Popular Woodworking 2001-02 № 120, страница 30

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Lie-Nielsen 60¹/2

Lie-Nielsen 800-327-2520 www.lie-nielsen.com

This is a very attractive, well-cast and well-machined tool.The throat adjustment is lever-activated and works very nicely — the best of all the planes tested.The cap lock-down screw is mounted under the cap in a position that forces your fingers to bump the plane body making it slightly awkward to adjust, but less likelyto move during use.The cap lock-down uses a single-point rear support. There is a single oval finger indent on either side of the plane body.This tool has the simplest and most elegant design of any tested.The blade is almost exactly the same width as the throat opening, making any lateral adjustment tricky This requires you to sharpen the blade perfectly square. It's a very nice plane, and the Mercedes-Benz of low-angles.This plane feels like an extension of your hand, and it is worth the price.

American Tool 937-382-3811 www.recordtool.com

This plane is on the more affordable end of the price scale, so there are some trade-offs.The castings on this plane are roughei; though the plane is machined well enough.This is the widest plane tested, and may feel awkward or bulky in small hands, but it proves fairly lightweight.There is some lateral adjustment available by manually moving the blade, and the throat adjusts using a levenThe cap lock-down is a top-mounted screw that is awkward to grasp and difficult to lock tightly. Of all the planes, we encountered the most "chatter" when planing with the Record, though it was not unacceptable.This plane uses a single-point rear support blade hold down, and offers single oval finger indents on the plane's sides. Overall, for a less pricey plane, the feel and performance of the tool are quite good.

Stanley Works 860-225-5lll www.stanleyworks.com

The Stanley was the least expensive plane we tested, and it has some nice features to recommend it. The castings and machining actually proved nicer than the more expensive Record. It is one of only two planes we tested with lateral adjustment levers to provide extra flexibility.The throat is adjusted using a level; and the cap is locked using a cam level; which allows you to quickly release the cap and then replace it at the exact same setting you had it at before.The cap hold-down uses a ^s'-diameter rear support, and there are single oval finger indents on the plane's sides. Setup on the tool was problematic.The sole needed the most work as did the blade.The blade did not hold an edge very well, and we recommend replacing it. But with a little bit of effort the Stanley blossoms into a nicely designed and affordable low-angle plane.

Veritas 05P22.01

Lee Valley/Veritas 800-871-8158 www.leevalleycom

Price: $85

Setup required: 3.5

Overall fit and finish: 4

Lateral adjustment: Yes

Turns to move ^|/i6": l Blade width/thickness: l ^l9 32"/.l20"

Height knob slop: ^6turn

Weight: 28.4 oz

Throat/blade variance: ^U"

Performance: 4

The mid-priced Veritas was the most unusual of the planes tested.This plane includes two adjustable screws on the sides that lock the blade square to reduce chattenThe plane also offers a well-machined rear knob that controls both lateral adjustment and blade height.The throat adjustment is manual with a lock-down screw.The cap lock-down screw is mounted underthe cap and turns smoothly to engage the I "-diameter rear support.Three graduated round finger indents on the plane's sides may or may not feel great in your hand. Almost as wide as the Record, this plane may feel awkward or heavy in smaller hands.The plane ships with a 20' bevel on the edge. Also available from the manufacturer are two handles (one for the front, one forthe back) that virtually transform this plane into a low-angle smoothing plane for less than $22.

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