March 2014 No. 154 the Gristmill Index Departments Features Chaff

Tool Tid-Bits, Rodier’s Planes: Which is the earliest version? Studying, Preserving, and Sharing Knowledge of Tools Story begins on page 24

M-WTCA.ORG Homer F. Livermore, “Weaving Loom Repair and The Development of The Stanley Shuttle Plane” story begins on page 14

March 2014 No. 154 The Gristmill Index Departments Features Chaff ...... 4 More Reference Works Now Available On Line ...... 6 Area Meeting ...... 5 Homer F. Livermore, Weaving Loom Repair and The Development Of The Stanley Shuttle Plane . . . .14 Tool Family Trees ...... 7 #10s, #14s & Early Plated Handles; Springfield Fall 2013 Semi-Annual Meeting ...... 8 Some Uncatalogued Disston Saws ...... 28 Displays at the Springfield, MO. Fall National Meeting . . .11 Patent Office Speech – Local Boy Does Good ...... 32 Tool Tid-Bits ...... 24 Farmer’s and Harvester’s Combination Whip ...... 41 Lest We Forget ...... 35 Re-Purposed Tools - New Gristmill Column? ...... 43 Auxiliary ...... 36 David Stanley’s 62nd International Auction ...... 44 Obituaries ...... 42 M-WTCA Spring Meeting – Columbus ...... 46 What’s It ...... 49

The Gristmill (ISSN 2166 8078) No. 154 March 2014

Copyright 2014 by Mid-West Tool Collectors Directors Committee Chairman Association, Inc. All rights reserved. www.mwtca.org Area A Area M Elections...... Hollis Feeser Allen Snyder, 2014 Stephen Edwards, 2015 Meeting Planning...... Larry Thorson Editor & Advertising Manager: Bill Kolm Richard Rayburn, 2015 Doug Fowler, 2016 Membership...... John Walkowiak 11415 Spaulding St. Omaha, NE 68164 Area B Area N Scholarship...... Mark Eastlick Contributing Editors: Bob Roger, James Goodson, Steve McNulty, 2014 William Morgan, 2014 Gristmill Editor...... Bill Kolm John Wells Darrell Vogt, 2015 Randy Knudsen 2015 Special Publications...... Mike Urness Graphic Design: Tracie Sis, Green Hat Creative Heads By-Laws and Policy...... Gary Coleman Area C Area O The Gristmill is the official publication of the Mid-West What’s It...... Rob Hartmann Mike Stemple, 2014 Bob Valich, 2015 Tool Collectors Association, Inc. Published quarterly in Jim Charvat, 2015 Directory...... LeRoy Witzel March, June, September and December. Preservation & Education...... Doug & Paula Cox The purpose of the Association is to promote the preserva- Area P tion, study and understanding of ancient tools, implements Area D James Leamy, 2014 Marion Henley Award ...... Kerry McCalla and devices of farm, home, industry and shop of the Ed Chabal, 2014 Patrick Renehan, 2015 Displays & Awards ...... Dick Bradshaw pioneers; also, to study the crafts in which these objects Lee Kallstrom, 2015 Don Stark, 2015 Internet ...... Russ Allen were used and the craftsmen who used them; and to share Address Labels ...... Kerry McCalla knowledge and understanding with others, especially where Area E Area Q it may benefit restoration, museums and like institutions. Don Snyder, 2014 Bruce Bogust, 2014 Scrapbook ...... Mike Slasinski Bill Cox, 2015 Rob Zaccardi, 2015 President Robert Terry, 2015 LeRoy Witzel Eric Kennedy, 2016 Area R 105 Knights Blvd, Humboldt, IA. 50548-1879 (515) 890-0262, [email protected] Area F Area S Where to Send What Mark Johnson, 2014 Wordell Davis, 2014 Vice-President of Elections Please note where to send what so it will reach the Hollis Feeser right person. 1606 28th Street N.W., Rochester, Minnesota 55901-7614 Area G (507) 282-3175 Roy Ebersole, 2014 Send changes in your address, phone number Wayne Michael, 2015 or E-Mail to: KLM Computer Services, c/o Kerry Vice-President of Meeting Planning McCalla, 104 Engle Ct., Franklin, TN 37069, phone Larry Thorson Area H (615) 791-6198, E-Mail [email protected] 764 Stonebridge Avenue, Onalaska, WI 54650-8813 Annette Habicht, 2015 Request The Gristmill copies from: Carl Gray, [email protected] (608) 779-0966 Area I 17140 28 Mile Road, Ray, Michigan 48096-2905, phone Vice-President of MembershipM-WTCA.ORG Emory Goad, 2014 (586) 781-9467, E-Mail: [email protected] John Walkowiak David Hegwood, 2016 Pay membership dues for current year: Dues 3452 Humboldt Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408-3332 are $25 for USA, $40 for Canada & $60 for Foreign [email protected] (612) 824-0785 Area J members. Send your check made out to M-WTCA to Jim Price, 2015 Vice-President of Scholarship Vaughn Simmons, Treasurer, 3315 Clement Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801-4723 phone (540) 432-0617 Mark Eastlick Area K E-Mail [email protected]. Please write 14530 Mount Pleasant Road, Cambridge Spring, Don Craig, 2015 RENEW and your name and address on your check. PA. 16403-9776 [email protected] (814) 734-7818 Do not use a new member application to renew an Treasurer Area L existing membership. Steve Gosselin, 2014 Vaughn Simmons Submit materials and advertising information 3315 Clement Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801-4723 to The Gristmill: Send to Bill Kolm 11415 Spauld- [email protected] (540) 432-0617 ing Street Omaha, NE 68164, phone (402) 572-1238, Secretary E-Mail [email protected] Randy Knudson The Gristmill (ISSN 2166 8078) is printed by Obtain scholarship information: Contact Mark 8173 Lenox Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida 32221-6630 Elman Print, 6210 South 118th Street, Omaha, Eastlick 14530 Mount Pleasant Road, Cambridge [email protected] NE 68137 phone 402.346.0888 Spring, Penn. 16403-9776 phone (814) 734-7818

2 The Gristmill Coming Up

M-WTCA National Meetings Spring 2014 Fall 2015 June 11-14, 2014 Columbus, OH. Sept.30-Oct 3, 1015 Mars, PA. Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966, [email protected] Larry Thorson 608-779-0956, [email protected]

Fall 2014 Spring 2016 Oct 1-4, 2014 Rockford, IL. June 9-12, Holiday Inn - Airport, Des Moines, IA. Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966, [email protected] Larry Thorson 608-779-0966, [email protected]

Spring 2015 Fall 2016 June 10-13 2015 Kingsport, TN. Oct 4-8, Ramada Plaza Hotel, Louisville, KY. Larry Thorson 608-779-0966, [email protected] Larry Thorson 608-779-0966, [email protected]

2014 M-WTCA Area Meetings Area F Area E March 8/9, McCormick’s Creek State Park, Spencer, IN. August 3, Garfield Farm Museum, LaFox, IL. Matt Borders (812) 824-9318, [email protected] George Cella (630) 377-3646, [email protected]

Area E Area P March 30, Loves Park, IL. Aug. 24, Adamstown, PA. Gary Johnson (815) 636-1464 Don Stark, (717) 367-5207, [email protected]

Area D Area F March 30, Omaha, NE. Aug. 30, La Porte, IN. Lee Kallstrom (402) 981-0500, [email protected] Randy Brown (219) 575-8687, [email protected]

Area S Area E April 12, Williamsburg, VA. Sept. 7, Ottawa, IL. Woody Davis, (804) 758-3196 or [email protected] Bill Cox, (815) 672-3874, [email protected]

Area E Area D Apr. 27, Macomb, IL. Oct. 12, Omaha, NE. George Wanamaker (309) 836-6872, [email protected] Lee Kallstrom (402) 981-0500, [email protected]

Area D Area S May 4, Humboldt, IA. Oct. 25, Broadway, VA. LeRoy Witzel (515) 890-0262, [email protected] Vaughn Simmons, (540) 432-0617, [email protected] Area P June 28, Adamstown, PA. Area N Don Stark, (717) 367-5207, [email protected] Nov. 22, Panhandle Pioneer Settlement, Blountstown, FL. Willard Smith (850) 674-2777, [email protected] Area C July 12, Kalamazoo, MI. Jim Crammond, 734-241-0549, [email protected]

Meeting Dates must be cleared with Jim Crammond 734-241-0549 [email protected]

March 2014 3 Chaff From President, LeRoy Witzel

I am sure the weather will be better Have you ever considered gifting a $25 membership to when you read this in your March someone? I have heard comments from members who Gristmill. It is a January blustery, were very appreciative of the gift of membership that got sub zero, snowy day in Iowa and I them involved in M-WTCA. If anyone gifts a membership am glad not to be out on the farm their name will appear at the bottom of the membership doing livestock chores. After you certificate sent to the new member. Our Treasurer, Vaughn finish looking over thisGristmill , I Simmons, sends these very neatly done certificates out to hope you will take notice of all the all new members. M-WTCA events planned and put the dates on your calendar. You can Our Endowment Fund is growing as members are making also note that the Semi-Annual meetings are on the sched- contributions by adding to their dues each year and others ule through 2016. This is where you will have the opportu- are designating memorial gifts. Some members are also nity to gather information from members themselves, view looking to the future and have considered M-WTCA in their educational displays and presentations as well as develop estate planning. Many believe an important milestone was life-long friendships with great people from all across the reached at the 2005 Fall Meeting when the Board of Direc- country. Where else can you see so many antique tools to tors established an Endowment Fund, thereby enabling us add to your collections and also have the opportunity to to continue and expand the charitable work of M-WTCA as sell tools yourself? Be sure to plan to attend the Area and we go forward into the 21st Century. Semi-Annual meetings in 2014. We have recently lost some longtime member volunteers VOLUNTEERISM is and has been happening in our 3400 who have been important to the growth of our organiza- member organization. Because many members are willing tion. Ivan Risley, the third President of M-WTCA and the to step up as volunteers, M-WTCA has been able to op- first to receive the Marion Henley Award, died in Sep- erate the past 17 years without increasing its dues. Dues tember 2013. Morris Olson of La Crosse, Wisconsin died were raised from $20 to $25 in 1997. If you look in the front shortly after attending the Fall Semi-Annual meeting in part of the directory or Gristmill, you will see the names Springfield, Missouri. He was responsible for making sure of many member volunteers who are officers, directors our organization was set up as a 501(C) 3 non-profit Cor- committee chairmen. We are very appreciative of many poration when serving as Treasurer. We all will continue other members doing behind the scenes work, and espe- to reap the benefits of their foresight and efforts. cially those that step up to help the Semi-Annual meeting Hope to see you in Columbus, Ohio on June 11-14 2014 at Host and those sending in articles for print in the Grist- our next Semi-Annual meeting. Host Larry Thorson and mill. We are in sound financial condition and will continue Auxiliary Hostess Carolyn List, have an outstanding agen- to be, as long as we keep volunteerism alive and continue da planned for everyone. to add new members each year.

Membership by Vice President of Membership John Walkowiak

I hope everyone has been ableM-WTCA.ORG to attend a Meet this winter, by quickly, so we are always looking for good folks to con- and you are anticipating the tool collecting season ramping tinue the good work that has made this club as great as it up. As you search for your next favorite tool, please re- is. It does take some of your time, to plan and conduct member to take along some membership applications and meetings, but virtually all Area meetings are repeats from pass them along to the fellow tool fanciers you meet on previous years, so the die has been cast, and they are pret- your travels. They may just become your new best friend. ty much on auto pilot.

We are doing well with new members joining our club, so Do not forget about our Membership Contest. The details a hearty Thank You to those of you who have been actively are in the December Gristmill. spreading the word. If you need any membership brochures or Silent Sales- One way for you to get even more enjoyment from being a men, just let me know and I will get them to you. member of Mid-West is to become a Director. The terms go

4 The Gristmill M-WTCA Needs You as a Director by Hollis Feeser

Spring greetings to all members of M-WTCA. Tool meets Being a Director is not a difficult job, in fact it can be a fun are happening, Flea markets are opening, antique stores job. Most members have attended M-WTCA meetings and and parking lots are busy, the activity on E-bay is gaining meets and understand the rules and will be helpful in plan- momentum and yes, it is spring. ning and execution of your area meets.

Now is the time to plan the meetings and meets for the I encourage every member to consider being a Director. yearly activities of the M-WTCA membership. We current- You will find the rewards out weigh the work and respon- ly have 48 Director positions in the organization that have sibility. Talk with your current Director(s) and get a first the responsibility to plan, manage and execute the respec- hand view and understanding of the position. I encourage tive area activities. Directors are chosen by the members you to read article 5 (V) Directors in the by-laws in the of their respective area by ballot vote or in the case of only membership directory to get a full understanding of Direc- one candidate by appointment. The number of Directors tor responsibilities. in each area is determined by the number of members in their respective area as defined in the by-laws. M-WTCA needs you.

Scholarship Applications by Mark Eastlick, Scholarship Chairman

Just a reminder that applications for the M-WTCA scholar- engaged in. If you would still like an application, please ships are due April 1, 2014. M-WTCA has assisted many contact the chairman via the website or directly by email young people with their educational costs over the years or phone. Information about the scholarship can be found and is one of the most worthy activities our organization is in the M-WTCA directory.

M-WTCA Area H Meeting at Ben’s Mill, Barnet, VT. by Annette Habicht

On Sept.15th 2013, approximately 20 members and guests are unfortunately holding back the replacement of the dam, attended the 2nd Annual Area H Meeting at Ben’s Mill. which was washed away by storms in 1980. Members enjoyed the beautiful sunny morning and meeting with other members. Fresh coffee and muffins were served. The current owner The theme for this years meeting was Vermont Made Tools. of the mill, Hiram Allen was present A well displayed and very informative selection of Vermont to give attendees a made tools was shown by Judy Hughes. Peter Habicht brief history of the made a nice display of English 2ft, 2 fold brass rules with mill. decorative hinges. OtherM-WTCA.ORG members brought tools to sell and trade or to share their collections and talk with others. Inside View of Ben’s Mill M-WTCA member, and President of the Board of Ben’s Mill, Sally Fishburn, gave an update on the on going restoration project of Ben’s Mill, which is held up by the badly needed dam. The mill currently runs by an old gas engine. Work on the mill at present is to clear debris to enable the mill pool to fill and the dam to be completed to the river edge. Current environmental restrictions Members and Friends Sharing Tools Vermont Tool Display by Judy Hughes

March 2014 5 More Reference Works Now Available On Line by Bob Roger

Anyone who has been surfing the internet recently knows The genius of his legacy remains with us in the original of the immense flood of websites that have digitized and edition and in re-printed copies of L’Art du Menuisier made available many of the old references and books (some reprints do not follow the original layout ex- from around the world. Trying to keep up with them is actly). Roubo’s work has been digitized and now is on like drinking from a fire hose, and the number of works line courtesy of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technol- available is increasing exponentially. The American ogy – Zurich http://www.e-rara.ch/zut/content/titlein- College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC. and fo/4124136. M-WTCA member Richard O. Byrne have corralled many important sites which make up a current annotated Note: At the bottom of the first page click on the Table list of 140 pages complimented by 21 areas in files that of Contents. At or near the end of each section in the ta- bring the total reference to 1.2 GB. The College’s list is ble are the drawings (planches). Each page of drawings copyrighted, as are most of the sites he lists. Byrne has is followed by a blank page (the back of the drawing). graciously provided the following excerpts from the Just click anywhere on a page to go to the next page. larger list. The entire 140 page list is on line at the College. 2. Diderot Encyclopédie 1751-1772. This is a translation www.buildingartscollege.us effort by the University of Michigan and the Univer- 1. Jacob Andre Roubo was born July 8, 1739 in Paris and sity of Chicago with plates. Diderot started this work died there on January 10, 1791 at the age of 52. Dur- in France after returning from England and starting ing his lifetime he wrote the most important work ever out to translate Chamber’s Cyclopedia from English written on the art of woodworking L’Art du Menuisier, to French in Paris. And with help from many patrons, 1769-1777 in four volumes that covered the fields of fur- including Catherine the Great of Russia, he completed niture making, fine house and church joinery, theatrical the work over 21 years. See: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/ machinery, coach building and garden furnishings such cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=did;cc=did;rgn=main;view=text;i as triumphal lattice work arches. He specifically states dno=did2222.0001.083 in the summation of his work in volume four that it is 3. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclop%C3%A9die_m%C not a work on carpentry. 3%A9thodique Panckoucke ‘Encyclopédie méthodique, Roubo’s massive work contains 1312 pages of text and called “Encyclopédie Panckoucke”. Charles-Joseph 383 plates. He not only wrote the text but also made the Panckoucke was a major intellectual force during the drawings for the engraved plates, and then engraved French Revolution. It was published in Lille, Paris, lat- them. As a side note of what a well-trained craftsman er Paris 1782 – 1832 and is available on microfilm. knew at this time he notes in a footnote in volume one, Complete: 206 volumes with 125,350 pages of text and where he has gone on for a few pages about cutting 6,300 tables on 1,516 microfiches 2004, ISBN 3-89131- wood around Paris, that if you want to know more 453-1 http://www.haraldfischerverlag.de/hfv/AEL/ about cutting wood see the eight volumes his friend ael_1-50_engl.php Basically Panchoucke took Diderot’s wrote on the subject. Encyclopédie and rearranged the articles to make the Roubo came from a poor Parisian craftsman’s family encyclopedia more accessible, and he also added a few and commenced work at age 12. He later worked under articles and plates. Also note Google Books has some the direction of the architect Blondel where he became of Panckoucke’s work in digital format. His volume on an excellent mathematician, draughtsman and trades- architecture is: http://books.google.com/books?id=-SQ man. Following his initial education he came under the z7k9t7RQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Panckoucke+E protection of the Duc deM-WTCA.ORG Chaulnes and in 1769 he pre- ncyclopedie+Methodique&hl=en&sa=X&ei=7yI9Ude- sented the L’Art du Menuisier (Art of Woodworking) to CYnA0QG7l4DYBw&ved=0CDQQ6AEwATgK There the Academy of Science in Paris. are many more digital volumes to be sorted out yet.

