> I would say, go with the Stanley. The low angle adjustable throat plane is
> a great tool.

I have this model and it was the tool that I enjoyed using the most during the construction of my Guillemot Expedition Single. I highly recommend it.

I must offer two suggestions, however.

First -- the plane comes from the store _unsharpened_. It may feel, look, and appear to cut sharply. Do not be deceived. Read the sharpening instructions. Spend some of the budget for the plane itself on a sharpening jig, also from stanley, and use it. Basically, the plane iron comes shipped with a 30* angle on the blade, and the instructions say to hone it until it is at a 25* angle. This is a simple task with the sharpening jig.

Second -- Almost every _sharp_ tool beats almost every dull tool almost every time. Here is a link to the best plane iron sharpening method I have ever seen. I use it and would not think of bothering to use a tool that hasn't been sharpened. I adapted the method by appropriating my wife's marble pastry thingee (like a cutting board, but of marble) and adhered several successively finer grits right next to each other. _Very_ handy.

Good luck.

Ed Valley