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Rich
1243 posts
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in about 2 years
Review: WoodRiver #4 1/2 Bench Plane
WoodRiver #4 1/2 Bench Plane
Originally posted elsewhere Dec 02, 2020
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These planes get a bad rap for no reason.
This WoodRiver #4 1/2 plane can handle even the most highly figured maple and still produce wispy shavings. The #4 1/2 plane is a great choice for a smoother, being wider and heavier than a standard #4. The extra heft helps it to keep going when a lighter plane would get bogged down during heavy cuts, or by difficult grain.
Don't let the low price on WoodRiver planes fool you. They are top quality planes and an exceptional value.
The WoodRiver V3 planes are modeled after the famous Stanley Bedrock design developed in the early 1900s. The Bedrock advantage is that it allows you to adjust the frog without having to remove the blade. This makes it easy to go from a wide mouth for heavy cuts, to a narrow one for fine shavings and to reduce tear-out on highly figured woods. A narrow mouth opening means a shorter distance between the sole and the blade, so the sole is pressing down on the wood fibers and preventing lifting which can lead to tear-out.
The WoodRiver planes are beautiful in their fit and finish, with a smooth, flat sole and sides that are square to it. The mating surface between the frog and plane body is precisely milled as is the face of the frog giving a smooth, flat surface to support the blade.
A few minutes spent sharpening the blade and relieving the edges of the sole will yield a plane that is a joy to use and will last a lifetime.
Originally posted elsewhere Dec 02, 2020
-------------
These planes get a bad rap for no reason.
This WoodRiver #4 1/2 plane can handle even the most highly figured maple and still produce wispy shavings. The #4 1/2 plane is a great choice for a smoother, being wider and heavier than a standard #4. The extra heft helps it to keep going when a lighter plane would get bogged down during heavy cuts, or by difficult grain.
Don't let the low price on WoodRiver planes fool you. They are top quality planes and an exceptional value.
The WoodRiver V3 planes are modeled after the famous Stanley Bedrock design developed in the early 1900s. The Bedrock advantage is that it allows you to adjust the frog without having to remove the blade. This makes it easy to go from a wide mouth for heavy cuts, to a narrow one for fine shavings and to reduce tear-out on highly figured woods. A narrow mouth opening means a shorter distance between the sole and the blade, so the sole is pressing down on the wood fibers and preventing lifting which can lead to tear-out.
The WoodRiver planes are beautiful in their fit and finish, with a smooth, flat sole and sides that are square to it. The mating surface between the frog and plane body is precisely milled as is the face of the frog giving a smooth, flat surface to support the blade.
A few minutes spent sharpening the blade and relieving the edges of the sole will yield a plane that is a joy to use and will last a lifetime.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
8 Replies
I’ve heard good things about the Woodriver planes, and Rob Cosman sure seems to like them. Thanks for the write up!
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Thanks, Ryan. The key there is time spent sharpening the blade. The main thing lacking with WR planes is that the blade needs serious attention.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
I’m set up to deal with blades, that’s not a big deal to me. A long as the rest of the fit, finish and function is solid…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Good write up Rich, I will keep them in mind if a add to my collection of planes.
Main Street to the Mountains
I've got the #4 Quangsheng (UK version from same manufacturer).
It's a very nice plane, but heavy - which is either a plus or minus depending on your school of thought.
The iron just was flat and just needed a quick hone out of the box, so don't know if Rich was unlucky or I was lucky.
Never known anyone who adjusts the frog on a regular basis, so the bedrock v bailey argument passed me by.
Personally I reckon it's nicely built but a bit heavy, got a spokeshave and block plane from the same manufacturer, but wouldn't get anything bigger than the 4.
Edit - and a small router and small plough plane now I think about it, although I'm not that keen on the plough, I prefer the wooden ones by a fair distance.
It's a very nice plane, but heavy - which is either a plus or minus depending on your school of thought.
The iron just was flat and just needed a quick hone out of the box, so don't know if Rich was unlucky or I was lucky.
Never known anyone who adjusts the frog on a regular basis, so the bedrock v bailey argument passed me by.
Personally I reckon it's nicely built but a bit heavy, got a spokeshave and block plane from the same manufacturer, but wouldn't get anything bigger than the 4.
Edit - and a small router and small plough plane now I think about it, although I'm not that keen on the plough, I prefer the wooden ones by a fair distance.
The iron just was flat and just needed a quick hone out of the box, so don't know if Rich was unlucky or I was lucky.
Hard to say. I've got two WR planes, this 4 1/2 and a 7. Both blades were flat, but needed a complete sharpening.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
Probably just a definition thing then, I assume anything I get needs sharpening, and these were on the just needs a hone side as opposed to a heavy flattening etc - To be fair, most stuff I get is 50+ years old, so I don't have a lot of new, off the shelf stuff, to compare with.
A WR 7 - ye gods that must be heavy :)
A WR 7 - ye gods that must be heavy :)
Some of the hate they receive is from a licensing/infringement battle with Lie Nielsen if I'm not mistaken. I haven't heard the V3s receiving any hate based on performance.
I'm tempted to pick one up to give it a try. On another forum I get messaged somewhat frequently asking about these and other variants. Would be nice to be able to answer those questions.
These aren't exactly cheap and I need another plane about as much as I need a hot poker in the eye so maybe if Santa delivers a Woodcraft gift card for Christmas I will pick one up. Then do a nice write up comparing the WR, Stanley, Marsh, and whatever other 4-1/2s I have lying about.
I'm tempted to pick one up to give it a try. On another forum I get messaged somewhat frequently asking about these and other variants. Would be nice to be able to answer those questions.
These aren't exactly cheap and I need another plane about as much as I need a hot poker in the eye so maybe if Santa delivers a Woodcraft gift card for Christmas I will pick one up. Then do a nice write up comparing the WR, Stanley, Marsh, and whatever other 4-1/2s I have lying about.
