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-------- Original message --------
From: oldtools-request@r... 
Date:12/19/2014  10:00 AM  (GMT-07:00) 
To: oldtools@r... 
Cc:  
Subject: OldTools Digest, Vol 112, Issue 22 

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: He came and went (Dragon List)
   2. Birdcage awls-and then there were four (JAMES THOMPSON)
   3. Re: Birdcage awls-and then there were four (curt seeliger)
   4. Re: Birdcage awls-and then there were four (Frank Sronce)
   5. Galootaclaus was here (David Carradine)
   6. Galootaclaus was here (galoot@l...)
   7. Re: Birdcage awls-and then there were four (Michael Blair)
   8. Estate sale today (JAMES THOMPSON)
   9. Galootaclaus Delivery (Frank Sronce)
  10. Re: Estate sale today (Michael Blair)
  11. The price of procrastination, G'Claus edition (Tom Dugan)
  12. Re: Birdcage awls-and then there were four (John Holladay)
  13. Re: Birdcage awls-and then there were four (Ron Harper)
  14. GalootaClaus passed through Minnesota (Walt Cheever)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:26:27 -0800
From: Dragon List 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] He came and went
To: John Holladay 
Cc: Dwight Beebe ,	Old Tools
,	Phil Schempf

Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

yeah, he spun in here a on yestereve, bearing a package from rudy of the
gardens.

he's sitting on my sofa, petting the cat, drinking my best rye, waiting for
my package to go out.  i think he'll go through a bottle before
then...maybe two.  anyone dealt with a drunken galootaclause?


------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:40:01 -0800
From: JAMES THOMPSON 
Subject: [OldTools] Birdcage awls-and then there were four
To: oldtools List 
Message-ID: <0C6AECF8-F51B-4A9B-947B-91FC15A7EE28@m...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

Shortly after I made my copy of Scott Grandstaff�s perfect handle birdcage awl,
I found 3 more junk perfect handle screwdrivers for almost nothing, and bought
them for the purpose of making more awls.

I learned something while doing this. It is quite difficult to do the grinding
on a bench grinder. I used a cheapie Horror Fright disc grinder on the shaping
part while the screwdrivers were held fast in my vise. This makes the main part
of the grinding go a lot faster. Then I went to the bench grinder for the final
grinding. By the way, the flats on the blade are the reference surfaces to grind
the other 2 sides square. Adjust the tool rest to get a square grind while you
hold the flat on the tool rest.

Of course, the grinding process ruins the temper of the tool, so I had to re-
harden and temper each one.

Making the scales: I learned that a piece of white paper held on the handle and
rubbed with a dirty finger gives me a good pattern. I cut out the papers and
glued them to the wood for the scales. When dry, I cut the scales out on the
bandsaw. Then used my stationary disc sander to grind them to fit. They are
still flat at this point. Now I epoxy one in place, then drill the holes. Now I
epoxy the other one and drill the remaining holes in the other scale. It�s easy
to lose the hole location if you put both scales on at once.

Now to the vise to hold the tool while I rasp off what isn�t needed, then sand
and polish. The last thing I do is put in the cutlery rivets. See the picture:

https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/December182014?authu
ser=0&feat=directlink">https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/Decemb
er182014?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Of course I do not need 4 of these tools. I plan to use 3 of them for gifts,
provided I can find some people I like well enough to give them to. :>)




------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:55:02 -0800
From: curt seeliger 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Birdcage awls-and then there were four
To: JAMES THOMPSON 
Cc: oldtools List 
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I think the guess here Jim is that you didn't make enough awls for that.

On Thu, Dec 18, 2014 at 11:40 AM, JAMES THOMPSON  wrote:
> Shortly after I made my copy of Scott Grandstaff���s perfect handle birdcage
awl, I found 3 more junk perfect handle screwdrivers for almost nothing, and
bought them for the purpose of making more awls.
> ...
> https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/December182014?aut
huser=0&feat=directlink">https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/Dece
mber182014?authuser=0&feat=directlink
>
> Of course I do not need 4 of these tools. I plan to use 3 of them for gifts,
provided I can find some people I like well enough to give them to. :>)


------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:20:43 -0800
From: Frank Sronce 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Birdcage awls-and then there were four
To: oldtools List ,	JAMES THOMPSON

Message-ID:
<1418937643.99017.YahooMailBasic@w...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Jim,

Beautiful job.  Why don't you hang on to one until the next galootaclaus
exchange.  Who
knows, you might draw my name.  :-)

Frank Sronce (Fort Worth Armadillo Works)

--------------------------------------------
On Thu, 12/18/14, JAMES THOMPSON  wrote:

Subject: [OldTools] Birdcage awls-and then there were four
To: "oldtools List" 
Date: Thursday, December 18, 2014, 1:40 PM

Shortly after I made my copy of Scott
Grandstaff���s perfect handle birdcage awl, I found 3 more
junk perfect handle screwdrivers for almost nothing, and
bought them for the purpose of making more awls. 


