OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

276038 Bill Webber 2022‑07‑31 New pursuits
GGs,

Some may remember the lathe I picked up last fall at Bud Brown's 
auction.  I posted a description and pictures under a thread titled 
New-to-me lathe.  I didn't know what I had at the time but a little 
research showed it to be a head stock and sundry other parts from an 
early Bergeron Ornamental lathe from about 1795.  It was set up as more 
of a display gadget than an actual working lathe.  Historically 
significant but not in a usable configuration.

Pursuing the history of that lathe got me started down the path of these 
early Ornamental Lathes.  With my recent downsizing and household move 
I'm developing more of an interest in these lathes and have become less 
interested in my tool focus of recent years. Long story short, I'm 
pursuing the purchase of two lathes from a very knowledgeable 
aficionado, writer and ornamental lathe user. I expect the purchase to 
take a while what with all the packing required, sorting of shipping 
details, selection of appropriate shippers, etc.

In the mean time I thought I'd offer you gents another kind of tool 
porn.  Porn, of course, is in the eye of the beholder, but I find these 
things have become very appealing to me.  Anyway, one of the lathes is a 
small and early Holtzapffel model from 1927. The second is a newer, more 
capable, historically significant lathe by Evans from about 1890.  Both 
were manufactured in the U.K.

A complete description with history, inventory, and pictures is 
contained in these two pdf files:

Holtzapffel SN 1355: http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/H1355.pdf

Evans SN 1288: http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/E1288.pdf

For your enjoyment, stay well...

Bill W.
Charlottesville, VA
276039 gtgrouch@r... 2022‑07‑31 Re: New pursuits
Wow. That is a deep rabbit hole! I'm fascinated with this - the
mechanisms seem designed to do complex operations with relative ease.
There's an interesting contrast with how the control apparatus is so
carefully designed and built while the motive force is the simple
treadle. 

I would love to have one of these, but if I ever started working with
it, you'd never see me again.

Never seen anything like this. 

Thanks for sharing, Gary Katsanis
Albion New York, USA

	-----------------------------------------From: "Bill Webber via
groups.io" 

To: oldtools@g...
Cc: 
Sent: Sunday July 31 2022 2:59:20PM
Subject: [oldtools] New pursuits

 GGs,

 Some may remember the lathe I picked up last fall at Bud Brown's
 auction. I posted a description and pictures under a thread titled
 New-to-me lathe. I didn't know what I had at the time but a little
 research showed it to be a head stock and sundry other parts from an
 early Bergeron Ornamental lathe from about 1795. It was set up as
more
 of a display gadget than an actual working lathe. Historically
 significant but not in a usable configuration.

 Pursuing the history of that lathe got me started down the path of
these
 early Ornamental Lathes. With my recent downsizing and household move
 I'm developing more of an interest in these lathes and have become
less
 interested in my tool focus of recent years. Long story short, I'm
 pursuing the purchase of two lathes from a very knowledgeable
 aficionado, writer and ornamental lathe user. I expect the purchase
to
 take a while what with all the packing required, sorting of shipping
 details, selection of appropriate shippers, etc.

 In the mean time I thought I'd offer you gents another kind of tool
 porn. Porn, of course, is in the eye of the beholder, but I find
these
 things have become very appealing to me. Anyway, one of the lathes is
a
 small and early Holtzapffel model from 1927. The second is a newer,
more
 capable, historically significant lathe by Evans from about 1890.
Both
 were manufactured in the U.K.

 A complete description with history, inventory, and pictures is
 contained in these two pdf files:

 Holtzapffel SN 1355: http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/H1355.pdf
 />
 Evans SN 1288: http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/E1288.pdf
 />
 For your enjoyment, stay well...

 Bill W.
 Charlottesville, VA

 



Links:
------
[1] https://groups.io/g/oldtools/unsub
276040 Steve Reynolds <buckrogers709@g...> 2022‑08‑01 Re: New pursuits
Bill introduces us to his new unruly passion and I instantly remember the
first time I saw a Holtzapffel Ornamental Lathe online.  I immediately
understood why the Gents of the 19th century were enthralled with them.
They define "bonerific gizmosity".

And right away I thought of the warning inscribed on the Gates of Hell,
"Abandon hope all ye who enter here."

Regards,
Steve - wishing Bill well on his new journey.  One I will not be taking.



