Published for the members of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association

Number 66 March, 1992

IN THIS ISSUE: - Those Nordic Braces Part2 -You Don't Know Where You're Going Until You Know Where You've Been

- Evolution of a Tool Collection - Washer Cutters - The Rest of the Story

- The Bridgeport Gun Implement Co. -Regular Features & More!

M-WTCA.ORG

Bill Baader examines one of his Ohio Tool Co. # 1 planes in his tool room. See story, page 17. No. 66 March, 1992 CHAFF Mid-West Tool Collectors Association, Inc. FROM THE PRESIDENr Managing Editor ...... Mel Ring Editor, Publisher ...... Bonnie Weber March is here! Most tool collectors A new Special Committee, chaired Associate Editor ...... Roger K. Smith find that winter is a slow time for by Tom Lamond, has been appointed Contributing Editors ...... Thomas Lamond ...... William Baader augmenting collections and look to create a "Manual" or "Guide" for Advertising Manager ...... Gale Zerkle forward to spring activities. Already, Directors, specifying the duties of THE GRISTMILL is the official publication of the Mid-West several Area Directors have arranged Directors more clearly and making Tool Collectors Association, Inc., and is published quarterly for spring meetings which will renew helpful suggestions for fulfilling those March, June, September and December. The purpose of the association is to promote the preservation, enthusiasm for finding that one great duties. study and understanding of ancient tools, implements and devices of farm, home, industry and shop of the pioneers; also, elusive tool - and for renewing You will notice that we have a new to study the crafts in which these objects were used and the friendships with fellow collectors and editor for THE GRISTMILL. Barbara craftsmen who used them; also to share knowledge and under­ standing with others, especially where it may benefit restora­ their families. Pontius has resigned due to time tions, museums and like institutions. By this time, Dave Heckel and his constraints. Bonnie Weber, who President ...... Ronald W. Pearson committee will be putting the finish­ worked with Barb, has assumed this 1293 South Hill Road Erie, PA 16509 ing touches on arrangements for the position and is working closely with (814) 866-1500 Spring meeting in Decatur, Illinois, our managing editor, Mel Ring. Vice-President ...... Lars Larson June 11-13. This promises to be Our membership is growing by 18028Reed another excellent meeting, filled with leaps and bounds. Our treasurer. Jim Melvindale, MI 48122 (313) 382-0594 activities and educational programs. Price, reports that as of January 1, Vice-President ...... Kerry McCalla Register early to assure accommoda­ 1992 we have had 158 new member­ 104 Engle Court tions at the Holiday Inn - and start ship applications since the Knoxville Franklin, TN 37064 gathering up your trading stock and meeting. He projects our membership (615) 791-6198 preparing your displays. will reach 5000 by 1995. That's a Vice-President ...... William B. Boltz 3435 Jacksonwald Avenue Over the winter months, various significant increase! Reading, PA 19606 committees have been active. Allan Again, the other officers, the (215) 779-8467 Shaw, chairman of the Bylaws and Directors and I would appreciate any Secretary ...... Michael Slasinski Policy Committee, has reviewed the comments or suggestions you may 7201 Danny Drive Saginaw, MI 48603 election process and has made have that would enhance the func­ (517) 781-1152 recommendations for revision to tions of M-WTCA. Have a great Treasurer ...... James E. Price allow better publication of annual Spring and see you in Decatur! Box6 nominations for officers, thus better Naylor, MO 63953 permitting the membership to review (314) 399-2341 those nominations and make other Ron Pearson DIRECTORS AreaH AreaA Philip Stanley, 1992 nominations as they see fit. President E.J. Renier, 1993 Tom Lamond, 1993 Howard Loomis, 1994 Martin Donnelly, 1994 AreaB Areal Carol Lomax, 1992 William Wooden, 1992 Robert Kloes, 1993 Frank Gray, 1994 Morris Olson, 1994 AreaJ AreaC Dennis Starzinger, 1992 William Lindatromberg, 1992 Nick Heatherly, 1993 WRITE ON ADVERTISING William Carter, 1994 Ken Lord, 1994 AreaD AreaK E.A. Olson, 1992 John Venable, 1993 THE GRISTMILL wants articles of Send all ads (want/for sale) to: Ralph Kay, 1994 Phyllis Morse, 1994 all kinds about tools, makers, users, AreaE AreaL Gale Zerkle David Heckel, 1992 WilliamMcDougall, 1993 early industries, etc., photographs, old 511 Cookston Ave. William Smith, 1993 AreaM advertising cuts, and anything relating Ron Farley, 1994 Paul Hamler, 1992 Springfiekl, OH 45503 George Wanamaker, 1994 Bob Nichols, 1993 to M-WTCA member activities. If pos­ (513) 399-1725 AreaF AreaN sible, material should be typewritten, Copy deadlines also apply to advertis­ Charles Ewing, 1992 Merrill Schmidt, 1992 Mel Ring, 1993 Philip Baker, 1994 and submitted on disk when possible ing. Mo Arnold, 1994 AreaO (any ASCII-based word processing pro­ Dick Opsahl, 1994 Larry Brundage, 1992 AreaG Allan Foster, 1994 gram will do). John Kesterson, 1992 AreaP M-WTCA.ORGWarren Leemaster, 1993 We'll edit, correct and provide first Joel S. Steel, 1992 Ron Mossing, 1994 Robert Rothen, 1993 aid when needed. Shorter articles, (2-3 MOVING? Steve Orbine, 1994 typewritten pages or 4-5 handwritten COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN If you're in the process of moving, Meeting Planning ...... Lars Larson pages) are more likely to be published. Elections ...... Kerry McCall a Deadlines for submitting all copy: J anu­ remember to notify Kerry McCalla of Scholarship ...... William B. Boltz your new address-that will keep your GRISTMILL Managing Editor .. Mel Ring ary 15 for March issue, April 15 for Special Publications ...... Mel Ring June issue, July 15 for September is­ M-WTCA mailings coming without By-Laws and Policy ...... Allan Shaw interruption. Don't forget to include What.sit ...... Gary Gergini sue, October 15 for December issue. Family Assistance ...... Roy Bradley Send to: your new telephone number and area Marion Henley Award ...... Ivan Risley Displays ...... David Heckel GRISTMILL Editor code. Sending your change of address AddreH Labels Scrapbook B. L. Weber Publishing to anyone other than Kerry causes an Kerry McCalla Barb & Mike Slasinski 104 Engle Court 7201 Danny Drive 10 Nappanee Drive unavoidable delay in processing this Franklin, TN 37064 Saginaw, MI 48603 Carmel, IN 46032 important information. Publication• Mailings Ann Henley 808 Fairway Drive Columbia, MO 65201 Page2 CALENDAR TRUST EQUALS M-WTCA MID-WESTTOOLCOTJECTORS In light of the theft of displ.ay tools at ASSOCIATION NATIONAL MEETINGS Knoxville, it is felt that a reprint of this December, 1981 article on t,ust was in order. SPRING, 1992 June 11, 12, 13, 1992. Holiday Inn, Decatur, IL. Info:­ -By Bill Rigler, Meeting Host mation: David Heckel (217) 345-9112. Theme: Advertis­ Mid-West Tool Collectors Asso­ ing and Promotions for Tools. ciation was founded on the principle FALL, 1992 October 8, 9, 10, 1992. Howard Johnson Hotel, Spring­ of total trust. Members could leave field, MO. Theme: Handmade Tools. Information: Ron tools and money anywhere and both Baird (417) 759-2816. would be perfectly safe. Many would buy tools and leave the money when no owner was around - there was M-WTCAAREA MEETINGS no need for concern. This environ­ ment was so great that nearly AREAF March 6-7, 1992. Abe Martin Lodge, Nashville, IN. everyone commented about the Contact Mel Ring, (219) 356-7471. uniqueness of the whole concept and AREAN March 15, 1992. Renningers Twin Marts, south of Mt. took pride in being a part of the Dora, FL. group. It seemed like an oasis in the April 4, 5, 1992. Pioneer Settlement. Fourth Annual M­ trend of cheating, theft, fraud and WfCNSWEAT Tool Swap & Sale, Barberville, FL. deceit generally running rampant in AREAD April 25, 1992. Contact: Carroll E. Talbot, 321 S. 3rd our society. Ave., Newton, IA 50208. · Unfortunately, there may be a AREAE April 12, 1992. Macomb, IL, Contact George leak in the dike. Years ago an item Wanamaker, (309) 836-6782. was stolen but returned a year later. Last year a piece was lost but the owner thought perhaps he had just MEETING NEWS misplaced it. At the last meeting in Dayton, a Stanley No. 96 chisel COME TO THE "OASIS ON THE PRAIRIE" plane was taken from the parking lot... but it was paid for a couple of and informative display. We would Located in central Illinois, Decatur weeks later by an out-of-state non­ like to see your display on how to sell is the location of the semi-annual M­ member. At the same meeting, a WfCA national meeting. The date for and promote the use of tools. miniature plane was taken from a At the Thursday Night hospitality the meeting is June 11-13, 1992. trunk and is unaccounted for. This There will be lots of space for trading, room, there will be a special welcome activity just leaves a sick feeling selling, displaying, learning about for first-time attendees. The Board of within those of us who are so proud and talking tools. The set-up will Directors wanted to set a certain time of our group. being early on Thursday, and pro­ for all of us to make these first-time Maybe when the numbers become grams for the ladies and men are attendees especially welcome, so plan greater - membership, tool prices to attend that night and make an scheduled for Thursday and Friday. - eventually it can be expected to An interesting bus tour will be extra effort to introduce yourself. get a bad apple in the barrel. scheduled for Friday morning. The The Holiday Inn Conference Hotel The whole thing need not be tour will be going to an herb farm, is located on the west side of Decatur, considered a total loss at this point. the Birks Museum, which is a quality one mile east of Interstate 72 and U.S. We have time to return to the old collection of china, porcelain, and Route 36. The Hotel has recently ways. However, if the trend should glass, and the Millikin Homestead, undertaken extensive remodeling, and which is a furnished Victorian the Holidome and pool area have been worsen, our organization would not continue attracting the fun-loving, mansion. redone. This is an excellent facility for honest, good people any longer... and The programs for your education a great meeting. There is parking for the ball game could be over. We will be given by Paul Cler,M-WTCA.ORG who is 2,000 cars, and all of the meeting would then just be another club. going to demonstrate the Ornamental functions will be on the same level. When we sign a new member, There will be a representative of the Turning Lathe, George Wanamaker, let's try to emphasize that our on "Defiance Tools," and Bill Smith, Decatur Visitors Bureau at the organization is made up of people on Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett of registration desk to answer questions who share the trust principle. It Chicago, Illinois. Friday evening will about the area and to direct you to would also behoove all of us to feature a member auction, where local points of interest and restau­ renew our commitment to total each member is allowed to sell a rants. The area is rich in Lincoln sites, trust and again make our organiza­ single tool or one lot of tools. and the Arthur Amish Area is located tion the greatest of them all. "Advertising and Promotion for a short drive away. Remember, "trust" is the key Tools" is the display theme for the Looking forward to your attendance word. meeting. All of those point-of-pur­ at your M-WfCA meeting - we chase sales aids, catalogs, cutaway should have 6-foot wide aisles in the models, display stands, hardware trading room. Come to the "Oasis on store literature, and the tools that the Prairie." they promoted, will make an exciting Page3 MEMBER NEWS YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING UNTIL YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'VE BEEN By Bill Rigkr the first chairman? and Treasurer's have we elected? We' re rapidly approaching M­ 2. How many publications have Who? Dates Served? WTCA's silver anniversary, that is been printed and distributed at no 10. When was the first member­ number 25 for those who like me cost to the membership through ship auction at a semi-annual meet­ don't remember, and we have grown 1991? ing held and at what meeting? from 31 charter members to near 3. Did the organization reprint 11. How many GRISTMILL 3,000 members. books and sell them to the member­ Editors have we had? Who are they? What do we know or remember ship? How many? What publications? Dates served? about the early days or even last 4. What year was the membership 12. Where was the first meeting year? Well, in the membership roster, roster computerized and distributed that we had an inside sales and on the back page is listed all our to the membership? How many display hall. semi-annual meetings and all 10 of members were listed in that roster? 13. Who introduces first time our past presidents. 5. When was the Ladies Auxiliary attendees if he is at that meeting? This isn't much data to tell how formed? Why? 14. Who always yells from the we got where we are, so we are 6. Until 1975, other than paying audience "stand up __" prior to the going to ask a series of questions M-WTCA dues, what was a require­ introduction of first time attendees? that may challenge the memory of ment to join M-WTCA? 15. Who were our Charter Mem­ our long time members and add to 7. When were the first by-laws bers? the understanding of the organiza­ passed by the organization's leader­ This could go on and on, but I'll tion of our newer members. ship? stop here, and let others submit Answers can be found on Page 6 of 8. What years did the past presi­ questions and answers on where we THE GRISTMILL. dents serve as president? have been. 1. When was the Special Publica­ 9. How many Vice Presidents, tions Committee formed? Who was Secretaries, Secretary Treasurers

MEETING NEWS 1991 Chatham, IL Meet The weather was beautiful and the crowd enthusiastic at the 1991 George F. Alton Memorial Swap-O­ Rama. Once again, participants arrived bright and early, ready for a busy morning of browsing, selling and trading. Approximately 200 people were in attendance and many of them participated in an auction which was conducted by Bob Green. A room was provided for the ladies and a couple of them arranged displays for everyone to enjoy. We 0 : :tf~r:;~he~~oi;;::~fe!h~!~~::r. i\ij\jJJi!i;lllii:i:i!i:1::!i!i!i!i!i!i!!!!!::\!l::~j:i!l:l!;li!ill! :r:~al=:d~!~da:;~ M-WTCA.ORG :a:r: llllll:llil!l :~§E§;~~;~;;:t:e I 1992. I I