Following this success he was chosen to build a domed 4. Rees Cyclopaedia 1802-1820. http://en.wikipedia.org/ model for the Paris wheat exchange designed by Phi- wiki/Rees%27s_Cyclop%C3%A6dia and toward the bot- libert Delorme which he did with noted mathematical tom you will find the digitized address to the 39 vols. of precision. When built the dome was the largest wood- text and 5 vols. or plates, and one volume of maps. The en dome ever built. He went on to build a magnificent original hand written subscription list for the American staircase in mahogany for the Hotel Marbeuf in Paris. edition is held by Nick Velose in Alexandria, VA. In 1795 after his death his widow was granted an an- 5. Chambers Cyclopedia by Ephraim Chambers, 1728. nual sum of 3,000 francs. First major English language encyclopedia in two folio volumes. On-line through the University of Wisconsin.

6 The Gristmill http://uwdc.library.wisc.edu/collections/HistSciTech/ 11. Dictionaire de L’Ameulement et de la Decoration, Hen- Cyclopaedia ry Harvard, Paris.1890.

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Bri- http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k57648255/f5.image tannica Several other encyclopedias appeared in the early 19th 7. John Harris’ Lixicon Technicum – first English encyclo- century: pedia – on demand print. http://books.google.com/boo ks?id=ylrxSgAACAAJ&dq=John+Harris+-+Lixicon+Te · The fourth, fifth and sixth editions ofEncyclopædia chnicum&hl=en&ei=LjnfTIWBPcG78gadrMwR&sa=X Britannica in 20 volumes, 1801–1810, 1815–1817, and &oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ6 1823–1824. AEwAA · Encyclopædia Perthensis or Universal Dictionary of 8. Thomas Martin, The Mechanical Arts…Manu- Arts, Science and Literature, 23 volumes, Edinburgh al Arts Trades and Manufactures, London 1813, 1807. p. 616. http://books.google.com/books?id=6_ · Edinburgh Encyclopædia, 18 volumes, 1808-1830, ed. oGAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Circle+of+ David Brewster. Mechanical+Arts&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dqutT46KO-Ka6Q Hsme2eCQ&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Circ · British Encyclopædia, 6 volumes, 1809, ed. William le%20of%20Mechanical%20Arts&f=false Nicholson.

9. Andrew Ure, Arts Manufacture and Mines, Longman, · Pantologia, 12 volumes, 1813, ed. John Mason Good, Ormed, Brown, Green and Longmans, London, 1840, Olinthus Gregory, Newton Bosworth. pp. 1334 with 1240 wood cut illustrations plus xiii pages advertising A Series of Encyclopedias and Dictionaries. · Encyclopædia Metropolitana, 28 volumes, 1817-1845, edited initially by Samuel Taylor Coleridge http://books.google.com/books?id=lUU9V1ykb6gC&pr intsec=frontcover&dq=Andrew+Ure&hl=en&sa=X&ei · 22 volumes, 1829. =ZgHmUNGSEaXj0gH7voCgBg&ved=0CEcQ6AEwAw #v=onepage&q=Andrew%20Ure&f=false

10. Robert Hunt, Vol. 4 Supplement, Ure’s Dictionary of Great 18th Century Blacksmithing Treatise From German Arts Manufactures, Longmans, Green and Co., London, Into English – One Of The Great Early Blacksmithing Gold 1879 pp1020. Mines Of Traditional Blacksmithing Information:

http://books.google.com/books?id=HK00AQAAMAAJ& http://replay.web.archive.org/20010407203308/http://www. printsec=frontcover&dq=Andrew+Ure&hl=en&sa=X&e pitt.edu/~hbgst1/sprengel.html Peter Sprengel’s 1767 trans- i=ZgHmUNGSEaXj0gH7voCgBg&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA lation of blacksmithing in Handwerke und Künstebut.

Tool Family TreesM-WTCA.ORG by Bob Roger

The items shown here are representative of a family of tools used by a trade that is over 2,000 years old, yet there have been few changes in their basic design. You should have little difficulty in identifying this family, so I have included a challenge in my answer.

Answer on page 40.

Tools Representing a Very Old Family

March 2014 7 Springfield Fall 2013 Semi-Annual Meeting by Larry Thorson

Great weather, great meeting facilities, low meeting costs and free hot buffet breakfast made the meeting in Springfield, Mo. the perfect venue for our 2013 Fall meeting.

While attendance was down, Springfield did set records for the number of Saturday only registrations along with the number of first time attendees. Record number of members from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri attended the meeting, demonstrating the merits of moving the Semi-Annual Meetings around the Midwest, giving our members the opportunity to attend a Semi-Annual Meet- ing close to home.

over his many years as an anthropologist researching the history and the inhabitants of the Ozarks. Following his presentation, members moved to the hospitality room for ice cream sundaes and other delectable goodies, thanks to the work of our Hostess Catherine Trahin, her husband Dwight, Jim and Jan Dills, and Patti Audette.

Doors opened at 6:30 AM Friday for members to bring in their displays and tools. The men’s display theme was “Tools that Kept the Wheels Rolling” in recognition of our meeting location being the site of the Springfield Wagon Company as well as the birthplace of Route 66. We had a total of 29 men’s and women’s displays. There were three demonstrators in the Trade Room on Friday. Don McCon- nel from Old Street Tool brought a full display of wood moulding planes. In the afternoon Don presented a program on the evolution of the moulding plane. Also dem- M-WTCA.ORG

Tailgating started before sun-up Thursday morning and continued into the early afternoon. Great weather and plenty of sellers made this popular event a success. Thursday also included a bus tour to Branson, MO. Thursday evening, Jim Price, past M-WTCA President, presented a program on the ingenuity of the inhabitants of the Ozarks in tool making. Jim brought along a number of tools that he has acquired

8 The Gristmill onstrating tinsmithing was Robert Stone from Arkansas. Robert displayed a wide variety of tinsmith tools and his skill as a tinsmith. Jim and Phyllis Moffett demonstrated the art of apple peeling and slicing with a number of apple peeling gadgets. Jim and Phyllis’ knowledge and their gad- get’s ability to “throw” sliced apples into the crowd drew members from throughout the trade room.

The Trade Room opened at 6:30 AM Saturday to a record number of “Saturday only” attendees. A press release was done for this meeting with the hopes that it would attract area residence interested in tools. Normally, we do not do press releases since our meetings are closed to non members. While we did issue a number of guess passes through out the meeting, it was difficult to discern what impact, if any, the press release had. At 10:30 AM the What’s It Pro- gram was held in the Trade Room. It continues to amaze the number of unique tools that our members find at auctions, estate sales and garage sales.

Friday evening’s auction drew a crowd with over $4000 in sales thanks to the many members who submitted quality tools for the auction. Also, thanks to several members who donated tools for the auction with the proceeds to go towards our scholarshipM-WTCA.ORG fund.

September 2013 9 On Saturday, a membership meeting was held to elect of- the meeting’s success as well. Caroline List and I look for- ficers for the following year. Elected were: ward to seeing you at our Spring 2014 Semi-Annual Meet- ing held at the Ramada Plaza in Columbus, Ohio June 11- 14. The men’s display theme is “Ohio Tools”. Registration President ...... LeRoy Witzel materials will be mailed in April. Hope to see you there. VP Meeting Planning ...... Larry Thorson VP Scholarships ...... Mark Eastlick VP Elections ...... Hollis Feeser VP Membership ...... John Walkowaik Treasurer ...... Vaughn Simmons Secretary ...... Randy Knudsen

Following the election of officers Tom Pike, President of the Missouri Route 66 Club, and Gary Turner, who owns an historic gas station along Route 66, gave a presentation on the history of Route 66 and answered questions from the audience. The meeting closed with the banquet and enter- tainment by the Charming Echoes.

Thanks to our Hostess Catherine Trahin for arranging the activities for the Auxiliary and assisting in the prepara- tions for this meeting.

Thanks to all that attended the meeting to help make it a success. The hotel and their excellent staff contributed to

This was George Wanamaker’s final meeting as your President. George thanked all those who had made his term as President an enjoyable one M-WTCA.ORG as well as the membership for their support and attendance at the Semi-Annual Meetings. Thank you George. President George Wanamaker, Past President Ray Nissen and Incoming President LeRoy Witzel

10 The Gristmill Displays at the Springfield, MO. Fall National Meeting by Dick Bradshaw

25 members registered to present displays at the Spring- an insight into your collecting interests. As usual, the dis- field Meeting, however due to several no shows, 21 displays attracted a lot of attention. plays were actually presented. The theme for this meeting was “Tools that Keep the Wheels Rolling”. This theme was I would like to thank all who provided displays as well as particularly appropriate since those who visited the displays. Congratulation to all of the Springfield was a major supply award winners. Also, I would center for settlers traveling west All who provided displays are to be like to thank Jim Gehring and during the 1800s. Springfield congratulated for sharing their tools Martin Donnelly for providing the door prizes for this meeting. provided many of the weapons with the meeting attendees. Those of and other rolling stock which Since the winners of the door carried the people and supplies you who have never displayed tools prizes are selected by a drawing which settled the west. All who or have not displayed tools recently from the People’s Choice Award provided displays are to be con- are encouraged to share some of your ballots, you are encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice gratulated for sharing their tools tools at future meetings. with the meeting attendees. Award. All meeting attendees Those of you who have never are eligible to vote. You can not displayed tools or have not displayed tools recently are win a door prize if you do not vote. The winner of the encouraged to share some of your tools at future meet- People’s Choice Award was Jim Davis for his excellent dis- ings. Be a part of the meeting, you will be surprised how play of user made tools. much satisfaction you will get while providing attendees The theme for the men’s displays at the Columbus, OH. Na- tional Meeting in June is “Ohio Tools”. Since many promi- nent tool makers were located in Ohio, you should have no trouble providing displays for a wide variety of tools. See you in the display section at the Columbus Meeting.

Carl Bilderback, “Tools Our Readers Love”

Jeff Gaston, “Plumb-Level” M-WTCA.ORG

John Walkowiak, “New Old Tools” John Olson, “The Ames Lettering Guide”

March 2014 11 2013 Fall National Meeting AWARD WINNERS

Fred Curry Award: Ray Schmidt, “Stanley Bedrock Planes, A Type Study”

Best One Tool Display: Lloyd Henley, “A Type One Plane”

Best of Show in Theme: Stephen Edwards, “Patented Adjustable Axle-Nut Wrenches”

Most Unusual Display: Mike Stemple, “American Keyhole Saws 1830-1890”

M-WTCA.ORG

Best of Show Out of Theme: George Wanamaker, “Butter and the Tools to Make it”

Peoples Choice Award: Jim Davis, “User Made Tools”

12 The Gristmill 2013 Fall National Meeting JUDGES CHOICE AWARDS

Eric Kenney, “The Disston No. 7 Hand Saw”

Scotty Fulton, “Old Automotive Hammers”

Bill Kolm, David Christen, Jim Moffet, “The Master Framing Rule” “My Swiss Treasure” “Axle Nut Wrenches for Buggies & Wagons”

George Elsass, Robert Stone, “Tinners Machines” “Primitive WoodM-WTCA.ORG Braces”

Jim Gehring, “Track Levels” Dave Heckel, James Goodson, “Shipbuilder’s Bevels and The Dory” “The Art of Decorated Tools”

March 2014 13 Homer F. Livermore, Weaving Loom Repair And The Development Of The Stanley Shuttle Plane By Paul Van Pernis

This article discusses the development of the Homer F. Livermore Company and its role in the American Textile Industry. It also discusses the history and development of the Stanley Shuttle Plane

The introduction of the power loom to New England was one of the sentinel events of the American Industrial Revo- lution. In 1826 when woven textiles were just beginning to be produced on power looms in the United States, production was about 37 million yards of cloth per year. By 1856, the combination of readily available cotton from the Southern states and the burgeoning New England Mills resulted in the production of over 774 million yards of woven textiles per year.1 Whole towns were created and grew exponentially as the textile industry came to domi- nate New England manufacturing. Thousands of looms ran 12-14 hours a day to try to meet the demand for Ameri- Figure 1 Crompton and Knowles Power Loom can made textiles. Homer Fiske Livermore would find his fortune making Shuttles in these power looms moved back and forth malleable iron parts for those looms. He was born on Sep- across the warp of the loom at speeds of up to 100 miles tember 16, 1864, in Boston, Massachusetts.3 Because of its per hour. These “flying shuttles” carried the thread uti- location as a transportation hub, Boston was one of the ma- lized as the woof (or weft). This combination of warp jor business centers for the New England textile industry. and woof resulted in the woven cloth. The shuttles were Little is known of Livermore’s education or early training made of hardwood and after a certain amount of use de- but based on later information; he must have had train- veloped wear near each end leaving the center portion ing or experience as a machinist and had some practical of the shuttle slightly rounded. This asymmetrical wear knowledge of metallurgy. By the age of 18, he is listed in the resulted in “wobble” as the shuttle shot back and forth 1882 Boston City Directory as a “bookkeeper” at the Suf- across the loom in the shuttle race. “Wobble” led to an folk Iron Works.4 Livermore must have been an observant undesirable loose weave in the woven cloth. Every mill and industrious employee. By 1885, he was calling on mills employed highly skilled “mechanics” whose responsibili- on behalf of the Suffolk Iron Works as an “engineer”. “He ties included keeping the looms running and the flying observed that mill floors were littered with broken parts shuttles “trued up”. vital to loom operation. Most moving parts of looms were made of cast iron which is brittle and breaks easily under These power looms (Fig 1) were incredibly complex ma- impact. Experienced in metal- chines operating at high speeds for prolonged periods of lurgy, Mr. Livermore reasoned time. Made of cast iron and under constant stress, these that there must be some way machines required constant attention and maintenance. of making these parts so that Many loom parts are in constant motion and therefore sub- they would last longer, keep ject to severe stress. Because cast iron lacks malleability looms running and increase cast iron loom parts were M-WTCA.ORGsubject to frequent breakage. 5 mill productivity”. Numerous foundries and machine shops grew up around the textile mills to provide repair parts and perform the machine work for the textile mills. Malleable iron which is more flexible than cast iron became more widely available after the Civil War. Malleable iron after being molded is annealed for 30 hours at 1600 degrees Fahrenheit and then is allowed to gradually cool over a period of six to seven days.2 In this process the graphite content of malleable iron forms small globules resulting in a honey combed structure which gives it greater ductility rendering it more flexible than cast iron and less subject to breakage. Figure 2 H.F. Livermore’s First Shop

