Planes
Wooden planes
The Emmerich company of Remscheid, whose brand name is E.C.E., and a company in Ulm, Ulmia, whose brand name is ULMIA, are both manufacturers of classic planes in the best tradition. Their products are highly prized in many countries for their quality.
For those who are unsure about their hammering technique for setting the shaving thickness, or those who simply prefer an easier life, the planes with fine adjustment offered by ECE are just the thing. If you do not do much planing, a plane with white beech sole is ample; heavy users should opt for the harder lignum vitae. The colour of this - greenish, sometimes greeny brown - makes it recognisable.
We are happy to offer a range of Japanese planes, at very reasonable prices for the beginner and top quality for the demands of the professional.
ECE introduced wooden planes for left-handers. They come as smoothing plane, German Jack plane, and Primus Reform smoothing plane.
Iron planes
In contrast to Continental Europe (except for Holland), where planes with wooden bodies are the great majority, almost the only planes to be seen in Britain and North America are made of cast iron. Being a trading nation with an eye to overseas, Holland took a liking to the English type in the 19th. century. It is heavier than a wooden plane, but at the same time tougher. There is no overall answer to the question of which is better.
Cabinet makers who have worked all their lives with wooden planes will refuse to use a metal one - and vice versa. One thing can, however, be said: the small metal one-handed planes, also known as block planes, are immensely versatile, well worthy of their good name, and without a real rival in wood: they really do fit into a trouser pocket, so that they can be a faithful companion in the workshop and on the building site.
Most metal planes have screw adjustment for the iron. A useful tip with these is to loosen the cap iron slightly first with the help of the cam lever or knurled-head screw, and only then use the fine adjuster. It should work easily and smoothly - never force it. Ignoring this advice will lead to a damaged and useless thread.
CLIFTON's cast iron planes come with a frog mechanism on the BEDROCK principle, which, due to having fully machined full-face bearing surfaces on both the frog itself and the seating pad in the body, again ensures absolute rigidity. The hand forged cutting iron is extra thick with the already wellknown two piece cap iron. This feature gives the cutting edge tremendous support close to the point of cut. A pleasure to hold, to see, to work with ... View!
Constructing your own plane
You can also make your own plane. James Krenov makes a version that is very suitable to imitate. The blades for it are produced by Ron Hock in California. These excellent irons are to be found on our Make-it-yourself page The plans are also there.
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