My 'Friday Afternoon' Clifton 5-1/2

[Benchwayze]

Just my luck.

My Clifton 5-1/2 arrived yesterday. Wow! Problem is, it won't 'cut straight out of the box'!

Not because it isn't sharp enough, but because the blade adjuster doesn't move the blade. There must be more backlash in the adjuster than in a modern 'run of the Mill' Stanley. The frog is about 1/8" back from the rear of the mouth and won't move forwards.

The lateral adjuster needs to be 1/2" to the right to get the blade square.
The Green enamel is a dull, mucky green more like khaki then 'British Racing Green'. It's packed in a lovely Blue Box though!

No, I haven't got the lever cap too tight, because I expected it to be so for transit, and I checked. No difference. The blade won't adjust and I better not fiddle with it. (I shouldn't have to really.)

I am sorely disappointed, and it's going back. So much for buying British.

Regards
John

 

[woodbloke]

Now that's got to be a big disappointment John. Out of interest, where did you get it from? - Rob

 

[OPJ]

John, even if you bought this second-hand (?), I think it's worth e-mailing Mick Hudson ([email protected]) before giving up on it. I don't own any Clifton planes myself but, both Alan and him have been more than happy to assist when I've had difficult fitting a Clifton iron to a Stanley plane, for example. :wink:

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks fellas,

Rob,

It is a bit of a 'bummer' of course. I see it as a fault in manufacture though, so I don't feel I can blame the distributor, who probably didn't even open the box. Thus it wouldn't be fair of me to divulge who it was. I shall see what I can do without damaging the plane, but it does specifically say in the manufacturer's letter that there is little or no backlash. This plane is full of backlash!

Olly,

It's a new plane, and to put it in context, the last brand new plane I bought was a 1980's Stanley No 5. I had that out of the box, honed and planing sweet as a nut, in less than 10 minutes. So, if I can't get any joy, I'll follow that link, and thanks for that of course.

regards

John

 

[Paul Chapman]

As Olly said, contact Mike Hudson - he'll make sure it's sorted out to your satisfaction. Clico's phone number is 0114 243 3007.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Chems]

You don't get that with an LN. Bet your gutted.

 

[Benchwayze]

You don't get that with an LN. Bet your gutted.

My Woodwork fund took a bashing too!

Thanks too PAul... I will keep posted..

:?
John

 

[jimi43]

That is such a shame John...but I hear tell their customer service is second to none.

I do hope their quality control is like the old days at Leyland...

In fact...I am quite shocked...not good...and not good especially if we intend to export anything!

Let us know how you get on...simply send it back with a report and copy Clifton in on the letter..

Jim

 

[Vann]

Hi John.

You had me worried. I rushed out to my workshop to check my Cliffie 4½, which arrived from CHT a few weeks ago.

The depth adjuster wheel has less than ¼ turn of backlash, and the lateral adjuster sits just slightly off-centre. Phew !!

The reason I haven't checked out the plane earlier is the cutting edge was fairly rough out of the box, and I haven't honed it yet. I started to flatten the back of the iron (the beautiful hand-forged O1 cutting iron 8) ) but it's got some fairly deep machining marks that go right down to the cutting edge, then I got interrupted, then I reassembled it to show a mate (sometimes you just have to gloat to a mate), then I got interrupted again.....

I'd send yours straight back if I were in your shoes.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Benchwayze]

Hi Jim, Vann,

Thanks for the replies.

The claim is that a Clifton plane will 'cut straight from the box'.

I wouldn't try to use any plane before I have at least eye-balled it, and honed a secondary bevel. However, I shouldn't have to 'fiddle' with a new jack-plane, costing over £200.00. Indeed I am a 'little upset'.

So, if I can't get this plane to adjust smoothly, I might well visit the 'City of Steel', and take the plane back! My car could do with a good run!

Finally, if the colour of the enamel is British Racing Green, I've never been to Donnington!

Regards and thanks everyone.

