all the best.

Tom

I ordered the LN low angle jack (rather than the LV version or a 5 1/2). I bought it with an extra blade for a higher angle and a toothed blade for dimensioning.

All I can say is that this tool is incredibly versatile. I am about 70% done with an “Ain’t No Feathers..” style cabinet in cherry and it’s been a great experience. I’ve used this thing for shooting, jointing, sizing the door and smoothing. I’m sure this won’t be possible as my projects get larger, but it’s a perfect solution for where I’m at.

Thanks for the info and keep up the good work!

Sean

thanks for the questions and comments-
Here are some random thoughts on a bevel up iron with camber…
I think of them as low angle block planes in the land of giants-
a camber in a bevel up works-back bevels will work as well..

I treat them pretty much the same as a ‘standard bench plane set-up’ with the exception of the camber itself.
I keep high angle irons in my bevel up planes and standard pitch in my 5 1/2.
50 degrees in the bevel ups…
(exception being my low angle-block planes…they range on the days sometimes…)

I haven’t tried a Lie Nielsen, #62 but have certainly put a few miles on my 5 1/2 !
grinder isn’t necessary but makes a lot of sense for turning tools, as I’m slowly figuring out…
I have a JET slow speed-wet grind (plugged) that I use on occasion.
To be honest, it’s been cutting out lately..i’ll flick the button and nothing…completely zero-
dead….
and then out of the blue I’ll try it again and that slow growl turns over and it works for a few hours>?
I love having a grinder but hate anything with a power cord that close to my work bench…strange eh?

I’m also on the hunt for a hand grinder…I’ve been thinking about one since I built the ‘dedicated sharpening bench’…
speaking of speaks…time to get back to the bench-
as for your question on which one would I recommend ? -
……………..
sounds to me like which one first- right?

Just wanted to drop a note on this older post to tell you that your book and blog are really top notch. I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort it takes to maintain so thanks for the effort and keep up the good work. I need your advice on a big purchase and would really value your opinion if you have the time.

I’m slowly putting together my hand tool shop and am buying quality tools as I can afford them. I had things pretty much narrowed down to getting a LN low angle jack for my first “use it for most everything” only plane… for all the obvious reasons. But after attending a LN event 2 weeks ago and then watching David Charlesworth’s planing / sharpening technique videos I’m completely stumped on a low angle jack or a traditional 5 1/2. So my questions are:

1. I’m concerned about not being able to easily put a camber on the bevel up blade so it can be used for temporary smoothing and such. Any thoughts on this? Unfortunately I don’t have a grinder so this is important for me.

2. I really loved the low center of gravity feel and convenience / versatility of the 62, but also loooved the heft and substantialness of the 5 1/2 and knowing that I can get a good smoothing plane camber on the bevel down plane.

Which plane would you recommend between the #62 and 5 1/2 for a first only-have-one plane initially?

3. Am I making too big of a deal about bevel up camber??

Again, thanks for all the info, great pics, and most all your time!

Sean