Find a link to New Versions of these planes at the bottom of this page also Standard and Special Cutter Profiles.
The Record No.405 Combination Plane or Multi Plane with
short arms fitted, viewing the left side.
The plane with short arms fitted, viewing the right side.
And in it's Original Fitted Finger Jointed Box.
Click here for Cutters, Nosing Tool and Hollows and Rounds.
Here are the reasons why a craftsman should possess one
according to the book
Planecraft, Hand Planing by Modern Methods produced and
published by the Record company,
C & J Hampton Ltd. (First published 1934)
Quote-
The craftsman in wood may ask himself "Why should
I possess a Multi-Plane?"
The answer to this may be considered under various headings:
(i) The Multi-Plane is capable of a wide range of operations -
(a) It replaces numerous Beading Tools. It can bead on the edge in seven sizes from 1/8 in. to ½ in., and can centre bead equally well in the same sizes
in the width of a board up to 5” from the edge, or further when fitted with longer arms.
Extra beading cutters and Reeding cutters (with 2 to 5 beads) may be obtained.(b) It is a most efficient plough. Eleven plough cutters (1/8 in. to13/16 in.) are provided in the standard equipment.
(c) It can be equally well used for cutting a dado (or housing) across the grain, using the cutters as for ploughing.
(d) It replaces two pairs of matching planes, cutters being provided for ¼ in. and 3/16 in. matching (tongues and grooves).
(e) It is a first class rabbet and filletster plane.
(f) It is a sash plane, capable of producing easily and accurately sash mouldings of various sections.
(g) Used as a slitting plane, it will cut off, accurately, strips of wood more quickly than ripping with a saw.
(h) Used with the special bases and cutters, it will work hollows and rounds, and nosings as for stair treads, etc.
(ii) Using special cutters it will stick ovolos without the use of an extra base.
(iii) The initial outlay on the Multi-Plane is considerably less than the amount expended on an assortment of planes covering the same range of work.
(iv) The amount of storage space taken up by the Multi-Plane is almost negligible. Compare the space taken up by plough, several beaders, matching planes, filletsters etc.
(v) In common with all metal planes, it possesses a freedom from any possibility of warp or twist, and the amount of wear, even after years of service, is almost imperceptible.
(vi) It possesses fine adjustments for cutters, stops, fence, of easy manipulation and positive action.
(vii) It has the great advantage that once having got the "feel" of the tool, you can perform any or all of the operations without having to learn the "feel" of numerous differing tools.
(viii) It is very portable, easily carried to any job where a variety of operations may be needed.
Well, after reading all that you will probably want to rush out and buy one.
Combination Planes like the 405 are still
being produced today in limited numbers by Clifton
and can be purchased new for around £763.85 from The
Turner's Retreat and Thomas
Flinn & Co.
Updated 13th Mar. 2011 (It looks like
Classic Hand Tools has dropped the Clifton Multi
Plane, probably due to
it's high cost. The page is no longer available on their site.)