JesseBrano Posted March 1, 2021 Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 Hi everyone, I found one good blog on the topic but didn't go too deep, and I did not see the Lie Nielsen 101 block plane mentioned, their so-called 'violin plane'. I read on their site it is a steeper angle than the 102. I am just about to start to make my first bridges, and I am wondering which plane to invest in. Anyone have experience with the 101? I read some other preferences. Which would be better for bridges? On the side, what other planes are necessary for violin-making on the whole? If you could help me out with the LN (or other brands') #s that would be great. -Jesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseBrano Posted March 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 If it adds any context, I'm very new to woodworking and my skill is on the LOW side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Norfleet Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 This violin maker/restorer has 2 of the 102 and I find them quite comfortable and easy to use. One is modified and is used on fingerboards only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseBrano Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Actually, I don't even see 103 on their site anymore, not sure where i got that from or if its something i saw that is discontinued. 101 vs 102 then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane88 Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 I don't think that they asked a violin maker about what we use before making that plane. I have of the 102s as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseBrano Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 i believe some info on their site implies that the higher angle compliments the more decorative arts and beautifying the wood more?? i have no experience with that, but I gathered that makers were using lower angled planes from the other blog i read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geigenbauer Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 102 and 103 next to each other for comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScotPiper Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 I have the Cremona Tools equivalent of the 101, and I find it useful. Linky: https://www.cremonatools.com/block-plane-stainless-steel-overall-length-90mm-blade-angle-45-6504.html I like to use it for trimming rib ends, shaping bridge faces, trimming linings to the ribs, assisting to shape the long-arch, and a few other things where it fits nicely in my hand. I'd get by just fine without it, but I find it comfortable for those things. But if I could have only one I'd go with the 102. The 102 can do everything the 101 can do, but the 101 can't do everything the 102 can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseBrano Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Great, that's about what I was gathering so far, Scot. Thank you all for the pics and feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Noykos Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 103’s are not made anymore by Lie-Nielsen. The 103 was what they called their standard angle and the 102 was the low angle. The difference between them really just affects how it feels in your hand as the cap iron will hit the palm of your hand differently, but also the angle of the cutting angle is affected. You could still get a higher cutting angle with the 102 by sharpening the 102 blade to a steeper angle, but the steeper the edge, the harder it is to push the plane through the wood. You can still find the 103 on eBay and whatnot but it’s more expensive as it’s becoming a collectors item. A lot of bow makers like the 103 because of the steeper angle and you need a steep cutting angle for pernambuco. Probably for your purposes the 102 would do everything you need. Personal plug...I have a 103 that I never use and am thinking of selling. Anyone who’s interested let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Johnson Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 The Lie-Nielsen 102 & 103 use the same blades and have the same overall dimensions. The 102 has a 12-degree frog, the 103 has a 20 degree frog angle. The #103 was discontinued several years back and commands a premium on eBay. The #102 is backordered at LN. There is also the Veritas Apron plane which is a similar sized blade, cheaper, and perhaps available sooner (supposedly in stock Friday). There’s also a Luban/Qiangsheng plane who make a bronze #102 & 103, available from Aliexpress. This is the same place that makes Woodriver planes for woodcraft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodacious Cowboy Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 I'm also a LN103 owner, but I'd be inclined to go for the Veritas apron plane with PMV-11 blade if I was buying again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 25 minutes ago, Carl Johnson said: There’s also a Luban/Qiangsheng plane who make a bronze #102 & 103, available from Aliexpress. This is the same place that makes Woodriver planes for woodcraft. It's interesting that Woodcraft says this about one of their Woodriver planes: "An all-purpose hand plane, the No. 5, or jack, plane will perform almost any job you might need done, while providing you with experience and feed back to help you pick your next plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseBrano Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Carl, thanks! The mobile site said back ordered, on my pc it did not. I hit place back order on the mobile and it put it into my cart without saying anything about a back order. Maybe I got lucky, we'll see. Either way, looks like it will be worth the wait. Thanks, everyone. David, I hope it doesn't lend me valuable feedback in the form of experiencing many cuts and much missing skin. So since you all are here, any beginner tips on using it?? (Edit: just got confirmation, and it is on back order. They say 1-2 weeks. I'll hope for within a month, I suppose.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sospiri Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 4 hours ago, David Burgess said: It's interesting that Woodcraft says this about one of their Woodriver planes: "An all-purpose hand plane, the No. 5, or jack, plane will perform almost any job you might need done, while providing you with experience and feed back to help you pick your next plane. LOL. Don't ask us, we only sell them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodacious Cowboy Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 1 hour ago, JesseBrano said: Carl, thanks! The mobile site said back ordered, on my pc it did not. I hit place back order on the mobile and it put it into my cart without saying anything about a back order. Maybe I got lucky, we'll see. Either way, looks like it will be worth the wait. Thanks, everyone. David, I hope it doesn't lend me valuable feedback in the form of experiencing many cuts and much missing skin. So since you all are here, any beginner tips on using it?? (Edit: just got confirmation, and it is on back order. They say 1-2 weeks. I'll hope for within a month, I suppose.) The Veritas plane is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseBrano Posted March 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 1 hour ago, Bodacious Cowboy said: The Veritas plane is better. Would you expound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodacious Cowboy Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 12 minutes ago, JesseBrano said: Would you expound? The PMV-11 steel is fantastic, and the blade adjustment is nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sospiri Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 10 minutes ago, Bodacious Cowboy said: The PMV-11 steel is fantastic, and the blade adjustment is nicer. Do you get what you pay for in a Veritas plane? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 A good plane matters, however without being able to sharpen a blade properly, and set the blade correctly, any advantages one plane has over another will be negated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 10 hours ago, sospiri said: Do you get what you pay for in a Veritas plane? I've thought the ones I've seen and used were very nice. They didn't exist when I was tooling up, but if I were to start over, those are probably the block planes I'd get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sospiri Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 14 minutes ago, David Burgess said: I've thought the ones I've seen and used were very nice. They didn't exist when I was tooling up, but if I were to start over, those are probably the block planes I'd get. I bought one of the other brands mentioned in this thread. I don't mind working for hours to get the sole flat, but the pin isn't level. Is this fixable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodacious Cowboy Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 1 minute ago, sospiri said: I bought one of the other brands mentioned in this thread. I don't mind working for hours to get the sole flat, but the pin isn't level. Is this fixable? Why didn't you just send it back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wood Butcher Posted March 3, 2021 Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 1 minute ago, Bodacious Cowboy said: Why didn't you just send it back? You know the law of internet purchases, it's too much faff to send it back, so it just gets kept, and moaned about at every opportunity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violguy Posted March 4, 2021 Report Share Posted March 4, 2021 Has anyone here purchased and used the thicknessing block plane made by Bridge City Toolworks? Seems like a pricey, but wll thought out block plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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