NEWS
Vol. 23 No.2 Ma y 2018 www.atlantictoolcollectorsassociation.ca
SUCCESSFUL SHOW IN STELLARTON Minutes from Spring Meeting The ATCA Spring Show and Sale took place in Stellarton on Saturday May 12th. Chairman Jim MacLeod brought the meeting to order by welcoming everyone to 50th meeting (on record) of the ACTA since its inception. He asked if anyone in attendance had been at the first meeting and there were actually a couple of those members on hand. There was a good turnout for the meeting and display, including charter member, Laurie Richard. There were no guests or visitors at the meeting. It was moved by Garth and seconded by Wayne that the minutes of the last meeting be approved with no changes; motion carried. Business from last meeting – Scott confirmed the Insurance will cover today's meeting. No word on future meetings. Ken Greene presented the Treasurer's Report (see page 4). We have 91 active members and a bank balance of $2,172.31. It was moved by Ken and seconded by Harold to accept the Treasurer's report; motion carried. Safety Officer Jim reported that the show was in good shape, no difficulties or hazards to report. Nicole presented the Editor’s Report. They are looking for topic suggestions, raw material for articles and want ads. Mike Illingworth made a presentation on behalf of the club to Nicole for taking over the newsletter and all that it entails, of a fancy hammer in thanks. (Ref: Vol 22 No. 2, June 2017) Historian – no information to present at this time. Ken spoke about a possible Estate Sale in the future after being contacted by the widow of our late member, David Murray. New Business - Ken, Wayne and Scott to be the Nomination Committee for the Board of Directors; motion carried. Fall meeting is set for September. 22, 2018. Theme to be gadgets Location to be confirmed. The location for the Fall Show is tentatively set to be the Farm Museum in Truro. Details to be confirmed at a later date. (see notice on page 6) Sussex Flea Market – ATCA (Mike and Kevin) will have a table and are happy take tools on consignment from interested parties. Last year they sold out, so contact them if you have items for sale. They would also appreciate it other members would come forward to Volunteer to help man the table that weekend. The Flea Market takes place from August 17th-19th.
Motion for meeting to be adjourned; motion carried.
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Executive: Ken Greene, Bill Steeves, Stephen Conrod, This is no doubt a heated debate over which is the better & Jim MacLean hand plane: Stanley or Victor.
Best in Show: Wayne Blenkhorn’s Tools of the Telegraph Trade
Registration Desk Attendant, Nora Porter, fills John Willis looks on as Chris M. & John K. the time with her 4H project. examine pieces from his collection.
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A closer look at Ernie’s display.
Interesting collection of Nick, Garth & Sam checking out the displays. mini-planes.
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Analyzing the items on the “what’s it?” table.
Members look on as Art goes through the items on the “Whats’s it?” table
4 ATCA Statement of Income & Expenditures April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018
Account Balance as of April 1, 2017 $2744.12
Income Dues $1092.04 Auctions/Sales $ 487.00 50/50 Draws $ 229.00 Merchandise Sales $ 80.00 Pizza Sales $ 120.00 Bank Interest $ .18 $ 2008.22 $2008.22 Expenditures Joint Stock $ 31.15 Donations Out $ 27.15 Meeting Expenses $ 458.96 Website Design / Hosting $ 670.24 Newsletter $1386.53 Bank Fees $ 6.00
( $2580.03) ( $2580.03)
Account Balance as of March 31, 2018 $2172.31
Submitted by: Ken Greene Verified by: Garth Goldsmith ATCA Director ATCA Treasurer
A Final Reminder
If you are one of the 16 members that have yet to pay your 2018 Dues. Remember, it is only $15/yr., payable to ATCA, 131 Bellbrook Crescent,
Dartmouth, NS, B2W 0G7. Why not consider sending in $30 so that when you pay up next year you are always a year ahead instead of behind.
5 I would like to extend a sincere thank you to those responsible for presenting me with the “Lady’s Hammer” at the May meeting. Laurie, I hope they didn’t beat you down in price too badly! It is nice to know the newsletter is actually being read and to feel your appreciation for the time I put into it. And let’s face it, any day someone gives me a hand throwing Rob under the bus is a good day, so Mike, thanks for
your help with that. ~ Nicole ~
Mike making the presentation to Nicole with Rob laughing as he’s being thrown under the bus.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Do you have a mechanical term or dueling definition you think would stump your fellow members or at least peek their interest? We hope to gather enough input from our membership over the next few months to include a similar article in a future edition of the ATCA News. Submissions can be sent by email to [email protected] or by regular mail at the following address: Nicole Kelly / Rob Porter PO BOX 1137 Stn Main Antigonish NS B2G 2R6
6 ‘DUELING’ DEFINTIONS
Below is a list of 6 everyday words with dual meanings. Their lesser-known definitions are randomly listed on the opposite side of the page. Without any outside assistance, see how many you can match up with their numbered counterpart.
Answers are listed on page 10 (no peeking)!
WHAT’S I?!
7 What’s it?
This is where we put the membership to work by presenting a couple of items that we found to be worthy of a head-scratch or two. We welcome any pictures you may have of odd tools you want more information on or that you think may stump your fellow members. Below are the responses to our last couple of pictures.
Thanks to Ian McCalder of Orangedale, N.S. who was quick to email us regarding the above tool. He said it’s for working flax before the spinning process, used to produce linen thread, and we agree.
Thank also to Tomas Jelleau of White Head, N.S, who called to tell us he knew that the above collar was used for dogs because he has one! In fact it was found on Rob Porter’s family farm and used on a dog while pulling a wagon of fresh milk cans.
