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269046 Kirk Eppler 2019‑08‑14 Colonial Homestead
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A few weeks back, John Pesut mentioned
<http://swingleydev.com/ot/get/268922/single/> Colonial Homestead in
Millersburg Ohio.  This name rang a bell with me, as I have been through
Millersburg a few times, while visiting my children in college.  I checked
my notes, and it was the same shop I had peered through the windows a few
times in the past, as early as 2013
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Misc-Images/i-jhpvMQp>, but never
found them open.  So this trip, I made sure I planned to visit and see what
they might have had.  I had my daughter and her roommate with her, so I
couldn't dwadle, but I did have a co pilot, bakery tester, and coffee fan
along for the ride.  And my daughter appreciates tools ever since she
pedaled Micheal's Barne
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/BAGaThons-and-
Gatherings/050910-BAGathon-TH/i-Pf4bzFB">https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking
/BAGaThons-and-Gatherings/050910-BAGathon-TH/i-Pf4bzFB>s
many years back.

I hate to admit this, but it was a bit overwhelming.
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Travel/2019-Wooster/Amish-Country/i-WPS5cTC>
Previous visits had had a few tools on the walls, but nothing
spectacular..  I have not seen so many tools in one place since the EAIA
event in Mystic, CT
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/BAGaThons-and-
Gatherings/100602-EAIA-Mystic-
Tailgating/">https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/BAGaThons-and-
Gatherings/100602-EAIA-Mystic-Tailgating/>
a few years back.  The owner, Dan Raber, is out to make a name for his town
as an Artisans' area. He was actively chatting up someone writing an
article on folk art in the area, and talking of his plans.  They have
started a series of classes, brochure in the pics
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Travel/2019-Wooster/Amish-Country/i-BkRDJvV>.

And Dan himself makes flintlocks and furniture.  I was a bit too
overwhelmed to see it, but the girls came back and mentioned them in hushed
tones.

But, on to the tools.  Not only did he have a selection of marking and
measuring, boring, planing, cutting and hacking
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Travel/2019-Wooster/Amish-Country/i-FSwtrGg>tools,
vices and anvils and grinders, he had a lot of each, and fairly well
organized.  I hope the pictures
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Travel/2019-Wooster/Amish-Country/i-qcWRz7W>
give an idea of what all was there.  Not only the old tools, but some stuff
to bring old ones back to life.  Chisel, axe, hatchet, and slick handles
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Travel/2019-Wooster/Amish-Country/i-WPS5cTC>
in many different sizes and shapes.  And me needing a slick handle, but no
way to guess which one would be  perfect fit.  So I grabbed one that looked
nice, figuring I could fix the taper later if needed.  More pics intermixed
between the links.

Oh yeah, and the school they've set up across the street; the previous
weekend they had had six forges going for a blacksmithing class.  The
current setup shows a handful of decent WW benche
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Travel/2019-Wooster/Amish-Country/i-f7psSFS>s
set up and ready, I didn't inventory much else, and he was still busy with
the reporter and other customers, so didn't ask for a tour.

I was an early customer that day, but about 8 other people had come in
during the 40 minutes I was there.  I saw a Mennonite guy bring in an anvil
small enough the proprietor could carry (with a bit of a struggle) and lots
of other browsers when I left.  Last thing I noted was a pin map
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Travel/2019-Wooster/Amish-Country/i-Mh4gsp6>with
customers' home locations.  I added to a few prior pins from the SF Bay
Area.

I only picked up a few things
<https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Travel/2019-Wooster/Amish-Country/i-dqpfxLn>,
suitcase sized, etc, but was pleased, as they will finish several tool
projects that have lingered.

The Slick Handle, Plane Blade and spokeshave all came from this store.  The
hammer and LSS measuring tool from Medina Ohio antique mall.  The Spoke
shave seems to be the Conover non-patented model.  From the cool handles I
suspected someone who contributed to the MF #2, but couldn't think of his
name.  More on that later.

-- 
Kirk Eppler, back in HMB with a huge to do list.
269047 Erik Levin 2019‑08‑14 Re: Colonial Homestead
Kirk bragged:
> So this trip, I made sure I planned to visit and see what they might have had.
> I had my daughter and her roommate with her, so I couldn't dwadle, but I did
> have a co pilot, bakery tester, and coffee fan along for the ride.  And my
> daughter appreciates tools ever since she pedaled Micheal's Barne
and after a summary, noted
> I only picked up a few things
to which we all are inspired to question his sanity (or question ours...)

He then summarized his finds, which included several fine items including a 3"
Starrett 425 pocket caliper.


My question would be which model caliper? There were several, including M, E,
M&E, stainless, and a very rare edition that has a circumference scale, similar
to the Lufkin 455P.


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269049 Kirk Eppler 2019‑08‑14 Re: Colonial Homestead
Erik replied to my thoughts:

On Wed, Aug 14, 2019 at 11:41 AM Erik Levin via OldTools <
oldtools@s...> wrote:

> > I only picked up a few things
> to which we all are inspired to question his sanity (or question ours...)
>

I was on a mission, and down 1 traveler (and 2 more suitcases).  I brought
two suitcases, and returned with 50.1# in one, and 50.2# in the other.
Brought back lots of cider (Had to leave some with Wes G, as my bags were a
bit overweight)  Bringing dangerous things like calipers on planes has made
TSA have concerns.  I expect to return, or call CH, or send my daughter, if
there are any particulars I think I need.

>
> He then summarized his finds, which included several fine items including
> a 3" Starrett 425 pocket caliper.
> My question would be which model caliper? There were several, including M,
> E, M&E, stainless, and a very rare edition that has a circumference scale,
> similar to the Lufkin 455P.
>

Unfortunately, just a plain 425, per the 1938 catalog.  Still need to
figure out how the back side is useful.

-- 
Kirk Eppler in HMB, dealing with systems hiccuping due to unusually long
file names created by other people.

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