Yesterday I ran across some tools in a most unlikely place.   A place I stopped
in only as an afterthought.  So in honor of our dear departed friend the Old
Millrat I will regale on my adventure in the most drawn out detailed way
possible.  Jim really liked a tool find story, and especially appreciated when
the teller would divulge what was paid for the haul.  So Jim, this is for you:


It was a dark and stormy night - no wait, wrong story.  It was an overcast and
dreary day.  I had needed to make a trip of maybe 10 miles west to stop in at a
large antique mall where I recently contracted to rent a small quantity of
square footage for a reasonable sum of money on a monthly basis.  I had a few
things to drop off to try to sell.  You see I am getting up in years and have an
excessive accumulation of everything imaginable a single guy might collect in 70
years of living.  Tools, Kitchen stuff, and assorted other things that might
some day be of use - Yea sure you betcha (Minnesota phrase).

After planting the stuff in my booth I shopped around a bit as I am frequently
wont to do.  But my heart just wasn’t in it. I was tired and needed to be
somewhere else not too late in the day, and the couple of booths I usually check
didn’t have anything of interest.  Yea I know, drop off stuff to sell and then
look around for more to buy.  I’ll bet some of you totally get that.  And I
remembered that I wanted to stop at a just opened place 100 yards down the hill.

You see, the same folks that own the antique mall, and the truck stop way down
the hill had recently demolished an old horse show barn - a really old
dilapidated barn - hadn’t been horse shows there in at least 15 years.  In its
place they put down a big concrete slab and erected a tin shelled building with
garage and other doors.  Eventually a sign announced that there was going to be
a furniture consignment store opened in the building.  Also a local auction
place was going to lease the far end of the building.  Well today when driving
up, the sign that had said "Opening Soon" said "Now Open”.  Well the last thing
I need, and something I have no room for is used furniture.  But, the fellow who
was given the position of running the place is someone I have known casually in
the local antique outlet market for some years.  I figured I should at least
stop over and see what the place looked like.

Well the fellow was there so we chatted briefly and he told me a bit about how
they operate.  He is able to take consignments, mostly of furniture, but even of
whole households.  Lots of mid century modern, and not very expensive, so maybe
appropriate for folks just starting out furnishing a home who wanted real
furniture and not modern termite barf dreck.  With access to the antique mall
100 yards one way and the auction house in the same building he could manage to
dispose of almost anything.

He has come to know over the years that I am into old hand tools. So he
mentioned that over against some shelves on the far wall was a couple of tool
“wall hangings” that had come from the estate of a fellow who’s family arranged
to have him empty the house.  He said there was a really interesting hammer on
one of them.  So while walking around looking at stuff I found and examined
these wall hangings.  Yup - just what he described.  A mash up of tools fastened
to red burlap material over a plywood backing with some black boards around the
perimeter making a shallow shadow box.   To the deceased gentleman’s credit he
had not run screws or fasteners through the tools in any way.  They were
fastened with copper wires around the tools, through holes in the back where
they were then just twisted together.  As I said, two of these shadow boxes.

Well there were a couple of things of possible interest like that unusual hammer
that had bene mentioned and what look like a decent back saw on the smaller of
the two panels.  So I dug out the pocket flashlight, old eyes you know, to take
a closer look.  Well close examination of the back saw revealed it was a Disston
and Son’s steel backed saw.  That logo was an arch on the back.  Had a nice
looking older style handle and the back ran into the handle top like older good
saws do.  Of course that meant I had to take a closer look at everything.  In
addition to the saw there was a metal multi-plane and a box with at least some
of the blades for the plane.  I couldn’t identify the maker of the plane, but I
figured it had to be Stanley or Sargeant.  And it was skewed!!.  Stanley 49 or
equivalent.  So things were really starting to look up.

The second larger frame did indeed have an interesting hammer.  Almost certain
it was an old miner’s pick.  Long curved very pointed tip on one end and a
shorter flat head on the other like a large framing hammer.  Think it was a
might too big for a welders chipper.   And a metal handle with wood covering on
the end.  There were also a couple of marking gauges on that frame one
definitely a double pin mortising gauge with metal extension out the back and a
threaded rod to it with nice thumb screw knob on the end.  Oh and another small
piece of extreme interest that I examined thoroughly, REALLY thoroughly.