Page4 $10l~)()!). Our bunch repeated the MEETING NEWS exhibits and demonstrations from Manatee State Park (see above), plus NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA CHAPrER many more. We should get a lot of (AREA N) a problem during December-Febru­ new members from this one-- ran out ary, when we move south or central of handouts! Members and guests Florida Chapter M-WTCA usually returning north in the Spring. This ' registering, or there but not register­ holds 5-6 gatherings per year be­ has the added advantage of getting ing with us (some were also with tween October and March. These are us close to all our members with one other organizations or worked with held jointly with the Florida Chapter or more sessions. the Settlement) totalled about 100. of SWEAT, the Society of Workers in Manatee Springs Fall Festival ~arly Arts and Trades, an organiza­ Out Ahead in Winter, tion M-WTCA was instrumental in a Winner! Spring,'9'l founding. Chapter membership in The Fall Festival at Manatee Springs State Park Oct. 26-27 a March 14. Renningers Twin these groups is about even, at around Marts, about 2 miles south of Mt. re~~ y'all come season opei:{er for 150 each. Joint meets bring together Dora on the east side of US 441. This tool collectors and demonstrating the J01nt meets of Florida Chapters M-WTCA and SWEAT, was a fine is a_branch ofthe_famous Renningers craftsmen (tool users) for mutual antique markets m Pennsylvania, edification, to improve attendance, show as always - good weather good public attendance, spectacclar and there'll be lots of dealers beside and assure craft demonstrations. those in our aggregation, including The Florida M-W Chapter also setting, marvelous facilities (tables furnished and put where you want Henry and Terry Lentrup's fine stand serves a snowbird contingent of about in the south building. Room for RVs 80 winter residents or regular them), friendly and efficient manage­ ment under the direction of Bill on the grounds, motels in the Mt. tourists. Because of the character and Dora area. Registration $&,'adult, frequency of our activities, we get Maphis, head ranger. This isn't one of our b~ggest (17 showed up) but it is under 18 free. Checks to Florida M­ occasional inquiries from out of state WTCA to Merrill Schmidt, 3612 SE M-W members about joining our certainly among the most enjoyable. Don't miss it next year if your are Leonard Lane, Stuart, FL 34997 chapter. You may either move into (407) 286 -3075. · ' the state or asked to be placed on our down this way October 24-25--near Chiefland (west of Gainesville.) April 4-o. Pioneer settlement snowbird list, which will get you on Fourth Annual M-WTCA Tool Swap them ail list for our quarterly news­ Cliff and Winona Allen from Indiana, were our only snowbirds at our North Florida home base. See letter, the Fwrida Bull, now in its Jamboree story above. Great setting 11th year, and entitles you to all exhibiting tools and trading. Phil' Baker, new Florida Chapter Director lll1;de~ the oaks, weather usually good other privileges of Chapter member­ this time of year, efficient and ship. Snowbirding is free- one of the had an exhibit and demonstration on' sharpening tools, mitering and friendly management, some tables benefits of national membership. If furnished, good public attendance snowbirds (or anybody) want to make coping. Pat Chase was into pine needle basketmaking, with beautiful g~ ad':~ce local publicity, this time a voluntary contribution we'd urgmg V1S1tors to bring tools for appreciate it. Check to Florida stuff. The Jericos made rope wove chairbottoms, made baskets' and id~ntification (or sale, if they are so Chapter, M-WTCA, please. mmded). This has developed into one Our one or two-day get-togethers spun. Jim Powell had an exhibit on saw sharpening tools and showed of our best trade meets. Registration are customarily held outdoors at as for Renningers, above. Barberville interesting places where vehicles can how to use them. Ben Rogers pounded the anvil at his forge. is west of Daytona Beach and be parked conveniently next to our Ormond Beach, north of DeLand at trade and demonstration sites and Margaret Bair made bobbin lace, and Fred struggled making a live oak the intersection of US 17 and sU:te there is no long haul to a crowded Rd.40. "secure" interior area. Our meetings beadle (a shopping maul to protect Margaret against parking-lot mug­ For those looking for even more are usually open to the public- in action, there'll be several smaller y'all fact we favor supporting special ging) and turned our ropes for the young'uns. come, non-registration events with M­ events which attract the public, since WTCA tool sales ancVor SWEAT one of our purposes is educational Great Meet at Barberville demonstrations around the state. Call (and we pick up a lot of new members Pioneer Settlement Nov. 2-3 Directors Schmidt and Baker or that way.) We expect folksM-WTCA.ORG with long This first main event of the 1991- Secretary Bair for info. distances to travel to show up the 92 season was a spectacular success 1992-93 Season afternoon before the announced date with joint M-WTCA,ISWEAT demon~ and trading starts after the first two' From October, '92 through April ~trations, exhibits and trade support­ '93 we anticipate a repeat of most C:r arrive. mg a Jamboree even bigger and We seek locations which will the pattern above. In mid-February better than ever before. Public Ted and Nonie Crom have offered accommodate recreational vehicles attendance 10-15,000. Florida ~ and campers, and have inexpensive invitation to their place near Melrose Chapter ABANA, the Florida east of Gainesville, where they have ~ motel and restaurant facilities Flywheelers, Friends of Florida Folk nearby. Registration for adults is country estate and a remarkable the Florida Department of National ' collection of ornamental and usually in the $3-4 range. Where low Resources, the Pioneer Settlement attendance is anticipated we hold clockmaker's lathes, rare clocks and craft groups, miniature railroaders other goodies. "y'all come" get-togethers'with no and others participated in the registration charge. -Submitted by Fred Bair, Jr., activity, and there were almost 200 Secretary, Florida Chapter, M-WJt;A Gatherings rotate around the commercial exhibitors, including a state, starting in the northern part of (Area N), 606 Lake Lena, Auburndale first prize winner with wooden FL 33823, (813) 967-3262. , the peninsula, where weather may be models of old trains (top price Page5 IN REMEMBRANCE MEETING NEWS Southwest Tool Collectors Meet in Fort Worth J. Alan Sellars J. Alan Sellars, 71, Marietta, Geor­ The October convention in Fort Larry Creedon gia, well known nationally tool collec­ Worth hosted by Dick Gilliland was Gene Harp tor, died of leukemia December 24 at very successful and well attended with Howard Mironov Anderson Cancer Clinic, Houston, 58 members and several guests in at­ Bill Wooden Texas. His outstanding and unique col­ tendance. New officers were elected as Ed Wright lection oftools of all trades was mounted follows: We are all looking forward to a very on plaques and display at this Marietta President: Bill McDougall good joint meeting of the SWTCA and Hardware Store. He was a frequent Vice Pres.: Tom Laepple the EAIA to be held in San Antonio on attendantofsemi-annualM-WfCA·and Secretary: Bill Albert May 7th, 8th and 9th, 1992. EAIA meetings. His sense of good hu­ Treasurer: Dick Gilliland SWTCA extends an invitation to all mor, generosity with friendly enthusi­ The new Executive Committee met M-WTCA members who can do so to astic regard for his fellow collectors, Sunday morning and appointed the attend this one. You will enjoy visiting will be greatly missed. He was a former following Directors: San Antonio. Director of EAIA, and organizer and financial supporter of the Winthrop Answers to Questions on page 4 Carter Educational Fund. In addition to his interests in tools, 1. 1978, Fred Malott Kerry McCalla 1982-87 together with his wife, they established 2. 31 as of October 1991. In the early years, M­ Mike Slasinski 1987-91 WTCA and EAIA combined efforts to print Treasurer the Louise and Alan Sellars Collection larger quantities at a lower cost. A cost Keith Mansfield 1977 -79 of Art of American Women, concen­ effective approach for both organizations. Tom Ward 1979-80 trated on the period 1850-1930, which 3. Yes, two. Knights Dictionary. A four volume Bill Rigler 1982-84 is the largest and most comprehensive set. Printed 600 in 1978. These reprints are Morris Olson 1984-89 collection of its kind in this country. going for about twice the original cost today. Jim Price 1989-91 He was a former president of the Appleton's three volume set, 400 sets printed 10. October 1-2, 1971, Holland, Michigan in 1982. 11. Number ofEditors-6 Oxford Shirt Division of Oxford Indus­ 4. Roster was computerized and first printing Bill Holden, June 1975-Oct. 1978 tries and retired as vice president of was June of 1980 - there were 920 members Tom Ward, Mar. 1985-Sept. 1987 sales of the division. At the same time, as of that printing. Mary Low Stover and Carol Lomax, he owned Marietta Hardware Store. 5. Ladies' Auxiliary was formed September Dec. 1978-Dec. 1983 Sellars, who was born June 17, 1982. The raffle of the tool quilt caused the Bill and Suzanne Gustafson, 1920, served in the Army Air Corps formalizing of the Auxiliary. May 1988-June 1990 6. Being a member of EAIA. Jerry Grismer, March 1984-Dec. 1984 Forces during World War II and the 7. During Ray Wilson's term as President, Barbara Pontius, Sept. 1990-Dec. 1991 Korean War. He belonged to First 1975-1976. 12. Rockton, Illinois, June of 1976, Viking Hall United Methodist Church of Marietta. 8. Presidents and terms of office Wagon Wheel Inn. Surviving are his wife, Louise Smith Bill Holden 1968-72 13. Bill Holden Sellars; two daughters, April Myrick of Bill Baader 1972-73 14. It wa& a toss up between Al White and Bill Marietta and Sue Rice of Indianapolis; Ivan Risley 1973-75 Rigler Ray Wilson 1975-76 15. Charter Members a brother, Calvin Sellars of Acworth; Fred Malott 1976-77 Len Bentzien, Menomonie Falls, WI five grandchildren; and two great­ Bill Rigler 1977-80 Eugene Pitman, Jamestown, IN grandchildren. Ken Runkle 1980-82 Kurt Brandenburg, Monroe, MI Contributions to his memory may be Tom Ward 1982-85 Robert Potter, Wauwatose, WI made to the Winthrop Carter Fund of Ray Nissen 1985-88 Robert A. Coe, Prospect Hgts., IL Gale Zerkle 1988-91 Wilson Ratliff, Shelbina, MO EAIA, in care of John S. Watson, Trea­ 9. Number of Vice Presidents thru September, Harry Frey, Michigan City, IN surer, EAIA, P.O. Box 2128, Empire 1991-11 William S. Redhed, Homer, IL Plaza, Albany, NY 12220-0128, or the Number of Secretary Treasurer's -4 Dean Garber, Goshen, IN M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (specify Number of Secretaries-4 Carleton Rieck, Aurora, IL for Leukemia Research), The Develop­ Number of Treasurers-5 Richard Coins, Marshfield, WI ment Office, Box 135, 1515 Holcombe Vice Presidents Robert Rodibauch, Flora, IN George Mustybrook 1968-72 William Holden, Elgin, IL Blvd., Houston, TX 27030. Ray Wilson 1972-75 Robert Seigel, Mequon, WI M-WTCA.ORGBill Rigler 1975-77 -Submitted by Ken Roberts A. T. Lahmayer, Black River Falls, WI Ken Runkle 1977-80 Sid Shaver, Grand Haven, MI Tom Ward 1980-82 Arthur Lane, Birmingham, MI J. Pierce Smith Ray Nissen 1982-85 Les Shaw, LaGrange Park, IL M-WfCA member J.Pierce Smith Gale Zerkle 1985-88 William Little, Mokena, IL died in December after a long illness. Bill Gustafson 1988-90 Howard Steele, Ft. Wayne, IN Ernie Blumenthal 1988-91 Paul MacAlister, Lake Bluff, IL He was 77. Smith is survived by his wife Ron Pearson 1988-91 Harlow Sternberg, Aurora, IL Arie, two sons and a daughter. Smith Kerry McCalla 1990-91 Robert Morris, Plymouth, IN T. was a regular at all the Florida meet­ Secretary Treasurer Roy Thomas, Springfield, IL ings of M-WTCA. He served in the Harlow Sternberg 1968-1972 George Murphy, University City, MO Army during World War II, and was Fred Malott 1972-75 Jon Wentzel, Wauconda, IL active in many activities in his commu­ Marion Henley 1976-77 George Mustybrook, Rockford, IL Bill Rigler 1980-82 Raymond Wilson, Indianapolis, IN nity, including the Florida Forestry Secretary Emmet Pearson, Springfield, IL Association. Marion Henley 1977-79 Harold Whiteside, Joliet, IL E. A. Olson 1979-80 Willis Pennington, LaGrange, IL

Page6 THE WOMEN'S PAGE

WOMEN'S AUXILIARY OFFICERS President Loretta Ring NOTE: All material for The Vice-President Mary Gandenberger Women's Page should be sent to Secretary Edna Schmidt THE GRISTMILL editor, Treasurer Shirley Linstromberg Bonnie Weber, 10 Nappanee Publicity Lyn Callis Drive, Carmel, IN 46032

