OldTools Archive

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13919 <Vikesman@A...> 1997‑02‑21 Long overdue bio & tool haunts in St. Louis

Esteemed Galoots,

After lurking in the long shadow of the porch for several weeks, I've decided
to "do the right thing" and post the recommended/required bio. I am 57 years
old. I've been married to SWMBO for thirty years. We've recently found
ourselves with lots of time on our hands after taking early buyouts from our
respective jobs. Now we get to devote more time to our favorite hobbies (she
pink depression glass, I antique tools) and spending more time at our
clubhouse (a cabin on stilts) along the Mississippi River just south of
Louisiana, Missouri.

My only projects to date utilizing strictly Neanderthal tools include a work
bench in the garage, a coffee table (more functional than pretty) in the
downstairs family room and some shelves I recently completed in a downstairs
storage/shop area. Prior to the shelves, this room was too cluttered to use.
I'm eventually going to put a table saw down there. Yes, I know the feeling
about p***r tools around here, but I'm getting too old to make all the long
cuts by hand.

My modest array of hand powered tools includes items passed down from my
father and grandfather as well several things I've found at area flea markets
and estate sales. My favorites are the planes like a Tower and Lyons jointer
and a small O.R. Chaplin #2 sized smooth plane. I like the quality of old
Stanley tools, but I'm more apt to dig deeper for the unusual iron planes
made by others. 

I've got a couple of questions relating to the history of specific items
already in my arsenal that with any luck the more knowledgeable galoots in
our midst should be able to answer. 

Christopher E. Dunn recently wrote



In the four years, I've discovered several. There are big flea markets in
Belleville, Illinois at the BelClaire County Fairgrounds (third weekend of
each month) and in Wentzville, Missouri every Sunday weather permitting).
There are also three major antique districts in the St. Louis area. The most
popular is on Cherokee Street in South St. Louis, one is out off US 44 in
Eureka, Missouri near the Six Flags Over Mid-America amusement park and the
last is in a quaint little river town just north of St. Louis called Alton,
Illinois. These areas are know to have yielded some priceless treasures over
the years, but there is a lot of competition.

There are also private dealers in the area who may or may not be willing/able
to open their doors. Among them are Edwin (Ed) Gallagher in Hartford,
Illinois (just across the river from North St. Louis County). Ed's a retired
carpenter. He's got a shop in downtown Hartford that he's been slowly
emptying for the past several months. He's in poor health and seems to be
getting out of the business. His home phone is (618) 254-4999 

Another older gentlemen who was in poor health the last time I saw him is
Elmer Gurding (sic) in Warrenton, MO which is west of Wentzville about 18
miles. Elmer's a crusty old guy who's been accumulating tools since the
1930s, but he has/had a bad habit of sanding his wood planes. The last time I
was in his shop I saw several very interesting old tools including a glass
case with old brass items and planes with hand-carved decorations, but every
time I asked how much a specific item was he said it was being held for "the
auction." Apparently his son plans to have a big auction once the old buzzard
passes on. I can't find his phone number, but the local operator will be able
to give it to you. The area code is 573.

Comparatively speaking, the new kid on the St. Louis tool scene is Mike
Urness. He lives in Chesterfield, MO about 15 miles west of downtown St.
Louis. Mike's got a good selection of user grade planes and other woodworking
tools as well as a growing selection higher quality stuff. The day I visited
him last November, he was kind enough to show me his personal collection. His
phone number is (314) 434-4325.

I'm sure there are others too, I just haven't found them YET.    

Pleased to make your acquaintance,
Scott 



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