14 The Gristmill In 1887, Livermore founded his own company, the Hom- On September 22, 1903, the letters “H.F.L.” became the er F. Livermore Company, at 85 Pearl Street in what was corporate trademark and were stamped on all the parts then known as the “textile district” in Boston. During his the company produced.7 years of acting as an engineer for the Suffolk Iron Works he had spent many hours By 1911, the Livermore Company expanded into produc- with weave room person- ing castings for several different tool manufacturers as 8 nel and the loom fixers well as specialty castings for automobile manufacturers. learning which loom parts Livermore not only manufactured replacement parts for broke most frequently. He textile looms but with his intimate knowledge of textile was convinced that these looms he developed and submitted patents for his own parts would last longer if improvements to looms. He was granted his first patent they were made of “mal- for a “Connecting Rod Bearing Box” (Patent No. 820,509) leable iron”. (See foot- on May 15th, 1906.9 By the end of First World War the note 2) Despite its higher H.F. Livermore Company had outgrown its Pearl Street cost, malleable iron was quarters and moved to 100 Cummington Street in Boston. becoming much more Livermore had the foresight to establish engineering and widely used at about this research department within the company in 1919 and his time. Livermore had pat- company’s continued success necessitated the construc- terns made of the most tion of a large factory building in 1924 at 20 Linden Street frequently broken loom in the Allston section of Boston. As the company and his parts and had them cast list of clients grew, H.F. Livermore offices were opened in in malleable iron at the towns throughout New England with textile mills. During Nashua Iron and Brass his lifetime, H.F. Livermore company offices were opened Foundry Company in Figure 3 H.F. Livermore Ad in in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Patterson, New Jersey and Nashua, New Hampshire.6 the 1899 Boston City Directory both Allentown and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By the Parts made from malleable iron were more expensive end of the First World War, H.F. Livermore Company had and textile loom manufacturers with large foundries were become the largest independent company devoted to the committed to cast iron. So, Livermore had to convince the design and manufacture of parts for textile looms and mill mill managers that his parts would last longer, keep the supplies for the entire country. As a result, Mr. Livermore looms running, and thereby increase productivity. Initially became a very wealthy man. Company account books he had a very small business handling sales, engineering, demonstrate that he enjoyed the fruits of his success. He and distribution by him- and his family lived in an upscale part of Boston. He trav- self. In the early years of eled to Europe with his family on a regular basis, and even his company, Livermore in the midst of the Great Depression he rode in a chauf- also acted as a sales agent feured Packard limousine. for the Nashua Iron and Mr. Livermore had married Nellie Bezin Brown on Sep- Brass Foundry Company tember 13, 1887, the same year he started his business on and the Bridgeport Brass Pearl Street. His first daughter, Bessie Brown Livermore Company. (Fig. 3) Gradu- was born on November 11, 1888, and his second daughter, ally his business grew Muriel Fiske Livermore was born on July 16, 1899. His first as the textile mills grew, M-WTCA.ORGwife died in the summer of 1932. On February 22, 1934, and by 1902 he issued a amidst some controversy, Livermore married his second catalog containing thirty wife, Bertha.10 Homer Livermore remained active in his categories of replacement business and was the president of the company until his parts for looms and other death on March 10, 1941. In his later years he also estab- items that would be use- lished several subsidiary corporations.11 His second wife ful in a textile mill. Sub- Bertha became president and treasurer of the company sequent catalogs not only until Chester Hammond became president of the company listed repair parts but in 1947. carried a large number of “mill supplies” that would After the Second World War, the company continued to Figure 4 Frontispiece of the 1925 be of use in textile mills. grow and decided to concentrate on the design H.F. Livermore Company Catalog (Figure 4)

March 2014 15 and production of critical loom parts that caused 80% of Homer F. Livermore And The Stanley Shuttle Plane the down time in the weave room. Many standard items that had been listed in their pre-war catalogs such as nuts, Homer Fiske Livermore is an American entrepreneur wor- bolts, springs and other parts were dropped from their thy of study in his own right, but the above information catalogs. In 1949 the company opened an office and dis- is of interest to tool collectors because of a shuttle plane tribution warehouse in Greenville, South Carolina as the he manufactured and sold using a common smooth plane textile mills moved from New England to the southern which the Stanley Rule & Level Company’s Model Shop states. H.F. Livermore Company eventually opened offic- modified for him. Roger Smith described and included a es in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia, Dallas, photograph of the “Stanley Shuttle Plane” in Patented Tran- 12 Texas, Los Angeles, California, and Montreal, Canada. The sitional & Metallic Planes in America Volumes I and II. company also had sale agents in Mexico, Chile, Cuba, and This plane was never listed in any Stanley catalog, yet a sig- Venezuela. As the textile mills moved overseas, the de- nificant number of these “shuttle planes” have surfaced and mand for H. F. Livermore weaving loom replacement parts have puzzled plane collectors. In 1996 one of these planes diminished. The company did not file an annual report and its matching base were brought together. Roger Smith with the state of Massachusetts in 1994. The company es- ascribed the Patent for this plane to Lodowick Leeds (Pat- tablished by Homer F. Livermore in 1887 went out of busi- ent No. 330,908). However further research determined ness 106 years after it was established. In 2005, in Nor- that the patent, No. 412,390, was actually one granted to 13 wood, Massachusetts, a private company, H. F. Livermore John M. Newton on October 16, 1889. (Fig. 5) The base is was listed as an importer/exporter of textile machinery. It marked “Newton’s Shuttle Planer”. While found separately may be that the principals of this company bought the re- from the plane, the pair are a perfect match. The gold trim maining assets and trademarks of Mr. Livermore’s original paint on the plane’s frame matches that of the raised let- company hoping to trade on the reputation the Livermore tering on the cast iron bed. The adjustment knob at the Company had in the textile machinery business. toe of the plane is identical to the adjustment knob on the back of the shuttle base. The screws that hold the frame to the plane are identical to those found on the base of the shuttle bed. The plane employed in Newton’s Shuttle Planer is a Stanley #4 smooth plane, Type11 (1910-1918), with the tops of the curved side rails ground flat. With the framework attached, it measures 11 ½” long and 3 ¼” wide. A special casting fits under the front knob to receive the adjusting screw. (Fig. 6) The front knob has a hole drilled into its neck to accommodate the adjusting screw as it is advanced. The back of the bed has F. M. Ufford cast in relief along with the phrase, “Patent Rights Secured”. (Fig. 7) This appears to be the first version of Newton’s Shuttle Planer. The interesting and FigureM-WTCA.ORG 5 Newton’s Shuttle Planer

Figure 6 Casting that fits under the front knob and knob Figure 7 Back Side of Newton’s Shuttle Planer with hole drilled to receive the adjusting screw

16 The Gristmill rather convoluted connection between John M. Newton, a “machinist”. In 1892, the New London City Directory lists Frank M. Ufford, Homer F. Livermore and what has come Leeds business as scroll sawing and turning. A year later to be known by collectors as the Stanley Shuttle Plane has he is listed in the city directory as a manufacturer of doors, recently become a bit clearer. sash, and blinds. By 1895 he had moved to Hartford, Con- necticut where he is listed as a builder in business with his John M.Newton son in law. Lodowick Leeds is known to have been granted 4 patents prior to his shuttle planer patent.16 John M. Newton was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1840. His father was a farmer and John who never married, Examination of the histories of these two men and the lived on the family farm his entire life. As a young man only known examples of their shuttle planer bases sug- he taught school. His 1863 Civil War Draft Registration re- gests a connection for the following reasons: cords list his occupation as teacher. After the Civil War, the Norwich City Directory lists his occupation as farmer a. The only known example of Leed’s Shuttle Planer base until 1872. In 1873 when he was 33 years old he was listed bears a striking resemblance to the two known ex- in the Norwich City Directory as a machinist and manufac- amples of Newton’s Shuttle Planer base.(Fig. 8) This turer of machine screws. He still lived with his parents on similarity even extends to the shape and details of the the family farm, but had opened a machine shop in Nor- castings and the paint color used by both inventors.17 wich. His older brother William was a machinist also and appears to have worked in the shop with John Newton.14 b. Norwich and New London, Connecticut are only 15 From 1873 through 1893 the Norwich City Directories list miles apart, so it’s possible Leed’s and Newton may his occupation as a manufacturer of machine screws and have known each other, particularly since they both machinists tools. The directory listings for 1890 through worked as machinists. 1894 list his occupation as a manufacturer of “cotton gin c. Newton has been identified in historical records (the & machine screws”. A rather obscure and very interesting 1864-1865 U.S. Tax Assessment List noted above) as a U. S. Tax Assessment List from October 1864-December “Patent Rights Dealer” and Leed’s may have been inter- 1865 listed Newton as a “Patent Rights Dealer”. In 1895, ested in selling the rights to his patent. the directory listings no longer list him as having an occupation and indicate that he is residing on the family farm. d. Frank H. Allen was the patent attorney for both men Newton died on October 20, 1905. and it is conceivable that he may have facilitated the sale of Leed’s shuttle patent rights to Newton. A Possible Connection Between Lodowick Leeds And John M. Newton While all of this is speculation, it implies a strong likelihood that Newton acquired the rights to Leed’s patent, Research into the life of Lodowick Leeds suggests that modified it, and was granted his own patent four years af- John Newton may have acquired the Leed’s patent, modi- ter Leed’s patent was granted. fied it and submitted the revised patent under his name. Lodowick Leeds was born on August 12th, 1845, in New Frank M. Ufford London, Connecticut.15 The New London City Directory for 1865-1866 lists his occupation as “machinist” In the 1870 U. Frank M. Ufford was born on April 8th, 1855 in New Ha- S. Census, he is listed as a “cotton gin maker”. Subsequent ven, Connecticut.18 His father was a blacksmith by trade city directory listings and U.S. Census records list Leeds as and Ufford may have gotten his early mechanical training from his father. In the 1874 Nor- M-WTCA.ORGwich City Directory he was listed as a “spring maker”. In 1880 he married his wife Augusta and is listed in the Norwich City Directory as a painter and a machinist. In 1887 he was employed at the Hopkins & Allen Manufacturing Company in Norwich. The company manufactured guns, particularly pistols, and he is listed as a pistol maker in the Figure 8 Leed’s Patent Shuttle Planer Base (photo courtesy of Andy D’Elia)

March 2014 17 Norwich City Directory for that year. In August of 1897 in the “Newton Shuttle Planer to the H.F. Livermore Com- Ufford applied for a patent for a “Luggage Carrier for Bi- pany for the sum of one dollar.21 cycles”. The patent (No. 606796) was granted on July 5, 1898. Shortly after that patent was granted, Ufford moved The first known catalog listing of “Newton’s Shuttle Plan- two doors away from his previous employer and opened er” appeared in the H.F. Livermore Corporation’s 1920 his own machine shop. He is listed in the 1899 Norwich “K7 Catalog of Duplicate Repair Parts and Specialties for City Directory as the manufacturer of the “Perfection Bi- Knowles Looms”. (Fig. 9) It shows the shuttle plane and cycle Stand” and presumably his “Luggage Carrier for Bi- the shuttle planer base in the version manufactured by Mr. cycles”. The business must not have been a booming suc- Ufford. Since Mr. Ufford had sold his rights to the shuttle cess, because by 1900 he is listed as still manufacturing the planer to General Tanning Company in 1919, it appears the “Perfection Bicycle Stand”, but is also listed as a “bicycle Livermore Company was purchasing the Newton’s Shut- repairer”. He remained in that business until 1907, when tle Planer from the General Tanning Company. The H.F. at the same address, he goes into the business of manufac- Livermore Company printed a catalog titled “D4 Catalog turing sponge cloth as the Ufford Textile Company.19 Mr. and Additions of Duplicate Repair Parts and Specialties Ufford remained in the business of manufacturing sponge for Draper Looms” in November of 1928. This catalog, cloth until his death in 1921 at the age of 66. printed just 9 months after Livermore purchased the patent rights to the Newton’s Shuttle Planer, shows the New- The Newton’s Shuttle Planer Patent Finds Its Way ton’s Shuttle Planer on page 306, but lists the planer base To The H.F. Livermore Company in two different lengths. The shorter model L-2083 planer base accommodates shuttles from 12” to 14” in length, and Just as patent attorney Frank H. Allen of Norwich, Con- the longer L-2082 model accommodates shuttles from 14” necticut had represented Lodowick Leeds and John New- to 17 5/8” in length. It appears that the Livermore Corpora- ton when they filed their shuttle plane patents, he also tion created a smaller version of the Newton Shuttle Plan- represented Mr. Ufford when he filed his bicycle luggage er base within nine months of acquiring the patent rights. carrier patent. Mr. Allen may have played a key role in The next Livermore catalog, published in December of the transfer of the patent rights for the Newton’s Shuttle 1929 shows major changes to the shuttle planer base. Planer to Mr. Ufford.20 He had represented both men when Newton’s and Ufford’s names have been removed from the they applied for their patents, resided in Norwich where planer base and “Universal Shuttle Planer” is now cast into both men were in business, and would have known that the side of the bed. There is also the addition of another Mr. Ufford was in the textile weaving business. Correspon- adjusting screw on the side of the bed (See Fig 10). dence from the executor of Mr. Ufford’s estate indicates that Mr. Ufford bought the patent rights to the Newton Shuttle Planer from the estate of William & John M. New- ton in 1905. Frank Ufford sold the rights to the Newton’s Shuttle Planer to The General Tanning Corporation of Ir- vington, New Jersey, 14 years later, in 1919, just two years before his death. On February 24th, 1928, The General Tanning Corporation sold their “right, title, and interest” M-WTCA.ORG

Figure 9 from H.F. Livermore 1920 Catalog Figure 10 From the H.F. Livermore 1929 Catalog

18 The Gristmill To date, an example of this version of the shuttle planer boards of the plane have an ogee curve on each end and base has not been found. At about this same time the there are four threaded holes on the end of each sideboard. Livermore Company produced a small 3 ½” by 6” advertising folder titled “True to Size” featuring the “Universal A 3/8” hole is drilled into the neck of the front knob to pro- Shuttle Planers”. (Fig. 11A & 11B)22 vide clearance for the adjustment screw on the front of the shuttle plane frame. Examination of the 1889 Leed’s patent drawing shows a similar configuration of the side walls of the plane and the placement of the threaded holes in the sidewalls. The dates of manufacture of this plane (1888- 1890) and these other features suggest that this plane was intended to be used with the Leed’s patent shuttle planer base. Leed’s patent drawings show a Bailey Victor type plane, but Bailey had sold his Victor plane business to Stanley in 1884. Lodowick Leeds would have contracted with Stanley to make the planes for his shuttle planer, and they would have supplied him with their version of Bai- ley’s planes and not the Bailey Victor planes.24

Figure 11A The second version of the shuttle plane is the one found that matches the Newton’s Shuttle Planer Base.25 It is a Stanley #4 smooth plane (1910-1918) with the curved side rails ground flat. (Fig. 13) A metal bar with a threaded hole on each end and three threaded holes in the center is

Figure 11B

Figures 11 A & 11B Small Folding Brochure Showing H.F. Liver- more’s Universal Shuttle Planer

By 1933, the shorter version of the shuttle planer base was no longer being manufactured, and the last catalog to list Figure 12 Earliest Version of the Shuttle Plane the Universal Shuttle Planer was dated August of 1935, and the catalog listing advised that the shuttle planer would not work on “fibre shuttles”.M-WTCA.ORG Composite material weaving loom shuttles were introduced in the early 1930s. They did not wear unevenly as quickly as wooden shuttles and soon eliminated the need for the shuttle planer. The H.F. Livermore production records show that production of the Universal Shuttle Planer was discontinued on March 10, 1938.

Stanley Shuttle Planes

Three different versions of the Stanley Shuttle Plane have been found. The earliest version is based on a Type 6 (1888- 1890) Stanley #4 size smooth plane.23 (See Fig. 12) The side- Figure 13 Second Version of the Shuttle Plane

March 2014 19 have been a very straightforward process for Stanley Rule & Level Company to modify the body casting of a #4 size smooth plane to create the raised side walls necessary to accommodate the shuttle plane frame. Shuttle planes of this type have HFL cast on the fore bed of the toe of the plane on one side of the front knob, and L2082E (the Livermore part number) cast on the fore bed of the toe of the plane on the other side of the knob.(Fig 16) A few examples have been found with the shuttle plane frame still attached to the plane. (Fig15)

The frames are japanned to match the body of the plane and the four plane support links have the HFL catalog number 2082G stamped on them as well. (Fig 17) Figure 14 Third Version of the Shuttle Plane screwed to each of the sidewalls. The shuttle plane frame is attached to each end of the bar via a support link and machine screws. A special casting (see Fig. 6) fits under- neath the front knob of the plane to receive the adjusting screw. The front knob has a hole drilled in its neck to accommodate the adjusting screw as it is advanced. The dates of manufacture of the plane suggest that this version was manufactured by Mr. Ufford after he had secured the patent rights from John Newton’s estate in 1905. The fact that only one of the shuttle planes and only two shuttle plane bases of this version are known suggests that very few of these were made before Mr. Ufford sold his patent rights to the General Tanning Corporation in 1919.

The most commonly seen version of the Stanley Shuttle Figure 16 HFL and Catalog # L2082E Plane is shown in Figure 14. All the known examples of cast on the Fore bed of the Plane this plane have characteristics that place the date of manufacture of these planes from 1923 thru 1935.26

Extending the side wall of this version of the shuttle plane eliminates the need for the upper support bar present on the second version of the of the shuttle plane. It would M-WTCA.ORG

Figure 15 Third Version of the Shuttle Plane Figure 17 HFL Catalog Number cast on the with the Frame Attached Shuttle Plane Support Links

20 The Gristmill Figures 18 A,B,C, and D show several of the foundry production cards from the H. F. Livermore foundry showing the various parts, their catalog numbers and the materials used for each part. Interestingly, these same production records indicate the date HF Livermore stopped producing these planes; March 10, 1938.27

The textile industry of 19th Century America transformed New England and helped drive the American Industrial Revolution. Homer F. Livermore founded a company that provided high quality malleable iron repair parts for the looms that drove that textile industry. These parts improved the efficiency and productivity of the textile mills. Coincidentally, his company for a short time, produced and interesting tool designed to “true up” wooden shuttles. Figure 18 B This tool included a uniquely modified Stanley #4 smooth plane that continues to intrigue Stanley plane collectors.

