What’s the Best Hand Plane to Start With?
Asked by CraftyUser42
I'm looking to get into hand planes and was wondering, if you could recommend just one versatile jack-of-all-trades plane as a first purchase, which would it be? Is there a certain size or brand that would be affordable, effective, and suitable for a variety of projects? By the way, Rockler has a sale going on, which got me thinking about this!
Answers
Starting with a #4 or #5 is solid advice. If you’re on a budget, check out the Jorgensen #4 at Lowes. It’s a good 10" smoothing plane that won't break the bank!
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The #5 jack plane is a fantastic choice for beginners. It's versatile enough to be used for planing and smoothing, and it can even perform decently as a small jointer. If you want to invest in something else later, consider getting a quality low-angle block plane as well—it's really handy for various tasks.
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For a used option, I’d recommend looking at the Stanley #4 or #5. They’re pretty standard, and you can find good ones for under $75, maybe even under $50 if you search wisely online. I’ve got both, and I use my #5 much more often!
CraftyUser42: Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely keep an eye out for those.
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PlaneTalker101: Totally agree! A block plane is awesome alongside power tools too.