Clifton Concave Spokeshave Review By: I.Ball
Category: Spokeshaves
Extra Info: What is a Spokeshave? Spokeshave Videos
Manufacturer: Thomas Flinn & Co
Tool Type: Spokeshave
Model No: 550
The Clifton no. 550 spokeshave has a real look and feel of a quality old tool, an old treasure which has been plucked from 100 years ago and bought to modern times. This spokeshave will surely be passed down to many future generations to come.
This Clifton spokeshave review is of the Clifton Concave spokeshave,
number 550, manufactured by Thomas Flinn & Co, Sheffield, England.
The spokeshave had previously been made by a tool company called Clico
(Sheffield) Tooling Ltd until 2014
(see the old Clifton Concave Spokeshave Review)
when
Thomas Flinn and Co took on the Clifton tools part of the business.
The Thomas Flinn version of the spokeshave is made in almost identical
circumstances to the Clico version including being made by the same
skilled personnel:
"We will still be using the same great production staff to manufacture
the Clifton planes, so the knowledge and expertise will continue as
before".
The 254mm (10 inch) long Clifton concave spokeshave is constructed from malleable
iron and weighs a hefty 15oz.
The Clifton spokeshave is one of the heaviest spokeshaves of all of the iron spokeshaves
made by the main manufacturers in the past 100 years.
The spokeshave has also been designed to give the tool a good balance. The weight
and balance helps maintain an anchored connection between the mouth and workpiece
making the use of the tool easy to use.
The spokeshave has a concave mouth and is fitted with a 64mm (2 1/2 inch) diameter concave
cutter which is bed at a 45 degree angle.
The cutter is locked in place with the use of the lever cap. The lever cap has whispers
of a decorative design based upon the old Edward Preston spokeshave lever caps.
The spokeshave is classed as being a fully adjustable spokeshave due to the tool
being equipped with a blade fine adjustment mechanism.
The blade adjuster is controlled with a wheel nut which locates with a slot in the
top of the cutter. The depth of cut can easily and accurately be adjusted by turning
the adjuster wheel nut.
Note: ensure to loosen the lever cap before making adjustments to help avoid damage.
The chunky, curvy arms are raised and arched and finished with a polished finish
offering comfort and control.
The spokeshave can be used by pushing or pulling the tool, generally the tool is
used by pushing the tool. The spokeshave is usually used with the cutter set in
the bevel-down position and a good sharp edge.
The hollow sole / concave bottom is suited to rounding work such as on a shapely
chair or table leg, and suited to quickly round any nosing or edge. The shave allows
different parts of the sole to be used to form different degrees of convexity.
Examples of use given in the Clico tools catalogue include 'cabriole legs or blending
in curved surfaces made by machine - such as posts and stair rails'.
The Clifton 550 spokeshave is supplied in a brown cardboard box with the Clifton logo.
The Clifton concave spokeshave is also available in the
Clifton convex spokeshave no. 500 version.
* Important: please refer to the 'disclaimer' at the foot of this review.
* Wearing safety clothing and eye protection is usually a good idea to help protect against injury.
- This tool has sharp parts, take suitable precautions when using/handling/storing
the tool to prevent injury.
- Failure to loosen parts when making adjustments can result in damage
to the tool. Never force a part to move.
- Overtightening parts can cause damage to the tool.
Body:
malleable iron
Blade Adjusters:
steel
Spokeshave finish:
natural
Construction Origin:
Sheffield, England
Length:
254mm (10 inch)
Width:
64mm (2 1/2 inch)
Weight:
425g (15oz)
Curvature:
64mm (2 1/2 inch) (diameter)
Clifton Spokeshave - Concave Blade / Cutter
Cutter Width: 38mm (1 1/2 inch)
"Clifton" - found on the lever cap face.
"550 Clifton" - found on the underside of one arm.
"England" - found on the underside of the other arm.
2014 - current day
Clifton concave spoke shave
Clifton concave pull shave
Clifton concave shaving tool
....
Do you have a question/answer or something to share about this tool?
Please Contact Us
- Thomas Flinn & Co. - Sheffield, England
- Clico (Tooling) Ltd - Sheffield, England
(i) Please always refer to and follow the manufacturer's instructions / guidelines /
safety notices / cautions and similar notices as the manufacturer's instructions
may contain important information on safety, personal safety and the good health of your tool,
something to which this review's scope does not guarantee to extend to.
(ii) This review may give warning(s) / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines given
in good faith however any such information should not be solely relied upon and should not be seen
as the exhaustive list of warnings / advisory notes / cautions / guidelines.
Refer to disclaimer note (i) for information on safety, as well as the
good health of your tool.
In addition refer to good safety practices for the safety of you and others. Refer to good practices
for the good health of your tool and property.
(iii) The details here are given in good faith, there is scope for error and shouldn't
be fully relied upon, please be aware the details may also become out of date due to manufacturer
changes to the product, please confirm any details for yourself by performing additional
research from reliable sources.
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