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271944 "John M Johnston (jmjhnstn)" <jmjhnstn@m...> 2020‑10‑25 Re: Tool Gods Smile on Local Galoot
I would suggest 4-Care for the leather.
https://equineexchangestore.com/collections/tack-room/products/4-care-
leather-conditioner-446932">https://equineexchangestore.com/collections/tack-
room/products/4-care-leather-conditioner-446932

Cheers,
John Johnston

“There is a fine line between hobby and mental illness.”

________________________________
From: OldTools  on behalf of gary may via OldTools

Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2020 10:24:03 PM
To: Erik Levin ; M H 
Cc: oldtools@s... 
Subject: [OldTools] Tool Gods Smile on Local Galoot

 He Erik!
   I'd use Lincoln Shoe and Boot Polish on the leather. You may have seen the
miracles it works on leather already. And you seem to be in the Miracle
Receiving Business, at the moment 

              congrats---gam in OlyWA/USA


> It was an interesting Saturday.
>
> I started the day trying to not be distracted, as I am on call for an
> engineering job. So, as the weather was nice, and it isn't likely to stay
> so for much longer, I took a bit of a ride to the botanical garden in
> Hamilton, NJ. Highly recommended if you are in the region, by the way.
> Lovely even this time of year, though sprig is quite spectacular.
>
> Apparently, many people thought the same I did today. Not about visiting
> the botanical garden (I actually didn't make it there due to the following,
> and went for a walk in the woods, instead. I'll go tomorrow, maybe) but
> about the weather in general, and it was yard sales everywhere I looked.
>
> I tried to resist. Really. I tried. Then I saw it. From my truck, maybe at
> a range of 30 meters, I saw it.
>
> The box.
>
> A Gerstner. Leather bound.
>
> Unmistakable.
>
> I had to stop.
>
> The condition is decent, not great.
>
> https://postimg.cc/DS28DKKc
>
> I have no idea who Joe is, as it was not the seller. It had been in the
> seller hands for a few years, awaiting a reconditioning that never
> happened. I know the seller didn't buy from the first owner, but maybe the
> second. I think I am number four. I think I know who the first owner was.
>
> https://postimg.cc/LYZXf9zm
>
> The first owner was, I think, the name on the drawer: George Kenneth
> Hullfish, of Hopewell, NJ (1920-1979,  WW-II veteran, machinist mate
> stationed at Pearl Harbor). I recognized the name when I pulled the cover
> before buying, but only in the general sense of it being an older name in
> Hopewell Valley, and tied to the Appleby's. Yup. I'm that kind of nerd. I
> gotta know. After discharge, he was apparently a machinist and/or toolmaker
> for Rockwell and Mobil oil.
>
> General condition is not bad for what is likely a 70 to 80 year old chest.
> The drawers, after a quick vacuum, are ok, but a few in need of felt
> replacement
>
> https://postimg.cc/PvW53S3c
>
>
> The only major problems are the missing locking hasp, the broken drawer,
>
> https://postimg.cc/4K0ym7H8
>
> and wear in the guide grooves for the cover
>
> https://postimg.cc/QF0HZn8Z
>
> What did I pay for this gem? The princely sum of $10. That is what the
> seller asked. I told her it was probably worth more, but she was more
> interested in getting things out. The sale was a HUGE collection of, shall
> we say, stuff.
>
> But the chest wasn't all.
>
> I also got a few other lesser items, including a Starrett 491 protractor
> head- the style that works from either side
>
> https://postimg.cc/4KYNkf2p
>
> a caliper (of course. Of course. It is me, after all)
>
> https://postimg.cc/McgZzCgN
>
> Imperial one side, metric the other. A. W. Niemeyer, Hamburg, being the
> maker. Not great user condition, but a nice wall hanger,
>
> and a Sargent knuckle cap block plane in less than stellar condition
>
> https://postimg.cc/ppvThtyt
>
>
> Interestingly, this has a lateral adjustment attached to the iron. I have
> not seen this before, and am curious how this is intended to work as the
> iron gets shorter
>
>
> https://postimg.cc/RN3WxT3W
>
>
>
> But that isn't all. It was a banner day. Another stop, further up the road:
>
> Two Langdon-style miter boxes. As far as I can ID them (neither has a
> complete label), a Goodell 1303 and  Millers Falls 1124.
>
> https://postimg.cc/06jrkdjM
>
> With saws
>
> https://postimg.cc/jDdScQzg
>
> One of  the back saws is Disston, another Millers falls, stamped for the
> Langdon miter box
>
> https://postimg.cc/w7kBDbsR
>
> and the third is "Disston-Porter". Several other lesser saws in the lot,
> as well, that are going to the stockpile.
>
> What price, you ask? $20 for the lot. A steal? Maybe. The saws are all
> sharp and straight, only one rusty. The Disston has a fine tote and
> excellent hang (is it hang for a miter box back saw?) and is clean. The
> millers falls is clean, but has a laminated veneer handle, matching the
> vintage of the miter box.
>
>
> So, my question: Advice on the leather repair on the Gerstner? I want to
> preserve the character and history. Hide glue, maybe? Any suggestions for a
> leather dressing? Or just wax? I plan to repair the guide groove for the
> cover by plowing the groove  and installing a piece of brass angle.
>
> Any advice on the felt repair/replacement? Wool has advantages and
> disadvantages, as does synthetic. This is likely a few months down the
> road, as I have little time these days, and right now, the chest is full of
> moth balls and bagged, just to be sure no critters are lurking where I
> can't see them. I hate the smell, but it is effective, and the space is
> ventilated.
>
>
> I hope you all have had a nice weekend thus far. Now, back to paper work
> for me.
>
>
>
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traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.

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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:
https://oldtools.swingleydev.com/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

To read the FAQ:
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