The author wishes to thank:

Roger Smith whose tireless research into American tool makers provided the clue that made this article possible.

Andy D’Elia who graciously provided the photos of the Leed’s Shuttle Planer Base.

Jane Ward and Clare Sheridan at the Osborne Library at the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massa- chusetts, for their gracious assistance. The Osborne Li- brary houses the historic records of the H.F. Livermore Company. The American Textile Museum and the city of Lowell, Massachusetts are a must see for anyone with an Figure 18 C interest in American Industrial history.

John Wells for his very helpful review of this article and his assistance with some of the photographs.

Foundry Production Cards for the Newton’s Shuttle Planer M-WTCA.ORG

Figure 18 D

Figure 18A

March 2014 21 Appendix – Patent Drawings

Lodowick Leeds U.S. Patent No. 330,908 John M. Newton U.S. Patent No. 412,930

Leeds applied for this patentM-WTCA.ORG on April 6, 1885, and the pat- Newton applied for his patent on May 27, 1889, and it was ent was granted on November 24, 1885. The patent was granted on October 15th, 1889. The patent drawing is assigned to Birdie L. Fenner of Versailles, Connecticut. lacking in detail but the text of the patent defines the shut- The author has been unable to locate any information on tle plane adjusting mechanism quite clearly. There is also Birdie L. Fenner. It is of interest to note that the plane in a great deal of similarity in the text of both patents. The the patent drawing appears to be a Victor #4 size smooth plane pictured in the patent drawing appears once again to plane. The similarities between the shuttle planer base be a Victor #4 size smooth plane. A side by side compari- and the shuttle planer base in the Newton’s patent draw- son of the two patents highlights the striking similarities. ings are quite striking. This similarity lends credence to the supposition that Newton acquired Leed’s patent, made modifications to the patent and then re-filed the patent under his own name.

22 The Gristmill 1 “The New England Textile Industry, 1825-60: Trends and Fluctuations,” 12 Smith, Roger K., Patented Transitional & Metallic Planes in America Lance E. Davis and H. Louis Stettler III. Included in Output, Employ- Volumes I and II. Information about the shuttle plane is found on page ment and Productivity in the United States After 1800, National Bureau 299 in Volume I and on pages 234-235 in Volume II. of Economic Research, Studies in Income and Wealth, Vol. 30, 1966 13 Van Pernis, Paul, “Newton’s Shuttle Planer Kept Cotton Industry Run- 2 Malleable cast iron is similar in appearance to typical gray iron, but its ning”, The Gristmill, June 2000, No.99, pp. 12-14, also see Van Pernis, properties are different. It can resist shock and is relatively tough. It Paul, “Newton’s Shuttle Planer”, Stanley Tool Collector News, Vol. 7, has ductility approaching that of mild steel. Malleable iron is a cast iron No. 19, Winter 1996-97, pp. 18-21. containing 2-3% carbon and 0.8-1.5% silicon. Once the casting is made, it 14 William S. Newton was born in March of 1830 and died on April 5th, is cooled rapidly so that white iron with no free carbon is formed. Then 1904. it is annealed (heated to about 1600 degrees Fahrenheit and held at that temperature for several days). Annealing white cast iron of this com- 15 Lodowick Leeds served in Company F of the Connecticut 21st infantry position converts hard brittle cementite to graphite in nodular form so regiment during the Civil War. City Directory listings for New London that the material will have greater ductility than white iron or ordinary list him as a machinist until 1892 when he is listed as doing “scroll gray iron. Production of malleable iron began in the U.S. in 1826, when sawing and turning”. In 1893 he’s listed as a maker of “door sash and Seth Boyden started a foundry for the production of harness hardware blinds”. In 1895, he moved to Hartford, CT., and he died on 5/24/1908. and other small castings. It really came into favor in the mid 1870-1880s 16 These four patents include: #124,069 granted on 2/27/1872, for “Im- 3 Homer Fiske Livermore was the son of Marshall and Clarissa Liver- provements in Combined Sad- Irons, Fluting-Irons, and Nut Crackers”, more. According to the 1880 U. S. Census records, his father worked #146,081 granted on12/30/1873 for an “Improvement in Nut-Locks”, as a “master mason”. #184,820 granted 11/28/1876, for an “Improvement in Hoisting Ma- chines”, and #278,564 granted 5/29/1883, for a “Folding Bed”. 4 The Boston Almanac and City Directory of 1883 lists the Suffolk Iron Works at Armory Street near Center in the Roxbury section of Boston 17 The only known example of Lodowick Leeds Shuttle Planer is in the collection of the Connecticut State Historical Society. 5 “Livermore Success Result of New England Ingenuity”, America’s Textile Reporter, Vol. LXVII, No. 47, November 19, 1953, pp. 35-36. 18 His parents were Lockwood and Julia Ufford. Lockwood Ufford’s occupation listed in the 1870 U.S. census was “blacksmith”. 6 The Nashua Iron Foundry was a well established foundry that manufactured parts for cotton mills and made machinists tools. It would 19 Sponge cloth is a soft lightly woven cloth with a slightly wrinkled have been a logical foundry for Livermore to work with to manufacture surface. The first known use of this term to describe a particular type his loom parts. of woven cloth was in 1862. 7 The company was issued trade mark No. 41168 on September 22nd, 20 Frank H. Allen was not only the patent attorney for John M Newton 1903. This was noted on the first page of Catalog No. 3, January 1st, and Frank M Ufford, but he also was the patent attorney for Lodowick 1904; Duplicate and Dobby Heads. Mill Supplies, Homer F. Livermore Leeds’s whose shuttle planer patent application was filed on April 6, 85 and 87 Pearl Street, Boston. 1885. One wonders if Mr. Leeds and John Newton were in contact with one another. The similarity between Leed’s and Newton’s patent 8 HF Livermore produced a sales brochure in 1915 titled, “1915 FOLDER suggests that Newton may have adapted Leed’s patent. The interest- “A” A FEW OF THE SPECIALTIES FOR AUTOMOBILE MANUFAC- ing listing in the United States IRS Tax Assessment List for October TURERS AND REPAIRERS WE CARRY IN STOCK”. It included brass 1864-December of 1865 stating that John M. Newton was a “Patent angles and mouldings, brass flaring unions, brass and copper tubing, Rights Dealer” lends credibility to the possibility that he acquired the and bushings. Correspondence in the Roger K. Smith collection shows rights to the Leed’s patent. that H.F. Livermore made the casting for combination squares manufactured by the Bates Manufacturing Company of Fitchburg, Massa- 21 This information was found in correspondence between the General chusetts. Tanning Company and the H.F. Livermore Company in the files of the H.F. Livermore Company that are archived at the Osborne Library of 9 Homer F. Livermore was granted a total of twenty patents between the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. 1906 and 1939. Most of these were improvements to looms but also included a foot rest for automobiles, and a mold for concrete set tubs. 22 This small pamphlet was found amongst the advertising papers of the H.F. Livermore Company in the files of the H.F. Livermore Company 10 Livermore had a sales agent named Oates Hanson who worked out of that are archived at the Osborne Library of the American Textile His- the Allentown, Pennsylvania office. Even before his first wife’s death, tory Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. when Livermore was in Allentown on business, he was entertained by Hanson and his wife Bertha. Apparently Livermore became enamored 23 Smith, Roger K., Patented and Transitional Metallic Planes in America of Mrs. Hanson who was twenty years younger than Livermore, and 1827-1927, Vol I, pp. 279-284. she encouraged his attention. After the death of his wife, Livermore 24 The author is aware of two examples of this plane. encouraged Bertha HansonM-WTCA.ORG to go to Las Vegas and obtain a divorce. Her husband was resistant to this idea and sued Livermore for alien- 25 See Stanley Tool Collector News, Volume6, Number 14, Spring 1995, ation of affections. Court documents record that “There was a bargain page 10. Also see Stanley Tool Collector News, Volume 7, Number 19, made…he was bought off…with one condition, that he should go Winter 1996-1997, pp. 18-21, and The Gristmill, No. 99, June, 2000, pp. to Nevada and get a divorce.” He complied and shortly thereafter, a 12-14. divorce was obtained. Bertha left her husband in 1933 and moved into 26 This statement is based on the excellent “Type Study of Stanley Iron an apartment that Livermore had rented for her in Cambridge, MA. Bench Planes, Models No. 1 thru *” by Roger K. Smith ; see Patented They subsequently married. “Bertha F. Livermore vs. Muriel L. Seward and Transitional Metallic Planes in America 1827-1927, Vol I, pp. 279- & another, 311 Mass. 389, January 6,7, 1942 – April 4, 1942, Norfolk 284. All of the examples of this plane examined by the author to date County; http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/311/311mass389.html have a high front knob, a 1 ¼” large brass adjustment nut, the lever cap 11 These subsidiary corporations included Lowell Industries, which made which has Stanley cast into a rectangle on the lever cap with an orange vibration damping pads, Bay State Tray Company which later became background, and the type AA cutter with the Stanley Sweethart logo. Ston-Craf Corporation which manufactured Greystone sanitary trays, 27 From the records of the H.F. Livermore Corporation in the Osborne Guaranteed Parts, Inc., Diversified Equities, Inc., Albright Realty Com- Library at the American Textile History Museum, Lowell, MA. pany and Central Trust.

March 2014 23 Tool Tid-Bits by John G. Wells

Rodier’s Planes: Which is the earliest version? Manufacturing Co, returned the assignment of Rodier’s 1879 patent to him due to defaults in their payments. They Louis C. Rodier’s planes are held in high esteem by collec- ceased production of his planes at that time. tors due to their attractive appearance. The sideboards are strengthened and at the same In the two versions of Rodier’s time decorated with closely planes that Laflin produced spaced vertical grooves and under Rodier’s 1879 Patent the soles are corrugated with the depth of cut is adjusted by wavy grooves. The grooves changing the pitch of the frog. were japanned with the plane’s This is accomplished by slight- body and when the sole and ly turning or rotating the frog sideboards were ground and which is mounted on a cross rod polished the grooves stood out between the plane’s sidewalls. in dramatic relief; the effect is (The ends of the rod can be seen stunning. on the side of the plane.) Chang- ing the pitch of the frog lowers Now a divergence in opinion or raises the cutting edge of the has arisen over which version plane iron in an arc centered on of Rodier’s planes is the earli- the cross rod. This is the same est. At one time most of us principle that Bailey used on thought the planes with the coil the split frame and vertical post spring were the earliest, but let planes he made in Boston in the us see what an analysis of the 1860s. facts produces now. In the most frequently seen There are three versions of Lou- version of these two planes, is C. Rodier planes. Between the pitch of the frog and hence sometime late in 1878 and 1881 depth of cut is adjusted by an The Laflin Manufacturing Co. easily manipulated six point star made two versions of his planes Figure 1: Rodier Jack plane with a star wheel cutter adjuster wheel that turns a cam, which under his March 4, 1879 patent, and a flat spring. pushes against the frog. A flat No. 212,986. This Patent was spring provides back pressure consigned to the Laflin Manufacturing Co. under a con- keeping the frog pressed tightly against the cam. Under tract that paid Rodier a royalty of 10 cents per plane, with patent law, this plane could have been produced and sold a minimum of $250 per quarter and an annual minimum as much as 12 months before the Patent application was 1 of $1,000. (They would have had to sell 10,000 planes per filed on December 9, 1878, without compromising the Pat- year for the royalty of 10 cents per plane to reach $1,000 ent application. (Figure 1) in a year and that is not very realistic.) In 1881 the Laflin In the rarer version of these two planes, the depth of cut is adjusted by a 7/8 inch di- ameter knurled brass wheel M-WTCA.ORGmounted on a vertical shaft. The wheel operates a lever that pushes on the frog, and a coil spring provides back pressure. The only function- al differences between this version of Rodier’s plane and the previously described version are the adjustment device and the method of providing back pressure. Figure 2: Left, front of Rodier No. 4 smooth plane with a coil spring made in 1881; Right, rear of the same plane showing the coil spring enclosure and the brass cutter adjustment wheel.

24 The Gristmill This plane has the Patent date, March 4th 1879, displayed in a decorative medallion on the face of the lever cap. It is apparent that it could not have been made before the Patent was issued and the Patent date was known. It may have been a design improvement that was put in production sometime in 1881 when the castings for the version with the star wheel adjuster were exhausted. (Figure 2)

From the foregoing it is reasonable to conclude that the version of Rodier’s plane with the Star wheel adjuster and flat spring is the earliest. I know it is counter to collector lore but it is based on facts. However, the version with the brass adjustment wheel and coil spring is much rarer and is far more desirable as a collectable. (Figure 3)

After Laflin terminated production on Rodier’s planes in 1881, Rodier prepared new design drawings and had four prototypes made: two bench planes and two block planes. Figure 4: A jack plane from Rodier’s set of prototypes made under his 1885 Patent. His design drawings later became the basis for his second Photos courtesy of the D’Elia Antique Tool Museum, Scotland, Connecticut. plane patent, issued March 4, 1885, No. 316,296.2 The four prototypes were packed in a fitted wooden carrying case. ported the frog on a semi circular shaped ridge.5 It is in- They were for his personal use in promoting financing for teresting that Rodier did not see the need of a cap iron to manufacturing his redesigned planes under his second serve as a chip breaker, but used very heavy un-cut irons patent. The prototypes were probably made by the Laf- to control cutter chatter. lin Manufacturing Co. sometime between 1881, when they ceased producing planes under his first patent, and 1882 His 1885 patent included a device that makes it easy to when Rodier moved to Detroit.3 reinstall a plane iron that had been removed for sharpening in its exact previous position. A projecting nib on the Rodier’s March 4, 1885 patent used the same basic prin- frog fits into a corresponding square hole in the cutter to ciple of adjusting the depth of cut by changing the pitch assure the correct location of the cutting edge of the plane of the frog that he used in his 1879 patent; but he did not iron with respect to the mouth of the plane. The nib can mount the frog on a cross rod. Instead he supported it be moved along a slide on the frog and locked into posi- on a pair of screws with rounded ends projecting into tion to compensate for shortening of the plane iron due to sockets in the planes bed. The screws elevated the frog grinding and honing.6 (Figure 4) just enough above its seat to allow it to be tilted back and forth by the adjustment mechanism, which he called a It is too bad that Rodier was unable to find financing for “slightly-vibratory movement”. The two screws had the his venture. Production planes, following his 1885 patent, added advantage that the cutting depth on the two sides made and improved over time would have been an inter- of the plane iron could be adjusted to cut evenly across esting addition to the portfolio of collectable tools. We are the width of the plane.4 On one of his block planes he sup- fortunate that the original set of Rodier’s prototype planes are safely preserved and will be displayed for posterity at M-WTCA.ORGthe D’Elia Antique Tool Museum in Scotland, Connecticut.

1 Roger K. Smith, Patented Transitional & Metallic Planes in America, Vol. I, pp. 183-185 and Vol. II, pp. 128-133. 2 Ibid. 3 Ibid. 4 Rodier’s patent No. 316.296, dated April 21, 1885, lines 64 – 73. 5 Ibid, lines 22 – 31, also see patent drawing of block plane. Figure 3: Rodier’s jointer with the coil spring, made by the Laflin Manufacturing Co. in 1881. 6 Ibid, lines 14 – 55.

March 2014 25 MARTIN J. DONNELLY AUCTIONS The World’s Largest Specialist Auctioneers of Antique Hand Tools A Division of Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools, Avoca, New York www.mjdauctions.com (800) 869-0695 [email protected] Two Great Auction Weekends

March 21 & 22, 2014 Clarion Hotel & Conference Center 2930 Waterfront Parkway, West Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana For reservations call (317) 299-8400 · Special Auction Rate: $65

April 25 & 26, 2014 Holiday Inn, 9 NortheasternM-WTCA.ORG Boulevard, Nashua, New Hampshire For reservations call (603) 888-1551 · Special Auction Rate: $96 Let’s Talk About Marketing Your Collection

Our continuing commitment to expand the market for antique tools has led us to offer a wide range of related antiques at our auctions. The very encouraging result of this expansion has been a “cross pollination” of collectors that has increased demand for tools while offering tool collectors (and their long-suffering spouses) access to a wide range of other antiques. If you are considering the sale of antique tools or related antiques, please give us a call to talk about our marketing advantage.

