Woodriver 4 1/2 Plane

As an avid woodworker and tool collector, I have a deep appreciation for high-quality hand planes. There’s just something special about taking rough lumber and transforming it into glassy smooth boards using traditional hand tools. When it comes to smoothing planes, one of my favorites is the WoodRiver 4 1/2 plane.

In this detailed buying guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about this exceptional tool – from what makes it unique to where to get the best deal. Whether you’re a hand plane novice or seasoned pro, read on to gain expert insights on the WoodRiver 4 1/2!

What Exactly is the WoodRiver 4 1/2 Plane?

The WoodRiver 4 1/2 is a medium-sized bench plane designed for smoothing and light stock removal. Its 4 1/2 inch wide blade makes it wider than standard smoothing planes, allowing you to flatten boards more efficiently. Despite the extra width, it’s still small enough for general purpose use.

WoodRiver is the hand tool line from Woodcraft, a major retailer beloved by woodworkers. All WoodRiver tools are manufactured to high standards at factories in India and China. This smooth sole, Corrugated Bottom 4 1/2 plane has excellent fit and finish.

It features a ductile iron body for durability, and an A2 tool steel blade that holds an edge well. The plane has a Norris-style adjuster for easily controlling blade depth. It also includes a lever cap and heavy-duty tote and knob for comfort.

How to Use the WoodRiver 4 1/2 Plane for Best Results

Using a finely tuned smoothing plane is an artisan skill, but getting started is straightforward. Here are some tips:

• Sharpen the blade – A razor sharp edge is essential for taking wispy shavings. Honing with waterstones or sandpaper on a flat surface works best.
• Adjust the blade depth – Extend the blade slightly from the sole and take a test swipe. Retract or advance in small increments until it cuts just right.
• Use proper technique – Keep your strokes going with the wood grain, applying light downward pressure. Take thin, overlapping shavings for a smooth finish.
• Check for flatness – Use a straightedge to confirm the sole isn’t warped. Lapping with sandpaper can remedy minor inconsistencies.

With practice, you’ll be stunned by the glassy surfaces this plane can produce in walnut, maple, cherry, and other fine woods. It’s a great choice for final smoothing before applying stains and finishes.

High Quality Materials Make This Plane Durable Yet Precise

The materials used in the WoodRiver 4 1/2 Plane are what give it such outstanding performance. Here are some of the key components:

• Ductile iron body – This tough yet workable metal allows for precise machining and delivers vibration dampening.
• A2 tool steel blade – This alloy has extra carbon for hardness and edge retention. It takes a keen edge.
• ** brass Norris-style adjuster** – The classic Norris design provides fine depth control and robust construction.
• Rosewood tote and knob – These dense, oily tropical hardwoods are comfortable and highly resistant to humidity.
• Corrugated steel sole – The corrugated bottom aids in planing stability and shaving flow.

The quality materials enable the WoodRiver 4 1/2 to give years of reliable service. Small details like the brass adjustment hardware and comfortable rosewood handles elevate the user experience.

How the WoodRiver 4 1/2 Compares to Planes from Other Brands

The WoodRiver 4 1/2 certainly holds its own against planes from other acclaimed manufacturers like Lie-Nielsen and Veritas.

It’s not quite at the level of handmade boutique planes costing $400+, but the WoodRiver provides excellent versatility and usability at a more affordable price point around $175.

Here’s how it stacks up:

• Excellent machining quality on par with Lie-Nielsen and Veritas.
• Blade steel not quite as premium but very durable. Holds an edge well.
• Great size in between a smoothing plane and jointer plane.
• Traditional Norris-style adjuster moves precisely.
• Corrugated sole model provides stability similar to Veritas planes.
• More affordable than boutique brands while still being high performance.

For advanced woodworkers, the WoodRiver 4 1/2 hits a sweet spot of quality and value.

Where to Buy the WoodRiver 4 1/2 (and What’s a Fair Price)

If you’re ready to add this workhorse smoothing plane to your shop, here’s what to expect cost-wise:

• MSRP direct from Woodcraft – $175
• Street price new – Around $140 if you shop sales
• Used price – $100 to $130 if you can find one

I recommend buying directly from Woodcraft either online or at your local store. They have competitive sales prices and you can take advantage of their top-notch customer service.

Also consider signing up for the mailing list to get 10% off coupons. For the quality you get, $140 is a very reasonable price for this plane.

Alternatively, watch for listings on eBay and other secondary markets to try to snag a deal on a used model.

Key Specs and Dimensions

Here are the key specs on this well-sized smoothing plane:

• Overall length – 9 inches
• Blade width – 4 1/2 inches
• Blade thickness – 1/8 inches
• Mouth Width – 1 7/8 inches
• Weight – 6 pounds

With the wide 4 1/2 inch blade, it can flatten boards more efficiently than a standard #4 smoothing plane. But it’s still compact and light enough for all day use.