So I decided that the asking prices were reasonable given what I saw (Later,
Later :0). They were really really covered in years of accumulated dust, but no
sign of serious deterioration.

I took them up front and paid the freight.  Had to make a bit of room in the
back of the car so as not to jam them in and risk damaging any pieces.  I did
not want to unmount any of the tools until I had documented the frames somewhat
and had a better look at what was there.  Got them home and earlier today I took
inventory of each frame.  Here’s what I got.

====================================================

Frame One:  25” wide by 22” tall, 2 1/2 inches deep: 

1)      The backsaw.  Indeed a Disston and Son’s with arched logo stamped in the
steel back.  Medallion and two rounded screw tops.  Can’t see the backside to
see if slotted while still mounted on the panel.  Nice handle, with curves, but
not quite the lamb’s tooth where the bottom flows in to the lower body of the
handle.  12” blade at the tooth line, 3” deep below the back.  Can’t tell for
sure whether x-cut or rip, but I’m guessing x-cut.  must be 12-15 ppi, but
haven’t actually measured yet.

2)      Couple of old medium sized oil cans.  The kind where you hold the spout
between fingers and push on the bottom with your thumb.  Nothing special, but
the tips aren’t crushed nor the spouts bent.  I might be able to get $4-6 apiece
in my antique booth

3)      A totally worthless innertube vulcanizing clamp.  You know the type,
from the 1930s until tubeless tires.  I’m 70 years old and I have never seen one
used.  I don’t even understand exactly how they work.  Some kind of patch
product with metal back and a air activated heating process?

4)      An interesting little scraper.  Wooden screwdriver handle with just a
short piece of metal coming out, bent at 90 degrees within 2” and then flat and
maybe 3/4” wide.  No idea.

5)      Adjustable circle cutting bit for a drill.  Not a bit stock end, but
just a round to fit in a modern chuck.  Leading point is just a twist bit maybe
around 3/16 in size.  Probably for cutting washers or something similar.

6)      THE GROOVING Plane.  As I said skewed, some blades, manufacturer
currently unknown.  Fence is there, tightening screws for fence is/are there,
but on one end there is a square nut that certainly wasn’t original.  Depth stop
appears to be missing.  Will have to wait dismounting and cleaning to know much
more about it.

================================================

Frame Two 32” wide, 23” tall

1)      Couple of framing squares, one full sized, other a smaller one.  Kind of
a gold or bronze finish on the large one, but looking closer it is a Great Neck,
and they looked a bit scruffy.  Oh well.

2)      A 9” bevel square.  Nice dark wood handle, brass edging on the bottom,
with brass around the screw.  Mounted screw nut up so can’t see whether it is
one of those lever tightening ones I prefer, but I suspect it is.  It is closed,
quite a bit of patina on the blade, but finger run over it doesn’t indicate any
ripple in the blade which seems to be a common damage on those things.

3)      Two marking gauges.  A simple straight forward single pin one with
wooden tightening thumbscrew and no brass shoe under it.  The nicer two pin one
has brass screw, nice plate under it with wings that have decorative concentric
circle engravings.  Two shafts, brass top on middle one with more of those
circles.

4)      Really nice older divider.  Three pronged riveted hinge with rounded
rivet connection.  Slimmed body between hinge to where it bulges out to a nice
square section where the curved arch connecting the two legs goes through.  Nice
thumb screw tightener on that.  Really nice divider.

5)      10” double bladed spokeshave.  One straight, the other concave.  Can’t
identify maker since it is mounted bottom up on the board.

6)      Older fence pliers.  Two flat faces, so no pointed staple pulling prong.
Seems to be in good shape, so should be useful.

7)	Big old steel C-clamp marked 6”.  

8)	Little wooden handled awl mounted inside the C Clamp.  

9)      Little nondescript screwdriver with simple handle and cheap pinch on
ferrule.  Almost looks like something that might have been included with a
multi-plane, but maybe just a bit too large.

10)     Long handled short blade tanged gouge.  I’m thinking carving gouge.
Cast Steel on blade, can’t make out other mark without cleaning.  Really damaged
tip, but certainly fixable.

