Record planes by type

Record Multi Plane No. 405

The Record 405 multi-plane is the most versatile hand plane of all the Record planes produced, capable of carrying out many jobs required in cabinet making and joinery:

Plough
Dado
Tongue and groove
Bead
Centre bead
Rabbet and fillester
Slitting
Match planing
Sash planing

The Record 405, approximately 11" (27.9cm) in length, weighing about 4.54kg (10lb) came with 23 cutters as standard. Later models came with a blue plastic walleted set of cutters which had two additional ovolo cutters (1/4" and 3/8") as standard.

Earlier models of the plane were fitted with Rosewood handle and knob. The handle and knobs on later models were advertised as 'selected hardwood'; these were usually dark stained beech. This plane was nearly always presented in a wooden, varnished, hinged lid box. There was a short period when this plane was presented in a Record blue cardboard box. The late models of this plane were sold in a dark stained wooden, varnished, hinged lid box.

The 405 will also cut a variety of mouldings etc. with a combination of cuts and in with the use of the additional special bases. The additional Record 405 bases included four 'hollow and round' bases:

No. 6: 1/2" (13mm) blade, 3/4" (19mm) circle cut
No. 8: 5/8" (16mm) blade, 1" (25mm) circle cut
No. 10: 3/4" (19mm) blade, 1 1/4" (32mm) circle cut
No. 12: 1" (25mm) blade, 1 1/2" (38mm) circle cut

Each hollow and round set comprised of one hollow, one round and two blades. The hollow and its cutter will form a round. A round and its cutter will form a hollow.

There was also a 405 'nosing tool' base and cutter for forming a round e.g. shaping the edges of stair treads:

No. 5: 43mm blade, 1 1/4" (32mm) circle cut

Customers who owned a Record 405 had the option of buying additional blades:

Sash cutter - 1 1/2"
Fluting cutters - 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4"
Beading cutters - 5/8", 3/4"
Ovolo cutters - 1/4", 5/16", 3/8"
Reeding cutters (2 beads) - 1/8", 3/16", 1/4"
Reeding cutters (3 beads) - 1/8", 3/16", 1/4"
Reeding cutters (4 beads) - 1/8", 3/16", 1/4"
Reeding cutters (5 beads) - 1/8", 3/16", 1/4"

Purely judging by the number of secondhand Record 405 planes which appear today, it would be safe to assume this was a very popular plane. It is obvious why, with such a range of planing techniques wrapped within one tool. It was also probably partly due to the lack of competition.

That I am aware of there are two ranges of this style of plane today, they are the Clifton multi plane and the Anant multi plane. The Clifton 450 multi plane is made in Sheffield, England by the tooling company 'Clico'. This Clifton plane retails at about £700 + VAT (approx. £840). The Anant A45 multi plane is made in Punjab, India by the tool company 'Anant Tools'. The A45 multi plane retails at around £200.

Plane Use

The Record 405 is used for ploughing, tonguing and grooving, dadoing, beading, centre beading, rabbeting and fillestering, slitting, sash planing, and match planing.

The additional bases offer hollow and rounding, and nosing. The additional 405 cutters offer fluting, reeding, and ovolo cuts.

Plane Construction

Body:
high grade cast iron

Cutters:
tungsten steel

Knob (earlier models): rosewood
Knob (later models): selected hardwoods

Plane finish: plated

Manufactured Dates

1933-1982

Further Info

Record Tool catalogues, No's: 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Record Planecraft books: 1950, 1953, 1954, 1959

There are also numerous retailer tool catalogues of their time which listed this plane for sale with picture/drawing and snippets of information. We have found it quite facinating looking at some of these and viewing the other tools of the time.

Where Can I Buy This Tool Secondhand?

This model of plane can be purchased from the following woodworking tool retailers, subject to availability.

Price: £60 - £150

Shops which sell similar planes

OldTools.co.uk

* The price shown is a typical price. The price may vary between retailers. The price may vary between planes. Some planes may command higher prices due to condition, type, age, variations.

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