I'm currently working without any specialized tools for creating grooves and tongue-in-groove joints. I've mainly been using rabbits when I can, but I want to improve my setup. I'm considering a combination or plow plane, but they seem a bit bulky. I'm not a fan of eBay, so I'm looking for firsthand experiences with planes like those from Lie Nielsen, Veritas, or any others. Is it worth investing in a combo plane, or are purpose-built ones better? Have I overlooked anything?
3 Answers
For tongue-and-groove work, I really recommend the Lie Nielsen 48 and 49. They're much easier to handle than combination planes, which often end up being jack-of-all-trades but master of none.
I've had great success with the Veritas plow plane; it's been fantastic for me. I tend to buy new for joinery planes because combination ones can be pretty finicky. I wanted their small Record 43 clone, and it looks like a solid option too. Using my plow plane like a rebate plane has yielded good results—it's easier to set up and more consistent than the LV rebate plane for me.
Historically, many joiners managed with just one or two grooving planes. Fancy plow or moving filister planes were more of a luxury than a necessity. You could even make your own with chisels if you're up for it—there are plenty of YouTube videos that can guide you. I snagged a Stanley #45 with some cutters back in 2019, so I dodged those crazy pandemic price hikes, but not sure if that helps you now.