11)     Two monkey wrenches.  The flat type like the old Ford wrenches, but
these have no marks.  One a little under 6” and the other 9”.  Jaws seem to be
in fine shape, so very usable.  Particularly liked by blacksmiths for making
twisting wrenches, but they don’t want to pay diddly squat for them.  I know,
I’m an amateur blacksmith.  They go really cheap in this part of the country,
but usually aren’t in this nice a shape.

12)     A really old pruning shears - Bypass type.  Has the cutting blade shaped
like a pointed leaf.  Finger and thumb stops on the handles, a clip lock on the
back of handles.  Looks to be in not a great condition.  Probably rode hard and
put away wet.

13)     The Pick hammer is 12” from top to end of handle.  9 1/2 inches from
striking face to end of pick.  Pick end is slightly curved, and nice wood
handle.  Really am not sure whether it was a prospectors pick or what, but kind
of cool one and looks pretty heavy.  There appears to be a nut on the bottom
which would allow for handle removal.

14)     Plane old wooden handled bottle opener.  Something for the glove box,
but with today’s old twist off caps not of much use.  But I prefer the better
micro brewery products many of which still put a cap on that requires such an
opener.

15)	Neat tiny little screwdriver with what might be a rosewood handle.  

16)     Three of those loop handle screwdrivers that I believe came with every
sewing machine in the old days.  They will need some cleanup, but are certainly
usable.

17)     A little roller end on a handle that I think might be for marking for
leather stitching.  Hey, there has to be one leather tool in the bunch.

18)     A short handled something with a steel or lead ball on the end that must
be 1 1/2” in diameter, hanbdle wrapped in what looks like black electricians
tape.  Total length is 9 1/2”.  Sure looks like a 19th century sap - you know
for police and bad guys to carry in their pockets.  But with a hard steel ball
rather than buckshot filled leather pouch.  Could be a mini rock buster.  Sure
would put a dent in anything hit with it.

19)     Missed a couple of things earlier.  A tiny little flat metal pliers that
looks like it might have come out of an erector set, and a bone handled farrier
hoof cleaning hook.

20)   Ah yes, the last but most interesting tool on the boards.  A tiny little
metal plane, 5 3/4"+ on base from base protrusion under the knob to front tip.
3 1/2” tall to top of blade, 1 1/2 inch wide shoulder to shoulder.  Blade and
chip breaker are 1 3/16” wide.  1 1/4” blade left from edge to cap screw slot.
Tote is dark hardwood.  At first I thought it was broken with a repair, but on
closer examination the light color is a light streak of the wood horizontal
through the tote.  Tote only has a tiny bit of scuff marks under its tip.

        Blade stamped twice on back with what appears to be an owners mark, one
less distinct than the other.  Looks like I. J. Anole.  There is a chance it is
I. J. Angle, or Angel.

        Under bright light there is a barely discernible mark on front of the
blade.   Half circle Stanley Rule - And Level - And another owners mark.  Below
the hole are the remnants of an L. Bailey in half circle  - Patented - Dec 24,
1867 (I think 67).

        Yea folks, this is a Stanley No 1 bench plane complete and maybe a
really old one.  Yes, REALLY.


Oh, and in honor of Jim I promised to reveal prices.  The smaller box with the
saw and multi-plane was marked $55.  The larger one with the hammer and the No.
1 was marked $85. I maintained my calm and I didn’t ask for a discount :0)

So, I claim I have beaten the legendary $5 No 1.  Starting with the $85 and
subtracting conservative market value for the other tools I figure I have a -$20
No 1.  But I think I am just going to refer to it as my $0 No 1.  Yowsah!!!!!

Definitely proves the admonition to “Never Stop Looking”.  

Jim, if you are up there watching over us I hope you enjoyed the tale.  

.=
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And NO, this is NOT AN APRIL’S FOOLS STORY.  It happened just as I described.  A
totally serendipitous stop at the furniture store before some other tool hound
spotted it.  REALLY.  I have pictures to prove it!!! Just have to figure out
how/where to post them.  Is someone is willing to offer a place I can forward a
couple of photos of the full frames and a close up of the No 1.  I never have
gotten my arms wrapped around our galoot posting page.