On Sun, Jul 31, 2022 at 2:59 PM Bill Webber via groups.io  wrote:
276043 Mark van Roojen <mvr1@e...> 2022‑08‑01 Re: New pursuits
Just wow!
And I'm not at all clear on how this is compatible with downsizing, but I'm glad
to see Bill is a lathe collector.  I'm sort of an accidental lathe collector (
of 5 lathes of various sorts) but nothing this aesthetically pleasing is in my
opportunistically acquired collection.
It does seem like a lot of work to transport these. I hope all of the
arrangements go smoothly.
- Mark
276045 Dennis Heyza <michigaloot@c...> 2022‑08‑01 Re: New pursuits
Wow. Just wow.

Way back when in the early days of the List, I was enamored with such devices,
but never had the opportunity to purchase one. There was an MWTCA member in
Michigan around the same time that had all kinds of treadle stuff, including
some lovely lathes. There was an auction (sale?) when he passed but I knew it
would be too rich for my blood (and SWMBO's tolerance level for such
acquisitions). All that said, your photos did bring back those old longings, if
only for a few moments...

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: oldtools@g...  On Behalf Of Bill Webber via groups.io
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2022 2:59 PM
To: oldtools@g...
Subject: [oldtools] New pursuits

GGs,

Some may remember the lathe I picked up last fall at Bud Brown's auction.  I
posted a description and pictures under a thread titled New-to-me lathe.  I
didn't know what I had at the time but a little research showed it to be a head
stock and sundry other parts from an early Bergeron Ornamental lathe from about
1795.  It was set up as more of a display gadget than an actual working lathe.
Historically significant but not in a usable configuration.

Pursuing the history of that lathe got me started down the path of these early
Ornamental Lathes.  With my recent downsizing and household move I'm developing
more of an interest in these lathes and have become less interested in my tool
focus of recent years. Long story short, I'm pursuing the purchase of two lathes
from a very knowledgeable aficionado, writer and ornamental lathe user. I expect
the purchase to take a while what with all the packing required, sorting of
shipping details, selection of appropriate shippers, etc.

In the mean time I thought I'd offer you gents another kind of tool porn.  Porn,
of course, is in the eye of the beholder, but I find these things have become
very appealing to me.  Anyway, one of the lathes is a small and early
Holtzapffel model from 1927. The second is a newer, more capable, historically
significant lathe by Evans from about 1890.  Both were manufactured in the U.K.

A complete description with history, inventory, and pictures is contained in
these two pdf files:

Holtzapffel SN 1355: http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/H1355.pdf

Evans SN 1288: http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/E1288.pdf
276047 Patrick Olguin <paddychulo@g...> 2022‑08‑01 Re: New pursuits
GGs,
Did anyone else look at the bottom of page four and for just a second think
it read: "Dumbledore’s Screw-cutting Tool?"
Because only a legit wizard could possibly figure out how to work that
contraption. Wow. That was amazing.
Best,
Paddy
276050 Bill Webber 2022‑08‑02 Re: WTB Fence rod for Stanley 289
Hey Gents,

Eric knocked out a replacement post for my #289.  He had indicated he 
was on a limited work schedule waiting for an engineering review.  He 
apparently had more time on his hands than we thought.  The rod is 
perfect; fit, finish , and color.  Matches the nearly-new #289 nicely.

Now I know Eric could have simply tossed the rod in an envelope and 
passed it to the USPS guy, but not this time.  He used a small flat rate 
box and lots of excelsior to protect the wooden carrier he made for the 
post.  The carrier is a piece of 2 x 3, bored through the end and the 
post pinned in place lest the pin should escape the carrier: 
http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/2208-005.JPG

A 1 and 1/2 inch hole cross bored into the carrier allows inspection of 
the product before removing it from its secure carrier.  I thought the 
post was not particularly fragile but Eric apparently thought otherwise 
and was intent on its safe arrival: 
http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/2208-006.JPG

Anyway, my #289 is whole again.  This was one of my early purchases.  I 
got it at a York MWTCA auction in '97.  It is a nearly new SW version.  
I remember how warm the tool was from all the galoots handling it! 
http://billwebber.galootcentral.com/2208-009.JPG

Many thanks, Eric.

Bill W.
Charlottesville, VA
276056 Rick B <rickburger68@g...> 2022‑08‑02 Re: WTB Fence rod for Stanley 289
Bridge city eat their heart out, spirit work and customer service.

Rick

On Tue, Aug 2, 2022, 8:20 AM Bill Webber via groups.io  wrote:

Recent Bios FAQ