4 or 4 1/2?

[woodiedonald]

just wondering what is peoples opinion on best smoothing plane size for general cabinetmaking? I want to upgrade on an old record no4 but am wondering what difference the extra size of a 4 1/2 would make.

many of the manufacturers seem to reccomend the more expensive 4 1/2 but im not so sure as they may well only want to fill their pockets. Would i be better off staying with the one blade size as i have a 5 1/2 clifton already and also 5 1/2 and 7 records.

Cheers
Donald

 

[undergroundhunter]

I think it all down to personal preference. I prefer my 4 to my 4 1/2, I find the 4 1/2 a bit clumsy. I would suggest you try both before committing to a purchase.

Matt

 

[paulm]

Just been using a Clifton 41/2 to plane down the back of a large piece of timber being used for a clock, the 51/2 would have been a bit big and heavy, the 41/2 seemed comfortable at the job and had enough weight and mass for the area being worked on and the amount of timber being removed.

I don't have a 4, next size down in the workshop is a 3, so I can't be sure, but suspect a 4 would have been a bit light and small for that particular job.

Having said that any of them would do the work I guess ultimately and you could make do with just one plane I guess :shock: :lol:

You probably need to try some out and see what you think feels right for you and the work you are likely to put it to ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[custard]

Would i be better off staying with the one blade size as i have a 5 1/2 clifton already and also 5 1/2 and 7 records.

Cheers
Donald

Hello Donald, personally I think there's a lot to be said for sticking with one blade size as it gives you some interesting options.

You can have different irons ground for different jobs, like a more aggressive camber for rough work or a back bevel for difficult grain. Alternatively you can keep them with the same style grind and swap them out as they become dull, unless you've got a dedicated sharpening station it's a lot more efficient to sharpen up two or three irons together.

 

[Kalimna]

As others have said, its a bit of a personal thing. I find a size 4 a bit diddly, and not very comfortable in my hands. A 4.5 is better, but feels too short (daft, I know!). I tend to use a 5.5 for most things, and go to a 6 or 7 when either a) the blade gets a bit blunt, or b) I feel like a change. Nothing very scientific or traditional, but it works for me.
I can't imagine you *need* to upgrade to a 4.5, but if you have cash burning a hole, why don't you go for something outside the standa bench plane range - a scraper plane for instance?

Adam

 

[Paul Chapman]

I have the Clifton #4 1/2; #4 and #3. My preference would be a #4 or #3. The Clifton #3 is a particularly good plane - I've used it a lot more than I thought I would.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[Dangermouse]

All depends on what you want to do with it, horses for courses.

 

[Vann]

As others have suggested: it's really up to what suits you best. I use a No.3 for fine smoothing & and a No.4 (actually a damaged No.04ss) for general work. I have a No. 4½ Clifton, but I don't get on with it that well - maybe it will come into it's own on some panel work.

While a common iron width has some advantages, I wouldn't weight it very high in the decision (if I'd done that I wouldn't have experienced the pleasure of my No.3 - the only other plane with that size iron is a Stanley No.5¼, and I have never even seen one of them).

So if you can, find somewhere to try all three sizes of smoother before you choose. HTH.

Cheers, Vann.