Dave Anderson NH
08-31-2004, 6:03 AM
Over the weekend I managed to get some shop time and among the things I got done was a rehab of an old family tool. the object of this exercise was to put on display in the shop a type 4 Stanley #3 smoothing plane dating from 1878-1884. I didn't need it for use since I already have a #3 and a #3C in my plane till, but this one is very special to me. There are a few nicks out of the top of the tote, and the iron is well used having only about 1/2" left before the eye hole, but it is still very usable and was sharp. All it needed was a washdown and toothbrush scrub with mineral spirits to get rid of the dust and grunge and then a final coat of wax- this tool was well taken care of.
The significance of the tool is that it was purchased by Robert Anderson Jr, my G-G-Grandfather, and has his initials drilled into the left cheek. It deserved a place of honor in my bench room, and now it has it. While primarily for display, I will occasionally take a swipe or two on a board just to keep it happy and continue its multi-generation tradition of use. It was in the toolchest my namesake, my Uncle David, sent me this Spring from Idaho.
The significance of the tool is that it was purchased by Robert Anderson Jr, my G-G-Grandfather, and has his initials drilled into the left cheek. It deserved a place of honor in my bench room, and now it has it. While primarily for display, I will occasionally take a swipe or two on a board just to keep it happy and continue its multi-generation tradition of use. It was in the toolchest my namesake, my Uncle David, sent me this Spring from Idaho.