LINES FROM LORE'rrA members of the auxiliary so be sure to by Loretta Ring, Auxiliary President get your, rese:Vation in for our lun- ON-GOING APPEAL "Another row of quilting and it will c~eon. Its enJoy?ble, you meet new We're still planning another be ready for binding," is the word from friends and old friends. . Auxiliary Cook Book the committee. Bring your thimbles to . ~e theme fort?? J?ecatur meet~g sometime in the future .•. Decatur, sit a spell, and stitch away. 18 ~ife on the Prame. Start pl~g no ofinlte 4ate for publishing. ItalkedtoJudyHeckeltheotherday a display- remember, there are ID Sen4 your reci~s to - and she and Dave have several inter- theme" and "out of theme" awards, so Loretta Rill§ estingprograms and a tour planned for anything and everyt~g is appropri­ 3S Orchar4 lane the meeting in Decatur. All women are ate. Hope to see you ID Decatur. Huntington, IN 467SO. by Judi Heckel make paper. Samples of her country herbs. As a gracious hostess, she'll wel­ Grab your kettle, climb on your cov­ craft will be available for sale. Member come you to her garden and answer any ered wagon, and come out on the Prai­ Phyllis Moffet will share old kitchen questions you might have. You'll love rie! and laundry tools that will make us all her herb teas and spices available for Maybe we won't get that involved, glad the Prairie is a little more settled. purchase in the store. Anothe:r stop will but we'd love to have you join us in The videotape on miniature furniture be the Millikin Homestead, a beautiful Decatur, Illinois, on June 11-13, 1992. making will be scheduled for those who Victorian mansion that was the home The Holiday Inn facility is the largest wanted to see it or perhaps take a of the founding President of Millikin Convention Center in our area, and the second look. University. You'll enjoy browsing physical arrangements should be very Friday morning's tour had many through the home and be sure to look comfortable for our Auxiliary. A repre­ wonderful opportunities for us to choose across the street at a Frank Lloyd sentative from the Decatur Tourism from so we picked the best three for the Wright designed house. Council will be available at the Regis­ 4-hour bus tour. Tour guides will take The luncheoq/meeting of the Auxil­ trationDesk with answers to questions us to the Birks Museum. On the cam­ iary will be on Saturday. Sara and Gary about shopping malls or flea markets pus of Millikin University, the mu­ Gergeni will share their first-person in the nearby vicinity. seum has an elegant display of glass, interpretations of Prairie life during Your visit should give you a wonder­ porcelain, and china. The pieces were the eras of the 1940s. They are so tal­ ful view of our Midwest Prairie geogra­ donated mainly by two sisters in the ented that each ofus, for a short period, phy and there are lots of exciting things hopes that they will be preserved for will be whisked back in time for a first planned for you. Jeri Baird will amaze others to enjoy. I know we'll all fulfill hand visit to the Prairie. you with her folkart skill in making their wish. Mari-Mann Herb Farm is a Bring your displays of "Life on the hand-made embossed paper. She will delightful walk through a Prairie gar­ Prairie" for judging, enjoy the opportu­ share the feel ofthe pulp and the screens den of herbs. It will soon be evident nities to roam the Prairie, and join us in and some of you will have a chance to Maribeth loves her garden and her Decatur, Illinois, onJune 11-13, 1992.

BOOKS - MY FAVORITE THINGS By Eila Arnold Books have always beenM-WTCA.ORG some of many of the other books before 1900. my "favorite things." I haven't made It is interesting to see a geography an effort to actually collect books, but book that lists the states and also I have managed to accumulate lists areas that were still merely several old ones. The books that I territories. brought to Knoxville were special Having been a teacher myself and because several had been used by serving on many textbook adopting other generations of our family. My committees, I am interested to notice father used the arithmetic book when the lack of color and pictures which he went to a one room school in rural are so important in modern text­ Illinois. I believe that the school books. The books in my display were teacher lived at their home. Some of dated from 1885 to 1917. The cost of the reading books were also his. My each book is also very different from Ella's "School Days" display of books. grandmother and her sisters used current prices.

Page7 THE WOMEN'S PAGE NOVELTY TAPE MEASURES; THE SEWING TOY OF THE 20TH CENTURY By Jennifer Price the feet." A shoe was inscribed "Three When I was growing up during the feet in one shoe." Most of these had depression years, families did not gather cotton tapes as did nearly all tape mea­ around the TV, but instead the dining sures made in the last quarter of the room table became the place t.o enjoy nineteenth century. The earliest ones leisure activities. In our family of all were wound int.o the container by a • girls, needlework and other similar handle and had a tape of silk ribbon. In crafts were popular diversions. It was the 1860s a spring-activated retract.or during these days that my interest in was introduced, which aut.omatically Left to right: Metal cat with brass needlework tools was aroused. Of par­ rewound the tape int.o the case. Im­ ball, tail is the winder; celluloid ship ticular fascination was a measuring provements of the spring-activated re­ with anchor pull; basket of fruit with tape encased in a small round silver tract.or were quickly followed by the · ladybug pull; plush dog with pull in case with a little handle for rewinding. addition of a button which allowed the the tail; celluloid penguin, bear and This portable measure was once car­ pig; metal hat in the center with tape t.o stay extended from the case inscripton. These all have spring ried by my grandmother t.o be used t.o until the pressingofhe button retracted mechanisms. verify the accuracy of a dry goods the tape. This feature became standard merchant's wood yard ruler in case of of some tapes from the 1870s. These turn of the century spring wind-up or hand turned tapes make a dispute. As with other tools, tapemeasures From the 1870s t.o the 1930s, tape were made in a variety of materials. fascinating collection. They still can be measures became more whimsical in Celluloid and bakelitetapes were made found in variety but the cost is mount­ It design. This may be partly the result of during the last half of the nineteenth ing. is important t.o check that the the decline in hand sewing which made century and the first half of the twenti­ tape is functional as they are almost it less necessary t.o have utilitarian eth. These plastic-like materials were impossible t.o fix. There is little or no measures and partly the result of the cheap and well suited t.o mass produc­ reproduction of these tape measures, cheapness ofmass production. Many of tion and were the start of the plastics but there is much repairing and replac­ ing of parts. these tape measures were base metal, industry of t.oday. With the develop­ cheap and well suited t.o mass produc­ ment ofthe railway steam engine in the Jeanne Price was a fashion designer tion. 1840s, there began an enormous growth in New York for a dozen years, and They were produced in such novelty of people traveling which led t.o a de­ then l>ecame a professor at the Fashion Institute of Technowgy. Her shapes as coffee mills, irons, shoes and mand for souvenirs. As a result, there others. Catchy sayings were sometimes appeared a great variety of t.oy-like career spanned 30 years, teaching flat printed on them, typical humor of the tape measures in the form of ships, pattern design. She is the author of period. For instance, a hat was inscribed baskets of fruit, animals and many two patternmaking oooks, a grading oook and a government publication. "Most hats cover the head. This covers other shapes.

MY FAVORITE THINGS -FOUR IN ONE apart for the political ribbons, but By Pat Baader the colors, piece placement, and the that would be a crime. The quilt is My favorite things are antiques, many variations of the feather stitch more important than the ribbons. political items, embroidery and and other embroideries. One ribbon is "Annual Encampment, quilts. This crazy quilt is an antique It is made of silks, brocades, Soldiers Reunion of Illinois, Camp dated 1885, has beautiful embroidery taffetas, and velvets. There are no McCullough, Bloomington, Ill. 7th, and has 10 political ribbons in red splits in the fabrics, which makes me 8th, 9th 1881." Two are "In and blues. The quilt is signed M.J.B. assume that the materials were dyed Memorian Jas. A. Garfield, 20th and I have wondered if the M.J.B. with vegetable dyes rather than later President died Nov. 19, 1881" but was a relative of the Presidential chemical dyes. both differ in design. One is a Double candidate Blaine of Maine or Logan When I displayed the quilt at an Jugate (this means two pictures of of Illinois. It is regrettableM-WTCA.ORG that I have Extension meeting, one of the view­ the candidates) "Cleveland and no provenience on it, only that it had ers got very excited because she saw Hendricks, Jefferson Club No. 27, won a Blue Ribbon at the County some of the silk pieces had embroi­ Bloomington, Ill." Four different Fair in 1947. The person who made it dery done with bamboo needles. She Double Jugates of Blaine and Logan, was an artist in the arrangement of had seen it done in China and said and one Single Jugate of Blaine with that they could only sew a few the name of Logan. stitches and then the needles would I am very lucky t.o have this quilt need t.o be sharpened or changed. because the day of the auction was a Every time you look at it you can terribly hot, muggy July day and I see something different. The only didn't want t.o go, but Bill practically wear is on some velvet flowers which pushed me out the door. I am sorry were placed on a pink background. that the quilt cannot be put on The flowers were what milliners used display oftener and without the t.o decorate hats and the wire in the plastic cover which I used at Knox­ flowers caused the wear. ville, but it is too fragile. So it stays Some people would tear the quilt in an acid free box, unseen. Page8 "ON WINGS OF SONG" original in a wood shed at the homestead 50 "Carols From Around the World," By Ramona Ramsey in 1962. It was made of tiny prints, one which are favorites we sing each year Family,pianomusicintheteenyears, red and one green on a white background. since the 1950s. At Christmas we sing patchwork patterns for quilts are among I drafted the pattern but didn't make it up such songs: "Dame Get Up and Bake my favorite things. Under each of my until 1975. The first block was machine Your Pies," "On December Five and three-part display was sheet music, "On pieced and didn't turn out well. Twenty," "Ashwell Carol" are among Wings of Song"by Mendelssohn. A beau­ This wall hanging is a wedding gift for the favorites. Usually someone picks tiful melody I've loved most of my life. my great niece, Jennifer Merkle Evans. up and plays a sweet tone recorder, "Aunt Dina's Quilting Party" JennieisagreatgranddaughterofEmilie. which adds to the piano, or organ or This block is hand pieced. My great-niece This brings to mind patchwork pat­ orchestra chimes. Recorders are a pre­ is an accomplished sewer and will prob­ clarinet instrument from Europe. The terns, the first of my collection goes back ably become a quilter as each generation big alto recorder is a two-dollar flea to the'50s, Marguerite lckis, "Standard of women before her. Genealogy details Book of Quiltmaking." In the '60s, I market find. I held my breath wonder­ story goes with her legacy wall hanging ing, "how much?" when I spied it. inherited my foster mother's patterns. quilt. During the '70s I did a little bit of ma­ "Dream Along With Me" This split basket is an old Easter bas­ chine patchwork. In the '80s I was asked ket from the 1920s. This, I believe, is from My dream is to make a Baltimore to join a quilt club (Calico Cut Ups). the Ramsey side of the house. The latest Album Quilt. Each block is different in Following the October, '83 M-wrc meet quilt supplies wereinit, however-pigma this quilt. The blocks tell a story in in St. Louis, I received a most wonderful pens to sign a quilt with permanent ink, flowers, scenes of families, or monu­ gift. Alma Parks sent me half (Shirley three Berol pencils, 1 silver, 1 yellow, 1 ments, "Spoken Without A Word." It Linstromberg, St. Joseph, MI received black Karismacolor, for light coloring. A may take me five years to make this the rest) of the pattern collection she had pure white eraser is now on the market to applique quilt and I've just begun. I inheritedfromhermother, who collected remove marking when no longer needed. startedcollectingpatternsfromfriends. a lot of them. These came from Kansas Mil Wasson sold spool holders as she did "Kentucky Quilt Design" is a block City, KS. quilting at Pioneer Village at Indiana from Jane Venable Brown in Ken­ My favorite block is a family heir­ State Fair a few years back. Some of tucky. As we travel to tool meets, I'm loom. It is a variation of the feather star. Ken's handiworktheyretrievedfrom their collecting special prints to make this I've called it "Emilie's Feathered Star." attic. The spool holder sure saves picking unique type of applique quilt. Using At the turn of the century, Emilie and the spool off the floor. different kinds of techniques, eventu­ her four sisters each made a star quilt. ally I'll have a "Dream Quilt." I've seen several of them and this pat­ "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" Of such are the threads of my life tern was the prettiest and by far the The red and green plaid binder is one "On Wings Of Song." most difficult. I found the scraps of the of eight copies we have compiled of about TRAYS - MY FAVORITE DECORATIONS By Joyce Wolsted introduced from China many centuries black or bright red backgrounds. These Collecting trays did not start as a ago. True works of art are carefully trays act as colorful accents to our rooms. hobby. Itjustevolvedafterseveral trips preserved in museums, but most Japa­ A wooden plate decorated with an around the country and outside the nese homes have several pieces of lac­ ivory and mother of pearl mosaic came U.S.A. quer ware. Bowls and trays for daily use from Egypt. It has a design of geometri­ The trays fit in the side of collapsible are made of lacquer ware. Wood is the cal figures covering most of the surface. luggage and are easy to carry. Most are base material and originally lacquer was Pottery dressed with a slip of fine flat and not easily damaged. This was applied to waterproof it. Many was were white clay is famous in Turkey. It is an easy way to carry souvenirs to re­ invented to paint and embellish other famous for its bold designs and powerful mind me of our tours. The collection objects that had a wood base. The devel­ coloring. Black outlines are filled with started with a tray used by my opment of the art was given impetus by turquoise blue, sage green and dark red husband's family. They lived for sev­ the tea ceremony, incense burning and under a clear glassy glaze. Sprays of eral years as missionaries in India. The the set of decorated medicine boxes by narcissus, tulip, fretillary and feathery tray is a delicately carved tea tray of samurai and merchants in the period leaves fill the plate. The dating of Turk­ shisham or black wood, M-WTCA.ORGa species of 160 -1867. Gold or silver dust spread on ish ware is established by similar tiles Acacia. This wood grows in the warmer the wet lacquer surface was used to form on various buildings whose history is regions of the world. the design. Today, lacquer ware is used known. Kutahia in Anatolia has been a A rosewood plate or tray from India daily by the Japanese people. Manufac­ busy ceramic center from the 17th cen­ is another beautiful piece. Rosewood is turers are using synthetic lacquer with tury to quite recent times. We cannot a deep ruddy-brown to purplish-brown very few craftsmen practicing old lac­ date this plate but are researching this in color and is richly streaked and quer producing techniques. find. grained. It takes a fine polish. Cur­ Brass is another material used to Beautiful walnut for the U.S.A. also rently, the Indian government exer­ make trays. A favorite is 24 inches in has a place of honor. Its warmth and cises a monopoly on the logging of rose­ diameter that hangs above our fireplace. grace charm us every time we admire wood in India, controls its use in India It is richly engraved with flower and this salver. and regulates its export to the rest of fern designs and then polished. This TheEncyclopediaBritannicahas been the world. tray was produced in Madras, India. a valuable source of information. Arti­ The trays we collected inJapan were Trays of lacquer were purchased in sans from different areas also are a lacquer ware. Japanese craftsmen are South Korea. Mother of pearl flowers, great help. Meanwhile, we collect and noted for their exquisite designs, an art leaves and butterflies are set in plain enjoy our treasures. Page9 THE LIBRARY By William A. Gustafson book constantly to establish the manu­ There is a new introduction to the Some 19th Century English factured dates of the tools in my collec­ Second Printing and new information Woodworking Tools. Ken Roberts tion and put them in perspective with about the Horton Registered design Publishing Co., P.O. Box 151, other similar examples by other manu­ brace is also included. Fitzwilliam, NH 03447. $36.50 ppd. facturers. Anyone who does not have this book This is the second printing of this This work is jam packed with infor­ will certainly want to add it to their classic reference work which went out mation in its 512 pages, nearly 4090 library at this time. One can hope that of print in 1978. This work encom­ illustrations and 28 tables. The list of Ken will make available to those that passes a documented historical presen­ appendices: Checklist of Sheffield already have the book the new informa­ tation concerning the manufacturing sawmakers, Checklist of Sheffield edge tion in some other form. of edge and joiner tools and bit braces. tool firms, Checklist of Sheffield joiner The new introduction is almost a As Ken puts it, "Without understand­ tool manufacturers, Checklist of Bir­ concordance of publications which ing the history of English tools, it is not mingham and Sheffield brace and bit should beineveryone'slibrary. Included possible to understand the development makers and Chee list of Birmingham . is also aninternationallistoftoolgroups. of American tools." This is the most rule makers, is the most comprehen­ Ken also states that he will include to comprehensive listing of the manufac­ sive available and is the result of six all who order the book and request it, a turing firms in England and the dates years of study in Great Britain and the copy of Introduction to Rule Collecting, of their operation available. I use the United States. a treatise he wrote. JUST A LITTLE BIT HANDICAPPED ... hotel hassle was at Detroit, when by O.M. Ramsey nience is the greater implied mes­ sage, you're not welcome here. Alice and Lars Larson insisted we be How do you treat your fellow tool Believe me, there are not a few out their house guests and had a wheel­ collector? Is he a competitor to get there not the least bit reluctant to tell chair available. The only stipulation, ahead of at any means, or a mutual you "Keep Up or Keep Out" at most you have to stay all week. friend that shares a common inter­ any type of function. At times, this Wouldn't this philosophy make a est? In the past, I've been to various attitude breeds no small amount of wonderful world, to treat everybody swap meets to find the handicapped hostility within the recipient that's as if they were at least a little bit parking occupied by the early birds, hard to disguise. "handicapped." Courtesy is very and table space available only on the Neither are we looking to be contagious. Get the fever!! far side of the room or completely coddled at every turn, just shown non-existent. Of course, everyone common courtesy. Include us in all of knows the parking spaces are in­ the plans. If we can't cut it, we'll let tended for general public attending you know. Eliminating our activity is Ken Roberts Goes functions and don't count for private a very painful "kindness." "Down Under" activities. The "just me" syndrome Our last several tool swaps have dictates that that rare "goodie" must been harbingers of joy, with a place to During the middle of February, Ken be acquired, at any means. park, a table near the door and help Roberts took off to New Zealand and More devastating to the handi­ to move tools into the display area. Australia to lecture before several tool capped than the physical inconve- The ultimate courtesy to avoid the societies. At Auckland, on the North Island of New Zealand, he will meet with the Vintage Tool Collectors' Club. Then, traveling to the South Island, he will lecture at the Lynn Historical Wood­ working Trust at Ashborn. Early in March he will travel to Australia, first meeting with a group of tool collectors and wood craftsmen at Brisbane. Next, M-WTCA.ORGat Melbourne, he will address the Tool Preservation Society. Traveling to Hobart, Tasmania, he will lecture before the Woodcarvers' Guild. Then back to the mainland at Sydney, he will meet with a newly formed group of tool collectors and woodcrafters. Following this, he will have an informal meeting with a group of tool enthusiasts at Canberra, the capitol of Australia, returning to Los Angeles late in March to address a special meeting of members of Preserv­ ing Arts & Skills of the Trades at Long Beach.

