Clifton 400 Review By: I.Ball
Category: Old Bullnose Planes
Extra Info: What is a Bullnose Plane? Bullnose Plane Videos
Manufacturer: Clico [Sheffield] Tooling Ltd
Plane Type: Bullnose Shoulder
Model No: 400
This is a review of the Clifton plane number 400 produced by Clico [Sheffield]
Tooling Ltd of Fell Road Industrial Estate, Sheffield, England.
The Clifton 400 was manufactured by Clico until 2014 when the Clifton
range, including the Clifton 400 bull-nose plane, was taken over by the
British saw maker, Thomas Flinn & Co. who are also a Sheffield based
tool company. The Clifton 400 bull-nose shoulder plane is still available to
buy new today from various tool shops.
Please see the
new Clifton 400 plane review
for more information about
the 400 produced by Thomas Flinn & Co.
The Clifton 400 bullnose shoulder plane or small shoulder plane, is a small,
narrow rebate plane with a fine mouth.
The 3" long plane produces fine shavings with its fine mouth making
this plane suitable for precision work / cabinet makers.
The 400 is fitted with a 7/16" (11mm) bevel edge cutter (what kind of
steel). The bevel edge is positioned in the plane with the bevel facing
upwards with the cutting edge spanning the full width of the plane (as
with most/all bullnose planes).
The plane blade should be kept very sharp with the blade depth set to an
acceptable level. If the blade is too blunt or the blade depth is set to an
ambitious level then the likely outcome will be a juddering plane action or
the plane being completely halted due to the blade digging-in.
The Clifton 400 is a non-adjustable plane requiring the plane blade to be set
manually by hand; there is no form of fine blade adjustment.
The plane blade is secured in place with the use of a Rosewood wedge; the wedge
is slotted into the plane until the wedge and blade are fixed firmly in place.
The body of the 400 is a non-adjustable one piece plane constructed from quality
grey cast iron. The body is classed as non-adjustable as there are no adjustable
features to the body such as an adjustable mouth.
The sole and sides of the body have been accurately machined
and precision ground.
The sides of the plane have been given an attractive intricate design which includes the
'two cherries' motifs. The design of the sides also offer a little extra grip.
The plane was presented in a dark blue Clifton cardboard box with white writing
detailing the plane details.
The Clifton 400 shoulder plane is heavily based upon the early 20th century Edward Preston bullnose plane 1366 to the point they are almost identical in design, the Clifton 400 even incorporates the Edward Preston two cherries logo on the plane sides. The Clifton number 400 is also almost identical to the Record 1366 bullnose plane. Record took over the Edward Preston plane range in the early 1930's. Clico then took over some of the Record plane range including the Clifton 400.
Clico was originally started in 1983 when Clico (Sheffield) Tooling Limited was
formed after a Management buy-out from Record Ridgway Tools where they gained
rights to designs for Aerospace cutting tools including staff and machinery.
Clico went on four years later to begin a plane making department when they hired
the previous manager of the Record Plane Making Section. The first plane they
took on of the Record plane designs was the
Record 405 multiplane
which was used to create Clifton's version of the 405. From there Clico went
on to gradually increase their plane and tool range.
Body: grey cast iron
Wedge: rosewood
Plane finish: bright ground
Clifton 400 Plane Blade / Cutter
Material: High Quality Oil Hardened Tool Steel
Hardness: 59-61 Rockwell 'C'
Cutting Edge Grind (Primary): 25 degrees
Cutting Edge Grind (Secondary): 30 degrees
Width (bottom): 29mm (1 1/8 inch)
Top Of Blade Shape: Rounded corners
Clifton 400 Plane Markings
"Clifton 400" - found towards the bottom of both sides.
Length:
76mm (3 inch)
Width:
11mm (7/16 inch)
<1991 - 2014
Clifton 400 rebate plane
Clifton 400 rabbet plane
Clifton 400 shoulder rebate plane
Clifton 400 shoulder rabbet plane
Clifton 400 bull-nose shoulder rebate plane
Clifton 400 bull-nose shoulder rabbet plane
....
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