Shooting Plane shootout

"Jay Pique" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>Given the increase in take-home pay I've noticed recently, I've decided to
>invest in a shooting plane. I see that both LN and >LV have left-handed
>offerings, so I'm wondering if anyone has any strong opinions about either
>that may sway my >purchasing decision? Although it's not completely about
>functionality, as my Omga miter saw with a sharp blade leaves an
> >incredibly smooth surface, I do prefer to buy the best and only cry once.
>Plus I make a lot of picture frames and clients also >seem impressed with
>traditional hand work.

I've handled both at shows and they are both fine tools. That said, my
preferences run towards L-N due to their more traditional look and feel...

As an aside, I've tended to stick to basic tools that offer more versatility
than a dedicated shooting plane would. As such I use a bench plane for
shooting. I've used my L-N No 5 (sharpened as a smoother vs. a jack) and my
L-N No 7. The selection dependent upon how tall and thick and the type of
wood involved. The No 7 gets the nod for wood running towards the taller,
thicker, and/or harder end of the scale.

I recently inherited some tools... one being a Stanley No 6. I gave it a run
through electrolysis and otherwise cleaned and tuned the plane. This plane
too appears to be a good choice for shooting as it fits my world view of
what is needed for shooting. Namely, you need a plane where the sole is 90
degrees to the sides and one one that has enough mass to move smoothly
through the cut. It also needs a finely sharpened iron with little to no
curve. I anticipate trying this plane for shooting and if the iron proves
inadequate may upgrade to a Hock iron.

Anyhow, have fun choosing!

John