Page 10 PUZZLED their solutions. This puzzle, and simi­ lar ones, date back into ancient history, ,~ By Hunter Pilkinton before radio and TV dominated our The Mystery Tool shown in the entertainment. Hose~ December, 1991 issue of THE GRIST- The solution is shown, so those who 1\IlIL was not a mystery to all. didn't try it can make up some for the It was correctly identified and ex­ kids, with the answer as security so you ~t;,hed plained by several as a tool to make wire won't be embarrassed. Clamp hose clamps for rubber hose. The one I Lee Greenwood of Okemos, Michi­ have is marked Cleveland Tool com­ gan, first worked it with cardboard, l11set1 TernAe in end of Hose pany who made air-operated tools. A then made up several for the grand Rubber Hose Clamp l19htener length ofwire, about 14 gauge, is formed kids, using a distinctive piece of wood to make a U shape and laid around the for each puzzle, then scrambling the hose with the two ends of wire placed various types ofwoods so the kids got no file. Well, Lou is a retired machinist under the U-shaped end. These ends clue from the wood grain! Sneaky! Ron and master tool and die maker so I are then put into the holes in the end of Baird, of Fairgrove, Missouri, gave me figured he had a way. This puzzle is the tool and secured by the clamp and a scare. He phoned and said "I believe made by courtesy of Lou, is also a Mid wing nut. The notched end of the tool is you left out a piece." A quick check ofmy West Tool Collectors Association mem­ placed against the U-shaped end of the source proved the puzzle was complete, ber. Tell me how you would do it! wire and tightened by the hand wheel so he said "I'll try again." And he was And last, a little assembly problem. on the tool. When quite tight, the tool is successful, per his letter. Ashley Just four pieces to assemble, all mor­ laid over the U-shaped end of the wire, Kennedy of Evanston, Illinois also tise and tenon. Tell me how you as­ bending the two ends also. A tool is solved the puzzle correctly. semble it. I suspect one approach would removed, the excess wire cut off and Now for the new stuff. I try to pick a be to use spiral mortise and tenons and flattened to make the hose clamp. level of difficulty that is a bit challeng­ screw it together! Or, based on the tool A nice sketch was sent by 0. M. ing but not overpowering. This issue's advertisement by 0. M. Ramsey in the Ramsey of Fort Wayne, Indiana, which puzzle involves some knowledge of last issue of THE GRISTMILL, maybe I am using to illustrate the tools opera­ mathematics, but clear thinking of all he can supply an assembly tool. tion. His son drew the sketch, based on the options will be a big help. Have fun! one they still use in a shop where he The object of the problem is to deter­ Address replies directly to Hunter works as a welder. mine the diameter of the circle. Good Pilkinton, Route 1 Box 180, Waverly, Cliff Fales, of Denver, Colorado, cor­ luck! (See sketch.) Tennessee 37185. rectly identified the tool and Lee Green­ Diversion #2 was an off-hand result wood of Okemos, Michigan, has a tool of one of my early puzzles requiring a for the same purpose but made of alumi­ square hole be drilled in wood with an .....------mnn and marked The United Compres­ ordinary rotating cylindrical metal bit. sor Company, Cleveland, Ohio. I just Well, recently my friend Lou Hegedus saw a current model offered in a gift visited me and he recalled this puzzle. catalog also, so while it is still an un­ Lou said that woodworking was easier usual tool, it is still alive. (?) than metal working, but even so he The little Tangram puzzle intrigued could make a square hole in a piece of several readers enough to write with steel using only a round, or "rat tail," 5ot. t.rf"ION ,r'r, -PEe, &fl 'P11zz t.c

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Page 11 WHATSIT be found in some area libraries and will give you a brief synopsis of the item. If By O.M. Ramsey more information is needed, one must Our first column was very well re­ go to a Federal Depository Library. ceived. However, we will need your Most states have two or three of these input to make it a continuous success. libraries, where you can get a full copy Since many of you didn't receive your of the patent document for a small fee. December issue until after New Year's, Because the patentee of Steve the response time till the March dead­ Scruggs joist borer had a most unusual line is only about two weeks. So, if you name, "Zeek," we were finally able to have a response to an inquiry or have locate the necessary information by an item to research, contact me at 2038 looking over 10 years of separate in­ Whatsit Maples Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46816. dexes. I located the information on it. A recent acquisition I found at a Then we can share information with all Here is a patent picture of it which tractor/engine show is a three foot long the members. shows more than the catalog picture. stick carved from a soft wood piece. Its One member inquired as to how we Being an electrician by trade, I thought ends are pretty well enc.rusted with ascertain that a patent date is in error, about doing a more detailed story on · grease. The right-end hole is somewhat so we'll try to review the patent issuing this most unusual tool. However, the elongated as if it were once mounted format. With only a few exceptions, at owner would like to do an article on it in eccentric pin of sorts with some face the beginning of the patent office, all the future. I will defer the idea in favor wear around the hole. The left-end patents are issued each week on Tues­ of the owner. wooden pin is on a 90 degree plane to day, regardless of holidays. So, the first The oddball looking special wrench­ the right and shows no wear. The re­ step is to use a perpetual calendar to like device at the Knoxville whatsit cessedsquare hole apparently was used ascertain that it is indeed a day of session is in all probability an air valve to th.rust possibly twine or something issuance and not the day of application, wrench, inasmuch as the trademark similar through a soft material or hard which is sometimes wronglyused. There logo embossed on it is the symbol of the to reach place. However, the head ofthe is no easy cross check, inasmuch as Wes tinghouse Air Brake Co. of pin would snag most things. Neither some patents may be processed in a few Wilmerding, PA. does the left end show any wear marks. months and others may take a year. I Another genuine whatsit from some Being of soft wood, it couldn't have been have an electric iron that was patented time ago is a patented exercise club as or anything requiring a heavy th.rust. on Christmas day, and I'm sure the per the accompanying patent picture. So, what's your verdict? whole office took that day off work. For any of you who may be research­ Then, of course, others may use an off ing patents, it recently came to my date as a bluff in order to discourage a attention that several early issues of competitor. the Scientific American frequently had Upon determining an accurate date, whole page listings of patents issued. we next check the Patent Gazette for However, being a monthly periodical, that given week. If we don't know what the length of their lists doesn't appear the item is, the next step is to look at the to be comparable to that of the Gazette few hundred pictures of patents issued listings for the same period of time. that day. Hopefully, you have the whole Obviously, it is going to take some item at hand and not just parts and can more work determining what patents recognize it. If your motivation is to they listed and how best to access them. determine some other aspect, you can Horse collar maker's device According to their advertising, they usually find it by the name or patentee also acted as agents for those seeking a patent from the government. Since they index listing. The Gazette listings can 078,280. 8TKU.fflCCU71. lwnl..U1-.-..,w­ J'IWJUDOft. llN...... ff7,IIL (llo...W.) are still in business today, we can use them as an alternate source of informa­

