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Quangsheng Luban No. 102 Bronze Apron Plane Reviews

4.8 Rating 29 Reviews
Read Workshop Heaven Reviews

Cast in bronze, this delightful little block plane is traditionally carried in the apron pocket, ready for immediate and frequent use.Compact and easy to use with one hand, it has a 25 degree T10 bevel up blade bedded at 12 degrees. Like it's larger cousins it has a super smooth, low ratio, type 3 adjuster.In the early stages of a piece, an apron plane might be used to make small adjustments to the ends of squared timber blanks, or to create chamfers on waste material before it is cut away, both to aid visibility and prevent breakout.In the later stages it may be used to fine tune joinery or sliding components to achieve the desired fit; or to take tiny threads off sharp corners to strengthen them. In some cases it may even be needed after a piece is finished, to correct the odd squeak or binding drawer.Specifications:
Body: Cast bronze (so it won't rust)
Weight 470g / 1lb
Conforms to British Standard
3mm thick, 32mm wide cutting iron cutting iron made from T10 carbon steel hardened to RC60-63
Sole dimensions 137mm x 35 - 40mm (coffin sided)
Notes on use:
To adjust the blade, loosen the cap wheel until it is just beginning to exert the lightest possible pressure on the blade.
Position the blade laterally with finger and thumb and then, with the plane sole down on a piece of timber, advance the blade until it just makes contact with the surface.
Wind the cap iron screw twice (about half a rotation) and take a test shaving and adjust if necessary.
You don't need to apply all of the tension that the thumbwheel is capable of, it has the mechanical advantage of a screw thread and a 2:1 lever advantage, so two twists is plenty.
Please note that we are unable to ship Quangsheng products to North America due to retail exclusivity restrictions.

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arrived today. excellent service and delivery. Straight from the box ,without sharpening this tool takes lovely shavings. can't wait to hone it and see what results i get. Ergonomically ,one of the best tools i have had in my hand. a thing of beauty.
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Posted 6 years ago
I haven't been able to justify the purchase of the Lie Nielsen 102 although I have had access to a friends for several years and absolutely love it! Having purchased four other Quangsheng planes over recent months I decided to try the Luban 102 and it is ever bit as good as the L.N. if not better. The plane body is beautifully cast and finished, the adjuster works much better than the L.N and the blade, whilst not at all sharp out of the box, honed easily to a mirror finish giving the finest shavings ever! Ergonomically perfect, this sits in the palm of your hand as is beautifully weighted. In the market for a beutiful bit of kit which will help enhance any project? This is for you 11/10.
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Posted 7 years ago
I was looking for a block plane that was large enough to be fully functional with fine blade adjustment, yet small enough to be tucked into a pocket for use on my Carpentry & Joinery college course, and this little beauty seemed to offer what I was looking for. After reading the positive reviews I did agonize for a while not only about buying a new tool but also about buying something made in China when I usually buy vintage or used tools to avoid the modern PRC-manufactured tools that the big brands seem to sell. When the package arrived I opened it with some trepidation and much anticipation but my initial impressions were, that it was a quality tool, well engineered, well manufactured and if it worked as good as it looked then it would be an absolute steal. I have waited to review until I had an opportunity to allow the tool a to earn it's keep and I can only say that it is an absolute joy to use; fits perfectly in my hand to break sharp edges, sort those tricky local high spots and it excels at end grain - the adjustment being sensitive enough to cut from fine shavings down to dust. I would have no hesitation in recommending this tool based on my experience and it has been quite a talking point at college for both my fellow students and our lecturers who are often taken aback when I explain exactly what it is and how little it cost, unable to believe that given my affinity to vintage tools, their restoration and use that this little Luban isn't some rare tool that I have brought back to life which is testament to the quality of the product. Based on this I have looked to Quangsheng Luban for my shoulder plane requirements and look forward to reviewing those in due course. A definite 5 star tool and one that I will cherish and would not like to be without.
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Posted 7 years ago
This very handy little plane is a triumph to engineering, every aspect of it is perfect. Once honed the plane can take translucent end grain shavings with ease. I think every woodworker should own one.
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Posted 7 years ago
a superb piece of engineering small and perfect
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Posted 9 years ago
This Luban is a complete joy. The blade is thick and firmly bedded. There is no lateral adjustment lever but the blade is easily adjusted by a slight tap on the side of the blade. In use it is very controllable and allows small shavings to be made for tiny adjustments.
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Posted 9 years ago
impressed by the quality..very god value for money
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Posted 9 years ago
A thing of beauty, it also works beautifully. Elegant engineering and sensuous with it - you'll want it in your hand all the time. Probably an heirloom, so buy as many as you have children or they'll contest the will. JR Chipping Norton
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Posted 9 years ago