Martin J. Donnelly (800) 869-0695 Nine Great Auctions in 2014

Clarion Inn & Conference Center 5223 County Route 8 Holiday Inn, 2930 Waterfront Parkway, West Drive 9 Northeastern Boulevard Indianapolis, Indiana Avoca, New York Nashua, New Hampshire 3,101 Lots! March 21nd & 22d April 25th & 26th Open House Auction & Tool Fair October 24th & 25th September 19th & 20th July 24th, 25th & 26th Reservations: (317) 299-8400 Reservations: (603) 888-1551 Subscribe to our Tool Auction Catalogues for 2014 and Save!  Four Full Color Auction Catalogues  Five Listed M-WTCA.ORGAuctions of 1001 to 3101 Lots Each  Free 70,000 Item CD Value Guide with Subscription  All Ten Publications Just $75.00

nclosed is $75.00 (Check, Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools · PO Box 281 · Bath NY 14810 · (800) 869-0695 Emoney order, or Credit Name: ______Card), Each mailing is Address: ______approximately 3 weeks befor City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______sale date. Order online at Credit Card (Visa/MC/Amex/Disc.) ______Exp___/___ www.mjdtools.com A gift card will be sent with . Our Auction Subscription Makes a Great Gift gift subscriptions  Please Send a Gift Card #10s, #14s & Early Plated Handles; Some Uncatalogued Disston Saws by David La Touche

Disston’s output of saw types has been pretty well record- #120 Acme in 1876 that Disston made another saw with ed, through old catalogs, etc., but in the past few years five screws. three types or models of saws have surfaced that have no documentation or history available. These are the #10s, Hardware Store examples the #14s and the “plated” saws, which have either brass Disston made saws for many early Philadelphia hardware plates applied to or have steel plates inlet into the handles. businesses, among them Truitt, Bro & Co., and M. Buehler I decided to look at as many of them as I could, to de- & Bro. I have examples of saws from both businesses iden- termine whether any useful information or history could tical in basic shape and number of cone nuts to the plain be figured out from the physical examination. In doing so, handled Disston #10s described earlier. Both examples are although few facts about the introduction and duration of die stamped with their respective store name, but lack ei- their manufacture have been discovered, a kind of type ther a Disston or a #10 stamp. Unusually, the M. Buehler study has been developed, from which we can speculate & Bro example is the only one I have seen in the #10 style what place these saws may occupy in the Disston hierar- having a lamb’s tongue as part of the handle. chy. Those studies follow.

Disston #10 Handsaws

Stamps I have heard about or seen nine examples marked as Disston #10 saws. Most of them are die stamped “Extra / Henry Disston / 10”, but one example has been reported as being etched, rather than stamped, #10. Truitt, Bro & Co M. Buehler & Bro, note lambs tongue

Dating I could find no information directly dating the production of the Disston #10 saws, however the hardware store saws styled like #10s do provide us with some information. M. Buehler & Bro was in business under that name in Philadelphia from 1845 -1852, changing their name to M. Buehler, Brother & Co in 1853. This #10 style saw stamped M. Buehler & Bro indicates that the latest the #10 style saw Plain without nibs Plain with four nibs could have been introduced was 1852, although produc- Handles tion of that style saw could have started before that date. Of the five I have actually The reported existence of an etched example of a saw seen, all seem to have apple marked #10 suggests they were made at least until 1865, handles. Three of the ex- when Disston began to mark his saws with an etch rather amples are relatively com- than a die stamp. This leaves us with no firm beginning mon shapes, with the cheek or ending dates, but does definitely prove that this model having a point projecting saw was made between at least 1852 and 1865, while pos- into the hand hole. SomeM-WTCA.ORG sibly being made earlier and/or later. Incidentally, this M. of them have no nibs on Similar to cone nut #12s Buehler & Bro saw also firmly dates the introduction of the handle while another Disston’s use of cone nuts to as early as 1852. has double nibs top and bottom. Two others have handles in the shape of Disston’s early cone nut #12s, with the Disston #14 Handsaws five nibs on the handle (two at top, two at bottom, one Stamps where cheek line abuts the hand hole). None have lamb’s There are nine known examples of #14 saws known to tongues. None have any carving. me, with three other possibles reported. Of the nine ex- Screws amples, seven have #14 stamps visible, while the eighth, All the examples have five cone nuts, making them the first with a worn, unreadable stamp, is considered to be a #14 of Disston’s saws to have five screws. As far as I can tell, because it shares a unique handle type with three of the except for the #14s, it was not until the introduction of the other stamped examples, with the ninth only known from an eBay listing. The stamped examples show a great vari-

28 The Gristmill ety, with many different texts and typefaces used. At least two examples use a Gothic typeface for a portion of the text. Three of the stamps include the words “Keystone Works”, three include “London Spring”, and two are also stamped “Refined”. One example has three die stamped eagles surrounding the text, while another has a single eagle stamped above the text.

Eagle handle, carved all sides Walnut handle, fully chip carved

Die stamped eagles Unique stamp in four straight lines on Pratt & Co / Buffalo saw Plain handle with lamb’s tongue Sand cast brass plated handle Handles There are many handle types among the known #14s. Five ences I choose to exclude of them have “eagle” handles, which have an eagle head it from this discussion. carved at the front end of the handle, similar to the better- There is also known a sin- known “panther” saw handles. (Three of the eagle handled gle beech handle of a dif- saws are stamped 14 and the fourth has no readable stamp, ferent shape, with five cone while a fifth is only known from a 2009 eBay listing, but all nuts but lacking a blade or five are included as 14s in this survey because they share applied finish, that some- their unique handle style). The eagle handles are basically what resembles the Diss- Unfinished beech eagle handle shaped like the early #12 handles, but have chip carving ton #14 examples, although with secured by cone nuts on reverse different shaped hand hole on four sides; front, back, top and bottom. They also, like the carving is coarser and the early #12s, have five nibs on the handle, two at top, slightly different) two at bottom and one more where the cheek line abuts the hand hole. Screws The two plated saws have four nuts, while all the other Of the four remaining #14s, two have lamb’s tongues on #14s have five cone nuts, like the #10s. The brass plated the handles; one of these is chip carved on all four sides saw has four screws incorporated into the sand cast plate, and the other is plain (like the #10 handles). fastened with four cone nuts on the reverse. The steel plated saw has been severely altered, but appears to have The final two saws lack lamb’s tongues on the handles, but had four split nut screws, accessed by removing the plate. are both plated; one with an applied sand-cast brass relief plate and the other with an inlet steel plate. Hardware Store examples. M-WTCA.ORGThere is only one hardware store saw among the #14s; a The wood used in the eagle handles appears to be mahog- steel plated saw, which has “Extra / Henry Disston / Phila- any, with a reddish stain. The chip carved example seems delphia / 14” die stamped in four straight lines on the blade. to be walnut or possibly mahogany and the brass plated It is marked on the inlet steel plate “Made for PRATT & CO example seems to be made of apple or possibly walnut. / NEW-YORK / BUFFALO”. Pratt & Co. was a Buffalo NY. The last two handles seem to be beech. hardware dealer in business from approximately 1845 or so until after the Civil War. Incorporating the hyphen into (There is a known example of another saw with an eagle New-York was an early to Mid-19th Century typographi- head carved on the handle, which I believe is neither a cal conceit still used today in the name of the New-York #14 nor made by Henry Disston. The basic handle shape Historical Society. As do most of the other inlet steel is similar but it is very poorly carved and has only four plated saws, this example has three eagles stamped into cone nuts, of the punch decorated sort frequently used the handle plate; a central eagle with outstretched wings, by Wheeler, Madden & Clemson. Because of these differ-

March 2014 29 clutching a group of arrows in its talons and holding in Stamps its beak a banner reading “Union Liberty”, flanked by two Four of the saws are blade stamped as Disston (one is a of the more familiar Disston eagle stamps often found on #14, one is a #15 and two others have no discernible model backsaws. number.) while the fifth saw is only stamped as Disston on the inlet steel plate.

Blade stamp on only known Disston # 15 saw, which has an inlet steel plate in a fully chip carved handle

Handles The brass plated saw has a plain shaped handle, probably Usual inlet plate stamping; eagle with banner flanked by two smaller seated eagles, on Pappenheimer & Dreyfoos saw apple, but possibly walnut, with no lamb’s tongue. The steel plated #14 from Pratt & Co. has a plain beech handle with no lamb’s tongue. The inlet steel plated #15 appears Dating to have a beech handle while the Pappenheimer & Drey- There is not much definite information to be determined as foos seems to be walnut; both are chip carved on four to the dates of the #14 saws. However, the frequent use of sides, with lamb’s tongues. The plain-sawn beech handled five cone nuts points to a probable similarity in production Moore & Henzey has a lamb’s tongue, with no carving. dates to those established for the #10 saws, while the lack of any saw etched #14 implies that their production may have ceased before 1865. Also, the unique blade stamp on the Pratt & Co. #14 saw, which has all the text in straight lines rather than having the “Henry Disston” in a curve as is seen in most/all other examples, may indicate that it is an early saw. Based on the unique stamp of this one saw, I believe it is reasonable to propose that the #14s began to be produced at a very early date in Disston’s career.

Disston Plated Handsaws

I know of five (possibly seven, if we include two other possibles reported) early plated saws; one with a cast brass relief handle (illustrated previously) and four with inlet steel plates on the handles.M-WTCA.ORG

Repaired #15 handle, with chip carving almost all worn away by use.

Screws The brass plated saw has four screws incorporated into the sand cast brass plaque, secured by cone nuts on the reverse. All the steel plated saws seem to have four split nuts, covered on the front side by the die stamped steel Inlet plate on plain-sawn beech Inlet plate on walnut handle, chip plates. handle marked for Moore & Henzey / Phila carved all sides, marked Disston

30 The Gristmill Hardware Store Saws on four sides of the handles. Why such high quality saws Three hardware stores are represented among these saws; (carving, plating, high model numbers) should mostly be Pratt & Co / Buffalo (c1845-1865), Pappenheimer & Drey- sold under the names of other vendors confounds me. foos / Cincinnati (c1850-1867) and Moore & Henzey / Phila- delphia (c1850-1865). I wonder if at an early point before the date of any of his surviving catalogs, Henry Disston realized that he was as- Dating serting seven different grades of quality for his basic hand- I think these saws were all made before 1865 judging by saw (#s 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 15) and that might be more the hardware store dates. Other than that inference, I have than the market could bear; that he was competing against found no firm evidence of production dates. himself? Perhaps if he had that realization, he may have decided to fold the top four grades into one, choosing the Conclusions: #12 (rather than the #10, which would require an extra cone nut). If that were true, it could be why #12s are so All these saws but one have fine teeth, 9 to 12 ppi. Only common today, and the #10s, #14s and #15s are so rare and one example seems to be a rip saw. They were not gener- why they are undocumented. That is my thought so far, ally made for rough work. but it is only a speculation.

The #10s introduced the use of five screws, which may This article is a just a first incomplete step in this project. have been intended as a mark of superior quality, to ensure While I have had invaluable help from many saw collec- a more rigid handle/blade connection. The woods chosen tors and dealers, I have not yet seen or received informa- for their handles, whether beech or apple, were the same tion on all the known examples of these saws. I know that woods used for the more common 7s, 8s, and 9s and, there- there must be many other examples of all of them tucked fore, do not signify an appreciable difference from them. away in collections, workshops and barns. The fact that saws in this style were supplied to various hardware dealers might perhaps mean that Disston did not In researching these saws we are feeling our way back consider them so special as to reserve them for sale under into history without much light to guide us. I certainly his own mark. However, I think it is reasonable to assume, hope that by publishing the information gathered thus far, based on the larger number of fasteners, that he consid- it will generate interest and responses so that we can learn ered them a step up in quality from the 7s, 8s and 9s. I can more about these fine, undocumented products of Henry suggest no reason why so few of them have turned up. Disston’s workshops. I welcome any ideas or information about these saws, as well as all corrections because as Most of the #14s have extraordinary features that differ- usual, all the mistakes are my own. entiate them from the usual run of Disston’s saws. Of the eight examples that I have seen, five are carved on four sides, and have five cone nuts. A sixth saw has a unique sand-cast brass relief plate on the handle, fastened by four eBay cone nuts on the reverse. In contrast, a seventh saw seems by John Walkowiak just to be a very early hardware store saw, with a steel plate inlet into the otherwise ordinary handle, while the Please consider placing an M-WTCA membership last example looks like a #10, but for the lambs tongue. promotion in your listing or on your web site. This Some of them have more elaborate stamps than others, will be good for M-WTCA by providing the thousands but all are at least designated Extra. of eBayer’s and online collectors who are looking at I do feel a plausible case can be made that the extraor- old tools and do not know about us, an easy means M-WTCA.ORGto make contact with our organization. This will also dinary features of the eagle handled examples, the brass plated saw and, possibly, the other fully carved saw sug- improve your credibility as a seller by showing your gest that they may have been specially made, perhaps as affiliation with M-WTCA. It will be a Win-Win situation presentation saws. There is no documentation to support for everyone! Just go to http://mwtca.org and click on such a supposition, although the scarcity of these saws the Selling on eBay bar on the left side of the home- may add to its plausibility. page. Then simply copy and paste the promotion and add it to your listing where it best fits. It is simple and And yet the other two examples of #14 saws are quite or- easy and will be a great help in exposing our great ordinary in appearance. ganization to the world. Also, do not forget to include a membership brochure in all the tools you send out. As to the five plated handle saws, oddly, most of them are Please contact me and I will send a supply of member- stamped for hardware stores. Yet most of them are also ship brochures to you. stamped as either #14s or as a #15 and some are carved

March 2014 31 Patent Office Speech – Local Boy Does Good by Russ Allen

You might wonder how I went from doing some online re- our own member Paul Hamler’s patent for a scraper plane search of old patents from the comfort of my own home insert. The patent is assigned to Lee Valley. Paul did not to taking a four-day trip to a city just outside the nation’s disclose the terms of the agreement but he did autograph capital and giving a speech at the U.S. Patent Office. Those the insert I purchased from Lee Valley (figure 1). of you with really good memories will remember the presentation on patent searching that I gave with Ralph After corresponding with the librarians for three or four Brendler at the Fall 2007 Meet in Springfield, Missouri. For years, one of the librarians told me that they have an annu- everyone else, including anyone who did not attend the al conference at the National Patent Office in Alexandria, meet, I would like to mention that I have an interest in Virginia. This office is where the librarians receive addi- patents and trademarks. In fact, over the past few years I tional training in patents and trademarks from the patent have been corresponding with a small group office staff. He went on to say that they try of patent librarians spread out across the to find compelling guest speakers, and he country. Patent librarians are librarians with asked if I was interested in speaking at the additional training specific to patents and 2013 Conference. To indirectly answer that trademarks. Most states have at least one question I would like to say that as of this library designated as a patent library. These writing, I have just returned from that trip. libraries are listed on the Unites States Pat- I spoke to a group of about 30 patent librar- ent Office website, uspto.gov. ians; the one from Fairbanks, Alaska traveled the farthest to get to the conference. My correspondence with the small group of patent librarians began while I was re- About a third of my 45-minute speech con- searching tape measures produced by Cro- tained material that I covered at the Fall gan Manufacturing of Bangor, Maine. Some 2007 meet. Another third covered the relat- were patented and one was trademarked. ed things I have been working on since 2007. (My first article about Crogan Manufactur- Russ Allen The final third focused on trademarks. I ing was published in the March 2010 issue have the patent librarians to thank for spark- of Gristmill, and I am working on a follow-up article.) I ing my interest in trademarks. In fact, they helped me find would email questions to the patent librarians and whoev- the “One-Man” trademark of Crogan Manufacturing. er was the most knowledgeable would reply. I also shared It turns out that trademark searching can be harder than with them anything unusual I found or anything funny that patent searching ever was. The patent librarians were in- happened during my research. One funny situation I re- terested in hearing about my tips and tricks to find reg- layed to the librarians was about the time I came across istration certificates for old, inactive trademarks. When a a patentee I know. Most of the patents I come across are trademark is granted, a registration certificate is issued, many decades old, so naturally nearly all of their paten- which is similar to what is issued when a patent is granted. tees are not still alive. One fateful day I decided to look up the patents of Lee Valley, a modern-day hand plane manu- A trademark can be renewed indefinitely by continued facturer. I nearly fell out of my chair when I came across use in commerce. The registration certificate for an active trademark, such as the “Coca-Cola” trademark granted in 1893, is relatively easy to find. Inactive trademarks have no legal standing, and some of their registration certificates are not online. Of the nearly 4.4 million trademarks that M-WTCA.ORGhave been granted, roughly 20,000 registration certificates are not online. Especially troubling is that two of the major gaps in what is available chronologically are for trademarks granted in 1933 and 1934. For 1933, approximately one third of the registration certificates are not online; for 1934, half are not online. Those gaps contain a wealth of tool-related trademarks. The trademarks applied for and granted can be found in patent gazettes, approximately 50 percent of which are online. The registration certificates for the six Disston keystone trademarks (portions of which are shown in figure 2) are not online. Through Figure 1 my patent librarian contacts I was able to obtain scans

32 The Gristmill of their registration certificates. These and other Disston For one thing, I was able to meet in person the three librar- trademarks comprised my display at the 2009 Spring Meet ians whom I had been corresponding with, and the facility in Lexington, Kentucky. itself was incredible. Virginia is one of three states1 that does not have a designated patent library. It does, how- My speech at the conference seemed to be well received ever, have the Public Search Facility, which is located in (or maybe they were just incredibly polite). After I spoke one of the U.S. Patent Office buildings and contains some the librarians asked questions for about ten minutes. But truly amazing things, such as handwritten journals that there was more to the trip than speaking at the conference. were originally used to track the progress of trademarks. The journals go all the way back to 1870, when trademarks began. The earliest ones were entirely handwritten (figure 3). At some point after 1920 the entries became a mixture of typing and handwriting.

