Did We Miss This? Veritas Combination Plane

[Guncutter]

Guncutter said:

The plane at the link that you posted looks interesting and has the potential to be a good bang-for-the-buck. I have no experience with it, but I am aware that the Chinese manufacturers are very capable of excellent quality control if their customer pays for it.

If all you are going to do is simple dadoes and rebates within the size range of the included cutters, then I suspect that the one in the link would do the job. Again, that is assuming good quality control in manufacturing. If you want additional capabilities (reeding, coves, etc), then you will have to find a source of tool steel the right size, shape it, harden it, and sharpen it in order to get those profiles.

Neither small plow plane includes nickers. The addition of the kerfing saw blade with the Q-plane has some interesting possibilities (such as using it as a stair saw if it can cut deeply enough).

Do you have an opportunity to see one of the Q-planes in a local shop to evaluate its build quality?

If the quality is decent and the included cutters will do your job, then I would certainly lean towards getting the Q-plane and using it to build your skills. Then, add the combo plane later as you grow into it.

Thanks, I had been leaning towards the Quangsheng of the two small planes, but unfortunately I can't try before buying.  The few reviews I found are quite positive and the kerfing attachment was a factor, as I do everything by hand, for now at least.  Simple dados and rebates are the plan for now, but of course that is likely to change with time...

However, if I knew I was going to be serious with using hand tools, I would start with the combo plane right away: buy the best tool you can afford. The plane will get only more pricey as time moves on.


Simon

Yes, that is where I am leaning at the minute. Thanks.

If I was starting from scratch, funds permitting, I would get the Combo over the Small Plow because it has nickers. One can get away without nickers (use a knife to score lines), but it is easier to plane a dado with nickers. If planning ahead, why start out with a limitation.

The size of the Combo is why I reach for it before the Small. It fits my hand better and has more "authority" when planing hard woods. I must qualify this statement and reassure those who own the Small that they are not using a lesser plane. I would be happy as Larry (Australian slang for very happy) with the Small - and have been for many years. I've said before, the Small is a nimble rapier, while the Combo (set up similarly) is only a little less so. Ideally, one must try the ergonomics of both first. And just so that no one misses what I am saying, I am referring to using the planes only in basic mode, not as a combination plane.

The Combo has features that the Small does not have. The depth stops on the Combo have fine adjustment screws. The Combo has a fine adjuster on the fence. The Combo has nickers for cross grain planing. Of course, the Combo has a second skate for wide blades, and it comes with the nicker and a second depth stop. The Small needs to swap out parts when converting to Tongue-and-Groove mode. The Combo does not need to do this. All-in-all, the Combo is a better combination plane than the Small - which is why it came into being.

If all you plan to do is plough a groove or add the occasional bead, then get the Small. That's the way I prefer my planes - dedicated to a specific task. Less fuss to set up and go. The Combo, however, is still a simple plane - just remove the second skate. This means that it sets up quickly for basic tasks, such as ploughing a groove, but also sets up quickly for the tasks that the Small needs more time to do, such as T&G.

I have a full range of blades, some I purchased, such as the beading blades when I had my Small converted, but I have all the others courtesy of Lee Valley (for testing the plane at a preproduction stage). There are many I do not see myself using in the future at this point in time, such as the multi beaders. And this reminds me to write that one should only purchase what one needs. Rather add blades as you go along. That makes more sense to me and keeps costs down. If cost is an issue, then either wait awhile to know you want to make the expenditure, or purchase a Stanley #45. The #45 is a perfectly good plane. It will likely require some tuning, as mine did, but will do the same tasks that the Combo will do, allbeit with less pizazz.

I had not planned at this stage a review (of sorts), I will stop. Feel free to ask questions.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks Derek, good info on the differences between the planes above.

I think I will wait and get the Combo Plane when it is available in Europe.  Though, if you guys in America think it is expensive, add at least $100 to the price in europe, such is life...  A pity, as a family member will be in Boston, USA, next month and could have picked one up for me their maybe, but I'd say I'm a month or two too early to be able to do that.

We use "happy as Larry" here in Ireland too by the way.

[Handplanesandmore]

Send a PM to Rob to discuss your situation and see if he may be able to help. Lee Valley is best known for accommodating customers' needs.