The 1/8 inch thick A2 tool steel blade has enough rigidity for a fine cut, while the nearly 2 inch mouth gives room for large shavings to pass.

Reviews Confirm the Exceptional Performance

Reviews from other woodworkers confirm what I’ve experienced first-hand – the WoodRiver 4 1/2 performs as good as planes costing twice as much. Here are some excerpts:

“Cuts as smoothly as a Lie-Nielsen at half the price. My new favorite smoother.”

“The heft and machining quality makes this plane a dream to use. Leaves an amazing surface.”

“A serious woodworking tool that can tame difficult grain and leave a glassy finish.”

“An unbelievable value. This plane quickly pays for itself in terms of time and money saved.”

It’s clear that knowledgeable woodworkers who know what to look for consistently rate this as an amazing and durable tool.

How to Keep the Blade Razor Sharp

Here are some tips for getting a crisp, mirror-like edge on your WoodRiver 4 1/2 blade:

• Start with diamond plates – Coarse 200-600 grit plates remove nicks and reestablish a bevel.
• Refine with 1000-4000 grit waterstones – Soak the stones to get a slick surface to polish on.
• Finish by stropping – Use leather loaded with honing compound to get a razor edge.
• Establish a 25 degree bevel – This common angle works well for a smoothing plane blade.
• Hone often – A quick tune-up whenever the edge dulls makes your plane sing.

Those steps will have you slicing gossamer shavings all day long. Remember to protect the delicate edge with a blade guard.

The Many Uses of the Versatile WoodRiver 4 1/2

This plane is extremely versatile – here are just some of the many uses woodworkers have found:

• Smoothing boards – Leaves a glassy finish ready for finishing
• Edge jointing – Flattening and truing up edges
• Trimming end grain – Great for miters, tenons, and fitting joints
• Beveling – Use skewed for angled smoothing such as chamfers
• Removal of saw marks – Quickly cleans up bandsaw and tablesaw marks
• Fine stock removal – Take thin graduated shavings for fast smoothing

It’s the ideal medium size – compact enough for all-around use but wide enough for rapid stock prep. This heirloom-quality tool will see constant use in your shop.

Caring for Your WoodRiver 4 1/2 Plane

Like any fine woodworking tool, some basic care will keep your plane working smoothly for decades:

• Clean the sole – Remove pitch and debris buildup with a solvent.
• Lubricate the adjusters – A drop of light oil keeps the vintage-style parts moving freely.
• Confirm blade bevel angle – Should be 25 degrees; reset on sharpening stones if needed.
• Check for edge nicks – Care for small ones with stropping; significant dings require re-honing.
• Wax the sole – Helps the plane glide across wood. Apply car or tool wax and buff.
• Loosen the lever cap – When not in use to prevent blade warp.

With periodic maintenance to keep all parts fit, this plane will deliver generations of use. The high-quality materials stand up to heavy use.

Yes, This Plane Glides Effortlessly on Difficult Grain

A frequent concern for woodworkers is dealing with tricky grain patterns like curly maple or quartersawn lumber. Good news – the WoodRiver 4 1/2 excels at taming unruly grain thanks to:

• Its slightly cambered blade to prevent blade tracks
• The corrugated sole which reduces surface suction
• Its heft, allowing you to apply firm downward pressure
• A tight mouth opening to sever fibers cleanly
• A highly polished back to reflect light into pores

You’ll delight in how smoothly it skims across burl, bird’s eye, and swirly grain. The 4 1/2 is a great choice for working exotics and heirloom woods.

A Superb Value Smoothing Plane for Under $150

Considering its outstanding construction, versatility, and ageless design, the WoodRiver 4 1/2 is an amazing value at around $140. You simply won’t find another new plane of this quality for less.

Here’s a look at what you get:

• A ductile iron body that dampens vibration
• A thick A2 tool steel blade to hold an edge
• Precisely machined mating surfaces
• A comfortable rosewood tote and knob
• Excellent quality control and tolerances
• Traditional adjustment mechanisms made to last

For woodworkers on a budget, it’s hugely rewarding to get these premium features and flawless performance at such an accessible price point. This is a plane you’ll reach for constantly.

Bottom Line: A Smoothing Plane You’ll Treasure for Life

In the world of woodworking tools, the WoodRiver 4 1/2 bench plane stands out as giving you every feature you need at a fair price. It will quickly become a go-to favorite in your shop.

The thoughtful design provides exceptional ease of use – this is one plane you’ll want to grab all the time. It leaves your projects with a stunningly glassy finish.

So if you’re searching for the ideal general purpose smoothing plane, look no further. The WoodRiver 4 1/2 hits the sweet spot. Its build quality and precision pairs with incredible value. Bring this timeless tool into your shop and enjoy a lifetime of woodworking mastery.