John

 

[matthewwh]

Hi John,

I've probably had more out of the box Clifton experiences than most, we open every single one before it goes out, clean it with corrosion inhibiting fluid, lightly hone the iron, wax the sole and sides, polish the brass and check for free and correct movement of everything that needs to move before they go off to the customer.

By the sound of things your cutting iron is not seating correctly, possibly because the frog is set too far back.

Take the iron out and slacken off the two outside screws on the back of the frog by two full turns. Tighten the centre screw to advance the frog, and reinstall the blade, try to give it a wiggle and you should feel it lock into place when the two precision ground surfaces meet.

You can tweak the mouth opening now by adjusting the centre screw, when you are happy with it, lock the frog by tightening up the outer screws again and install the end of the cap iron and the lever cap. The blade will now sit square to the mouth and all the adjusters will work correctly.

The dull mucky colour is a protective spray that they put on at the factory, I have asked them to start using metalguard ultra which doesn't turn mucky and make the brass go green but so far to no avail. Just wipe it over with a clean rag and it will all come off, as will the graphite that seeps out of the freshly machined casting.

Rub some plane wax into the sole, leave for a minute then buff up to a shine, wipe sharpen the iron on 15 and 5 micron lapping film and it's ready to go!

 

[Benchwayze]

Hi Matthew,

Thank you for your post.

I had typed out a full post on what I thought was wrong. I was going to see if I can get the frog to move before I posted, but yes, the frog is too far back, and exactly as you say, the blade assembly is being distorted due to the pressure of the lever-cap.

I'll give all of this a go and maybe I will get the plane performing well.
I just feel that if the 'out of the box' claim is worth anything, at the very least the frog should have been adjusted by the manufacturer.

If you don't mind, I will cut and paste your post to Word, so I can take it into the workshop for reference. In case I missed anything.

So thanks again. I do have one more plane to buy, so I might just be travelling down to see you, for a look at a Lie Nielsen!

Regards
John

 

[matthewwh]

Hi John,

Sorry we don't sell LN's, the Cliftons may not be 'retail ready' straight from the factory but I believe they are a better interpretation of the original design and significantly better made.

It wouldn't be worth all that extra effort if the result was an ordinary bench plane.

 

[jhwbigley]

I'd give Mike a ring, he will be happy to help.


The only american plane i own is a usa stanley no 7, none of that LN rubbish

JH

 

[Benchwayze]

Thanks again Matthew and JHW.

I do own a Lie Nielsen low angle plane and I haven't found it wanting so far. I tend to use it where I would otherwise use my old Stanley No. 4.

I chose the Clifton, as I didn't have a decent, heavy jack-plane - that and the fact it is British!

Anyhow, I'll take note of everything and Matthew; should I decide to go for another Clifton can I assume it's okay to pay you a visit?

Thanks again for everyone's comments.

John

 

[matthewwh]

Of course, let me know when you're coming and we'll have the kettle on for you.

 

[Benchwayze]

Of course, let me know when you're coming and we'll have the kettle on for you.

Great... No milk and one sweetener....
Thanks Matthew!

John :wink:

 

[Vann]

So, if I can't get this plane to adjust smoothly, I might well visit the 'City of Steel', and take the plane back!

Hey wow. Take your camera and post some pictures if you do !!

I'd like to come too, but it's a bit far...

Cheers, Vann

 

[Benchwayze]

I went to Clico about 20 years ago, with the 'Woodworkers Guild' (Or was it the 'Guild of Woodworkers'?)

Clico didn't make bench-planes then. As I recall they made just the shoulder plane. All in all, an interesting tour.

Also had a great meal in one of Sheffield's best hotels, courtesy of a certain chisel manufacturer! Great day out.


Re the Camera, will do; if it becomes necessary to go, providing I am still on good terms with the company... :shock:

John

 

[woodbloke]

John - you're making excuses now...get in your motor! :lol: :lol: We need pics of your day out - Rob