At first I thought planes were 'old fashioned' had been superseded by electric planes.

Bought a cheap one ($12), I knew little about planes, so a $12 one is a great starting place.
Tuned it up as I read how to and it worked surprisingly well. It's just for edging.
Later on bought a larger $25 plane, tuned it up.
It's really good for making a surface flat. Sanding does not do that.
One job here I forgot about it, but it would have made that job much better, quicker.
A well tuned plane leaves the planed surface perfect. No need to sand for varnishing.
Both are Renegade branded ones. For what you pay, cannot go wrong

Got my 3rd plane to be delivered today, $60.
A Spears and Jackson one. They make pretty good tools, should be fine.

https://www.spearandjackson.com.au/products/SJ-CSP4

I had a less than positive experience with secateurs
branded and sold as Spear & Jackson, but unbeknownst
to me, at the time, were made in China.

https://www.toolmart.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/3c5f9d8ed1be5fd0dd8fecdb24a31375/s/j/sj-bs10.jpg

The blade and the anvil repeatedly "crossed" and any
adjustment to the pivot pin was useless.  Tightening
it to prevent crossing rendered the volute spring inadequate
to open the handles.   

   Straight in the bin.    >:(

There is something extremely satisfying about a hand plane and the sound of it creating that curly swirl of wood.  8-)

Memories of high school woodwork class.

We had a wood-work teacher who was always cracking dad jokes like "the job's plane sailing".

He would hold the nail punch up above the nail a little bit and get us to watch very closely as he hammered the nail.

It would look like there was still a gap above the nail so he would say: "hard air".  ;D

I've still got my old mans . He once told me that when he started his apprenticeship, to make a door he had to put together planks of wood and with a hand planner, plane them down until they were smooth.

It's a lot easier these days buying one for $30 at bunnings :D :D

I have a Sherwood Thicknesser and a Carbatec Planer.
Sure, it cost me a lot of money and the Blades (x4 rotation sides) are like $400 a set, etc.

But hey, they are wonderful to use, the results are beautiful and they even get rid of any 'warp' in the wood. As I get older, its worth the money to make things more easier and efficient for me.

Hell, I've even become popular with the semi-distant neighbours in many ways.  ;)

John Smith wrote on Dec 7^th, 2023 at 1:21pm:

I've still got my old mans . He once told me that when he started his apprenticeship, to make a door he had to put together planks of wood and with a hand planner, plane them down until they were smooth. It's a lot easier these days buying one for $30 at bunnings :D :D

Yes, a $60 dollar door would be cheaper and better than I could make

I bought one of these, doubt I could buy the materials for it at that cost

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/285499913074?chn=ps&_ul=AU&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1oRt7q4nqSViil0XD35N7IA21&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=285499913074&targetid=1598469861798&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9068961&poi=&campaignid=19657035767&mkgroupid=143201283022&rlsatarget=pla-1598469861798&abcId=9305369&merchantid=264068381&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI54-6mbX8ggMVV90WBR3Edg5XEAQYBSABEgK2ZvD_BwE

Jasin wrote on Dec 7^th, 2023 at 1:21pm:

I have a Sherwood Thicknesser and a Carbatec Planer. Sure, it cost me a lot of money and the Blades (x4 rotation sides) are like $400 a set, etc. But hey, they are wonderful to use, the results are beautiful and they even get rid of any 'warp' in the wood. As I get older, its worth the money to make things more easier and efficient for me. Hell, I've even become popular with the semi-distant neighbours in many ways.  ;)

I have discovered a few times how difficult it is build with warped wood.
And how hard to get a warp out of wood.
How come there are at least 5 dimensions what trying to get something vertical, straight and at 90 degrees?

Oh, the new plane arrived from the US. Very nice, classic American feel.
Very robust, controls are for big fingers to use, good dense steel.
Took the top plate off to grease all the threads, on the chipper plate is engraved 'Regrind to 25 degrees'. I so like this sort of design.
It's made to be used and sharpened, so here is the factory specs so you can sharpen it properly.

Saw how it is designed to be used, set and adjusted while in use, nice smooth actions. Blade and base were quite flat, sharpness was oh hum.
Even out the box it planed some pine quite well.
Once the base, frog and blade is flattened and sharpened it'll be as keen as a  Samurai sword.
It'll slide through wood leaving a highly polished finish. This is good.

One of my planes:

---

Aussie wrote on Dec 7^th, 2023 at 5:01pm:

One of my planes:

Wow, that is smaller than my smallest.
For what it is, it's good. Just for taking a sharp edge off

Sprintcyclist wrote on Dec 9^th, 2023 at 1:10pm:

Aussie wrote on Dec 7th, 2023 at 5:01pm: One of my planes: Wow, that is smaller than my smallest. For what it is, it's good. Just for taking a sharp edge off

Here ya go.  Useful tool to have.

*Bloody pic refuses to post.  "Veritas Miniature Low-Angle Block Plane*

Out of the box the Spear and Jackson #4 plane was ok.
I tuned it up and it was good. Shavings were curling up in a ribbon.
Still I expected more from it, there is good steel in the blade, frame is sturdy and quite flat.
Did a LOT of planing, had about 10L of waste from it. Gave it another sharpen and flattening, almost more a honing.
Now it cuts keenly, this is about how I thought it could work.
The rosewood handles really suit me, I put boiled linseed oil on them, bought the colour out beautifully.
Very nice how the blade depth can be smoothly easily adjusted by a large thumb screw without changing any other setting on the plane.

Really nice to use, for the price ($60), give it 10/10.

Well written Sprint