------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 22:58:17 +0000
From: David Carradine 
Subject: [OldTools] Galootaclaus was here
To: porch 
Message-ID:


Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

The old fellow must have made his way down south (New Zealand that is) because
there was a parcel left on my doorstep yesterday and I could not help but notice
he helped himself to a couple bottles of my latest homebrew I have down in the
shop.  It looks like it came via California and if I had to guess I think he
would have been wearing shorts and jandals (flip flops) instead of his usual
cold weather garb.  Thanks again to the Wrangler for making this happen.  And
yes I will be waiting rather impatiently for the next week to open it.  That's
the plan anyway.

All the best to all Galoots and their families during this season!

Cheers,
Dave (Grasshopper) Carradine

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:04:07 -0500
From: galoot@l...
Subject: [OldTools] Galootaclaus was here
To: oldtools@r...
Message-ID: <20141218180407.gpcc8qkhyg40socg@w...>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=ISO-8859-1;	format="flowed"

He left a very heavy non-rattling box from California on my doorstep 
without ringing the bell, mine should go out tomorrow....

Esther



------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:26:08 -0800
From: Michael Blair 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Birdcage awls-and then there were four
To: oldtools@r...
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Them's some purty birdcage awls!

Last weekend I discovered I have two NOS Japanese birdcage awls.
They found their way to me in a group of sundry tools a couple
of years ago, and I hadn't thought much about them until I
needed one and gave them a second glance.

The handles are square at the steel bit, but quickly go to round.
Maybe 90% of the handle is 1/2 inch round, and long enough to make
you think of a lathe tool.

Why?  I wondered, and then remembered -- the handles are held between
your two hands and spun back and forth to drill the hole.

Mike in Sacto



------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:38:52 -0800
From: JAMES THOMPSON 
Subject: [OldTools] Estate sale today
To: oldtools List 
Message-ID: <8FB67CD6-143F-4546-9A31-4EA5CCB861D3@m...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Almost struck out at the only estate sale in town today, but then I saw a 10"
Dexter kitchen knife hiding in a mess of stuff. I pulled it out and saw that it
was quite salvageable. I bought it for a dollar.

When I got it home I went to my buffing wheel and polished all the staining off
the blade. It is now quite respectable. Polished the handle, and the job was
complete. I just sharpened it, and it is a wonderful knife.

I always wonder at the fact that nobody seems to be able to see the value in
stuff that is tarnished, but otherwise intact.

I have a couple dozen fine kitchen knives, and not one of them cost me over a
dollar. But then, I am willing to sweat a little to restore a knife (and some
other things), and I know how. That puts me ahead of most of the population. I
have close friends who see me as an idiot savant. They wouldn't be caught dead
trying to restore anything. They can just walk into a store and buy a new one. I
could do that too, but I can't see any fun in that.

------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:56:43 -0800
From: Frank Sronce 
Subject: [OldTools] Galootaclaus Delivery
To: oldtools@r...
Message-ID:
<1418954203.61522.YahooMailBasic@w...>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Galoots,

I received a package from galoot Bret Rochohtte this afternoon.  Naturally,
having strong willpower, I will not
open it until Christmas.  When I do, I will post pictures of the beautiful Keen
Kutter saw and Craftsman
chisel that might/may be in the box.

Merry Christmas Every One,

Frank Sronce (Fort Worth Armadillo Works)  AKA Xray Eyes


------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:02:17 -0800
From: Michael Blair 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Estate sale today
To: oldtools@r...
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed


> I have close friends who see me as an idiot savant. They wouldn't be 
> caught dead trying to restore
anything. They can just walk into a store and buy a new one.

Gads!  Have they no soul?  Where is the thrill of the hunt?

Mike in Sacto


------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 21:22:55 -0500
From: Tom Dugan 
Subject: [OldTools] The price of procrastination, G'Claus edition
To: OLDTOOLS 
Message-ID: 
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Exhibit A: G'Claus lit a fire under me when he delivered a parcel from Australia
a good week ago. I've been remiss in reporting, and extend my apologies to
Stuart, who's probably been waiting for some word. It arrived safe and sound. I
slit it open to, um, make sure everything was OK without peeking, and a tiny
koala bear clutching a boomerang leapt out to tell me to cut it out. I'm not
making this up.

Exhibit B: Despite my run-in with the koala, I didn't immediately get cracking
on getting a package out, headed about as far from MD in the CONUS as you can go
without running out of continent. Only today did Mr. G'Claus take the package
off my hands, giving me an icy glare for making him work hard this close to
Christmas.

Now to sit back and wait for last-minute confirmation that G.C. kept his word on
a pre-Christmas delivery, and to find out what that koala was talking about.