~IIH ■ !OltU. 1nu.1n.1nu,-. ... - tion to identify some of these fascinat­ ing "oldies." t;i..;.:_:_ 1. A .,...... ttc c1.,: o; adjuubl1 ··!'miird .. i.apon· • ·· gn,d11a&.ed _,.,.. hni11g a handle at iu eMI tobtitantiall7 u and (or We have a couple more items to th• pur-ro- .., ronh. ! . 111 cow,bh,alio11 • clnb P Mljut.ab17 Meor•d on a at.m R, • feature in the next issue, but need to get ..otehed loc.kin1-pl•Le " • ti', NC•,..d lo the lower and of Mid club M-WTCA.ORGMMII •• aniliary 1.-i.ing••oight F hning hooh f.f. adapt.eel &,o in, a few more descriptive details from the terlock willt. llt.e plate ,I ot1 tJ.a cl•b D ••l.t.an\ia.U1 u and for th~ ,-rpoM Ml forth. owner as we have photographs only. If you have one of those puzzlers, send us Patented exercise club all the information you can find and we'll run it up the flagpole and see if anybody salutes. And last, but not least, we have an item thatweknowwhatitisfor, but the owner would like to find out more about how it was used. We ran an article on this horse-collar maker's device in a ,.,,.""' similar column that I correspond with ~rld-Clyuz-A> ~ in an area farmer's tabloid a year ago, "~ Westinghouse and to date we have received no re­ L------_Jlogo sponses. So, now we'll try the real pro­ T.C. Zeek boring machine fessionals, you! Page 12 Part2 THOSE NORDIC BRACES by E.J. "Al• Renier Details of the chuck and bit mecha­ nism are shown in Figure 15. Note the Swedish-type Nordic braces are similarities ofthe chuck to the chuck on shown in Figure 7. They all have two­ the Nordic braces of Swedish origin partheads. The brace on the top and the previously discussed. Of special inter­ one on the bottom have center punch est is the way that the flat-tanged bit is marks on their chuck, while the brace retained in the chuck. The pivoting Figure 7: Swedish type Nordic brace in the middle is not marked in any way. metal latch moves sideways into the with two part heads. (Roland The variation in head designs is easily notch in the flat-tanged bit, at the point Pogatchnik Collection). noted in this picture. All of these braces where it protrudes from the back ofthe way. It is hand-forged and has the have a spring-loaded pin-type chuck chuck. The wooden head on this brace general shape of the brace in.Figure 20. mechanism. is in one piece. However, the shape of the chuck and The Nordic braces in Figure 8 also A similar type of chuck mechanism the chuck mechanism are very similar havetwo-pieceSwedish-typeheads. The was used on the brace in Figure 16. Its to those ofNorwegian origin previously lower half of the head on the brace on head and handle are finely-tooled brass, discussed. Details are shown in Figure the right appears to have been crudely while its frame is hand-forged iron. 25. Note the Xmarking on the chuck. repaired. Although the head ofthe brace The flat-tanged bit is notched on the The plate that is attached to the arm of in the middle looks like it is one piece, it side at the point where it protrudes the brace would fit into a notch in the is actually two. This more delicate type from the back of the chuck. It is held in side of a flat-bed-tanged bit. The plate of head is generally made in one piece, place by a spring-loaded wedge which is held in place by two screws. It is and seems to relate to Norwegian and fits into the notch. The spring is fas­ doubtful that the rather crude one­ Finnish braces, rather than those of tened to the arm of the brace. The piece wooden head is original. Swedish origin. When the head is made details on this brace are delicate and I have observed several hand-forged in one piece, it rotates on a metal or fine. It is truly a work of art. The one­ braces shaped like the one inFigure 26. leather washer, and is then held in piece head is held in place by a washer There are three of them in the place by a second washer at the top of that is retained by peening the top of Vesterheim-Museum collection. There the arm. The braces shown in Figure 8 the metal arm that protrudes into the are definite similarities between them do not have center punch marks on head. The chuck is identical in size and and braces of Swedish origin. They do, their chuck. shape to those found on other Nordic however, have single piece heads like The braces in Figure 9 were made in braces. There is no center punch mark those found more often on braces of Sweden. Both have one-piece heads and on either the chuck or bit. Details and Norwegian of Finnish origin. The head appear to be commercially made. They bit mechanism are shown in Figure 17. on the example in.Figure 26 is ofturned also have identical design characteris­ The brace in Figure 18 is almost burl. The bit is 10" long and the some­ tics, but one is marked P.G. Nordahl­ identical in design. It is part of the whatuniquechuckmechanismis shown Torshall.a, and the other is marked Vesterheim-Museum collection. There in.Figure 27. Forsluid-E Skiltuna. Rubbingsfrom the are two other braces of very similar The flat-tanged bits braces are shown in Figure 10. Details design in their collection, and I know of of the chuck and bit mechanism are two others of this design that are held I have only been able to find two shown in.Figure 11. Bothofthese chucks by private collectors. published references to the flat-tanged take a tapered square-tanged bit which The brace in Figure 19 was brought bits used in Nordic type braces. There is positioned in the chuck in such a tothiscountryfromNorwayin 1867. It is a flat-tanged bit shown on page 81 of manner that the required notch in the was purchased at an estate auction in the Jon. Weiss & Sohn Werkzeugfabrik tang of the bit is on the corner of the Kimball, MN in 1990. Its rather unique In Wein catalogue, which is written in tang rather than on its flat side. chuck and bit arrangement will be dis­ German and published in 1909. It was Although the country of origin is cussed later. Unfortunately, the head translated to English and reprinted by unknown for the brace shown in Figure of this brace was broken off and could M-WTCA and EAIA in 1980. Six flat­ 12, it has several of the design charac­ not be found. tanged bits are shown on page 15 of the teristics of the braces in Figure 9. In The brace in.Figure 20was obtained D. Stopl-ljzer-Koperwaren-Zutphen addition to having the single-piece head, at an estate auction in western Wiscon­ catalogue, which was written in Dutch the chuck and bit mechanismM-WTCA.ORG have sev­ sin in 1986. The auctioneer and mem­ and published in 1915. It was trans­ eral similarities. Details of the chuck bers of the family claimed that it came lated to English and reprinted in 1982 mechanism are shown in Figure 13. from Finland. The brace is hand-forged by M-WTCA and EAIA. Neither cata­ The brace in Figure 14 belonged to and has a beautifullyturned bone head. logue makes any reference to a brace in Peterr Christenson Kjornes and was The finely-tooled bit in Figure 21 came which a flat-tanged bit could be used. donated to the Vesterheim-Norwegian­ with the brace. It is not marked. By Were they produced as replacement American-Museum by his daughter, some inexplicable coincidence, a bit bits for Nordic braces that may have Ester Kittelson of Glenwood, :MN. Pe­ with the same identical detailing on its found their way into those countries, or ter was born in Sogneshisogn, (his shank is part of the Vesterheim-Mu­ to supply markets in the Nordic coun­ daughter's spelling) Norway in 1850, seum collection. It is marked Hueck tries? All of the fiat-tanged bits I have and died in Gilchrist Township, MN, at and is shown in Figure 22. The chuck collected or studied, with very few ex­ the age of 77. He was 20 when he and bit mechanism for the brace in ceptions, have been hand-forged. immigrated to Benson, MN in 1870, Figure 20 is shown in Figure 23. The flat-tanged bit seems to have and according to the members of his The brace in Figure 24 is also part of been used throughout the Nordic area family, he brought the brace with him the Vesterheim-Museum collection, for some period of time. In general, bits from Norway, along with his other tools. and is believed to have come from Nor- --continued on page 14 Page 13 THOSE NORDIC BRACES adjustable width flat tang that holds the I have been able to study have had flat bit in the rectangular opening in the continued frompage 13 tangs that varied in width from ::VS" to chuck. Two views of a large flat tang on slightly over fv8" and in thickness from a 2-V4" center bit are shown in Figure 1/16" to a,16". There have been a few 35. I believe that No. 23 may relate to a erratics thatfell outside ofthese ranges. size designation. The meaning of theB is Included have been all sizes of spoon, unknown. center, twist, gimlet and turn screw. Ron Pearson recently informed me Many of the twist bits are unique in that he obtained 19 hand-forged flat­ that they have no point or means of tanged bits. The tangs do not have cen­ centering and some have points that ter punch marks, but they do have holes resemble a reamer. in them. It is believed they were origi­ Details of a hand-forged flat-tang on nally purchased in Sweden. The flat­ Figure 8: Swedish type Nordic braces a twist bit are shown in Figure 28. Note tanged bit sketched in Figure 36 was with two part heads (Bruce Sandberg the hole in the tang through which the purchased with the Finnish bit in Figure Collection). spring-loaded pin passes to retain the 20. It is held in place by a small hand­ bit in the chuck. Also note the center forged thumb screw, which passes punch mark on the tang. This type of through a hole in the chuck and enters a center punch mark has been found on a hole in the tang of the bit. Details of the number of the flat-tanged bits obtained tang are shown in Figure 37. The smaller with braces of Swedish origin. dot may have been caused by an initial Nine flat-tanged bits ofvarious kinds error in locating the hole needed to re­ that were collected with Nordic braces ceive the thumb screw. are shown in Figure 29. Two of them Research on origin continues have holes in the tangs. Both were Certain of the design characteristics obtained with braces that came from of Nordic braces do seem to relate to a Figure 9: Nordic type braces from Sweden. Details of the tangs on five of particular country of origin. However, Sweden (author's collection). the bits in Figure 29 are shown in determining what design characteris­ Figure 30. All are designed to go through tics to assign to what country is espe­ a rectangular hole in a chuck and be cially difficult, due to their common bor­ held in place by one of the methods ders and natural tendency for design previously described. Views 3 & 4, 5 & characteristics to cross them. The diffi­ 6, and 7 & 8 show opposite sides of culty is further compounded by the ab­ single flat tangs. The significance ofthe sence of maker's names, patent dates, or heart-shaped marks in views 3 and 5 is dates of production and use. There are, unknown. Could they be guild marks of however, a few general observations that some kind? The names stamped on the I feel can be made at this time. That is, tangs are poorly marked and difficult to the heads of the Swedish braces are Figure 10: Rubbings from braces in discern. They probably have reference usually of turned wood while the heads Fig. 9 (full scale). to a maker. on the Norwegian and Finnish braces Front, back and side view of the flat are of either metal or wood. tang on a 5-V4" long 11/32" dia. gimlet Regardless of the country of origin, bit are shown in Figure 31. The trian­ the heads on all of the braces are held in gular mark is somewhat similar to the place in the same way. The Swedish heart-shaped marks on tangs 3 and 5 of braces usually have large two-piece heads Figure 30. Full scale plan and side while the Norwegian and Finnish braces views of a flat-tanged turn screw bit are have heads of one piece which are much shown in Figure 32. It was obtained smaller in diameter and more delicate in l'lolcA~ ed Bit with a Nordic brace known to have design and detail. come from Sweden. It has a hole in the Some of the braces that came from Figure 11: Chuck and bit mechanism tang as well as a center punch mark. Finland and Sweden have square open­ for braces in Fig. 9. (64% M-WTCA.ORGactual size). Seven flat-tanged bits with these ings in their chucks which are fitted with same characteristics are strung on the button-activated spring devices to hold hand-forged iron ring shown in Figure the bit in lace. Their chuck mechanisms 33. These iron ring holding devices have some of the features of the button have been found with a number of Nor­ configuration used in the chucks of En­ dic braces of Swedish origin. All of the glish Sheffield braces, except that in the bits on this ring have center punch case ofthe Nordic braces, the springs are marks on their flat tangs. external rather than internal. One won­ Details of the chuck and bit arrange­ ders if the use of this type of bit-holding ment on the hand-forged Nordic brace device could have preceded the British and bit (Figure 19) that came from design, or if it was developed parallel to Norway and was brought to the U.S. in it. The Nordic chucks all seem to have Figure 12: Nordic type brace. 1867, are shown in Figure 34. The nar­ the same relative size and configuration. Country of origin unknown (Roland rowwedge-shapedflattangon the spoon At the present time, I have knowledge of Pogatchnik Collection). bit, when used in combination with nine Nordic braces of Swedish origin another piece of flat metal, form an --continued on page 15 Page 14 THOSE NORDIC BRACES continued frompage 14 that have center punch marks on their chucks and on the flat tangs of their bits. Is this some kind of guild mark? Could they be the work of a single maker? If so, who is he? Some have suggested that Nordic braces ofSwedishoriginmay have been Too VIL..,, made for and used by a particular trade. The large variation in bit sizes and Figure 13: Chuck and bit mechanism Figure 14: Peter Christenson types found with them doesn't seem to for brace shown in Fig. 12 {64% actual Kjornes brace of Norwegian origin. bear that out. There have been specific size) (Esterheim Museum Collection). sets of bits found, such as the one in Figure 31, that do seem to indicate that they may have been put together for use by a certain trade (chairmaker or coachmaker, for instance), but in gen­ eral I don't believe we can say that the Nordic-type brace was developed and only used by one trade. The braces I have been able to study have had sweeps that vary from 4-1;2" to 7", with 6" to 6- 1;2" being the most common. The height Figure 15: Chuck and bit mechanism Figure 16: Nordic type brace of the heads have varied from 3-V4" to for brace shown in Fig. 14. believed to be of Norwegian origin. almost 5". (author's collection) Based on the information now avail­ able (i.e., the note with the Schilling brace, the date in the Norwegian brace, etc.), I estimate that the Nordic-type brace probably dates from about the late 18th to the middle of the 19th Century. Obviously, this study is no­ wherenearcomplete. There is still much to be learned, and if possible, verified about "those Nordic braces." This ar­ ticle is only a start, but hopefully will Figure 17: Chuck and bit mechanism Figure 18:Nordic type brace believed initiate discussion that will lead to ad­ for brace shown in Fig. 16. to be of Norwegian origin. ditional information and knowledge (Vesterheim Museum collection) being obtained about those interesting Nordic braces with their flat-tanged bits. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with additional information or commentsregardingthis subject. Please write: Al Renier, 13895 Holly Road, Eden Prairie, :MN 55346. REFERENCES Hand-written note. Schilling M-WTCA.ORGFigure 19: Nordic brace of Figure 20: Nordic brace of Finnish Museum, Northfiel,d, MN Norwegian origin brought to U.S. in origin. (author's collection) Broadside Hand Forged Brace and 1867. (author's collection) Bits, Bill Linstromberg, St. Joseph, MI The Glenwood [MN] Herald, Dec. 27,1923-Report by WPAProject sponsored by the Pope County Historical Society, June 13, 1939. Jon. Weiss & Sohn Werkzeugfabrik In Wein catalog, 1909. Translated and reprinted by M-WTC and EAIA in 1980 D.Stopl-Ijzer-Koperwaren-Zutphen catalog, 1915. Translated and Figure 21: Bit from brace shown in reprinted by M-WTC and EAIA in Fig. 20 1982 -More illustrations on page 16. Page 15 THOSE NORDIC BRACES continued frompage 15

Side VleW Figure 23: Chuck and bit Figure 24: Nordic type brace Figure 25: Chuck mechanism for mechanism for brace shown in (Westerheim Museum Collection). brace shown in Fig. 24. Fig. 22.

Top ,11cw

Cenft!.P. p vn ch Ma.~"

Figure 26: Nordic type brace Figure 27: Chuck and bit mechanism Figure 28: Full scale view of the flat (author's collection). for brace shown in Fig. 26. tang on a twist bit. (Bill Lindstromberg collection) ,1,,,f,, z. 3 4 ..!" 6 ,,, 8

/2.3956 7 B q Figure 29: Flat tanged bits used with Figure 30: Detail of flat tangs on five Figure 31: Full scale front, back and various Nordic type braces. (author's of the bits shown in Fig. 29. side view of the flat tang on a 11/32" collection) gimlet bit. (Linstromberg collection).

