Bouquet for Veritas's service

[rsser]

The 2nd hand shoulder plane I bought here in the Marketplace had 2 of the 4 set screws missing. Nothing in my collection would fit and the originals anyway have a stub to bear against the blade.

I emailed Veritas asking if I could buy replacements and they replied saying they would send them free, under 'warranty'.

[Waldo]

Customer services goes a long way, especially given you weren't the original owner. :brava:

[Horaldic]

Awesome stuff from Lee Valley/Veritas. This is another reason why I'll look at their product range first to see if something will work for me. :2tsup:

[Claw Hama]

Thats very cool Ern :cool:, I am now a devout LV & LN woodworker. I ordered an LV concave spokeshave last night. I know I will have it within the week and if anything does happen to it they will look after it rather than cause me greif like so many other manufacturers.:U

[BobL]

Good to hear about your experience rsser. Last friday I visited their Calgary store - what a bad, bad place, not absolutely everything in their cattledog was on display but almost everything - I'll be visiting several times while I am here. :D

[rsser]

Oh, kid in a lolly shop .. fabulous.

Actually Claw Hama the round bottomed spokeshave the only V. tool I have that doesn't reach their normal standard of quality design IMO. The handles are just too small. Yes, you can get a kit to make your own, and that's on the 'tuit' list but I'd rather not have to.

[IanW]

Actually Claw Hama the round bottomed spokeshave the only V. tool I have that doesn't reach their normal standard of quality design IMO. The handles are just too small. Yes, you can get a kit to make your own, and that's on the 'tuit' list but I'd rather not have to.


Ern - I'm not overly fussed with the handles on V. planes, either! I think you've said somewhere you were blessed with the large, economy-sized paw (less a bit of recent trimming! :U) so you probably get off on those great ugly totes that I find so awkward. They were all replaced pronto, on the couple of Veritas planes I have. OTOH, the handles on my two spokeshaves (I have both the round & the flat) are ok for size, but I don't like the symmetrical round shapes. Having been raised on the flattened handles of the Stanley type shaves, it feels like there's nothing to tell me where the shave is going, especially on the round-bottomed one. UKAlf seems to have the same issues with the wooden bits of Veritas planes & shaves, and made a pair of nice carved handles for hers - that's on my 'tuit' list, too!

The good news is, both shaves work so much more nicely than the old 151, so once you get the bits to hang onto sorted out, I reckon you'll be pleased enough with it. Handles must be a headache for any tool manufacturer - we come with such a range of paw sizes. It's no wonder there is a very long & honorable tradition of customising & re-making tool handles....
:U

PS - here's a ling to what Alf did to a Veritas spokeshave. My effort won't be quite as fancy!

http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/shavehandle.html

[Claw Hama]

Hmm, all duely noted and will customise as required, minor problem:U

[rsser]

Yes Ian, of course it's too much to expect one size will work for everyone. But even discounting my paw size the handle width seems a bit cheese-paring. And yes, an oval shape would be best for max control.

Claw Hama, here's Alf's rundown on the use of the V. shave handle bolt & turning kit: click (http://www.cornishworkshop.co.uk/shavehandle.html).

[Rob Lee]

Hi -

Just a quick comment.... I think one of the most underated/overlooked tools we have is our large spokeshave...

"Large" doesn't mean imprecise. Nor does it necessarily mean it's for larger/coarser work... it's just.... well ..... larger! I find it much easier to control (even for fine work) than the smaller shaves - arm movements are much more natural.

No need to turn replacement handles either - just shape 'em with a shave, and replace...

If you prefer them to be assymetric (arched, swept etc.) - just mount a handle stud into the body, and epoxy the exposed screw onto your handle, fixing the correct orientation.

We encourage people to make/modify handles....!

Cheers -

Rob

[Claw Hama]

Hi Rob, can't wait to get mine, I will use it for a while before I start customising.

[rsser]

Quite right Rob. I didn't come across the large shave til I'd discovered how small the std handles were (OK, small for me). A problem of buying mail order.

[Claw Hama]

Ern sounds like you have hands like my old man, to shake hands with him is like getting your hand caught in a vise. The size of a diner plate.

[IanW]

If you prefer them to be assymetric (arched, swept etc.) - just mount a handle stud into the body, and epoxy the exposed screw onto your handle, fixing the correct orientation....