Simon

[bandit571]

Maybe see about a cam rest, for working in the middle of a panel?

   
Maybe see about some cutters to make "hollows"..

   
Maybe see about..

   
A 3/16" or 1/4" match cutter, helps when doing Tongue & groove joints....
Maybe ask about sash cutters....you'll need both left and right hand ones..

   

IF I can, I'll set up for a dado,later today..

   
Much more than a simple plough plane...

[Derek Cohen]

Steven, if you insist on showing pictures of the #45 in this thread, then see if you can make the joints as neatly as these (which I have shown before). Yours look like a beaver has been gnawing at the wood


Some pics:

Combo vs Small Plow ...



Ploughing flutes into the grain ...



Grooving ...





Cross grain ...





The secret to clean housings across the grain - whether a dado or rebate - is the alignment of the nicker with the blade. Plus, of course, both must be sharp.

The Veritas Combo makes it easier to adjust these - and to ensure that the settings are repeatable. That is down to the use of set screws for both (which is kind of a Veritas thing).

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Mike Brady]

"Amen" to what Derek said (and showed).  The comparison of photos from the 45 and the Large Plow speaks for itself, and is why I said I "had" owned a Stanley 45.  If the new plane is like the LV small plow, which I used just today to make some grooves,  I'll never look back.  Bring it on.

[bandit571]

"Amen" to what Derek said (and showed).  The comparison of photos from the 45 and the Large Plow speaks for itself, and is why I said I "had" owned a Stanley 45.  If the new plane is like the LV small plow, which I used just today to make some grooves,  I'll never look back.  Bring it on.

Ok...
how wide can that toy cut"

   
Just a simple bead?

   
Maybe grooves in Curly Maple?

   
Remember..the #45 was known as 7 planes in 1.   Dados, match, grooves, beading, rebates( had a fillister iron over 1" wide)sash, and slitting planes.

How long are the rods on YOUR toy?   Can they reach beyond the middle of a panel?  Does it have Hollow and Round, AND Nosing abilities...meh...

BTW: I am NOT a Stanley Tool Works spokesperson.....nor their R&D adviser.....just a user.

[Derek Cohen]

Steven, I am looking at the cross grain housing you depict. I see a great deal of spelching at the edges. Size does not count - quality of cut does.

Similarly, the insides of the groove is stepped. If you placed a drawer bottom into that, it would leave a gap.

Ease of set up, and then reliability in re-setting a plane is important. I have a #45, and have used it for nearly 2 decades. The Combo sets up quicker, re-sets up quicker, and the result is cleaner work if you were careful at the start. The evidence is above.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[jlanciani]

Ok...
how wide can that toy cut"

Just a simple bead?

Maybe grooves in Curly Maple?

Remember..the #45 was known as 7 planes in 1.   Dados, match, grooves, beading, rebates( had a fillister iron over 1" wide)sash, and slitting planes.

How long are the rods on YOUR toy?   Can they reach beyond the middle of a panel?  Does it have Hollow and Round, AND Nosing abilities...meh...

BTW: I am NOT a Stanley Tool Works spokesperson.....nor their R&D adviser.....just a user.

Nice bunch of tearout you have there Steve. Looks like your rusty old toy doesn't handle curly maple as well as you say it does. Maybe time to pony up for a little bling.

[bandit571]

Nice bunch of tearout you have there Steve. Looks like your rusty old toy doesn't handle curly maple as well as you say it does. Maybe time to pony up for a little bling.

Very easy to get those perfect cuts..when some company supplies you with brand NEW cutters, all sharpened up....

All a plane is, is a holder for a cutter.    One could put those new cutters in an ANANT 045..and get the same results......

I suppose I could have all those "knobs " on my 45 brass plated....would that help the "Bling"...on a 90 YEAR OLD PLANE?

We now return you to the Veritas Infomercial.....hosted by Derek Mayes...

[Admiral]

"Amen" to what Derek said (and showed).  The comparison of photos from the 45 and the Large Plow speaks for itself, and is why I said I "had" owned a Stanley 45.  If the new plane is like the LV small plow, which I used just today to make some grooves,  I'll never look back.  Bring it on.

I'm still not sure if Stanley 45 irons will fit the large plow, they say the LV irons will fit the 45.....