I'm planning to get a no. 5 jack plane and I could use some advice on what brand to choose. Also, I'm curious about whether a corrugated sole or a smooth sole is better for use. Any thoughts?
3 Answers
When it comes to soles, both smooth and corrugated are solid options. Honestly, I recommend looking for a vintage jack plane; you can often find them for around 20-30 bucks. Restoring it yourself will teach you a lot about maintenance and usage!
If you’re willing to spend more, Veritas or Lie-Nielsen are great, but for something more budget-friendly, vintage Stanleys are solid too. Just keep in mind that even budget options can give you a good amount of experience. I recently picked up a Faithfull No. 4 and it's served me well—perfect for learning without a huge investment!
That’s interesting! I've heard good things about the Faithfull brand too.
For corrugated vs. smooth soles, I think corrugated soles can be easier to flatten, but realistically, you won't need to do that often. There are some concerns though; corrugated soles might leave marks on softer woods. Just depends on what kind of projects you'll be working on.
Thanks for the tip! I like the idea of restoring a vintage one.