M-WTCA.ORG Figure 32: Front and side views of Figure 33: Hand forged iron rings Figure 34: Flat tang bit arrangements on flat tanged turn screw bit. (author's with seven Swedish type flat tanged Nordic brace shown in Fig. 19 (author's). collection). bits. (Ron Pearson collection) v--~ - ~

Figure 35: Full scale plan and side Figure 36: Full scale sketch of flat Figure 37: Detail of flat tang on bit views of flat tang on a 2-1/4" center bit. tanged bit shown in Fig. 35 shown in Fig. 20. (Linstromberg collection) Page 16 EVOLlYrION OF A TOOL COi J ,ECTION OF 50 YEARS By Bill Baader Fifty years is a long time for one's conditions - cash only ($450 at a avocation, but it goes to show how an time). The building was a 20 by 40 interest in woodworking tools can foot ex-chicken house with tools develop into a top notch collection stacked from the floor to head high. It (Picture 1). took Bill from March to December to Bill started collecting in the spring get 12 feet into the building. George of 1942 and in a relatively short Tuttle, another Ohio collector, found period of time he "had all the wood out about the chicken house and for planes in the world," about 35 in four years he and Bill worked the total. In the '50s, more collecting, but place down without ever running into Bill felt like the Lone Ranger in each other. Picture 1: Bill Baader in his tool shop. collecting woodworking tools. The On November 24 of 1969, he went 1960s brought names like Minor to the Reinhard tool sale in Reading, Cooper of New York, and an adver­ PA. 18th Century braces sold for tisement of about an organization $57.50 each, and because of Bill's named Early American Industries aggressive buying he also found that Associations. He joined and found out he had to sell excess and duplicate about the state of Pennsylvania and tools. It also allowed him to meet Vic Breneman of Hershey. other tool collectors. One of his Those who remember Vic knew competitors at this auction was A.M. him as an avid collector, dealer, Beitler of Philadelphia. They became friend and lover of Five Star good friends and traded tools on Henessy. Vic openly shared his many occasions. knowledge of tools, where to find As a result of Bill's competitive­ them, etc., with novices who shared ness, his is one of the better collec­ his interest. In the mid '60s, Bill tions around. In support of this Holden started contacting known tool statement, Bill's displays won Best of collectors to form the Mid-West Tool Show so many times it caused Collectors Association. M-WTCA was MWTCA to limit the number of times organized in 1968 and Bill Baader Best of Show could be won by one joined in late 1969, and served as individual. Director and its president. In 1965, Bill found a new passion, 1969 was an outstanding year for collecting rules. By 1990 he had one Bill. He had heard of a man that had of the premier rule collections (Pic­ a bunch of woodworking tools, not for ture 4), and in 1991 started selling sale, but would show them and talk this collection with the exception of about their use. By the time Bill some "goodies," as he puts it. looked him up, the man had died and Bill has been involved in collecting, Picture 3 the wife was anxious to unload that selling, establishing the Ohio Tool Collectors Association, editing the Ohio Tool Box for 10 years, hosting junk (pictures 2 and 3) but with semi-annual meetings for M-WTCA, Columbus in 1972 with George Tuttle and Dayton in 1978 with Gale Zerkle, area meetings, and building minia­ ture tools and furniture (pictures 5 and 6). One of his pride and joy efforts was working with Ray Townsend and furnishing 151 tools, and constructing M-WTCA.ORGa spring pole lathe for the Fort Williams display in Toronto, Canada (Picture 7). Area meetings always produce some interesting side stories that don't involve tools. At one of Bill's area meets Carl Seidler and Bill Robb of Cleveland had called to find out how early was agreeable. They didn't show up until 1:00 pm. They were driving a new Mercedes-Benz and had a flat tire, so they opened the trunk to get the instructions and equipment, and found that all of the instructions were in German, which Picture 4: Baader's collection of brass and ivory rules, displayed at Albany -continued on page 18 EAIA meeting, 1978. Page 17 TOOL COT J ,ECTION/50 YEARS continued frompage 17 J 8 Ja,n esuille Directory. ------W. J. DOOLITTLE,

(Succusor to R. J, RICHARDSON,) Dealer in HARDWARE, STOVES,

TIN AND ·SHEET IRON WARE, IRON A _ND STEEL, Wagon Makors' Stock, ]JfAIN B1'REET, JANESVILL.l!,~ lVJ,Y.

Agent J"or Fnlrhnnhs' Scnlcl'll,

A WISCONSIN HARDWARE DEALER By Mike Knudson For close to 20 years now I have Picture 7: Lathe made by Baader for Ray Townsend in use in cabinet shop, 01 been looking for molding planes. Fort William, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Sometimes I think the reason they are called molding planes is because neither read or understood. one of 10 finds them molding away in AB a general rule, wives play an damp basements and sheds with important part in building a collec­ leaky roofs. tion and Pat is no exception. She However, one can also find some became quite adept at spotting tools that have been well taken care of. and went with Bill on all of his That was the case with a rabbet buying escapades. At Washington plane I recently found near Court House, at A Must Flea Market, Janesville, Wisconsin. The plane was they ran into George Tuttle and Art made by Ohio Tool Co., but also bore Lane coming out of a section, and the stamp "R.J. Richardson" in a were informed that there are no tools semi-circle over "Janesville." in there. Of course, two tables down, Research at the local library and on a china and glass dealer's table, historical society revealed that she found an ivory rule for fifty cents. Picture 5: Miniature tools made by Richard J. Richardson went into the She couldn't wait to tell George and Baader. hardware business around 1846, Art about what they missed. Pat, like when he moved to Janesville, a many wives, started her own collec­ young man from Genesee Co. New tions. Those who have seen her York. He continued selling hardware varied displays at the semi-annual until around 1865, when he and his meetings know that Bill didn't get all brother Hamilton bought Doty Mfg. the family jewels. Co. R.J.'s hardware business was Bill and Pat, both avidM-WTCA.ORG collectors, taken over by W. J. Doolittle (see ad have said many times that the joy of above from 1866 Janesville direc­ collecting is the friends you make tory). Richardson stayed in the through tool collecting organizations. manufacturing business until he passed away in 1908, at the age of 80. If anyone else has seen planes sold by R.J. Richardson of Janesville, I Miniatures on display at M-WfCA would appreciate hearing from them. meeting. Contact Mike Knudson, 422 Garden Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504.

Page 18 THE REST OF THE STORY ON WASHER CUTfERS By O.M. Ramsey cepted wheel lubricant of the day, as well as a supply of leather washers. Since leather was pretty much an all •-~:;:... St.r....4:ibt Wheel , Dishd.. Wi.,,,_,,J 654 )(Ol!SKAN·Yill around item for all kinds of repairs, , for liuJ:, 6- SOLE .1.EATHJ:R AXLE WASHERS . • P.::,ttld I ••U. tut aod collar Ja • box,. or Hpa.nte17. H avt or It -ooJtar w-. especially for harness breaks, leather 18 and baling wire can fix about anything. . e 'vcs. Because there was outward pressure L. on the wheels at all times and with grit getting in the pine tar, it was common ;n l ~ . . occurrence for the leather washers to v.el "t9 e.duc..e. wear thin easily, thus rendering the nclT.bru. .!I!: wheel to be a sloppy loose fit. This loose es..­ ,,£? action soon would create a lot ofwear on the hub and spindle, an abundance of

which would necessitate replacement AXLE WASHERS of the skein (spindle) anq/or the wheel ADJUSTABLE COIL LEATIIER AXLE WASHERS Just about every tool collect.or around hub. would lie, cheat or steal to garner some A wheel may be either a straight side wheelwright's tools (maybe not quite unit or a dished wheel, which is the that strong.) But admittedly they are preferential style. Because ofthe bounc­ · Roll of20wa1her1. most desirable, such as spoke dogs, hub ing action of a rough terrain road, and borers, etc. But yet they will walk away the outward pressure from the tapered from a washer cutter as thought it was axle, the straight wheel tends to col­ a plumber's accessory for fixing a leaky lapse as the hub has pushed the spokes faucet. The actuality of the matter is their maximum distance against the outer rim or felloe, whereas the same Sinult. PtrBoi:. that any half sensible wagon or car­ 1-lncb, box of S roll& ...... IO.~ I -lncb, boa ol S roll•...... 30 riagewouldn'tconsider going anywhere side pressure on a dished wheel tends ll•lnch, bo, of S roll,...... 3J without it. It was just as important for to push the spokes tighter into the ll•lncb, bo• of 6 roll•...... tO traveling as your Visa Card is today. felloe, thus giving more rigidity to the SOLID LEATHER AXLE WASHERS So let us look a little closer at the wheel. Bycantingthewheelskeindown­ mechanics of how the wheels went ward until the under edge was level, round. Just as all front wheels on today's the vertical thrust of the loaded weight seals also to keep out as much grit as automobiles have tapered roller bear­ was transferred directly through the possible. Most ofthe cutters I have seen ings that can easily have their friction spoke to the rim in a straight line. have been of the tapered tang variety coefficient adjusted by tightening the However, there is still a minimum of that are used in a conventional bit spindle nut, grandfather could also com­ end thrust becauseofthetaperedcheeks brace. Then there are other smaller pensate for wear on the sleeve spindle of the spindle. But this technique mini­ ones with a tee handle that can be or axle on his wagon or buggy. So it was mizes the wear and tear on the whole readily stored under a seat cushion. Of mandatory that he hang a bucket of tar assembly. course, there are those larger ones pre­ under the wagon, which was the ac- These washers also served as grease viously described in Mr. J. A.Rose's article in the #63 GRISTMILL dated March, 1991, on page eight. Another style of washer used on mostly buggy wheels was made up of a WASH[A CUTT[RI. 46 Goodnow & Wightman, 176 Washington St., Boston, MaM. continuous strip of leather that was square and somewhat like a coil of Goodnow's Patent steam valve packing, looking somewhat Washer Cutter. like a long spring. To use it, you simply cut off a length that fits the curvature ,or evtdDf cln:HIII or ""uhe" -GUI el ,..._,. nilJber, paper, or thia ._.uoJ. It "dll cu\ any 1i"' ofthe particular spindle involved. Most up \.o 6f lo. dlamet..r, and can l,e ua-rd lo•• ordinary ~--.--._,~- l,lt •tock. M-WTCA.ORGcutters are equipped with two nibs or PRJCt:. a-.c"• · ··· .•.....•...... fl.00 cutters one is set at the diameter for the out periphery of the washer and the other for the size of the hole. One al­ ways wants to put the longest nib for WASlIBR CUTTERS the outside diameter, if the center hole No. JSO cuts through first then the leather stock

Polished steel blades. flops all over before completing the Used in an ordinary bit outer cut. The alternate method is to brace. use a single nib and then cut the outer Per Dozen ...... _ S!J. 00 circle, then readjust and then cut the inner hole. Still another plan of attack is to have a set of large leather punches that you simply pound with a hammer. A variety of washer cutters

Page 19 THE BRIDGEPORT GUN IMPLEMENT CO. By Ken Cope Reading through Roger K. Smith's My file of gun catalogs has a Bridge­ Winter Tool List to see what I couldn't port Gun Implement 1882 price list live without, I found an offering for a from which I have copied the front fancy screwdriver with the note "B.G.I. page, a page showing the two sizes of only marks." Having been a gun collec­ screwdrivers offered, and a page show­ tor for about 30 years (I only recently ing one of the "Implement Sets" which saw the light and became a tool collec­ contained the larger screwdriver. Prices Gun Implement Co. tor), I recognized this mark as that of were $4.5(Vdoz. for the small screw­ the Bridgeport Gun Implement Co., of driver and $5.0(Vdoz. for the large. Bridgeport, CT. Handles, the list noted, wereofCocobolo -;PRICE LIST~ Tool collectors may not be familiar wood. The history of the Bridgeport Gun with this company since the main prod­ ER.IDG-EFOR.T, CON"I:--T. ucts were gun cleaning and cartridge Implement Co. is very sketchy. The company first appears in the 1878 reloading implements. They did make U. S. A. a few general purpose tools, however, Bridgeport City Director, when it was which will be encountered from time to located on Water Street. By the time of time. the last listing in 1908, the company had moved to Elm Street. During this 30 year life, it was, for a time, the largest manufacturer of car­ Forstner "New and Improved Auger ~-- ~;i&:tfliii-1.., tridge loading tools in North America. Bit" patented in 1874. I have no other Even so, there is little published infor­ details and would be grateful for any mation available. The only additional information readers of THE GRIST­ information found in the Bridgeport MILL can supply. Public Library was a newspaper caption which reads:"A group of employees of the Bridgeport Gun Im­ plement Co., then lo­ cated at Elm and Harrison Streets, acted as bodyguard for President Theodore Roosevelt, on the oc­ casionofhis visit there September 3, 1902." At least one source notes that the Bridge­ port Gun Implement Co. manufactured the

FINDING THE ARABIA million dollars and unearthed the 1 71- of other thing recovered and preserved. foot-long boat from beneath a soybean Of particular interest to tool collec­ By Mel Ring field about a mile from the Missouri tors will be the story ofthe preservation This is another of those stories that River. The river had changed course of things such as wooden planes. All comes to THE GRISTMILL by way of over the years and had left the Arabia such things had to be slowly and expen­ Bill Rigler's copy machine. This time, preserved and its cargo of artifacts sively preserved because of being in the M-WTCA.ORGundisturbed and essentially undam­ Bill located a story about the riverboat water and beneath the water table for Arabia, and the new museum in Kan­ aged. The boat was enroute upriver a century and an half. Although the sas City where parts of it and its cargo with supplies for the settlers that in­ look perfect when exposed to air, they are now on exhibit. cluded fabrics, dishes, perfume, and all quickly disintegrate if not given special M-WTCA members who attended the essentials of that time. treatment. the fall meeting in Kansas City in 1989 The Kansas City meeting speaker Visitors are able to handle such will remember the program on the re­ told the story of the sinking and the things as the more than 2000 pairs of covery of the riverboat which sank in recovery and exhibited tools that had shoes and boots that were recovered. the Missouri River is 1856. The boat been recovered. Ivan Risley, tool collector and resi­ took only about lOminutes to sink after The recovery group is attempting to dent of the area, says the finding of the striking a partially submerged tree in get back some of their expenses by Arabia in a soybean field gives real the water. exhibiting artifacts in a newly opened meaning to the river's reputation of The nineteenth treasure lay undis­ museum in Kansas City. Visitors can being "too thick to navigate and too thin turbed until a group of Kansas City pay the admission fee and see ship's to plow." businessmen raised three-quarters of a boilers, a paddle wheel, and thousands

Page 20 TOOLS MADE IN THE MIDWEST By Roger K. Smith LUFKIN LUMBER GAUGE Lumber Gau~es A neat device worn on the lini;-er for determining the thickness of lumber. Can be carried in. the vest pocket. Nickel Plated.

