Clifton Planes - Niiiiice!!!

[markturner]

Hi all, I just got myself a little present, an anniversary version number 5.5 from Clifton. (Great service from Workshop Heaven BTW!) What a beauty !!! I must admit, I had not really given them much attention before, but it is truly a thing of beauty, massively heavy, lovely machining, the blade is hugely thick and razor sharp. I love it!!!! And it planes sublimely, I can't wait to get to know it in depth...

This does not however bode well for the credit card.....

Cheers, Mark

 

[Muina]

I thought my rubbish modern Record was brilliant until I got my Quangsheng, that absolutely blew me away! So I can't even begin to imagine how good a Clifton performs.

You'll have to post more when you've really got your hands into it

Anthony

 

[jimi43]

You know the rules by now Mark...it doesn't exist until we see photographic evidence of it shaving....we take no excuses! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :wink:

Jimi

 

[markturner]

OK Jimi, here you are:

The shavings shot:

With it's best mate the Calvert Stevens CS88:

On its own:

And with the rest of the family:

Cheers, Mark

 

[jimi43]

Ok Mark...I'll let you off! :mrgreen:

Are you SURE you aren't a "collector"! :wink:

I like the little Norris in the middle...and there seems to be an inoridinate amount of Hocks knocking about in that line-up!

Very nice little Anniversary edition....I wish you well with it. =D> =D>

Jim

 

[markturner]

Thanks Jim, I am lucky to be able to afford to indulge myself, I know, but I work hard and also the wife does not mind so much, as its much cheaper than my other hobbies, so she is almost actively encouraging me.... :lol: There are some high value ones in there, but more than half are secondhand picked up cheap on E bay and restored. The Hocks are a luxury I know. trouble is, sites like ClassichandTools etc make it so easy..... :wink:

now I just need to start putting them to the use intended for them, ( not that I haven't already ) I need some ideas for my next project....


Cheers, Mark

 

[jimi43]

I use mine for making planes! :mrgreen:

Jim

 

[Benchwayze]

I need some ideas for my next project....


Cheers, Mark

A plane cabinet? :lol:

John

 

[Sawyer]

What a beauty !!!

Hear, hear!

I bit the bullet last year and bought a no. 7. It is so good that I concluded that I needed a 4. 1/2 as well.

Mind you, cheaper planes, if sharp and well-fettled can be pretty good too. My trusty 25 year old jack and smoother by Footprint can't measure up to my latest Cliftons for sheer class, but for functionality, they are by no means disgraced and still get plenty of use.

Shame Clifton don't make block planes, as I'm after another one. Still, I've always fancied adding something by Lie-Nielson to the tool cupboard...

 

[Benchwayze]

What a beauty !!!

Hear, hear!



I bit the bullet last year and bought a no. 7. It is so good that I concluded that I needed a 4. 1/2 as well.

Mind you, cheaper planes, if sharp and well-fettled can be pretty good too. My trusty 25 year old jack and smoother by Footprint can't measure up to my latest Cliftons for sheer class, but for functionality, they are by no means disgraced and still get plenty of use.

Shame Clifton don't make block planes, as I'm after another one. Still, I've always fancied adding something by Lie-Nielson to the tool cupboard...

Sawyer,

I recommend their Rebate/block plane. When I thought I was giving up, I sold mine. I wish I hadn't and now I am looking at a new one.

I don my tin-hat here and say I prefer Lie Nielsen planes to Clifton.
True Brit though I be.

(Yes I do have a Clifton and it works fine. I just can't get on with the handle. However, I won't butcher or change it, because knowing me I would lose the original.)
John

 

[Sawyer]

I recommend their Rebate/block plane. When I thought I was giving up, I sold mine. I wish I hadn't and now I am looking at a new one.

I don my tin-hat here and say I prefer Lie Nielsen planes to Clifton.
True Brit though I be.

Never actually tried out an LN plane, but it was a near thing: never heard a bad word about them and they look gorgeous. I was also very tempted by option of York and Common Pitch frogs (hope someone at Clico is reading!). For the no. 7, Clifton won the day on price and the 'made in Sheffield' bit. Having experienced its brilliant performance too, I bought the 4 1/2 with confidence and have not been disappointed.


Thanks for the recommendation, John. Top end of the block plane market seems to be a straight fight between LN and Veritas. Mind you, what about the middle range contenders, Dakota/Quansheng, and the new Stanley?

Doubtless the Veritas ones are fantastic, but very expensive and style wise, I tend to prefer traditional to space age. So currently LN are ahead in the race for my money. Interested to know what others think though...

 

[Vann]

Shame Clifton don't make block planes, as I'm after another one.

What! You mean like this....

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Benchwayze]

I tried a Veritas No. 6. (I think it was a No. 6) A fine plane, but again, I couldn't get used to the handle.

As for the lesser priced 'improvements' Like Quansheng and the new Stanley models, I can't comment as I haven't tried them.
I just prefer to pay the extra 'munnie' and know I shall be getting what I want; or a no-quibble refund. (Not that I expect to have to go to that extent.)

I appreciate, I can justify saving my spare 'jingle', to allow me these luxuries, so I would never sneer at a cheaper tools. If they do the job, at a price you can afford that's all that is asked.

And it is quite true that with a bit of work, some of the Records and Stanleys perform extremely well. After all, we had few other options before LN, Clifton and Veritas came along.

John

 

[woodbloke]

Shame Clifton don't make block planes, as I'm after another one.

What! You mean like this....



Cheers, Vann.

You won't get hold of that one 'cos Paul C has had it 'baggsied' for years! :lol: :lol: - Rob

 

[markturner]

I think that for the money, they are truly excellent value. The construction is incredibly solid, I love the thickness of the castings for the sole and the blade. It just feels so good in the hand, after all, its all about the weight in a plane, isn't it. I am keen to buy another, trouble is, I have all the sizes covered now. perhaps I could justify a small one like a number 3. My existing number 3 is a very nice little Type 16 American Bailey. However, I have no more room in my plane drawer on the workbench.... maybe that's a sign to stop?

Cheers, Mark