Joel: Opinions on Clifton 4 1/2 & 5 1/2 planes?

Re: Joel: Opinions on Clifton 4 1/2 & 5 1/2 planes

joel

>I'm really the wrong guy to ask.

THe stuff from Clifton keeps getting better and better and naturally I want you to buy them.

THe planes are heavy, solid, and impressive. If you like a massive bit-o-iron they are great. THe mechanism is great, the handles are nice and in general I think Clifton makes a prettier plane than their competitors. THe balance is also pretty good - better than the old 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 (and heavier too). I use a Clifton #4 in the store here all the time and a Bedrock 604 at home all the time - both great planes - clifton being a little heavier, but I have both a bedrock 605 1/2 and a bedrock 604 1/2 and in 18 years never really used either.

(the CLifton #7 we use here in the store is a better #7 than I have ever seen by any maker - it's just a super sweet plane - but I'm kind of attached to my 607. )

I mill wood by hand so a small smoother is better than a big smoother. and the 4 is just perfect for me. The 4 1/2 will make a great shooting board plane - wider than a #4 and the accuracy is provided for by the shooting board. I don't have a shooting board in the store so I may use it for that. but at home I have a 51/52 so I never had the urge to use a 604 1/2"

The 5 1/2 may make a great panel plane like the English 16-17" panel planes and I might try that. I use a Norris panel plane almost daily so if I didn't have one the 5 1/2 would tempt me. But I don't have one for the store.

If you mill wood by machine a 4 1/2 might be a good size as a first smoother but I don't really know from first hand experience.

So bascially it boils down to they are both very welcome additions to the Clifton line-up, and for those who are eager for that size - they are here. And of course they perform as well as one would expect from a premium maker like Clifton.

Re: Joel: Opinions on Clifton 4 1/2 & 5 1/2 planes

glh

>I second you statement about the #7. About a month ago I go bought a #7 on ebay. The plane was practically new but someone had replaced the blade and chipbreak with Stanleys. I had a Clifton chipbreaker that I was using on a Stanley 7, so I only needed to purchase the blade. I was a little hesitant because it was around $70. I got the plane for somewhere around $140 or $150. I was planning on a LN 7 or 8, but thought I'd give Clifton a try.

The plane is outstanding. I haven't weigh it but it's close to what my 608 weighs. The sole is about as flat as you can get. I didn't do anything to blade because it came razor sharp. Great plane.

Re: Joel: Opinions on Clifton 4 1/2 & 5 1/2 planes

Rob in Kansas

>I have to agree with Joel on the Clifton #7. I bought one from him about 2 years ago and I really like it. I can set a very thin cut and it is a better smoother than my grandpa's Stanley Bailey #4. I also like the bubinga better than the cherry on LN. Now if I was able to get one of the real smoothers! And while were drooling, how 'bout a C&W smoother, Two Cherries carving tools...

Re: Joel: Opinions on Clifton 4 1/2 & 5 1/2 planes

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>Your comments on the #7 reflect my own experience. I didn't know a #3 from a #7 when I bought #s 3,4,5,6,& 7. Nothing like going whole hog. I sharpened the #7's blade and started using it....what the heck, bigger must be better, right? Amazing....I never knew what a plane could do until then. I've used it for jointing, flattening, and smoothing and it performs well beyond my ability to use it.

I've also used the #4 quite a bit now but have yet to take time to tune the others. I mentioned in another post that I smoothed the edge of some hard maple with the #4 & was astonished to see the reflection of my car in the wood when I sighted down the edge! That's why I wrote you and asked about the #4 1/2 (didn't know there was a #5 1/2). I mean, if a #4 can reflect my car, just think what a #4 1/2 might be capable of!! .....really need one of each those ;>)!