No. 0-Measures ~8 to!! inches ...... Each, $0.50

Advertisement from C. 1906 T.B. Rayl Catalog

Allan Foster of Oakland, California has submitted this photo of a Lufkin Lumber Gauge. It measures boards from &'8" to 2" in thickness. The tool is brass and was origi­ nally nickel-plated. This device is stamped Lufkin Rule Co. -E. Saginaw, Mich., which is a scarce stamp. It is a nice collectible item, but we wonder how many fingers were lost because of it.

A JOINTER MADE FORA TOOL BOX By E.J. «Al" Renier I spotted the 3-&'4" wide wooden jointer (Fig. 1) at an early Sunday morning flea market as I was about to leave and go back to my car empty­ handed. When I picked it up I was surprised at how heavy it was (10-V4 lbs.). It was made from two pieces of lignum vitae which were 1-&'4" thick, 3" wide, and 26-&'4" long. They had been fastened together with three V 2" dia. black walnut dowels, which apparently failed at some time or other, and had been replaced with three V4" dia. bolts. When I removed the wedge to inspect the two piece tapered iron and cap, the plane came apart in four pieces (Fig. 2.) The 3" wide two piece iron was marked- Dwight French & Co. Warranted Cast Steel-(Seymour Figure I. Conn. c. 1850). The handcarved offset handle was 8" long at the base and tapered at a 30 degree angle in the rear and a 45 degree angle inM-WTCA.ORG the front. Removal of the wedge and the two piece iron allowed the handle to be released from its slot in the body. Then our pieces could then be easily stored in a tool box. Reassembly is accomplished by simply sliding the handle back into its slot, replacing the iron in the plane and driving the wedge home. The handle is then automatically locked into place and the jointer is once again ready to use.

Page 21 ~ast Meets West 5lt THE T OOLCHESI Philip Whitby of Tc Englewood, Colorado Ylntique 'Too{ Yluction And William Gustafson of Austerlitz, New York ana Have taken over The 1Jea{er S a{e Toolchest Auction for 1992 and bring you some of the Ylt Sugar Creet Onio finest antique tools to be Ylprif 24 ana 2~ 1992 offered this year. This is an unreserved cataloged Sale to Include: auction with no buyers premium Stanley Planes: 1, 2 Pre-Lat, 3 Pre-Lat, 1243, 4 Pre-Lat, 4 Square, H-104, 1104, 6 Pre-Lat, 6, 7, 607-C, 8, 608-C, 93;4,10 112, 11, 20, 21 Pre­ Lat, 23, 25, 35 Pre-Lat, 40, 40 1/2, 42, 43, 45 1st, 45 H&R, 62, 65 Early, 65, 78-W, 90, 95, 101, 120 Star Cap, 143, 181, 182, 205, 289, 444 Stanley Planes in Original Boxes: H-1204, 4 112, 5, SC, 9 1/4, 40, 46, 60 112,• 75, 71, 71 1;2, 78, 79, 93, 102, 11 O, 190, 191,192, 386 Jointer gauge Other Stanley Tools In Original Boxes: 208 level glasses, 49 gauge, 59 jig, 30 angle divider, 34-V level, 82 scraper, 282 scraper, 138 sights, 435 soldering iron, #2 bronze trammels, 4 trammels, 28 corner tool, 116 miter box, 27 rules, 61 rules, 66 1/2 rules, 68 rules Other Tools In Original Boxes: RARE Gladwins patent combination plane, Kunz #2, Millers Falls planes, Yankee, Goodell-Pratt, Sargent, etc. Other Stanley Tools: A complete #903 tool box, 1 odd jobs, 23-S declevity level, 77 dowel! rod machine, 225 double bevel, several vises, 216-2" drill, everlasting chisels, 63-X spoke shave, 65 chamfer shave, 81 razor edge shave, 71 bronze shave, 60 marking gauge, 73 boxwood gauge, 93 butt gauge, weatherstrip bead saw, 2 plumb bob, 20 rosewood level, R-1 OOb takedown square, 15 miter square and many other fine Stanley tools Patented Planes By: Sandusky Semi-steel, Sargent 707 etc., Union, Gage, Chaplins, Taber, Miller Falls, Edwin Hahn, Franklin, Segley Steers, etc. Leonard Bailey Tools: An exceptional early split-frame #5 with arched side profile, Victor #0, Victor #8, Victor #48, Defiance #5,Defiance #9 circular, Defiance #9 spokeshave An Oustanding Selection of Davis Level & Tool Co. Items Including: A rare Jack plane, block plane, pedestal level, wooden levels, Marshals patent square, etc. Wooden Planes: (See catalog for makers) Plows-Bridal, Rosewood Ivory-tipped, Boxwood, Yankee style etc., handrail, panel planes, jointers, toothing, spill, double-bladed, crown moulding, complex, 18th century, set of 4 panel raisers-one curved. Scientific Instruments: K&E Y level, saccharometer, 18th century brass inclinometer and ruler Blacksmith Tools: Forge, lever beam drill, anvil, tongs, hammers, hardies, etc. Tin/Coppersmith Tools: Early wooden post round steaks, bench shears, machines Coopers Tools: massive D.R. Barton Head Float, Croz, Howell, Jigger Timber Framing Tools: slicks, chisels, boring machines, frees Foot Powered Machines: circular saws, jig saws, mortising machines including a Rich's Patent, window sash cutter Plumb Bobs: Millwrights, mercury filled, hand forged, reel type, etc. Advertising Items: Collins axe floor display stand, Starrett felt counter pad, giant advertising wrench, Stanley counter display case, catalogs, original journals, etc. Rules: Stanley including 92 112 ivory, 0-36, 29, 58, 4 square, 13 1/2, 94, 83-C, 57, etc. Also rules by lnterlox, Chesterman, Lufkin, EA Stearns, Chapin, H. Davidson maker N.Y., other boxwood and ivory rules Wrenches: Brass, Winchester, Coes 4", implament, quick adj., buggy, etc. Other Tools to Include: Rare Disston #3 sawhorse, patented boring devices, Howards patent drill, Witters patent bevel, Gunsmith barrel! rifeling tools, shipwrights tools, stone masons tool set, slaters tools, wheelwrights tools , coblers toolsM-WTCA.ORG (some very early), molders tools, machinists tools, early hand forged flooring clamp, miter box, rule attachments, Starrett #16 double protractor, unusual hammers, collection of early washer cutters, tool boxes, calipers, A.O. Bauer disc type trimmer, Hobie Miller inclinometer square, C.E. Peterson· level

Catalog-$12 to: Bill Gustafson, PO Box 104, 'Williani~-9~ Austerlitz, N.Y., 12017 ~tiquey Available mid-March P.O. Box 104 Discount coupons to be sent to paid subscribers of Austerlitz, N.Y. 12017 either Whitby or Gustafson sale catalogs 2722 W. Union Ave. (518) 392-2845 Englewood, Colorado 80110 Mail Auctions Dave Kaufman 303-795-5650 5 issues-$20.00 Auctioneer 3 SALE Catalogs-$5.00

Page 22 SPRING TOOL AUCTION WANTED TOP$ PAID Saturday, April 18, 1992 For lh1• lo olher unusual ~ic•cream dippers ~. Baxter Auction Company :?~ ~ZS RICK HUMPHREYS 8051 East 46th Street • Indianapolis, Indiana 46226 214 Tuckahoe Cove Memphis. Tenn. 31117 1901) 756-2037 19011 761-9507 For Complete Free Listing & Information, contact: MO ARNOLD, 909 East 81 st St., Ind pis., IN 46240 (317) 251-7513 TOOLS WANTED or DICK OPSAHL (317) 786-6466 OR FOR SALE??? RON DANNEELS & FRED CURRY TOOLS 500 PLUS LOTS Why not advertise in our own Many Stanley Planes including: #1, 2, 2C, 3C, 4½C, 5¼, 5¼C, magazine, 5½C, BC, 10, 10¼, 10½, 12¼, 13, 20, 20½, 21, 34, 37, 39, 40½, 41 , 45, 55, 57, 72½, 7 4, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100½, 105, THE GRISTMILL? 113, 131, 144, 171, 444 in box; S4, S5, S18 Stanley Spoke Shaves; Gauges; Rules; Advertising; #860 Work Bench; Axes: What a better way to reach those including Goosewings; Plow Planes: Ivory Tip; of us who are Sash Crown Moulders; English & More. Braces: Pilkington Wood &Metal; Tool Chest with Tool's History: Catalogs &Reprints includ­ interested in tools! ing Appleton & Knights; Hammers; Wrenches; Levels; Coopers' Tools; Bow Saws; Routers; Stanley Plane Parts and More. EXCELLENT SALE To Place Your Ad, Contact­ Prices Realized $4.00 Gale Zerkle 511 Cookston Ave. ABSENTEE BIDS WELCOME Springfield, OH 45503

Tool Hats The Plumb Line They said it could never happen - however from the country that brought you An extraordinary newsletter The Steam Train and The Beatles, for the serious plumb bob we are pleased to offer you collector. these exclusive garments. Now accepting subscriptions for Please specify Saw, Brace, C Cramp, year 2 -- $10 for 4 issues. Wrench, Hammer or Axe. Complete sets of year 1 ( some Send $20 (NO M-WTCA.ORGCheques please) copied) are available for $15. If you like the simple grace in the To: Tony Murland shape of a plumb bob; if the The Tool Shop, 78 High Street, Needham Market, historian in you would appreciate a Ipswich, Suffolk. IP6 BA W, England. list of known distributors; if the metallurgy of brass and the Hand crafted in England mechanical operation of an internal by little old ladies in thatched cottages. reel catch your attention,then this is N.B. Meets all federal safety regulations, however the publication for you. we recommend that no attempt be made to remove the tools for use. The Plumb Line Coming soon - Plumb Bobs, Planes and Rulers. 10023 Saint Clair's Retreat We can also do special orders. Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Page 23 TOOL VARIETY T-SHIRT PLANE T-SH IRT AXE T-SHIRT SAW T-SHIRT BLACKSMITH T-SHIRT (ALSO AVAILABLE 11' SWEATSHIRT) (ALSO AVAILABLE IN SWEATSHIRT)

OLD TOOLS WOOD HAND FEEL WORKER FORGED BEI'I'ER

SMITHY T-SHIRT HANO FORGED T-SHIRT OLD TOOLS FEEL BETTER T-SHIRT TOOL COLLECTOR WOOD WORKER (ALSO AVAILABLE IN SWEATSHIRT) (ALSO AVAILABLE IN SWEATSHIRT ANTIQUE TOOL SWEATSHIRTS, T-SHIRTS, ETC. 131/z" X 18 " Please send me the following items: SIZE QTY. PRICE TOTAL T-SHIRTS L, XL, XXL EA. Tool Variety 12.95 Planes 12.95 Axe Heads 12.95 Saws 12.95 Blacksmith Tools 12.95 Smithy 12.95 Hand Forged 12.95 Old Tools Feel Better 12.95 Tool Collector 12.95 Woodworker 12.95 SIZE QTY. PRICE TOTAL SWEATSHIRTS L, XL, XXL EA. Tool Variety 22.95 Planes 22.95 Hand ForQed 22.95 APRON Tool Collector 22.95 COLOR: NATURAL 100% COTTON (20" x 24") QTY. PRICE TOTAL 1992 TOOL CALENDAR POSTER 8.00 ea. QTY. PRICE TOTAL -.;~~-~~r-~ TOOL APRON 15.00 ea. QTY. PRICE TOTAL TOOL PROJECT GRID PAD 3.00 ea. ORIGINAL BLACK AND WHITE QTY. PRICE TOTAL 11" x 14" PHOTO PRINT OF 13.00 ea. Please send check orM-WTCA.ORG money order to CALENDAR PHOTOGRAPH THE MATLIN GROUP ORIGINAL BLACK AND WHITE QTY. PRICE TOTAL P. 0. BOX 143, WICKATUNK, NJ 07765-0143 . ,-. 16" x 20" PHOTO PRINT OF Please provide us with your correct mailing address including apartment 0 ~6.00 ea. number and/or P. 0. Box. RFD addresses will require street names for delivery. PROJECT PAD 8½" x 11" , 50 SHEETS CALENDAR PHOTOGRAPH Your order will be delivered to address below. RECYCLED PAPER . BLACK INK *Please add $3.00 postage and handling Name QUESTIONS? FAX TO: 908-946-2025 Address WE'LL GET Subtotal RIGHT BACK TO YOU!

