Clifton Planes

Re: Clifton Planes

Brent Smith

>Hi Chris,

I tried out a Clifton a couple of years ago. It was a #4. Out of the box it wasn't as ready as a LN or a Veritas. I had to do a bit of work on the sole and quite a bit on the blade. The chip breaker didn't impress either. Once I had it tuned up it worked well. I've read that they have made some improvements since then, but,for the money, if I was you, I'd go with LN or Veritas.

Brent

Re: Clifton Planes

Derek

>There was a lot ot talk aboth the Clifton's a couple of years ago. They are mande in England and the exchange rates have made them much less cost-effective than they once were. People who have them seem to like them (I've never had one or even held one). Joel sells them on his web site. They are not cheap tools.

I think Clifton still uses grey cast-iron (if my memory is correct). In my personal opinion, spending that much for a new plane is too much for grey iron when LN and LV are using the (my opinion) much superior ductile iron - which is really tough and will likely survive a fall from the bench.

LN are really wonderful tools. They are expensive, but I feel they are worth it for people who love nice tools and can afford them. LV are also wonderful tools. They tend to have some innovations and are not generally as "traditional". I just got the LV BU jointer and the medium shoulder plane for Christmas - I plan to use them on some chairs I'm making, or should I say attempting to make :>).

This are obviously my opinions. I am not sure you will get a "consensus" on them though.

Re: Clifton Planes

JimG

>I have both a #4 and a #5, and I really like them both. Both were fine out of the box w/just a little sharpening. I do like the chipbreaker design. However, I bought mine several years ago when they were much less than LN. Now, I don't think they are worth what they're selling for. An LN or LV would be better dollars spent. In fact, my wife (who also got the cliftons) bought me the LN 60 1/2 block plane for Christmas. I haven't tried it yet, but the quality certainly shows.

jim

Re: Clifton Planes

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>The #7 is one of my favorites. I purchased most of my Cliftons from Woodcraft when they were closing them out. The price was certainly right.

I have to agree with others that as the price approaches the LN range I'd be tempted to invest in LN. My Cliftons generally required some tuning to satisfy me. A plus is that the Clifton blades have recieved a lot of positive comments here. Personally, I prefer the somewhat bold and 'retro' look of the Cliftons.

That said, I've become a convert to the LV bevel up planes. I like to use the LV's and look at the others. Go figure :>)!!

Search the archives...

Christopher Fitch@Memphis

>You will find a large amount of comments about Clifton...

Re: Clifton Planes

Tony Zaffuto

>Chris,

I bought a #3 a year or so ago from "The Best Things". Very good price--about 12% less than comparable L-N.

The sole was practically dead on (checked on a granite inspection plate). The iron took (and held) an edge and the chipbreaker fit like it should.

The planes are very attractive looking also--top notch fit and finish. The test of all planes is how they work, and my Clifton #3 works as well as any plane I have.

Re: Clifton Planes

Jerry Nicholson

>I got the #5 at one of the sell-outs a couple of years ago and it meets or exceeds all my expectations. I have acquired several Stanley #5s and a 605 since that time and haven't been able to get one of them to match the Clifton yet, even with a high quality blade (Veritas) and high quality chip breaker (Clifton and Hock). Of course that is probably due to my own ineptness. I am getting close with the 605 though.

Jerry

Re: Clifton Planes

Eric Kuehne

>Chris,

I scored (stealth gloat) an extra #7 that Chris Schwartz had in the classifieds for $165 or so. I can tell you it's a heck of a $165 plane. Actually, I think it's a heck of a plane anyway. I own several LN's and think the Clifton compares favorably with them. I have also acquired a taste for the green paint.

That being said if I were looking now I think I would try the LV BU version.

Good luck,

Eric