I used these journals to figure out whether trademarks I was looking for were ever issued. The journals provide a list of each trademark applied for by its serial number. This number was then published in the weekly patent gazettes. Before 1905, the patent office issued trademarks as it saw fit. Starting in 1905, potential trademarks were published in the weekly patent gazettes. (Interestingly enough, I did find an instance where there was a typo in the patent gazette [figure 4]. It mis-stated the company’s name.) In any case, after each gazette was published, holders of a similar trademark were given 30 days to oppose the registration. If the published trademark was not opposed or if the opposition was denied, the trademark was granted and given a registration number. So these handwritten journals are

Figure 2

Figure 4 M-WTCA.ORG

Figure 5

Figure 3: Journal page and facing page showing the handwritten entry for Crogan’s One Man Trademark (last line). It was serial number 118043, which was registered on December 14th, 1920, with registration number 138180. The registration certificate is available online and appears in my article in the March 2010 Gristmill. Figure 6

March 2014 33 the only source I know of that provide a way to look up a On a personal note, the trip also allowed me to reconnect serial number to see if the trademark was granted or was with a childhood friend who lives in the area. There was successfully opposed. It is unfortunate that the journals no foreshadowing then, but as a grown up she writes and have not been scanned and put online. edits other people’s work. In the interest of full disclosure I would like to acknowledge the editorial help of Anne In another case I could not find a trademark Starrett ap- Kotchek. This article would not have been the same with- plied for (figure 5). The journal showed that it was never out her help. granted. Its registration was successfully opposed. There was some sort of opposition number in the journal but the Also as a word of caution, I should warn you to be careful librarian helping me did not know how to look up who op- what you tell Mel Ring. The next thing you know you may posed the registration. The opposition had to have come be asked to write something up for the Gristmill. Mel was from a competitor that was granted a similar trademark, present when I asked Carl Bilderback for a photograph of but which one was it? The same thing happened to a trade- a saw etch. I had wanted to show the librarians some of mark EC Atkins applied for (figure 6). It was also success- the trademarked etches I had found, but I doubted that fully opposed. any of them would know what a saw etch was without being shown a picture. All in all, it was a wonderful trip. I Anyway, in order for these oppositions to be successful, had the time of my life. there had to have been the likelihood of confusion if the trademarks being applied for were granted. An example of this is with a trademark the Pennsylvania Saw Company tried to obtain. Disston successfully opposed the regis- Editors Note: Russ is also the author of the patent search- tration. It was ruled that the Pennsylvania Saw’s Quaker ing page http://www.mwtca.org/patent-information.html. figure was too similar to Disston’s Quaker (figure 7). To 1 Idaho, and Oregon are the other states without a patent library. quote the ruling, “Since Disston’s use predated Pennsyl- vania Saw’s use, only Disston is entitled to registration.”

During my trip to Virginia, I also visited the location of the previous patent office, which is now the Smithsonian Museum of Art. The museum has a small display of patent models titled, “Inventing a Better Mousetrap: Patent Mod- els from the Rothschild Collection.” The marquee item is the model Kopas and Bauer submitted in order to patent their mouse trap in 1870, complete with model mouse and piece of cheese (figure 8). In order to obtain a patent, models were required until 1880. It was wonderful to see these pieces of history in person. I would have included pictures here, but photographs of the exhibit were not allowed. M-WTCA.ORG

Figure 7 Figure 8

34 The Gristmill Lest We Forget by Bob Roger

Lest We Forget is a series of short articles, each about a ple is marked in an oval on the clip “BREWSTER’S PATENT” tool or implement that was once a common household, and I believe “PAT’D 1883”. Other examples have the mark farm, or trade necessity, but whose use or existence may “BREWSTERS SAFETY REIN HOLDER” on the spring jaw. soon be forgotten. An early advertisement for Brewster’s holder can be found Rein Holders in many places on the Internet. Brewster’s No. 1 and No. 2 holders were designed to clip onto the leather dash rail, When you temporarily leave your hitched buggy, wagon, the No. 3 screwed onto a wooden dash rail or on farm ma- sled, or farm equipment unattended and do not secure the chinery. The No. 1 was nickel, and the No. 2 was Japan. reins, you will probably find them in the mud when you The No. 3 was also popular for use as a clothes line fasten- return. Hence the function of the rein holder, which is a er. Equipment where the rein holder can be used include simple mechanical device designed to hold the reins near street cars, lumber wagons, express wagons, democrat or where the user would normally be when using them. For platform spring wagons, carryalls, drays, carts, sleighs, buggies, sleighs, etc. that location was usually on the dash. cutters, corn planters, cultivators, drills, plows, mowing and reaping machines, hayracks, and other farm machines. The Golden Age of personal buggies was approximately 50 years long, from 1865-1915. Before that time the family farm Now, some 130 years later, Brewster’s holder is still avail- wagon was used when wheeled transportation was needed. able by catalog order. My other example, shown in Fig- Only the rich could afford a personal buggy. The transition ure 2 with the patent drawing, was not as successful. This to automobiles and engine-powered farm machinery began is Patent # 206,756 issued on August 6, 1878 to David H. around 1915, but it was not fast – my uncle was still using Weaver & Martin Heatwole of Spring Creek, Virginia. The horses for some farm tasks in the 1950s. Today, the only lo- example is marked “PAT’D AUG 6 1878” and was found cations in the U.S. where horse power remains the primary about 10 miles from Spring Creek. mode are in our Amish and Mennonite communities.

The earliest US patent for a rein holder was February 16, 1858 and approximately 283 patents were issued between 1858 and the late 1930s. Probably the most common and successful holder was Patent # 282,609 issued August 7, 1883 to Edward Brewster of Holly, Michigan. His patent drawing and a manufactured example are shown in Figure 1. The exam-

Figure 2. Weaver & Heatwole’s patent and an example of it.

Martin Heatwole was born on March 22, 1846 in Spring Creek. He was a farmer and contractor, and died there on May 18, 1898. On December 2, 1875 he married Sarah J. Weaver (born December 21, 1856 in Mt. Clinton, VA) and they had nine children. Martin Heatwole and David M-WTCA.ORGH. Weaver were Mennonites and probably were cousins. Their holder would have been screwed to the inside of a wooden dash rail with the jaws in a horizontal plane, in the position shown in Figure 2 as viewed looking down on it from outside the front of the dash (looking into the buggy).

According to my local buggy shop, rein holders are not used much anymore. Instead, the reins are simply wound around the brake pedal. Early buggies did not have brake pedals, necessitating some other form of holder. I imagine several of you have collections of rein holders – does anyone else have the Weaver & Heatwole holder? Figure 1. Brewster’s Patent & Example

March 2014 35 Auxiliary

Iowa Ink – Our Auxiliary Presidents by Susan Witzel, Auxiliary President

It is New Year’s Day in Iowa and I am already looking for- set her apart. She was a fantastic cook. She and Ivan Ris- ward to our June meeting in Columbus, Ohio, June 11th ley, the third President of M-WTCA, both passed away in - 14th. We are so lucky to have friendly, willing volunteers 2013. in our auxiliary. It becomes much more than “just a club.” The Presidents of our auxiliary have been wonderful, wel- I never met our second President, Ginger Bergdahl. I have coming ladies. I have been privileged to know all but one. heard she had a personality like her name and was wel- The first meeting I attended was in Columbia, Mo. in June coming, friendly, and fun. of 1998. President Mary Ganden- I became acquainted with Sue Tub- berger, a beautiful gracious lady man when she hosted a memorable welcomed me. She introduced me You will find we are a family. meeting in Stephens Point, Wis- to Eila Arnold, a former President We share our joys and our sor- consin. She became a good friend. who helped me get acquainted with rows. We grow together. 2014 She and Arlene Fritchen brought a the ladies of the group. Eila wore whole new slant to the tool collect- pink, was fun-loving, had an exten- is a great year to renew and ing spectrum. Arlene would open sive doll collection and seemed to strengthen our friendships on each meeting with a joke – and she know everyone. the M-WTCA Tool Trail. remembered the punch line. What Next I met Norma Rigler, a great a talent. lady married to Bill, who was one of the early Presidents Judy Gambrel, known as rwb Judy because of her patrio- of M-WTCA. They lived in a lovely setting, complete with tism and her dress code of red, white and blue, has been a a Gristmill. I knew her as quiet and soft spoken with a President and Hostess for several meetings. She will again well-honed sense of humor. She was a very knowledge- be Hostess in Rockford, Illinois on Oct. 1-4, 2014. She is able lady. our own “Pickin’ Mama.” He smile is infectious. Loretta Ring sat in the lobby at Semi-Annual meetings, a President Ann Boltz is quiet, organized and sincere, and welcoming presence. You could tell where Loretta was by hosted Reading and Camp Hill, Pa. Meets. She collects her hearty laugh. bookmarks, cake knives, and silver jewelry. As an avid I was saddened this week to hear of the death of Barbara reader, she helped select books for our discussions. Slasinski. She had been a President of our women’s auxil- Lynne McCalla was Hostess for our meeting in Franklin, iary. She was always a friendly face at meetings. She kept Tn. A former President, she is a weaver, a singer and a meticulous records as treasurer for many years and pur- world traveler, collecting miniature music carving tools. chased books for our discussion group. Ice cream runs She and Jane Giese are co-registrars for semi-annual meet- and games in the social room were a must at Semi-Annual ings. meets. Barb was a willing helper. We send our sympathy to Mike and her family. Judi Heckel has been President, Hostess, and is our Pub- licity Chairman, having a way with words. She greets each I knew and enjoyed Maggie Risley, our first president. She new day with wide-eyed wonder. You will find we are a would make us smile whenM-WTCA.ORG we had our luncheons by re- family. We share our joys and our sorrows. We grow to- questing that the food would linger on our lips – and not gether. 2014 is a great year to renew and strengthen our our hips. Her red hair, sparkling eyes, shy smile and style friendships on the M-WTCA Tool Trail.

Email or mailing address change? Please send changes to Kerry McCalla at [email protected].

36 The Gristmill Auxiliary

Branson Tour by Judi Heckel

Members enjoyed a visit to the College of the Ozarks, a cafeteria to landscaping. Students are involved in quarry- private, Christian Liberal-Arts College of 1,500 students, ing the limestone for many of the buildings, fabricating the located in Branson MO. It is ranked in the top 300 colleges lighting fixtures in the chapel, as well as milking cows to in the U. S. It holds a 9% acceptance rate of the over 4,000 help produce the butter used in the cafeteria. After gradu- applicants. Notable visitors to the campus include Marga- ation, students enter the workforce debt free. The college ret Thatcher, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Laura has a 92-95% employment placement rate within one year Bush, and Bill O’Reilly. Nicknamed “Hard Work U” by the of graduation. The college depends on the $9 million of do- Wall Street Journal, the College of the Ozarks charges nations that are given every year. Members enjoyed a look no tuition for full-time students, due to its student work at the Williams Memorial Chapel, the Fruitcake and Jelly program and donations. The program requires students Kitchen, the Dairy and Tractor Museum, and the Keeter to work 15 hours a week at an on-campus work station Center, which is a hotel and restaurant. Producing 15,000 and two 40-hour work weeks during breaks. There is an fruitcakes and 30,000 jars of jelly yearly, we were pleased opportunity for over 80 different campus jobs, from the when member Peggy Stone won a fruitcake in our guest drawing. Lunch and shopping filled the afternoon at the Branson Landing with its 100 shops and restaurants.

Come To Columbus June 11-14, 2014 by Carolyn List

We are planning a fun timeM-WTCA.ORG for all in Columbus, Ohio. We tion about souvenir and novelty sewing trinkets from 1840 will start with our MEET & GREET on Thursday evening. to the present. Slides will show Victorian brass pigs with It is a chance to get acquainted with other attendees and windup tails, celluloid ships and sterling disk tapes. Learn meet old friends. Friday afternoon, we will be discussing why we measure in yards instead of meters and why sew- the book, Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth, an interesting tools were items to treasure. Bring any that you may ing read about an English nurse. It is always a fun discus- have to share and have them evaluated. On Saturday morn- sion, even if you do not have a chance to read the book. ing there will be a ladies’ brunch. We will also have special Taking a line from The Sound of Music, the theme for the tours for small groups that may want to visit a quilt shop, displays is “A Few of My Favorite Things.” Now everyone The American Girl Doll Store or the new Nordstrum’s Rack has a few favorites that they can share. Remember, you can or other areas of interest. There are other activities still in always sign up for a half-table if a full table is too much. the planning stages, so mark your calendar. Looking for- No judging, just fun sharing. We will have a fun presenta- ward to seeing YOU.

March 2014 37 Auxiliary Bling by Sylvia J. Street

“Bling” (n.) embellishment added to common things My hobby crafts include tole painting, cross-stitch, and basket making. I have examples of each of these crafts on Since I was a little girl, my joy has always come from work- the table. My favorite is the round basket I made for my ing with my hands and creating something pretty. My parents. I considered bringing it to the display because of maternal grandmother saw to it that I learned to do em- the added twisted motif on the sides. It is not just a woven broidery as soon as she taught me to thread a needle. I basket but has the embellishment to make it fancier. remember cutting and stitching nine patch blocks early in life. The apron on the table is one we worked on together. My most recent endeavors at “bling” involve quilting. I have It could not be just a simple gingham check but rather we my first quilt, a Fall frenzy. I created three years ago. I love added cross stitches to the apron to make it fancy. This the autumn tones and enjoyed creating this piece. My hus- was my first effort at “bling”. band made a quilt rack of white oak upon which I have a Christ- When I was seven years old, our mas friendship quilt displayed. I home burned to the ground leav- had the idea to ask eleven friends ing us with no place to live. Our to each make 13 blocks of their generous neighbors invited my choice. I gave each of them a piece parents and I to stay the night. of focus fabric and the fun began. We ended up living with them for We exchanged the blocks and took six months while our house was the 13th set to create a quilt for a rebuilt. At Christmas their son, a cancer foundation in Mitchell. The research scientist at the University friendship quilt brought $1000 in of Michigan brought a student, a raffle sales. I decided to create a Japanese baroness, home for the log cabin wreath in the center of holidays and she taught me to knit. my quilt and surround the wreath This is a skill I cherish and have enjoyed my entire life. My with the twelve blocks. It was my second completed quilt. display includes a knitted sweater to which I added “bling.” I love to create hats and I never make two alike. I usually I appreciated this opportunity to share some of my embel- do not use a pattern but the red felted hat on the table was lished handmade items with all of you. God has blessed me one for which the pattern and technique were necessary. I with a creative spirit and the gift of family and friends who felted the white flower to give it some “bling.” have taught and encouraged me in my crafts. No Bill, No Bass, Just Bling.

Auxiliary Friday Night Activity – Custom Crystal Earring Making by Catherine Trahin

Valerie Carpenter, owner ofM-WTCA.ORG The Treasure Chest in Spring- beautiful crystal beads rather than glass or plastic beads. field, provided multicolored bead packets for us to make Green, red, black, white and clear crystals were used in custom earrings. Valerie and three various combinations. We proud- of her staff were good teachers. ly showed our custom earrings The activity was well attended to our auxiliary friends. We were and much laughter emanated impressed with the beautiful ear- around the room. Some of us rings that we had created. Be- struggled to achieve perfection on fore leaving Springfield, some of one pair of earrings while others us visited Valerie at the Treasure purchased extra bead packages Chest to buy more crystal beads to make more earrings – perfect- and other jewelry making items. ly. The earrings where made of

38 The Gristmill Auxiliary On The Other Side of The Bed by Kathleen Holmes

In an old issue of Ideals: Friendship are several selections We have talked before about “the sound of friendship” that that I thought related to the tool collectors..well, sort of… comes alive when two or more collectors bend their heads And I thought to use here in the column. over a treasure of some kind. That noise factor reminds me again of the lyric from Music Man. Pick a little, Talk a Vera Hammann wrote the poem Collectors. See what you little, Cheep, Cheep!... You pick up an item, talk about with think…. those around you, then talk price (cheap, cheap!) What a delightful sound that is in a room full of tables, talk, tools, Some folks collect antiques galore, and toolies. While some buy bells with ancient lore; Or cookie cutters made of tin. In the same Ideals was Edna Jaques’ poem called Old While some pour over books of stamps, Things… Or pictures of old baseball champs. A few prefer folk songs of old, I love old things, old books, old friends… And others coins and dust of gold. I love old things…timeworn and frayed, Then china with a history Upon whose heart the years have laid For others hold a mystery. A kindly touch as if to show Old clocks and watches, any kind, The beauty of their inner glow. No matter if the stems don’t wind, Are cherished as real old heirlooms Some of the older collectors are somewhat timeworn and Displayed in cases built in rooms. frayed…but still enthusiastic about the items they collect. Collectors are an earnest group, They are eager to tell someone else the history of a tool, And in antique shops love to snoop; sharing all they know and asking questions about what But as for me, my heart contends they do not know. That is the joy of the M-WTCA organiza- “Tis better to collect good friends! tion and the members who come to Meets with anticipa- tion for a gathering of friends. Nowhere in that poem does it mention planes, levels, rulers, etc…but it does cover the “waterfront” for collecting more Come, join in the fun. for women than old geezers. And it does look at the “friendships” generated by those of us (you) who collect whatever.

