Recommendations for My First Hand Plane?
Asked by CraftyNinja42
Hey everyone! I'm diving into woodworking and while I'm comfortable using power tools (I already have a solid jointer), I'm eager to learn how to use hand planes to improve my panel glue-ups. I'm especially interested in getting rid of tool marks and fixing imperfect board joints. Since I'm not too familiar with tuning or flattening planes, I'd like to stick with a reliable brand like Veritas. What hand plane would you recommend I start with? Thanks!
Answers
If you already have all the machinery, a no. 5 would work great for you. Just keep in mind that even top brands might need some tuning. I had a Veritas that had some paint in the mouth, which caused issues with shavings getting stuck. It wasn't an obvious fix for someone new to hand planes. A quick sanding solved it, but I still had to sharpen it up.
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Before jumping into hand planes, maybe check your jointer. The whole point of that tool is to prep boards perfectly for assembly. You should be getting close to flat faces and 90° edges. If your jointer is working well, you might not need a hand plane just yet.
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If you're just starting out, I'd recommend a bevel down no. 4 or no. 5 plane. You can hunt for an old one if you want something vintage, or go for new from Veritas or Lie Nielsen. Just a heads up, though—using hand tools won't necessarily tighten joints like you'd think. The tolerances are usually a bit looser with them.
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