Clifton Plane

[Gary]

Saw a link the other day to a company selling Clifton plane at list price and no VAT.

I cannot find the link or remember the company name, can any one help?

My will power is depleting and thinking of taking the plunge.

Should I or shouldn't I????????????

I could always buy an new blade for the Stanley.

Gary

 

[Paul Chapman]

Gary,

Buck & Ryan in Guildford have been selling Clifton planes without VAT for some time. Try them and see if they are still doing so.

If you get one you won't regret it.

Paul

 

[Anonymous]

Stanley with new blade and even new chip breaker (CLifton) is no match for a Clifton.

I speak from experience here as I have spent a lot of money on Hock blades and new chip breakers as well as many hours 'fettling' only to find the CLifton far superior straight from the box :?

Go for it, you won't regret it

 

[Gary]

Thanks Paul thats the one. emailed them so see want comes up.

Tony thought about going that route with new chipbreakers and blades. Even to the point of rosewood handles. Another £60-00 per plane and you're telling me it still won't really do as I want :roll:

Think I'll get saving and go the other route.

Gary.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Gary,

I also tried the upgrading route by fitting Clifton blades and cap irons to my Records but eventually bought a Clifton no. 7 and no. 4.5. The difference was so significant that I wished I'd bought the Cliftons in the first place and not bothered with trying to make my Records better.

Paul

 

[Gary]

I think I could have the answer then.

Just to throw a spanner in the works. :twisted: How do Clifton compare to Lie Nielsons.

Probably being stupid :!: Worth the extra cash :?:

 

[Paul Chapman]

Gary,

You might as well ask "Should I buy a Rolls Royce or a Bentley?" :?

The three top plane makes seem to be Clifton, Lie Nielson and Veritas. They are all superb and the differences come down to personal preferences and what sort of plane you want (Lie Nielson and Veritas make a wider range than Clifton).

My own preference is for Clifton but others will say Lie Nielson or Veritas. In any event, you will probably get the same results with all three makes.

Paul

 

[Alf]

The most obvious difference is the Cliftons aren't ductile iron.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Anonymous]

I think I could have the answer then.

Just to throw a spanner in the works. :twisted: How do Clifton compare to Lie Nielsons.

Probably being stupid :!: Worth the extra cash :?:

Well....

I prefer the LNs as they are definitely better quality in the manufacture and as Alf said, materials too (bronze and ductile iron)

However, i found little discernable difference in performance and it comes down to personal preference.

I prefer the higher quality engineering and finish (I am an engineer) of the LNs and also the style/look. So, in my opinion, and for me, yes, LNs worth the extra cash.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Gary,

John Bullar wrote a good independent review of the Veritas, Clifton and Lie Nielsen bench planes which was published in Furniture and Cabinetmaking. A copy is on his website at http://www.individualfurniture.com/maker/Planes.htm

You might find this helpful in reaching a decision.

Paul

 

[MattMoore]

I too have been faced with his same dilemma, and so far havent come to a conclusion.
After going to Ally Pally last weekend, and being able to try out a clifton, I must say that it is a very well made and very well executed plane.
The thing that I think let it down was some of the minor details, such as the brass fixing nut on the front handle was 2 or 3 mm proud of the knob.
The finish on some of the handles wasnt entirely consistent either.
Although this doesnt effect the plane in use, personally it takes away a very minor amount of appeal.
However I havent taken to A2 blades at all, and much prefer my HCS blades, which is a big plus point for the clifton!!
I havent bought either yet, and the more I reads the harder that decision will get, either way I know i will get a fatastic plane though.
Cheers,
all the more confused Matt

 

[George_N]

The link to IndividualFurniture.com seems to be down at the monent.

George

 

[Bean]

Well I like Cliftons I only have the one a No5 but I have just bought a Veritas, Why? Well as said earlier Clifton do not have a huge range, but they are quality planes. The one I wanted/needed was not part of the Clifton range (shame).

The question of materials used in the manufacture is an interesting one, and wether they add to the tool is a questionable one, I like Tony am an engineer, and for me the proof of the material is in the use, does a LN plane better as it has a bronze cap.........tenuous i think, it may look better, which is what some people mean, and as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, its a very personal thing.
If you are a collector then you want your collection to look pretty and shiny, if you are a user you want the tool to perform, and it will do that if it has been polished or not.

It is a very personal thing, firstly you must decide wether the tool will do the job you want it too, then you must decide wether it will fit you, I have never liked the veritas rear totes with the upper strap as they do not fit my hand. My new veritas does not have that strap and does fit, I feel at one with it when I am using it and I think that is the most important part of the tool. LN's nice planes to use do not feel very comfortable in my hand, I do not know why.

Basically try all 3 and see what feels the best, because if a hand tool does not feel good in your hand then you will not be able to use it to your best. Also don't get put off by the shiny bits or the lack of them.

Bean