“reason is speech”, a truth which appeared quite obvious Member Mel Ring found this item in an 1893 to the Greek mind which for “word” and “mind” employed lecture delivered by Dr. Paul Carus before the the same term. Department of Manual And Art Education of the Our own great countryman, Benjamin Franklin, gave ex- World Congress Auxiliary.M-WTCA.ORG pression to the energetic spirit of the American industry by saying: “Man is a tool-making animal”.

The Philosophy Of The Tool Dr. Carus goes on —”Applied reason made of man a ra- tional being. Work has been the great educator of man- Man, according to the Bible, is created in the image of God. kind, and the employment of tools was the school through By natural science he is classified as homo sapiens. Aristo- which man had to pass.” tle defines him as B, wov nokirinov., Theologians say: the distinctive feature of man is religion. Students of ethics The 23 page booklet can be downloaded from Google find that man alone can form ideals. Man, accordingly, is a Books. moral being. Philologists say man is a speaking animal, for

March 2014 39 Tool Family Trees Answer by Bob Roger

Yes, these are the tools of the paperhanger. Because they the wall, a roller to roll the seams, and knives to trim the are so fundamental in design many of them were also used paper at the ceiling and around casings and baseboards. in other trades or for other functions. Most of them are not elaborate, glamorous, or made of exquisite materials, and Figure 1 shows smoothing brushes and a paste whisk for so are often passed by when lying on the tool table. mixing the paste. Figure 2 shows seam rollers. The brush on the right and the seam roller on the right are from a But before I continue, here is your challenge: There is one 1970s kit, so you can see how little they have changed over tool included in one of my photos that is not associated the years. with paperhanging and was patented for a specific use in another occupation. Can you find the imposter and iden- tify its intended use?

A quick search on the Internet gives us a brief history of wallpaper. Rice paper may have been glued to walls in China as early as 200 B.C. In 1599 the French paperhanger’s guild was established. In 1778 Louis XVI decreed that the length of a roll of wallpaper would be 34 feet. From 1750 to about 1860 the hanging process was to use shears to trim the unprinted edge from one side, cut the strip to the correct length, paste and hang the strip, then overlap the next trimmed edge on the previous untrimmed edge. Between 1860 and 1900 long paperhanger’s shears, seam rollers, and trimmers came into widespread use. During the 1920s butting the seams instead of overlapping them Figure 2. Seam Rollers became the ‘correct’ method. Hangers papering in city ten- ements were expected to hang 25-30 rolls each day. 1933 Figure 3 shows some trimming knives and shears. The saw the first patent for washable wallpaper, and the first knife at the upper right is actually a holder for a razor pre-pasted wallpaper appeared in the late 1940s. Universal blade and is from my 1970s paperhanger’s kit. The bottom factory pre-trimming of edges began in the 1950s. shears has a rule marked on one blade.

The basic tools were a bucket and whisk to mix the paste, long shears to cut and trim the sheets, a brush to apply the paste (not shown), a long brush to smooth the paper on

M-WTCA.ORG

Figure 3. Knives and Shears

Figure 4 shows corner and edge knives and two trimming wheels. The disc blade on the knives is for cutting along the baseboard or door/window frame, and the pointed

Figure 1. Brushes and Paste Whisk

40 The Gristmill blade for cutting in corners. The trimming wheels are edge. It contains a steel spring that rubs against the blade 1895 and 1903 patents and were used on a table to trim to clean and sharpen it as it is used. The blades may be the wallpaper lengthwise. They used a straight edge as a smooth or serrated and mounted straight or at an angle. guide. After using a perforated blade, the paper is torn along the perforations.

Figure 5. Wheel Knives

Figure 4. Corner and Edge Knives and Trimming Wheels Now, did you find the imposter? It is the top knife in Fig- ure 4, and is a cigar maker’s knife. It is Patent #722,282 is- Figure 5 shows a variety of wheel knives for cutting and sued March 10, 1903. The rotary blade is for cutting wrap- trimming. The bottom one is Pederson’s 1882 Patent pers from the tobacco leaves, and the fixed blade is for #267,925. It was used to cut the paper lengthwise by lay- shaping and trimming the wrapper. ing it over a table edge and running the knife along the

Farmer’s and Harvester’s Combination Whip by Henry L. Caudle, photos by Dennis Fisher

I bought this whip about five years ago at the Labor Day weekend antique show and flea market in Hillsville, Va. I bought it from Jim Conover who was there selling antique tools. My friend, Bob Roger, found the patent papers a few days later and mailed them to me. I have only seen two of these whips in 45 years of collecting. Martin Donally had one for sale in his Oct. 26, 2013 catalog lot #465, but did not know of its use. Louis C. Lambert of Sommerset,M-WTCA.ORG PA. invented and patented this harvester’s combination whip on September 21, 1909 Pat. #934,674. The inventions purpose was an improved construction of a device intended for use by harvesters to serve as a combination whip for driving the horses. It was also used for picking, pulling, or pushing out of the way of the operator of the mowing machine, the hay rake, or reaper, any limbs, sheaves, weeds or the like that may happen to be in the path. This alleviated the necessity of the operator getting off of the machine and thereby save considerable time and labor. It also reduced the danger to which the operator was exposed to when stepping in front of the cutter blades.

March 2014 41 Obituaries Morris K. Olson

Morris K. Olson, age 95, died peaceful- in Springfield, Missouri with his son in September, 2013. ly at Gundersen Hospital on Nov. 21, He purchased the first computer in the family – a Commo- 2013. He was born to Henry and Min- dore 64 and built up from there, networking several com- nie (Jothen) Olson April 7, 1918 on a puters, printers, VCRs and TV’s to produce tool collector country farm near Disco, Wis. Morris videos and other computer works. graduated from Cashton High School in 1937. In 1942, Morris was drafted Until his final illness he was an active reader. He kept up into the U.S. Army where he served with world news and events, as well as local history, and as a medical assistant and company continued to collect tools and build projects in his work- clerk. In August 1942 he and J. Carrol Johnson of La Crosse shop. Morris was friendly and congenial all his life and married at Ft. Ord, California, where he was stationed. rarely spoke a cross word to anyone. He lived in his home of 43 years until recently. In 1944, his company was shipped to England prior to the D-Day invasion. Morris went across the English Channel Larry Thorson remembers Morris: With Morris Olson’s in an open LST landing craft and went ashore at Omaha passing, M-WTCA lost a long term member and tool col- Beach as part of the later waves of invasion, without a lecting enthusiast. Morris was my mentor and introduced gun. He carefully carried an Underwood typewriter as me to M-WTCA. Morris and I would encounter each other company clerk, a position he was given as one of the only at area auctions and flea markets, often bidding against men who had learned to type in school. Morris and his each other in hopes of adding to our tool collections. Be- son Les were able to make a Freedom Flight to the WW II ing retired and a more experienced collector, Morris had Memorial in Wash. D.C. in 2009. the advantage. He traveled the area almost daily to attend auctions in search of another treasure. I think one of his Morris had an active mind all his life. He was president favorite stories was the day he attended a farm auction and of the South Side Businessmen’s Assn. and received many found a Stanley No 1 in the bottom of a box of miscella- awards for his local service to the city. He was a rock col- neous items. According to Morris he “mothered that box” lector and went west for many treasures. He and Carrol all day to insure that the No 1 remained in the box. If my traveled many places in retirement, including a trip to Chi- memory is correct, he purchased the box for $7.50. Due to na and a tour around the world. Morris collected antiques Morris’ declining health in recent years, he no longer was and tools and was a familiar face to auctioneers in a three able to attend auctions. It was not the same without him. state area. He was an active member of the Mid-West Tool While Morris was always willing to share his knowledge Collectors Assn., an officer, and frequent award winner for of tools, one felt that he was holding back just enough to his tool displays. He attended his last M-WTCA tool show maintain a competitive edge. He will be missed.

Tom Lamond

Educator, tool enthusiast, avid researcher and author In recent years he concentrated his articles on Axes and Thomas C. Lamond, passed away on August 13th, 2013 Edge Tools. You could depend on him to submit well writ- from various health issues. He is survived by Lorraine (his ten articles with amazing artwork depicting the original wife of 54 years), four sons, their wives, and seven grand- tool logos. The antique tool collectors world has lost a children. His publications willM-WTCA.ORG be available as long as there wealth of information with Tom’s passing. are copies. Unfortunately we have lost his vast knowledge and he will not be able to answer any questions, except Gregor Mszar remembers Tom: I met Tom at a M-WTCA by referring you to his books. To inquire about purchas- meet and we became friends right away. My dear wife The- ing any of his books email your request to: toms_books@ resa, grew up about 1½ mile from where Tom lived, and I yesteryearstools.com was married in the church that he and Lorraine were pa- rishioners. Small world. Tom will be greatly missed. Tom was a prolific researcher and writer. His 1997 book “Manufactured and Patented Spokeshaves” was published Susan Witzel writes: At the Asheville, NC. meeting Tom after thorough research of his extensive Spokeshave col- was willing to wait to take his display down until I had lection. Through the years, Tom was a frequent contribu- taken his picture. He was always very patient with all the tor of informative articles to several tool publications. questions I constantly seemed to have.

42 The Gristmill Obituaries Barbara Slasinski

by Judy Gambrel day just the days you eat.” Barb and her husband Mike, and their good friends, Lars and Alice Larson were hosts Barbara A. Slasinski, longtime mem- for three National meets: Dearborn, MI. in the Fall of ber of M-WTCA, passed away Decem- 1990, Lansing, MI. in the Spring of 1994 and Battle Creek, ber 27, 2013 at the age of 74. Barb MI. in the Spring of 2001. Barb assisted Mike for many and her husband Mike, were married years when he was the official photographer for M-WTCA. on July 10, 1963 and resided in Sagi- Barb kept track of people in the photos and also assisted naw, Michigan. Barb is survived by with the many photo albums assembled for the Organi- her loving husband Mike and two zation. The Slasinskis and Larsons also helped organize sons: Robert Slasinski, and Steven (Leann) Slasinski and many Area meets. Barb and Alice planned programs and their son Chase, all of Saginaw. Chase was the love of activities for the ladies at these Area meets. Barb’s life. Her favorite times included doing things with him. Barb graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing Barb also collected antiques such as brooches, charms, and was a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital until she started milk glass dishes and napkin holders. Barb also assisted to raise her family. She later followed her love of books Mike at re-enactments featuring their Indian artifacts. She and children and became a librarian at Shields Elementary would sit at re-enactments selling tomahawks and show School for 30 years. casing her furs. For Indian Week, she would take her furs to school with her and tell everyone about them. The cou- M-WTCA was fortunate to have Barb as a member, shar- ple also hosted tours of their Indian and Antique Museum ing her many talents and her love of people and activities. for elementary school students. Barb served as President and Treasurer of the Auxiliary and helped purchase books for the Ladies Book Club. Barb has left an extremely positive impact on the Organi- Barb’s favorite saying was “You don’t have to read every zation and she will certainly be missed.

Re-Purposed Tools - New Gristmill Column? by Gerry Miels

This is a potential column that all M-WTCA members ufactured by Perry Manufacturing Co. of Providence, RI. should be able to contribute an item to. We have all come It came in its original box and with its data sheet. It claims across an item or more specifically, a tool that has been to be self-sharpening, cuts all ways, and never clogs. re-purposed (used for something other than what it was designed for). We have all used a screwdriver for a pry bar It has a patent date (no number) on the leather handle. OF or for a chisel, a chisel for a rust scraping tool (at least I do, COURSE - I had to look it up. You might be able to guess to clean crusty old iron skillets). I am planning on using an what I discovered. Patent Number 1,281,200 was issued on old mangled cast-iron sledge head for a gate weight (hang October 8, 1918 to Harlan A. Perry for a ‘FISH SCALER’. it on a rope/chain to automatically close my fence gates. My scraper is a spitting image of the submitted drawing.

Some of the tools I collect are scrapers. I purchased a I would like to think our members have discovered other FLEXTO STEEL SCRAPERM-WTCA.ORG (paint and rust remover) man- items like this and The Gristmill would be a good medium to present this information to other members. We could also use this to show re-purposing not by the maker but by a user in a unique way.

March 2014 43 David Stanley’s 62nd International Auction by John G. Wells, September 2013

This auction included the fifth portion of the David Russell notch for pulling nails. The collection, a selection of European woodworking tools inscription “i qii z” and “1706” from the Luigi Nessi collection, and some of the greatest appears on one side just be- tools from top collections around the world. David Stan- low the pivot. It may have ley’s International Auction now offers live bidding on the been a farrier’s tool. A similar internet; it is the next best thing to being there. Go to his pair dated 1770 is displayed in homepage for access to the auction. the Geremanisches National Museum; see Berntiii figure In this article prices realized are given first as the hammer 38. (Russell fig. 121) This pair price in pounds sterling, followed by the total price in U. S. was previously sold in Tony Dollars; the latter includes the 15% buyer’s premium, and Murland’s Tool Shop Auction uses a currency conversion factor of 1.63. in 1998. In this David Stanley auction it was rated G+ for The rare Leonard Bai- condition, and sold for £3,000, $5,624. ley split frame 20½ inch Series D jointer in Lot The lovely 19th Cen- 35 had a straight split, a tury figured rosewood lever lock keyhole lever bench vice with gun- cap and a closed rose- metal fittings, Lot 426, wood tote. It was a great was one of the finest tool to use on large table tops or doors. It previously sold vices of this type to ap- in Brown’s 22nd auction in 2003 and is in David Russell pear in a David Stanley Antique Woodworking Tools figure 917. It was rated G+ Auction. It was in Fine for condition and sold for £4,200, $7,873. condition and brought £3,200, $5.998.

The Stanley No. 41 Type 1, The spectacular 17th combination plow plane Century German in Lot 96 had acorn fini- axe head in Lot 475 als and tightening holes in was decorated with the arms, the latter being shapely cut outs unusual for this model. above the cutting (Russell fig. 937) See Wal- edge. (Russell fig. ter Jacob, Miller’s Patent 154) It was engraved Plow Planes, in J. Walter, all over with foliage motifs and on the Antique & Collectable right side with tools including an axe, Stanley Tools. It was rated G+ and brought £3,350, $6,280. hammer, chisel, try square, and com- pass; the other side was engraved with a skull and cross bones and Hans Sachs’s 16th century German adaptation of the Latin proverb: “Whatever you do, act prudently and consider the end.”iv It had “1604” engraved just below the hammer poll. It was in G++ condition and was a very good M-WTCA.ORGvalue for £3,000, $5,624. The attractive 17-18th Century armorer’s saw and file hold- The very important 24 inch hardwood rule dated 1552 in er in Lot 191 had a rectangular frame with embossed deco- Lot 559, may be one of the earliest dated rules known. It ration, a delightful fret work panel at the front to brace the is discussed in Jane & Mark Rees, The Rule Book, p. 5 and blade tightening screw, and remnants of brazing. It was 18 was in the David Russell collection, figure 188. It was rat- inches long including its beautiful turned fruitwood han- ed G+, and sold for £3,400, $6,373. dle. Walther Bernt, Altes Werkzeugi figures 101 through 104, contains similar examples. It was rated G+ and sold Lot 627: The rare Chardoillet 20½ for £900, $1,687. inch jointer, with independently adjustable cutter and cap iron, was Lot 385 was a fine pair of early 18th Century end pincers. from the Luigi Nessi collection. It They were beautifully decorated with acid etched floral was in G++ condition and was a good designs. There was a hammer poll on one side of the “C” value for £1,400, $2,624. shaped jaws and the bottom end of each handle had a vee