ALL T-SHIRTS NJ residents add sales tax where applicable City/State/Zip ARE NAME BRAND AND 100% COTTON . ( SWEATSHIRTS *For shipping to Alaska and Canada: Total Phone ARE 50/50 AND ARE Please add $3.00 for shi p ment to Alaska. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery. NAME BRAND. Add $5.00 for Canada shipment. This form may be copied for additional orders. © 1992 THE ELLIOT MATLIN GROUP, lNC. Page24 THE MARKET PLACE ADVERTISING WANTED FORSALE INFORMATION ISSUE COPY DEADLINE WANTED: Hand crank rope makers for my FOR SALE: Ken Roberts Publishing now has March January 15 collection. Also, any direction booklets, litera­ available 2nd edition tool books - Some 19th ture or information on rope making for book I am Century English Woodworking Too"ls, 510 pages, June April15 writing on same. Don Monnier, P.O. Box 772, 165 illustrations, $42.50 postpaid; Scottish/ September July 15 Sidney, OH 45365. (513) 492-1420. English Metal Planes by Spiers & Norris, 101 December October 15 WANTED: Hollow augers by A.A. Woods & pages with considerable new material, CLASSIFIED ADS - RATES Sons. Also Stanley Everlast chisels. Bruce illustrations and patents, $15.00 postpaid. Ask $.15 per word - ALL words. Hoffman, P.O. Box 361, Almont, CO 81210. for 1992 price list of other tool books. P.O. Box (303) 641-4223. 151, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447. $3.00 minimum per ad. WANTED: Corn shellers, hand-held cast iron FOR SALE: Stanley No. 65 marking gauges. DISPLAY ADS - RATES or wooden primitive scrubber styles. I am inter­ Good + and better. $10.00 each, or three for WORD ested in one or collection, and will pay a fair $25.00. Add $2.00 for postage and handling. SIZE COST LIMIT VernBroberg, 150934thStreet,Moline,IL61265. price. Don Monnier, P.O. Box 772, Sidney, OH Full page $160 900 45365. (513) 492-1420. FOR SALE: Used book list - woodworking, Half page $90 450 WANTED: Lever cap for Type 7 Stanley No. 2. metal working, patternmaker, blacksmith, Ben Scherer, P.O. Box 312, New Oxford, PA architectural, model builder, catalogs. Send Lg. Quarter page $50 225 17350. (717) 624-3002. SASE to George Braun, 6101 Janet Lane, Other sizes $8 per column inch WANTED: Popcorn and corn shellers with dates Florissant, MO 63033. (1 column is approx. 2-1/4" wide.) or names or unusual. Also, corn shock tiers. 25 word limit. Write Robert Rauhauser, Box 766 Rt. 2 Photos - additional $8 each (Polaroids not Thomasville, PA 17364-9622. (717) 792-0278. ANTIQUE & USED TOOLS acceptable). Typesetting and borders are not WANTED: Swedish made chisels and gouges, Quality, older hand tools for included in the page rates. Special artwork especially shark brand. Mike Knudson, 422 collectors and woodworkers. will be charged at cost. We must have a Garden Drive, Bismarck, ND 58504. sketch or rough drawing indicating how you Illustrated lists published 5 WANTED: Straight and cup adz, froe, peeling want your ad laid out. Camera-ready ads are spud, broad head hatchet, peavey, log scriber, times a year. accepted at no additional charge. and log dogs. Darryl Clauson, 160 Ranger Road, SUBSCRIPTION> $10.00 For your protection and complete satisfac­ Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494. (715) 325-5883. tion, ALL ads should be typewritten and CURRENT LIST> $ 2.50 WANTED: Loose Haying Tools: Haymow forks, double-spaced. If this is not possible, please knives, carriers, mfgrs. catalogs, souvenirs, pro­ BOBKAtrn specializing in PRINT legibly. motional display stands, etc. Write Robert SEND ALL ADS TO: Rauhauser, Box 766, Rt. 2, Thomasville, PA Gale Zerkle 17364-9622. (717) 792-0278. 511 Cookston Ave. WANTED: Articles of interest to fellow tool ~ buy and sell Springfield, OH 45503 collectors and researchers. Personal rewards great. Send to: Bonnie Weber, 10 Nappanee 511 W. 11th • Port Angeles. WA 98:362 (513) 399-1725 Drive, Carmel, IN 46032. (206) 452-2292 FAX: (513) 325-9555 WANTED: Bookbinders tools, Agate & Blood­ Payment must accompany ad. Make checks stone burnishers, books and catalogs on book­ payable to M-WTCA. At this time, advertis­ binding. William Roberts, P.O. Box 129, ing will be accepted only from M -WTCA Hallettsville, TX 77964. members in good standing. For information WANTED: Old miner's candlesticks for June and membership application, contact Gale M-WTCA meeting. Send description, including Zerkle at the above address or one of the name to Harold Whiteside, 1102 Richmond officers whose address is shown on the inside Street, Joliet, IL 60436. front cover of this publication. WANTED: Tie tacs or tie clips (bars) with tools on them. Bring them with you to Decatur, IL this June, or call orwritemenow. Thanks. Peter FALCON - WOOD Sandberg,517Taylor, Waupun, WI53963.(414) 324-4492. Antique, Collector & User Tools WANTED: Contact me if you have been ripped off with any tool/auction mail order operation. Peter & Annette Habicht Send Lg. SASE to George Braun, 6101 Janet M-WTCA.ORGRFD 1, Box 176 Lane, Florissant, MO 63033. Sheffield, MA 01257 Tel. (413) 229-7745 2722 W. Union Ave. Englewood, Colorado 80110 Dealing in fine tools for the collector or 303-795-5650 user. Visit our year-round sJwp or send Sale Catalog Published for our current illustrated brochure. Several Times A Year I·3 Issues for $5°0 I

Page 25 know much about the subject either. BACKTALK But, I guess I should thank him for This department is available for your sending me to Cajun country where comments, qustions, requests for they serve those delicious shellfish. information or identification and Mel Ring letters which provide answe~s to others seeking information. For identification a description, markings (if applicable) ' and a clear photograph or drawing should accompany the letter. We welcome your letters and will print as many each issue as space permits, on a first-come, first-served basis. Deadline for receipt of letters is partment of Taxation cancelled the in­ Janu~ 15 for March issue, April 15 for corporation of the company for failure June issue, July 15 for September issue, to pay franchise taxes. This indicates and October 15 for December issue. RE: Antique tool? the life of the company as being 20 The address is: I saw this antique in Gardener BACKTALK years. B.L. Weber Publishing Monthly. I have been trying to find out The machine is a combination mor­ 10 Nappanee Drive what it was used for. I sure hope some­ tising and boring machine covered by Carmel, IN 46032 one can help me. Thanks so much. three patents - #307,065 by James Mr. JohnLantzer Oppenheimer, Oct. 21, 1884, - RE: Hyphenated foot adze 1913 Deckner Street #339,195 by A. E. & J. C. Lake, Apr. 6, I am researching a tool and need the Goshen, IN 46526 1886, and-#377,199byR. Hughes & help of your readers. A. E. & J. C. Lake. Since everybody seems to be inter­ RE: Square Hole Auger And yes,· I own one of these ma­ ested in Stanley tools, I decided to study This in in response to an inquiry chines, alongwith 111 others of various something that is measured instead of from Jack Kebabian in the September, makes and models of carpenters boring numbered. I have just begun my study 1987 GRISTMILL asking ifsomeone in machines. I don't know everything of the foot adze. I learned right off that Ohio could ferret out some information about boring machines, but I am told I it was a hyphenated foot adze. I called about this machine and the company may have more collected items of knowl­ the library and the lady said, "That's that produced it. edge and the various machines than hyphenated, right?" The records filed with the Secretary most any other collector. The other thing I learned was that of the State of Ohio show that - On George Little the thing was stopped in the middle of October 24, 1884, the Square Hole Au­ Ripley, NY the evolutionary process. It started out ger Company was incorporated with a as an inch adze and then became the capital stock of $25,000 by five persons RE: Interesting Group foot adze. Supposedly the foot adze was who subscribed $500 each. On October 1, 1885 this stock was doubled by the Bill Rigler is one ofthose fellows who 12 times as fast as the inch adze. I should be on the Christmas card list of understand that the coming of power same stockholders to $50,000. The original persons who organized a:11 t~e copy machine people. He keeps tools inteITUpted the development of me informed by copying interesting the Square Hole Auger Company at another variation, the yard adze, which things and sending them to me. The would have been three times as fast as Wooster, Ohio were- Hiram B. Swartz-Mayor of latest was the news story in an an­ the foot adze. I don't know when it tiques magazine which reported our Wooster, OH in 1877, active in the local became hyphenated. For all I know meeting in Knoxville. Most of the ar­ Baptist Church. there might even have been a hyphen~ ticle was similar to THE GRISTMILL ated inch adze, too. L.P. Ohlinger-Born in Bavaria, Germany, clerk in a drug store, later but the author's last paragraph de~ My study isn't going very fast. I scribes us pretty well: remember Fred Curry talked about was a partner in a drug store. 1875 was county treasurer for four years, presi­ You as~ what kind of person be­ Louisiana where he said the Cajuns comes so involved with tools, old tools at had another variation, the crawed adze. dent of city council, 1881-1885 later that? He or she may be your next door I wasn't successful there, but I did appointed to postmaster of W ~ster OH, no dates. ' neighbor with an inquiring mind and decide from the name, crawed adze handy fingers. These collectors may be that it had something toM-WTCA.ORG do with chick~ J.P. Shields-Dealer in agriculture young or old, doctors, ministers, sales­ ens, so I wrote to the Leghorn Journal. implements in Wooster in the 1880's. men, policemen, teachers, or they earn They were kind in their reply, but not George Quimby-Large landowner their livelihood using tools. Many work very helpful. They did suggest that I in and around Wooster and was cashier in the Wayne County National Bank as volunteers at local restorations or write to the Plymouth Rock Weekly just love working with old things. They which I have done, but they haven't located in Wooster in 1860s and 1870s: are seeking understanding ofpast lives answered. W.A. Underwood-1869, was Mayor and experiences so more may be known Soc~ anyone help me? Specifically, of Wooster and a councilman in 1877. of what came before us. Note: the above information I need information on the hyphenated was We are an interesting bunch and the taken from the Commemorative Bio­ foot adze. I learned from the Leghorn greatest thing about us is that at meet- people that the first one probably came graphicalRecord-Holmesand Wayne mgs,. we d on'kn t ow if we are 'having a over on the Mayflower and it might Counties, 1889, published by J. A. Beers conversation with a tinker or a tailor or Co., andHistoryofWayneCounty, Ohio have been known as a ship adze. It a nuclear scientist. could have been a hyphenated ship -Pioneers and First Settlers by Ben Just another tool collector, adze. You might send a copy of your Douglass, Wooster, OH, 1878. Mel Ring letter to Fred Curry. He doesn't seem to On August 27, 1914, the Ohio De- Page26 BACKTALK have mother of pearl in the center with This plow plane is one of the most a band of German silver around it. This unusual I have ever seen or heard of, so RE: Rosewood Plane is inlaid into a plug of ebony and this in I thought the readers of THE GRIST­ On a recent weekend trip, we came turn is inlaid into the end of the ivory MILL might enjoy seeing it. upon this rosewood plane made, or tip. The heart and star inlays are held Jack Howe should I say crafted, by W. L. Epperson. in place with a small brass pin, the head He is listed in Mr. Pollak's book as a of which is covered with an ebony plug. RE:Taken planemakerinthe Louisville, Kentucky On the underside of the arm posts is I am sorry to report that two of my directories of 1858-59, 1876 and 1890. stamped the number"2" on one and the miniature hammers I had on display He may well have worked before this, number "5" on the other. Their corre­ at the Chatham meet were stolen. A because the plane has a stamp of 1855 sponding locations on the fence are also cross pen with polished steel head and on the depth stop. stamped "2" and "5". The screws for a Black Smith set hammer with square All ofthe pieces thatnormallywould each arm have filed into the shanks the head, both approximately two and three have been brass are made of solid Ger­ Roman numerals, "II" and "V" to indi­ quarter inches long with hickory man silver, as well as all of the inlay cate which arm they go into. The plane handles were also taken. work, which includes a Masonic em­ has about 85% of the original finish. Dak Hanchett blem, heart, star, strips in fence, and We sent the plane to Bob Baker to be E. Peoria medallions on screw arms. The tips refurbished, and he did a beautiful job.

DAVID STANLEY AUCTIONS

19th INTERNATIONAL AUCTION

1400 Lots QUALITY ANTIQUE WOODWORKING & ALLIED TRADES TOOLS, TREEN & TRADE CATALOGUES

on SATURDAY 28th MARCH 1992 AT 11 :00 A.M.

at BARDON HALL HOTEL BARDON, Nr. COALVILLE LEICESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND (M1 Jct. 22, A50, 2 miles)

Including: 350 Lots from an important English Collection

Also: Planes by Norris, Spiers, Mathieson, Stanley etc. Dated Dutch planes, early axes and bowl adzes Coachbuilders and other plows, planes by Wooding, Owen etc. Levels, Squares, Bobs, Trammels. Rules in Ivory & Boxwood, Carving Tools M-WTCA.ORGPlus hundreds of useful & unusual tools. Color Catalog includes: 1300 illustrations Full description with condition code Full postal, fax or telephone bidding instructions Estimated value of each item Plus after sale price list, Our own packing and posting service.

Catalogues $15.00 from: The Mechanicks Workbench P.O. Box 668, MARION, Mass. 02738

Page 27 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA, MO PERMIT 126

MID-WEST TOOL COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION, INC. ~ l •~ L I) 0 DL. I T .'f L. E Ann Henley, 808 Fairway Drive 12510 BIG BEND RDn Columbia, Missouri 65201 I( I R~(l,,..IUO ) MO 6~ l 22····~:i l 00

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

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