No. 102 Low Angle Block Plane Lie-Nielsen Toolworks

No. 102 Low Angle Block Plane

1-102

$160.00



No. 102 Low Angle Block Plane

Based on the Stanley No. 102, this small plane fits perfectly in the hand, slips easily into the pocket, and is destined to become the most useful tool in your workshop.

The blade is 1/8" thick for chatter-free cuts and the unobtrusive Stainless Steel adjuster offers blade control of micrometer ease and precision with minimum backlash.

  • 5¼" long
  • Blade is 1¼" wide x 1/8" thick
  • Blade is bedded at 12° for fine cuts and end grain
  • Bronze body, 15.2 oz.

The No. 102 Bronze rated
"BEST OVERALL BLOCK PLANE"
& "BEST VALUE BLOCK PLANE"
- Fine Woodworking Tool Guide

Click here to download a PDF copy of the instructions for this tool.

Low Angle Block Plane

Our Low Angle Block Plane is fashioned in such a pleasing shape that it will rapidly become the most used tool in your kit. The mouth of the plane is made to take a maximum .008-.010" cut, which is a compromise size suitable for most woodworking.

Geometry:

The blade is bedded at 12°, making the included cutting angle 37°. Blade comes with a 25° flat ground bevel.

Sharpening:

The blade comes ready to use, but honing a secondary bevel of 5° or 10° will increase performance, help achieve a razor edge quickly, and improve edge life in hardwoods. You can find sharpening instructions in a printable PDF format here: Sharpening Instructions PDF

For more information on advanced sharpening we recommend David Charlesworth’s video Plane Sharpening, available in both DVD and streaming formats.

Blade Adjustment:

Hold the tool in one hand with your fingers supporting the sole and your thumb on the cap iron just in front of the screw. Loosen the spinwheel and, with your thumb still holding the blade and cap, adjust the blade. Tighten the spinwheel. Do not overtighten. You should be able to adjust the blade after loosening the spinwheel about ¼ turn.

Materials:

We use Manganese Bronze the bodies. Castings are fully stress-relieved, a process that removes inherent stresses and ensures that the tool will remain flat and true. The cap is also Manganese Bronze; other parts are Brass and Stainless Steel.

The blade is A2 Tool Steel hardened to Rockwell 60-62, cryogenically treated and double tempered. Our heat-treating technique ensures that the blade will take and hold a very fine edge for a long time. After heat treating, the blade is fully surface ground on the top, back, and cutting edge, giving a smooth, flat surface that will take a mirror finish very quickly. The 1/8" thickness provides solid, chatter-free cutting.

Maintenance:

The body casting is ground flat and true (to .0015"). Occasional hand lapping with fine wet/dry sandpaper (320 grit or higher) on a flat surface will help remove dings and keep it true. The cap iron can be polished with any good brass polish, or allowed to patina with age and use. Occasionally, the tool should be disassembled, cleaned, and moving parts oiled. The blade should be kept lightly oiled to prevent rust, especially when the tool is not in use. We recommend Jojoba Oil, a plant based oil product that is non-toxic, odor-free and easy to use. Also, in our shop, we use a fine abrasive handblock to remove any light surface oxide from tool bodies and blades. Jojoba Oil and abrasive handblocks are available from us.

Find everything you need for tool care.

Guarantee:

Materials and workmanship are guaranteed for the life of your tool. Call for repairs or replacement parts. We are available for advice if you ever have a problem using your tool.

Proposition 65 Notice:

Bronze and brass alloys contain lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.