44 The Gristmill The 18th Century American a rectangular steel arm projecting Crown Moulder by Nathaniel at right angles from a steel plate at- Potter in Lot 727 may be among tached to the planes body. The fence the earliest American planes slid back and forth on the arm; its dis- signed by their maker. It mea- tance from the cutter was adjusted sured 13½ x 3-3/8 inches, had by the threaded rod below it. It was an offset handle, round topped rated G++ and brought £750, $1,406. wedge, and bold sharp cham- fers. Nathaniel Potter was born I was surprised to see in 1693 in Lynn, MA. and died in Dermot Roche at an 1768. He may have completed East coast antique tool his apprenticeship in 1714 at show several years ago. which time he would have been 21. He married Rebeckah He was bursting with Baker on March 27, 1716; they had seven children. (Russell, excitement and wanted fig. 786). Potter’s crown moulder had had little use. It was to tell me about the 17th rated G++ for condition and sold on a bid of £5,500, $10,310. v Century treasure he found the day before in The exciting 18th century router in a London antique show. (Lot 1045) It was Lot 736 was carved in high relief; it a rare armorer’s compendium tool of Nuremberg origin. Al- was known as “North Wind”. Ex- though it was only three inches tall it clearly showed a little amples of similar carved routers man holding a mason’s stone cutting hammer over his head. can be seen in Josef M. Greber, Just think about it, we were handling and discussing a little Die Geschichte des Hobels.vi It was object that was made nearly 400 years ago. Dermot was not in Good+ condition and sold on a bid of £1,100, $2,062. ready to sell his treasure yet; he wanted to enjoy it for a while and find out what it was really worth. The little man found The 25 inch elm jointer in Lot 756 had a carved offset han- his way into David Russell’s collection and book, see figure dle, a carved and scrolled front tote, and a wedge with a 121. It was rated Good+ and will be enjoyed by all who see it. cartouche carved in its center; it was dated 1656. This plane The little armorer’s compendium tool sold for £2,300, $4,311. was in Roy Arnold’s collection for years, and was then in an American collection. It was rated “Good” for condition and The small boxwood brace brought a high bid of £750, $1,406. dated 1808 in Lot 1073 was beautifully decorated with The small attractive smoother in Lot 788 was made from a delicate low relief floral pretty boxwood burl, [burr]. It was only 5½ inches long; it had carvings of the “Tree of Life” and “ox eye daisies”; its simple the date 1739 carved on its form was accented with pewter fittings and an ivory head. toe and had a carved wedge It was in Jim Gehring’s collection, (but Jim does not collect and carved cheeks. (Russell braces) and then it was sold in Brown’s 29th auction. It later fig. 331.) It was rated “Good” turned up in David Russell’s collection and book, figure 1400. and sold for £1300, $2,437. It was rated Good++, and will now grace a new owner’s collection for £3,400, $6,373. Lot 930 was a gorgeous coach maker’s plow plane, with a fruitwood body that could be run against a vertical surface; The rare and widely admired its scroll shaped handle fanned out to the left to provide Norris A 28 adjustable gunmetal clearance for the user’s hand. Decorative brass strips were chariot plane in Lot 1132 was in recessed in a fan shaped pattern in the top of the body. It superb condition. It was rated is an unusual design and only two G++, and was purchased by a others are known; I have seen an- knowledgeable buyer for the respectful sum of £6,000, $11,247. other example in a beautifullyM-WTCA.ORG figured wood that did not need the brass strips. This one was previ- i Walther Bernt, Altes Werkzeug, iv David Russell, Antique Wood- Callwey, Munchen. 1977. working Tools, figure 1554, p. 54. ously offered in a Tool Shop auction in 2006. (Russell fig. 392) It ii Although it appears to be a low- v The rest of this amazing story ercase “q” magnification shows can be read in the 4th edition of had some minor damage beneath it to be “ξt” a lower case Greek American Wooden Planes by the throat but otherwise it was in “zeta” behind something similar Emil & Martyl Pollak, Revised by Good+ condition and brought the to a lower case “t” so it could be Thomas L. Elliott, pp. 327-328, in surprising sum of £3,800, $7,123. Latin “et” for “and”. See ancient the EAIA Chronicle, March 1993 Greek symbols and the history of edition, pp. 3-4, and in the Brown the Ampersand on Wikipedia. Auction Services catalog, October Lot 933 was a coach maker’s plow 25, 2003, lot 708, p.75. plane with a walnut body having iii Bernt, footnote 1. vi Joseph M. Greber, Die Geschichte a brass plate on the top. It had des Hobels, p 280–281, Schafer Hannover, 1987.

March 2014 45 M-WTCA Spring Meeting - Columbus Larry Thorson – Host, Carolyn List – Hostess

After a ten year hiatus, the Spring meeting search and travel on the subject. Auxiliary members will will return to Ohio. The meeting will be held enjoy this program too. June 11-14 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Saturday evening we will close out the meeting with a Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. short business meeting and the banquet.

The hotel rate is $94 and the rates are good for three days The home of Longaberger baskets is approximately prior and three days following the meeting. The men’s dis- one hour east of our hotel. They are open 10 am to 5 play theme is “Ohio Tools”. The hotel and convention cen- PM, closed Wednesdays. For more information go to ter is located on the northeast side of Columbus just off www.longaberger.com. I-71 with a large parking lot to accommodate our tailgate Columbus is host to a number of historic sites and muse- session on Thursday. ums.

Your hostess and I are planning on a number of multiple Columbus and the surrounding area have their share of tours on Thursday as there are a number of interesting antique shops including the Greater Columbus Antique places to visit in and around the Columbus area. Mall, historic downtown of Powell (15 miles north of Co- Weather permitting, the tailgate session will start early lumbus), Grandview Mercantile Company and the Ameri- Thursday morning (bring a flashlight). The men’s program ca’s largest (116,000 sq ft + 350 show cases) antique mall on Thursday evening will feature a presentation by Dan located in Springfield, OH approximately 40 miles west Gaier on “Ohio Wrenches, Their Makers and Patents”. On of Columbus. www.heartofohioantiques.biz/.http://www. Friday, the Trade and Display room will open at 8:30 AM heartofohioantiques.biz/ beginning with the displays, followed by tool trading at 10 AM. Friday afternoon Jack Devitt and Terry Thackery will For more information on our host hotel present a program on “Ohio Planes” with the ever popular go to: www.ramadaplazacolumbus.com tool auction Friday evening. For information on Columbus and For those members that can only attend on Saturday, we the surrounding area go to: again are offering registration for ‘Saturday Only” with www.experiencecolumbus.com the trade room opening at 6:30 AM. At 2:00 PM Russ Herner will present a program on the building of cathe- Watch your mail for registration materials in late April. drals in Europe. Russ gave an initial presentation on Carolyn and I look forward to seeing old friends and meet- the subject of European cathedrals at the Fall meeting ing new ones in Columbus, Ohio. We have arranged great in Cincinnati. Since then, Russ has done even more re- programs for you and know you will have a great time. If you are interested in demonstrating a skill or tool(s) at the Columbus meeting, please contact Larry Thorson at son-of- [email protected] or call 608-779-0966. We are also looking for program pre- M-WTCA.ORGsenters for our fall meeting in Rockford, IL. If you are interested or know of someone that might have information on tools, etc. to share, please contact Larry Thorson.

46 The Gristmill Pacific Northwest Tool Collectors 15th Biennial 2014 Best In The West August 22, 23 & 24, 2014

The members of the PNTC invite all tool collectors and students of the trades and crafts to join us once again in three special days of tool camaraderie. Share knowledge about early tools and trades, buy, sell and trade tools. Make new friendships and renew existing ones.

EtLtiEvent Location: Monarch Hotel & Conference Center When making room reservations rd ask for the Pacific Northwest Tool 12566 SE 93 Ave. Collectors block of rooms to receive Portland (Clackamas), Oregon 97015 the special rate. 503-652-1515 or (800) 492-8700

As BITW 2014 event details are developed we will be updating our PNTC web page with details. Registration is required, and a BITW 2014 badge will be needed for all attendees. To provide a quality level of service and adequate accommodations it is very important that registration forms be submitted early in 2014. Please visit our web page, bookmark it and visit often as we post details, Auction Items, Room Reservation Instructions and Registration Forms. Visit our web page for detailed information and updates. www.tooltimer.com/PNTCBest.htm

BITW 2014 Multi-Day Event will feature: Tailgating & Parking Lot Sales Friday Evening Social Numerous Displays Demonstrations Auctions Tool Sales Room Sales Saturday Socials and Dinner

If you have additional questions, items for Auctions and/or the Raffles, please contact BillM-WTCA.ORG Racine (503) 628-1488, email: [email protected] Bill Racine & Les Marty, Event Co-Chairman

When submitting your BITW 2014 Registration Package don’t forget to order your 2014 Favor. The number of the 2014 Favors being produced is limited. These commemorative favors are handcrafted by volunteer © members of PNTC. Each favor is numbered and packaged with care. 2012 Marking Knife Favor

Limited quantities 2008, 2010 and 2012 favors available for immediate sale.

Rev. B November 26, 2013

March 2014 47 DAVID STANLEY AUCTIONS 63rd INTERNATIONAL AUCTION on SATURDAY, MARCH 29th 2014 900 Lots of Quality Antique Woodworking and Allied Trades Tools. At the Hermitage Leisure Centre, Whitwick, Leics LE67 5EU, England.

To include the sixth portion of the David R. Russell Collection e.g. the silver plated Simpson brass framed brace with ivory head featured in Reg Eaton’s book, and twenty other braces. Rare early STANLEY planes including the second portion of a large London collection and many others directly from America. The rarest NORRIS plane (only two known) and many others. Planes by SPIERS, MATHIESON, PRESTON, HOLTZAPFFEL, KERR, etc. coach plows, early moulders, rules, levels, miniatures, side axes, ivory rules, kitchenalia, treen, books and catalogues etc.

In spite of this new digital age we are still producing our great, full color catalogs which includeM-WTCA.ORG estimated prices, condition BID LIVE FROM YOUR OWN COMPUTER coding and postal bidding instructions. AT HOME OR OFFICE $35 from The Mechanicks Workbench, The entire illustrated catalog available ON-LINE 3 weeks P.O. Box 420, Marion, Mass. 02738 USA. USA prior with full absentee bidding instructions at: Tel: (508) 748-1680 E-mail: [email protected] www.the-saleroom.com £24 from David Stanley Auctions, Go to www.the-saleroom.com for more information and to register. Osgathorpe, Leics. LE12 9SR England Successful bids using live bidding incur an additional 3% charge. E-mail [email protected] quoting your mailing address and credit card details. Our normal absentee bidding system will still be available at no extra charge Visit our web site at www.davidstanley.com

48 The Gristmill What’s It

For more information, larger images, addition-al photos, more what’s its, and answers, please check out the What’s It page at the M-WTCA web site, go to http://www.mwtca. org/ and then in the Main Menu click on “What’s It”.

Fig. 154-3. 9” long

Fig. 154-1. 12” tall, it opens to 6” wide at the tips and 8-1/2” inside

Fig. 154-4. 7” long

M-WTCA.ORGAn answer from the last Gristmill issue: Fig. 153-2. An attach- ment for ladders designed for sloping roofs, the spurs were meant to prevent the ladder from slipping, Patent # 774,009.

Please email your photos, answers, and comments to: Fig. 154-2. 6-1/4” tall [email protected]

March 2014 49 M-W TCA Gristmill 1 col. x 5” Spring 2014

Timeless Tools & Treasures Authentic tools for traditional trades and related antique curiosities TimelessToolsandTreasures.com Visit our store by appt. 146 Francestown Rd, Bennington, NH [email protected] 603-588-2637

Rocky Mountain Tool Collectors Annual meeting

August 30 & 31, 2014

M-WTCA.ORGAt The ‘American Mountaineering Center’ 710 10th St, Golden, CO 80401 All Tool Clubs Welcome

Contact Don Burd 303-442-4231 [email protected] or Rmtc.org

50 The Gristmill Marketplace

Wanted: Original Hard Rubber or Wanted: Motorcycle or bicycle Woodenshoe (Dutch) Rare Carving New Plastic Grips for 3/Screw tools. (Indian, Ace, Henderson, etc.) Tools for Sale. Full set, plus. Marbles Hatchets. Contact: Gail Parks Screwdrivers, Wrenches, Hammers, From Americas last master carver 970-667-4359 Chain Breakers. What have you (Age 88). 262-242-1571 or email got? Kerry Rasmussen 651-492-0735 [email protected] [email protected] *June Marketplace SPECIAL* With a minimum of 25 words, all Looking for Gabriel planes and classified ads in the June issue will Kenyon saws. Let me know what you be offered at half price. That is nine have. John Walkowiak 612- 824-0785 cents a word. So now is the time [email protected] to get that special tool listed for sale or look for items you need to complete that special collection. Wanted: Any hand forged iron tool Nothing could be more affordable. (except reaping hooks) marked I-CHRIST or D.Christ. Laurent Torno This is your chance to get your ad 7111 Waterman Ave. St. Louis, Mo. published for 3500 tool collectors 63130 [email protected] Tel/Fax worldwide to see. Email your ad 314-721-3911 to the Editor at handymankid@ cox.net or mail to Bill Kolm, 11415 Spaulding St. Omaha, NE. 68164. If you are paying by check, please made it out to M-WTCA. Advertising Information

ISSUE COPY DEADLINE DISPLAY ADS - RATES March January 10 Size Cost Word Limit Junior Tool Collectors, those June April 10 Full page, 4-color, under 16 years of age, are September July 10 (when available) $275 900 now admitted to the meetings December October 10 Full page $180 900 Half page $105 450 FREE with a paid member CLASSIFIED ADS - RATES Quarter page* $60 225 or guest. Let us get these $ .18 per word - ALL words. Other sizes $9.50 per column inch youngin’s to the meetings. $3.50 minimum per ad. (1 column approx. 2-1/4” wide.) 25 word limit.

NEW POLICY: The Gristmill will no longer accept advertising for a date sensitive event, COMPUTER WORKER WANTED that will occur during the month of The Gristmill’s publication. For example, an ad for an auction on March 25th that is to be placed in the March issue. I would like to find a Member who is very familiar with * For layout purposes, all quarter page ads must be the following size. 3 1/2” wide X 4 7/8” tall. computer work and has Typesetting and borders are not included in the page rates. Special artwork will be some time to helpM-WTCA.ORG the club charged at cost. We must have a sketch or rough drawing indicating how you want your throughout the year. I would ad laid out. Camera Ready ads are accepted at no additional charge. like this person to send out mass email notices of all For your protection and complete satisfaction, ALL ads should be typewritten and double-spaced. If this is not possible, please PRINT legibly. our Area Meets. There are about 40 a year. If you have Payment must accompany ad. Make checks payable to M-WTCA. At this time, advertis- the talent and time, please ing will be accepted only from M-WTCA members in good standing. For information and contact me for more details. membership application, contact John Walkowiak or one of the officers whose address is shown on the inside front cover of this publication.

John Walkowiak, Send all ads to: Bill Kolm 11415 Spaulding Street Omaha, NE 68164 Membership Chairman phone (402) 572-1238, E-Mail [email protected]

March 2014 51 44th International Antique Tool Sale & Auction March 28-29, 2014 Radisson Inn, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA 17011 THE TOOL SALE on Friday has been a tradition for more than 28 years. We antici- pate about 60 dealers filling nearly 75 tables with fine tools. Many reported to us that last fall’s show was the best one ever, so don’t miss out, make sure you get there! Open 1 PM to 6 PM on Friday, March 28, 2014. No show on Saturday. THE AUCTION on Saturday features choice selections from several fine collections. Knowles Patent smoother. Munks Patent smoother. Center-wheel plow planes by both the Ohio and the Sandusky Tool companies. Early phonographs. Adjustable wrenches. Patent Models. Salesman’s Samples. Stanley boxed items including a No. 1, 2, 72 1/2 and many others. Patented planes include Traut, Bailey, Miller, Sargent, Morris, and many others. Very large selection of Stanley tools including 1, 2 C, 10 ¼ C, 11 Rabbet, 602 C to name a few. Model Shop Tools including the Stanley 145 Combination Plane. Bed Rocks. Infill planes by classic and modern makers. I. Nich- olson and other 18th century makers. Gauges, squares, levels, and many other rare and unusual layout tools. Boxwood and ivory rules. Great selection of miniatures both old and modern. Chisels and slicks. Advertising and point of sale items. And, as always, a good selection of high-quality box lots. Over 750 lots of outstanding tools. All offered for your consideration without reservations or reserves. LARGE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG #44 mails February 21, 2014. All tools fully described and fairly graded with estimates. Prices Realized mailed promptly after auction. All items illustrated in full color. Absentee bidding available. Catalog $28.00 for US and Canada, $38.00 US$ for overseas. ORDER BOTH 2014 CATALOGS. The 44th and the 45th International Antique Tool Auction catalogs. Only $50 US & Canada, $70 US$ for overseas. Prices Re- alized promptly after auction. The 44th catalog mails February 21, 2014 and 45th catalog mails in September 2014. To reserve your copy, call, write, email, or fax us today at: Brown Tool Auctions 27 Fickett Road Pownal, ME 04069 Email: [email protected] 1 (800) 248-8114 Fax (207) 688-4831

Please send ______Catalog(s) for the 44th International Antique Tool Auction on March 29, 2014. $28 US & Canada. $38 US for Overseas. Includes Prices Realized. Order both ______2014 Auction Catalogs. $50 US & Canada. $70 US for Overseas. Includes Prices Realized. Visa/Mastercard No. ______M-WTCA.ORGExp. Date: Signature: Phone: Name: Address: City: State: Zip:

Brown Tool Auctions 27 Fickett Road, Pownal, ME 04069 PHONE: (800) 248-8114 FAX: (207) 688-4831 Order a catalog online now or view items after February 21st at www.FineToolJ.com

52 The Gristmill