.

Either way you go you will have some nice tools.

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Another vote for the medium shoulder plane, if you want something to help your joinery, a 4 1/2 if you want a smoother. Personally, I'd buy the chisels, but I've got chisels on the mind...

[Larry Fox]

Low angle Jack gets my vote. I agree with other poster about looking at the LV medium shoulder plane - a very high quality piece and it is not a plane that gets used as much as the low angle jack (at least in my shop anyway).

[Dan Sink]

Wow, lots and lots of great advice. Glad that I was directed away from the #7, as that was the direction I was leaning. Looks like the medium shoulder plane, LA jack plane, or chisels are the most common responses. Maybe if I go to Lie-Nielsen's website and stare at each one for about 30 minutes each I will be able to decide, but I wish I could have all three.

[Tony Zaffuto]

My favorite LN tools (in order): LA jack, 102 block, #4 HA frog, large shoulder plane, #140 block.

[Mark Roderick]

I'd go for the #7, despite the objections of others.

For one thing, you want it, which is a very important criteria.

For another thing, it's a fabulous tool, gorgeous in its heft and performance. I use my #7 all the time and enjoy it each time.

I also love my low-angle jack, and you couldn't go wrong with that, but if you want the #7 go for it. You will absolutely not be sorry.

Every Christmas and birthday my family asks "What do you want?" and I answer "Tools." They don't believe me and get a "surprise" instead. It's nice to be around fellows who really get the concept.