john brenton
07-24-2010, 2:29 AM
I answered an online ad for antique tools and basically got an inheritance without the bereavement. The guy who sold it to me must have felt absolutely zero connection to his grandfather. It's sad, but I'm sure if there is a heaven and his grandpa is looking down he'd be happier to see the tools oiled, sharpened and used in the hands of a stranger rather than rotting away in a tool chest of his own kinfolk.
They were in pretty bad shape. I didn't know how the planes would look just under the surface of the grey dry exterior , and the rust was thick. I cleaned up the planes as much while trying to preserve the patina, but I did want to make sure that the oil would penetrate. The rust although thick was mostly superficial and I got down to the clean metal with a soak in oil and a scrape job with paste wax. I see no signs of real pitting or serious damage.
This is going to be a long one and I would really appreciate some assistance and all the input I can get. Although there were a lot more goodies, I am only posting the more interesting items. I'm not a particularly knowledgeable wood-tinkerer and some of my questions may expose me as a complete ignoramus...a title I've never been ashamed to give myself in the past. I've tried to detail as much as I can to make it interesting.
Photo 1: Set of beautiful Buck Brothers gouges
Photo 2: (bottom to top): Robert Ellis, W. Butcher, W.Butcher, Sheaf works
What are these large gouges primarily used for?
Photo 3: Does anybody know what this is for? It looks to me like something for cutting twine.
Photo 4: Very elegant (looks shop made) bow saw. Incomplete and broken but I will definitely use it as a template to make another one.
Photo 5: Planes
Details of the planes:
Photo 6: 1/2" Sandusky tool co. Rebate plane? I marvel at how quickly I would destroy that wood if i were to try and chop out a mortise on a thin piece like that. The sole is basically flat but the iron is sharply skewed. Any idea why?
Photo 7: A very plain but elegant plane. 1.5" wide marked "HL James Williamsburg Mass". I see that this plane is at least 140 years old as he stopped manufacturing in 1868. It has also has a flat sole but a skewed angle much like a dovetail plane. Would this be considered a "skew plane"?
to be continued....
They were in pretty bad shape. I didn't know how the planes would look just under the surface of the grey dry exterior , and the rust was thick. I cleaned up the planes as much while trying to preserve the patina, but I did want to make sure that the oil would penetrate. The rust although thick was mostly superficial and I got down to the clean metal with a soak in oil and a scrape job with paste wax. I see no signs of real pitting or serious damage.
This is going to be a long one and I would really appreciate some assistance and all the input I can get. Although there were a lot more goodies, I am only posting the more interesting items. I'm not a particularly knowledgeable wood-tinkerer and some of my questions may expose me as a complete ignoramus...a title I've never been ashamed to give myself in the past. I've tried to detail as much as I can to make it interesting.
Photo 1: Set of beautiful Buck Brothers gouges
Photo 2: (bottom to top): Robert Ellis, W. Butcher, W.Butcher, Sheaf works
What are these large gouges primarily used for?
Photo 3: Does anybody know what this is for? It looks to me like something for cutting twine.
Photo 4: Very elegant (looks shop made) bow saw. Incomplete and broken but I will definitely use it as a template to make another one.
Photo 5: Planes
Details of the planes:
Photo 6: 1/2" Sandusky tool co. Rebate plane? I marvel at how quickly I would destroy that wood if i were to try and chop out a mortise on a thin piece like that. The sole is basically flat but the iron is sharply skewed. Any idea why?
Photo 7: A very plain but elegant plane. 1.5" wide marked "HL James Williamsburg Mass". I see that this plane is at least 140 years old as he stopped manufacturing in 1868. It has also has a flat sole but a skewed angle much like a dovetail plane. Would this be considered a "skew plane"?
to be continued....