Clifton No 4-1/2 Heavy Smoothing Plane Reviews

4.5 Rating 2 Reviews

When it comes to dressing wide boards and panels to a standard that is ready to receive finish, look no further than the Clifton No 4½. This 10¾" long heavyweight smoothing plane is equipped with a full 2⅜" wide blade so you can cover a large area with fewer passes. With an authority of 5lbs 15oz (2.6 kg) the Clifton No. 4½ is the heaviest in its class. The mouth should be set very fine - closed right up to around ¼" or half a millimetre. This tight mouth setting, combined with the plane's mass, prevents the timber ahead of the cutting edge from lifting. As a result the surface left behind is shaved, (rather than being first torn and then shaved.) With a fine set and a sharp blade, the Clifton 4½ leaves an immaculate, almost polished surface, even in heavily figured timber. Now fitted with walnut handles Please note: Clifton no longer supply their planes with polished lever cap.

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“In short, a beautiful plane that arrives with a perfectly flat sole, square sides, a flat iron and good quality fittings, all you have to do is polish the back of the iron and hone the edge. The plane then works very well indeed and, for what I wanted it for, takes precise, thin shavings leaving a surface ready to finish. However, for what it cost and the "premier" plane tag, some of the aesthetic details were a bit disappointing and not expected at this price point. These are all cosmetic issues and do not affect its superb performance but really should not be occuring when you spend this sort of money. Firstly, the edges of the brass lever cap top were very rough and unfinished, it took two minutes to clean up and polish but Clifton should be doing thiis! Secondly, the "Y" lever was an extremely poor casting on my example, very rough and not at all like the Sheffield branded lever that Clifton (Flinn) show on their website. Cosmetic yes but disappointing. Lastly, the front knob on my example was absolutely gorgeous in both shape, colour and finish but the rear handle (tote) looked like something nicked from a cheapo Draper plane, totally mismatched to the knob, roughly shaped and with rough grain and rough edges. Very poor indeed! However, one of the many benefits of buying tools through Workshop Heaven is that they will stand by what they sell and quickly offered to replace the handle, thanks Molly! Despite the cosmetic disappointments, I would still buy another Clifton plane in a heartbeat though, they work so well!”

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Posted 1 month ago

“I have been a joiner and using planes all my life, now I have retired and making items by hand I reach for my Clifton 4 1/2 and enjoy once again the thrill of using a great hand tool to make a beautiful item in wood”

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Posted 9 years ago