Scott

Who had to go visit a sawmill today with the local woodworkers club, or I would
have written this sooner.   And who is still a bit overwhelmed at the find.



  
-------------------------------------------------
Scott Stager
Columbia Missouri

> On Apr 1, 2017, at 19:04 , Stager, Scott P.  wrote:
> 
> Yesterday I ran across some tools in a most unlikely place.

We're not supposed to say "you suck" anymore, right?
Congratulations on a couple of great finds, sir.

-- adam

> On Apr 1, 2017, at 9:04 PM, Stager, Scott P.  wrote:
> 
> Yesterday I ran across some tools in a most unlikely place.   A place I
stopped in only as an afterthought.  So in honor of our dear departed friend the
Old Millrat I will regale on my adventure in the most drawn out detailed way
possible.  Jim really liked a tool find story, and especially appreciated when
the teller would divulge what was paid for the haul.  So Jim, this is for you:


I managed to get a couple of preliminary photos to GIC.   A real kludgy process.

http://galootcentral.com/components/cpgalbums/userpics/10151/DSC_0772_r
educed.jpg">http://galootcentral.com/components/cpgalbums/userpics/10151/DSC_077
2_reduced.jpg

http://galootcentral.com/components/cpgalbums/userpics/10151/DSC_0784_r
educed.jpg">http://galootcentral.com/components/cpgalbums/userpics/10151/DSC_078
4_reduced.jpg

I copied those links from the direct link to image field under the photo.
Probably doesn’t show the description.

See if this link gets you to the album

http://galootcentral.com/component/option,com_copperminevis/Itemid,2/pl
ace,thumbnails/album,777/">http://galootcentral.com/component/option,com_copperm
inevis/Itemid,2/place,thumbnails/album,777/

If that doesn’t work someone who understands it will have to provide me with
detailed instructions.

FYI my userid is SomedayForge

I’ll add more detailed photos to that album as I can.  Haven’t figured out a
straight forward way to reduce the original 3 MB+ photo size without a long
drawn out process using Preview in Mac.  Again if someone knows a better and
simpler way to do that please advise.  I DO NOT use Photo on MAC - can’t stand
the way it organizes photos.

Nice haul Scott.

In case you haven't already identified it, that 'interesting hammer' 
looks like a purpose-made roof slater's tool...

The pick is for punching nail holes through the slate (and for marks the 
face of the slate to show where it needs to be trimmed);

the other end is for driving nails;

the shaft betweed head and handle is used (together with a sort of 
portable anvil that is driven into a convenient rafter) for cutting 
slates to size.

(Some similar hammers also have claws on the side of the head, for 
pulling nails)

-- 

Peter Marquis-Kyle
www.marquis-kyle.com.au

Peter,
Thank you for the slater's tool user manual!!

God bless.

On 4/3/2017 3:06 AM, Peter Marquis-Kyle wrote:
> Nice haul Scott.
>
> In case you haven't already identified it, that 'interesting hammer' 
> looks like a purpose-made roof slater's tool...
>
> The pick is for punching nail holes through the slate (and for marks 
> the face of the slate to show where it needs to be trimmed);
>
> the other end is for driving nails;
>
> the shaft betweed head and handle is used (together with a sort of 
> portable anvil that is driven into a convenient rafter) for cutting 
> slates to size.
>
> (Some similar hammers also have claws on the side of the head, for 
> pulling nails)
>


---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

Sent from my iPhone

> Yesterday I ran across some tools in a most unlikely place.   A place I
stopped in only as an afterthought.  So in honor of our dear departed friend the
Old Millrat I will regale on my adventure in the most drawn out detailed way
possible.  Jim really liked a tool find story, and especially appreciated when
the teller would divulge what was paid for the haul.  So Jim, this is for you:

Scott,

I have no doubt Jim would have liked this posting.  Definitely a gloat-worthy
score.  And yes that item on the first frame is a gasket cutter, although I can
confirm it can be used to cut large size holes in wood if done slowly and
precision isn't required.  The dividers look very much like a couple of PS&W
dividers in my tool cabinet, although a few other makers made similar items.
The no. 1 is the cherry on top.   So, congrudgulations!

Charlie Driggs