It's spooky the way this man 'hears' his name whenever it's mentioned! :U

Yairs, I have the hardware ready - just getting that round tuit bit is the problem, Rob. Over the years I've had them, I've gotten used to the round handles, & find controlling the tool with my thumbs (as is suggested in one of your blurbs) is just as easy, or dare I admit, even better than controlling it by the handles alone. I like the size of the smaller shaves a lot - they suit the size of my hands, and because I tend to use my old 151s for rough work and these for the finer bits, I don't need a lot of tool mass, which would be one of the pluses of the larger one, I suspect. (I can give you a plug here, too, and say that my old Stanleys have been vastly improved by the substitution of a thicker Veritas blade - a world of difference for a very reasonable outlay! :U). But I will customise my shave handles, someday soon.


....... I didn't come across the large shave til I'd discovered how small the std handles were (OK, small for me). A problem of buying mail order.


Ern - this is why you have to get to a woodshow at least once in a while..... :;



We encourage people to make/modify handles....!


Just as well, 'cos we are going to, anyway..! :q :U

Avagooday,

[IanW]

Ern sounds like you have hands like my old man, to shake hands with him is like getting your hand caught in a vise. The size of a diner plate.

Maybe that's why he tried trimming one a bit??
:U

[rsser]

LOL.

Yeah, my mother called them breadboard hands. And getting a thumb splint fitted yesterday the hand therapist estimated wrong at the first try and muttered something about a big thumb.

Right hand used to be able to squeeze 70kg before I broke the wrist. Now down to 52 :rolleyes:

I'm happy to turn a new set of shave handles. Haven't studied Alf's instructions closely but will look at dual axis turning first.

Missed last year's woodshow Ian; prob a good thing overall cos each visit shrinks the size of the shed :-

[IanW]

Missed last year's woodshow Ian; prob a good thing overall cos each visit shrinks the size of the shed :-


Yer - funny how it does that, Ern. :U

My problem's solved - shed full.

But there were several sheets of iron left over from that verandah renno, which would go a long way to making an annexe............

Hmmmmm...
:;

[rsser]

Good idea.

We turners often get offered a lopped tree trunk, and my drive has piles of sealed blanks under tarps. Not the best but there's no room in the shed anymore.

Re which, there's a new law of physics for woodies that I've formulated: it takes fewer calories to get matter into the shed than to get it out ;-}

...

Yes, spooky is the right word for Rob's ghostly presence.

And yes, I love the totes on V. BU planes. Sooo nice to ageing paws.

Anticipating a tax refund I stumped up for the V. BU jointer and fence and it's definitely one of those tools you make friends with. And the blade back is already lapped so back and bevel just need some quick polishing and the results are magic.

And while you're reading Rob :wink: how about offering the current shipping discount to overseas non-US states as well?

[Rob Lee]

(snip)
And while you're reading Rob :wink: how about offering the current shipping discount to overseas non-US states as well?

Hi -

Ah...

That's not so easy to do. You see, when we get an overseas inquiry - we actually pick it weigh it, and quote actual shipping. A very large percentage of the time - we then put it all back into stock....

It's something we try not to encourage! :roll:

Cheers -

Rob
(Off to Perth ....... Ontario, that is)

[jmk89]

Hi -

Ah...

That's not so easy to do. You see, when we get an overseas inquiry - we actually pick it weigh it, and quote actual shipping. A very large percentage of the time - we then put it all back into stock....

It's something we try not to encourage! :roll:

Cheers -

Rob
(Off to Perth ....... Ontario, that is)

I agree that offering a 100% OS postage discount would be madness.

But how about deducting the postage that you would pay to send the parcel to the furtherest of the lower 48 states - at least that way the rest of the world isn't discriminated against. I reckon you would reduce the number of those parcels that got put back on the shelves enough to more than cover the discount.

Perhaps you could give that discount to the definite buyers only - ie the customer gives up the right to cancel for postage in return for the discount.

[rsser]

The current temp discount to the non-contiguous states is $16 Jeremy. My request was a little tongue in cheek.

I take Rob's point about the labour intensity of quoting shipping.

