FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
If you have a question about our tools, email us. We'll answer it for you and might add it to this page so others can learn the answer, too. |
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1. How do I apply a gift certificate to an order?
You can apply a gift certificate to your order by phone (call and give us your GC number), by mail (mail in your gift certificate with your order) or online (refer to 'Order Information' on the left hand sidebar).
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2. Why do you make many of your tools out of Bronze?
Though Iron has been the material of choice for mass-produced tools, we use Manganese Bronze, which is a very hard, strong alloy which wears very well, unlike brass and softer bronzes. We prefer this bronze to iron for small planes because it's heavier, it doesn't rust, won't crack if dropped and has wonderful warmth in the hand. We use iron when the extra weight is not welcome.
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3. How do you make your blades?
It goes without saying that the blade is the most important part of a hand plane. Our blades are thicker, sometimes much thicker, than other manufacturers’ for a solid cut. And they are harder at Rockwell 60-62, to provide a longer lasting blade. Careful heat treatment produces a fine grain structure so that the blade will take a very fine edge. The final step is a full surface grinding of the top, back and cutting edge, giving a smooth flat surface requiring little honing before use.
We have been experimenting with various tool steels and Cryogenics for some time. We have decided to change our steel from W-1 that we had been using to A-2 because our research convinces us that Cryogenically treated A-2 will hold an edge significantly longer if properly done. It can still be sharpened with conventional abrasives, while some other special alloys can’t.
Proper heat treating of this steel involves a 20-hour soak at -320 degrees F and double tempering. Our new A-2 Cryogenically treated blades can be distinguished from our regular blades by the Lie-Nielsen USA logo stamped on the top face. It's important to note that our Router Plane Blades are O-1, not A-2.
To learn more about Cryogenics, read "Why you should freeze your tools" from Popular Woodworking Magazine, used by permission. To download this PDF, you’ll need a copy of Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®.
(If you don’t already have Adobe®Acrobat® Reader®, you can download it here.)
(Download PDF of article)
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4. I want to purchase a plane but don't know where to start, what are your suggestions?
The single most useful tool is a low angle block plane. We have several, and any of them would be used every day in the shop. Next, I would consider our Low Angle Jack Plane. It is a very versatile tool, and in many peoples hands it can double as a smoothing plane. I t is also a unique tool with no other equivalent. With those two tools you can do a lot of work. Third, I might like a dedicated Smoothing Plane.
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5. How do you pronounce "Lie-Nielsen"?
Lie-Nielsen, a Norwegian name, is pronounced "Lee-Neelsen.
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6. My Bronze-bodied tool sometimes leaves marks on the wood. What should I do?
Bronze bodied planes will sometimes leave a mark on your work, especially if they have not been used for some time. In our experience, some people find this marking an intractable problem, others aren't bothered. It should only be a concern with a finishing cut on light wood. With tools used for that sort of work, keep the sole well waxed to minimize marking (of course wax may interfere with some finishes). Alternatively, using the tool enough to wear off (polish) the oxidation on the sole should prevent marks when you don't want them.
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7. Can I have another copy of the Instructions, Care and Maintenance sheet that came with my Lie-Nielsen tool?
Please visit our online library of instruction sheets. As we expand our collection, we will continue to update this section of our site.
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8. What's so special about the Ductile Iron used for all your iron body tools?
Ductile Iron, also called Nodular, is a specific formula iron alloy, specially processed to produce castings of great strength, approaching that of structural steel, and ductility or elasticity. For the woodworker this means that the tool will not break if dropped on the cement floor, something that happens all too often.
I had heard good things about Ductile Iron and liked the way it machined, so I decided to see how tough our planes are. I took a machined No. 5 body casting out in the shop and threw it up to the 14-foot ceiling. The casting bounced on the cement floor but was not damaged. I did this many times but only succeeded in dinging it up.
Then I laid it on its side on the floor and went after the unsupported top edge of the side with a 10-pound sledge hammer, putting some effort behind it.
It did bend. A little.
These castings will not break. I guarantee it.
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9. About Lie-Nielsen Toolworks
To read a definitive article on the origin of Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, download this article from Furniture and Cabinetmaking.Used by permission. To download this PDF, you’ll need a copy of Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®.
(If you don’t already have Adobe®Acrobat® Reader®, you can download it here.)
(Download PDF of article)
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10. What is corrugation?
In some cases, such as with a smoothing plane, a corrugated sole makes planing easier by reducing suction between plane and wood; it also makes planing resinous woods easier. Available for all of our Bench Planes, except the 10 1/4. Cost is $25 per tool.
Corrugations are 1/16" deep, 1/4" apart and 1/4" from the mouth and the ends of the sole.
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11. What are Toothed Blades used for?
There are actually two kinds of Toothed irons. The Scraper irons have a 'V'-shaped tooth, the Bench and Block plane irons have a series of small square teeth. In the Scraper they are used to rough up a surface, either as a prep for veneering, and left as is; or to work down an area of difficult grain, after which the regular Scraper blade is used.
In Bench and Block planes, they are used to work areas of difficult grain, by planing diagonally across from one direction, then diagonally from the other direction. After which, the regular Smoothing blade is used. The Toothed blades reduce tearout, and the regular blade can usually finish the job (or you would switch to the Scraper). Both types leave a rough surface.
It's been our experience that Bench and Block plane Toothed irons are relatively uncommon, but are favored by instrument makers. Toothed blades for Scrapers are better known.
Both types are sharpened with a bevel just like any plane iron—just don't hone the top face of the 'V'-type scraper blades, or you will hone off the points that do the work.
They would not always be used, because they are not always necessary—usually a sharp Bench and Block plane or Scraper blade will be all that is necessary, depending on the kind of wood and it's condition.
Ordering Toothed Blades: To purchase a Toothed Blade for a Lie-Nielsen Tool, go to that tool page by selecting it from the links to the left. If a Toothed Blade is available for that tool, you'll be able to order it from that page. To purchase a Tooth Blade for a non-Lie-Nielsen tool (Stanley, Record), go to the Replacement Blades page. Or call us at 1-800-327-2520 to order by phone.
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12. Does storing a tool long-term in a leather case promote rust?
I do not think it is a good idea to store any metal object in a leather case for long periods without taking precautions- such as applying a thick coat of oil and wrapping in cloth, treated cloth, etc. Short term storage should not be a problem unless you live in a very humid area.
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