Clifton 450 Multi-Plane

[Sawyer]

Recently, during one of the not-so-frequent bench appearances of my Record 050c combination plane (quicker than setting up a router for one groove a foot long), I was musing about the, no doubt gorgeous Clifton and its eye watering price tag.
Do Clifton ever sell any? Do any forum members own one, and if so what they like?

 

[Smithy]

Hi I have frequently asked the same question and await the response to your question with interest. In the meantime I will content myself with dreaming and a quick look in the Axminster catalogue from time to time.

Mike

 

[Paul Chapman]

Do any forum members own one, and if so what they like?

I don't have a Clifton Multiplane but I have a Stanley #45 and a Record #405 which are almost identical. They work very well. They are heavier than combination planes like the Record #050C, which I find helps them to work better.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Fat ferret]

Do any forum members own one, and if so what they like?

I don't have a Clifton Multiplane but I have a Stanley #45 and a Record #405 which are almost identical. They work very well. They are heavier than combination planes like the Record #050C, which I find helps them to work better.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Things you think about late at night :twisted: .

Don't have one but when you consider that the Stanley and Record equivilents can be had for well under £100 I can't think why anybody would want to pay that for the Clifton.

 

[Alf]

Well someone does. I've only seen one in a case, but the finish struck me as a little rough and I just couldn't see the advantage of owning one over a Record or Stanley (both of which I do own). I mean even the most shiny and complete #45 or #405 won't even cost a half of the Cliffie, and it's not like they're hard to come by in that condition.

It's decisions like not buying the Clifton, or - at the other extreme of the scale - the Anant, that comfort me in my delusion that I'm not actually quite a hopeless combination case yet.

 

[dedee]

I too have a 405, my grandfathers which makes it kinda special. Although it can be a PITA to set up correctly, once set and working it is a delight to use

Andy

 

[Dingdong226]

I'm from Australia and just managed to get my hands on what appears to be a mint 450 on the other side of the country for 380$ will post further details once it arrives!

 

[AndyT]

There is a Clifton 450 on eBay now, which has been there since at least September last year. It's unused and complete and has a buy-it-now price of £395, but no takers.

I guess everyone else is coming to the same conclusion - why buy new and dear when you can buy old and cheap?

Especially as the prices realised for complete Record 405s seem to have taken a dive. Looking back at a few that I noticed over the last few months, I see prices of £29.67; £42; £42 and £32. I paid quite a lot more than that for my one, and still think I got very good value!

 

[Webby]

deedee
just love the look of your "vice" what make is it and is it called any thing different from a "vice"

does any one know can you get it in the uk

sorry for all questions

Dave :O)

 

[Harbo]

It's a Zyliss - no longer made I think but sometimes come up on the Bay?
I've got my fathers who bought it in the 60's?

Rod

 

[RogerP]

It's a Zyliss - no longer made I think but sometimes come up on the Bay?
I've got my fathers who bought it in the 60's?
Rod

They were marketed under several brands, Bosch, Gripmaster, apart from the colour of the plastic parts they are all the same.

There was a thread about them on this forum last year

 

[bugbear]

Well someone does. I've only seen one in a case, but the finish struck me as a little rough and I just couldn't see the advantage of owning one over a Record or Stanley (both of which I do own). I mean even the most shiny and complete #45 or #405 won't even cost a half of the Cliffie, and it's not like they're hard to come by in that condition.

The Clifton appears roughly finished in the cast parts, but the blades looked thicker than the Record/Stanley equivalents, and were well finished.

BugBear (content with his boxed #405)

 

[Dangermouse]

Like most of the others here, I think the Clifton is over priced and for the money not very well finished off. I use a lovely old Record 405 in mint condition, complete with all its blades, hollow rounds base's all the kit. Its a joy to use and cost me £70.00. No contest I think.

 

[Vann]

The Clifton appears roughly finished in the cast parts...

Do I recall reading that Clifton changed foundrys for their bench planes because they weren't happy with the castings?

Maybe the 450 rough castings date from that era? I'd guess that turnover of these VERY expensive planes would be slow - maybe they're still working with first batch castings.

I'll never afford one (and if I did I'd probably never get around to using it :roll: )

At the other end of the scale, I've been using my little 043 (calm down Alf) for grooving boxes for sliding lids (for storing my... err.. multitude of planes ). A bit rough at first, but I'm getting passable results now. I've got an unused (my me that is) Stanley 45 that I'll have to try one day...

Cheers, Vann.

 

[aesmith]

Do any forum members own one, and if so what they like?

I used one in a class (very trusting instructor, letting us use his tools) and I can't really remember any difference from his Stanley 45 that we also used.

 

[Andrewf]

I also have a record, which I suspect was my greatgrandfather's. Which along with all the other woodwork tools will get passed to my daughter.