[Claw Hama]

I take my body weight in kgs (and I am solid) double it and if freight comes in under that I'm happy so I like Erns idea, if was to get an unexpected discount of anything once I said I was buying I would be more than greatful. Or if you're a past good buyer maybe a points system. I get a fair discount from LN for my past numerous purchases.
Mind you Rob is in business to make a profit.
PS. that fast service an free spares is covered too.

[rsser]

IIRC one of the few items from LV that I asked for a quote on but didn't go ahead with was for a V. #6. Shipping was going to be about $60 which isn't unreasonable. When our buck is buying all of 84c US however the mail-order equation starts to hurt.

[Claw Hama]

US postage is, or seems to be far more expensive than any other countries. But Rob shouldn't have to loose profit either, unless he is willing to do so. Don't think I'm taking the high ground he either Ern, I'm just chatting. I did like your idea about the definate buyer getting a few bucks off. I would never say no to it:U

[RobTro]

Since this post started out about good service, I would just like to add my "Great Job LV". I have made a few large international orders and LV has supplied great service and support and handles any problems promptly along with the afore mentioned service. While sometimes I might be able to get something a little cheaper somewhere else I just don't bother. I am a happy customer and appreciate great customer support, especially as an international buyer. LV and LN have been good experiences. A couple other US companies, I am not so keen on. Products are good but service was not great. I could not get a reply to any emails, and am still waiting for one order to come.

So, Rob, if you have what I want, I'll be getting it through you.

Rob

[Claw Hama]

Oh yeh thats what we're talkin about, one week to the day from ordering (in cluding a weekend) and my concave spokie is at my door, I slice open the carton rat out the box holding my new toy. I open the box take out the shave, put a piece of Blackwood in the vice and pull,,, a beautiful thin shaving curls from the mouth. No adjustment, no sharpening, straight out of the box. I will give the edge a little polish. My first instant impression of the handles while being petite, were very sweet. I found the the round handles let the edge find it's own way and all I had to do was pull gently.
So for straight out of the box, Rob it's a GEM:cool:. I'm sure once I get to know her she will feel even better:U.

[rsser]

Send the shave back CH.

The convex ones work a lot better ;-}

[Claw Hama]

NO:C. Hi Ern, I can see how with big hands the larger handles would be better. I realy see these units not so much as work horses, more as trimming and finishing tools so I shouldn't need big grips for a lot of pull. I am very happy with mine anyway:U

[IanW]

Claw - you really do need both flat & convex shaves. You really do! :U

I agree with you that these shaves are suited to fine cuts that don't require a lot of grunt, so you don't need huge handles to hang on to, as a rule. I also find both the Veritas shaves work better for me in most situations, pushed rather than pulled. The two thumb rests help you to snuggle them into your hands, and makes for an easy, natural action. I was a 'puller' for years with my old Stanley 150s, but switched to pushing some time before I got my first Veritas shave. They also have thumb rests cast into the body, of course, but they are more awkward to hold that way for me, & it took a bit of struggling to convert. The Stanleys don't like to just sit on the job & cut as well as the Veritas shaves do, either, you sometimes have to use a bit of force to keep them engaged & cutting.

I managed to get my two Veritas shaves at good prices when the $ was riding high, & they were great buys. Never regretted splashing out on the pair.
:U
Cheers,

[Claw Hama]

Ian, you put up a compelling argument, I am sure you're right, so as soon as I have a few spare bucks I'll have one and jettison the the stanleys ( I have a 51 SW and an old 151)

[IanW]

Ian, you put up a compelling argument, I am sure you're right, so as soon as I have a few spare bucks I'll have one and jettison the the stanleys ( I have a 51 SW and an old 151)

I ended up keeping my old Stanleys, Claw. The flat one was my dad's, so I have to hang on to that for nostalgia's sake. I use them for rough work, mostly, however I recently bought a LV replacement blade and what a difference it makes! Not only does it close up that gaping mouth a bit, it gives the thing an altogether more solid feel. It's not quite up in the Veritas league, but a much nicer tool than it was. And all for about 25 bucks with (slow) postage. :U

Cheers,

[Claw Hama]

Hmm, point taken:)

[rsser]

Update: the screws have arrived. 2 were offered; 4 were sent.

[Waldo]

:2tsup: Can't say LV don't give good customer service.