Carpentry and Woodworking - Hand Planes

This should probably go in the tool section but I wanted to get the attention of the expert wood workers in here...

I just ordered a Veritas low angle plane after reading a review in Fine Woodworking. However, I also need a Jack plane and was considering the Stanley contractors series. The Veritas wasn't that much more than the Stanley or Record but according to the article there is a huge difference in performance.

On the other hand, the difference between the Stanley Jack plane and say a Clifton is $150. Is the Clifton worth that much more or is the Stanley a perfectly acceptable tool? Does the Stanley require tuning? I'm under the impression that for the larger planes the differences between a high grade and Stanley might not be that important.


Thanks

I am not an authority on what tools are the best or worse to use, however, I have found from my own experience in buying woodworking tools is that you get what you pay for. I own both tools a Clifton and Stanley, both do a good job. cm

I agree. The Clifton is probably worth it. My first plane was a Stanley block plane that was very frustrating to adjust because of the large amount of play in the adjust knob. I'm also afraid that by tuning a Stanley I'll screw it up and the Clifton's are ready to go out of the box.

If I could ask, what is the main difference in application between the No. 5 (14") and No. 7(22")?

I don't know much about bench planes but I assume the longer length of the smoothing plane is to prevent even the slightest amount of rocking?

And a jack plane is primarily for edge planing, correct?

Thanks

You have 3 basic types of bench planes, a jack plane used for stock removal, a jointer plane which is longer used to clear up uneveness on long surfaces and a smothing plane for the final finishing work. And yes, the longer the planer the less rocking you have on the longer surfaces. cm

But is there anything different about these other than the length?

Can one be used in place of another in a pinch?

yes it can...