-T

     

------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:43:14 -0600
From: John Holladay 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Birdcage awls-and then there were four
To: James Thompson 
Cc: Old Tools 
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Ooh!  Ooh!  Pick me!  Pick me!

Just kidding (not really),  but they do look totally awesome.

Doc
On Dec 18, 2014 1:40 PM, "JAMES THOMPSON"  wrote:

> Shortly after I made my copy of Scott Grandstaff���s perfect handle birdcage
> awl, I found 3 more junk perfect handle screwdrivers for almost nothing,
> and bought them for the purpose of making more awls.
>
> I learned something while doing this. It is quite difficult to do the
> grinding on a bench grinder. I used a cheapie Horror Fright disc grinder on
> the shaping part while the screwdrivers were held fast in my vise. This
> makes the main part of the grinding go a lot faster. Then I went to the
> bench grinder for the final grinding. By the way, the flats on the blade
> are the reference surfaces to grind the other 2 sides square. Adjust the
> tool rest to get a square grind while you hold the flat on the tool rest.
>
> Of course, the grinding process ruins the temper of the tool, so I had to
> re-harden and temper each one.
>
> Making the scales: I learned that a piece of white paper held on the
> handle and rubbed with a dirty finger gives me a good pattern. I cut out
> the papers and glued them to the wood for the scales. When dry, I cut the
> scales out on the bandsaw. Then used my stationary disc sander to grind
> them to fit. They are still flat at this point. Now I epoxy one in place,
> then drill the holes. Now I epoxy the other one and drill the remaining
> holes in the other scale. It���s easy to lose the hole location if you put
> both scales on at once.
>
> Now to the vise to hold the tool while I rasp off what isn���t needed, then
> sand and polish. The last thing I do is put in the cutlery rivets. See the
> picture:
>
>
> https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/December182014?aut
huser=0&feat=directlink">https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/Dece
mber182014?authuser=0&feat=directlink
>
> Of course I do not need 4 of these tools. I plan to use 3 of them for
> gifts, provided I can find some people I like well enough to give them to.
> :>)
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://rucku
s.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archi
ve/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/">http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://rucku
s.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>


------------------------------

Message: 13
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 09:08:54 -0500
From: Ron Harper 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Birdcage awls-and then there were four
To: JAMES THOMPSON 
Cc: oldtools List 
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I am the very proud owner of a Thompson Bird cage awl.    It is indeed
something to covet. A wonderful tool.  It has a T handle and fits my big
mitts. Thanks again James. May the grain be with you.

On Thursday, December 18, 2014, JAMES THOMPSON  wrote:

> Shortly after I made my copy of Scott Grandstaff���s perfect handle birdcage
> awl, I found 3 more junk perfect handle screwdrivers for almost nothing,
> and bought them for the purpose of making more awls.
>
> I learned something while doing this. It is quite difficult to do the
> grinding on a bench grinder. I used a cheapie Horror Fright disc grinder on
> the shaping part while the screwdrivers were held fast in my vise. This
> makes the main part of the grinding go a lot faster. Then I went to the
> bench grinder for the final grinding. By the way, the flats on the blade
> are the reference surfaces to grind the other 2 sides square. Adjust the
> tool rest to get a square grind while you hold the flat on the tool rest.
>
> Of course, the grinding process ruins the temper of the tool, so I had to
> re-harden and temper each one.
>
> Making the scales: I learned that a piece of white paper held on the
> handle and rubbed with a dirty finger gives me a good pattern. I cut out
> the papers and glued them to the wood for the scales. When dry, I cut the
> scales out on the bandsaw. Then used my stationary disc sander to grind
> them to fit. They are still flat at this point. Now I epoxy one in place,
> then drill the holes. Now I epoxy the other one and drill the remaining
> holes in the other scale. It���s easy to lose the hole location if you put
> both scales on at once.
>
> Now to the vise to hold the tool while I rasp off what isn���t needed, then
> sand and polish. The last thing I do is put in the cutlery rivets. See the
> picture:
>
> December182014 | 102358420595488787966
> <https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/December182014?au
thuser=0&feat=directlink">https://picasaweb.google.com/102358420595488787966/Dec
ember182014?authuser=0&feat=directlink>
>
> Of course I do not need 4 of these tools. I plan to use 3 of them for
> gifts, provided I can find some people I like well enough to give them to.
> :>)
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://rucku
s.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archi
ve/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/">http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r... 
> http://rucku
s.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>


------------------------------

Message: 14
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 09:07:26 -0600
From: Walt Cheever 
Subject: [OldTools] GalootaClaus passed through Minnesota
To: old tools 
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Knock on the door--nobody there.

Just a very heavy Priority Mail box from Georgia.

Wood shavings scattered around.

GalootaClaus?

Walt Cheever


------------------------------