8 CLASSIFIED ADS
Ken Greene is looking for nice Stanley 6 and 6C planes, preferably type 16 - 19. He has available for sale or trade a Stanley 7C type 14. Please contact him by email at [email protected] or by phone at 902-435-2250.
Ian MacCalder is looking to purchase old commercial fishing tools like brass lobster size gages, brass harpoon darts, Trawl Splicers, net needles.
Old wood fids, marline spikes, marline spike with wood handle, seam
rubbers. Please contact him by phone at 902-227-0402 or by email at [email protected]
Ted Monk is putting together a collection of men’s shaving gear and grooming supplies . He’s interested in razors, brushes, mugs, scuttles, blades, old ads,
soaps, boxes, shaving kits, aftershave bottles, etc. As well as any items that a gentleman may have used; hats, canes, watches, fobs, spectacles, monocles, cuff links, tie clips, etc.
If you have anything along these lines please contact him by email at [email protected] or by phone at 902- 435-2512.
9 ABYSMAL INTROSPECTIONS EXECUTIVE (A.K.A. DEEP THOUGHTS) Jim MacLean, Chair 14 Olie Street *The sole purpose of a lock is to turn a Halifax NS B3R 1M8 door into a wall. ((902)477-6087 [email protected]
Stephen Conrod, Vice Chair 41 Dorothy Dr Head of Chezzetcook NS B0J 1N0 (780)720-3465 [email protected]
*What tool can be made using only Bill Steeves, Secretary the following elements: potassium, 7059 Brooklyn Street nickel and iron Kentville NS B4N 3V7 (902)678-0673 [email protected]
Ken Greene, Treasurer/Membership 131 Bellbrook Crescent Dartmouth NS B2W 0G7
(902)435-2250 [email protected] A.T.C.A. (ATLANTIC TOOL “DUELING DEFINTIONS” COLLECTORS ASSOCIATION) ANSWER KEY A registered non-profit society, whose Cat’s Paw – 5) A carpenter’s tool commonly purpose is to promote fellowship and used in demolition much like a crow bar increase knowledge of antique tools and crafts. Feathers – 6) A set of shims used to split Visit our new website at: rock www.atlantictoolcollectorsassociation.ca Anchor – 4) A tool used to break hard A.T.C.A. News published quarterly, is surfaces the official newsletter of the organization. It is available on line at the Banjo – 1) A short-handled shovel, or a web site above. type of frying pan Rob Porter & Nicole Kelly, Editors PO BOX 1137 Stn Main Staging – 2) To prepare a home in such a way as to appeal to potential buyers Antigonish NS B2G 2R6
902-863-2971 Season – 3) The act of reducing the [email protected] moisture level in wood prior to use
10 SPLITTING ROCK WITH FEATHERS (and wedges)
Plugs and feathers, also known as plugs and Deane. Deane wrote: " … another method of wedges, feather and wedges, wedges and shims, breaking rocks, which ought to be generally pins and feathers and feather and tare, refers to a known, and which sometimes turns out cheaper, is technique as well as a three-piece tool set (pictured this: Drill two holes in a stone, ranging with the below title) used to split stone. grain, when that can be discovered with the eye. Each set consists of a metal wedge (the plug), and Then filling each hole with two semi-cylindrical two shims (the feathers). The feathers are wide at pieces of iron, drive a long steel wedge between the bottom, and tapered and curved at the top. them. the stone will thus be split open. And When the two feathers are placed on either side of commonly, very regular shaped pieces for building the plug, the combined width of the set is the same may be obtained." (pages 268–269) at both ends. In 1803, Lieutenant Governor Robbins of Multiple sets of plug and feathers are typically Massachusetts was a member of a committee that used to split a single, large piece of stone. The had been tasked with building a new state prison. stone is first examined to determine the direction In a chance encounter during the same year, of the grain. After the location of the intended split Robbins came into contact with Mr. Tarbox, who is chosen, a line is scored on the surface of the was using a modified version of the plug and stone. A number of holes are then cut or drilled feather method that had been described by Deane. into the stone face along the scored line Instead of using only two holes, Tarbox drilled as approximately 10 – 20 cm apart. Plug and feather many holes as were necessary, spacing them six to sets are then inserted in the holes with the "ears" of eight inches (15–20 cm) apart. Robbins hired the feathers facing the direction of the desired split. Tarbox to teach his technique to the quarrymen at The plugs are then struck with a small stone maul the quarries in Quincy, Massachusetts. Within a in sequence. An audible tone from the wedges year, the price of quarried stone was cut in half. changes to a 'ringing sound' when the wedges are The method spread quickly and became the basis tight. Between each series of strikes, a pause of of the modern plug and feather method still used several minutes allows the stone to react to the today. pressure. Eventually a crack appears along the line that was scored on the surface and the stone splits Circa 1803, according to William Pattee's History apart. of Old Braintree and Quincy (1878) Josiah Bemis, George Stearns, and Michael Wild developed a Variations of the plug and feather method have splitting method similar in concept to the plug and been used throughout history. In ancient Egypt the feather method. This technique for splitting stone stone was first measured and marked. Bronze (referred to by modern researchers as the "Flat plugs and feathers were then driven into grooves Wedge Method") entailed cutting slots in a shallow which had been previously cut with a chisel and line into the stone using a cape chisel struck with a mallet. They commonly employed this method large hammer. Small, flat metal wedges were then when quarrying limestone and sandstone. driven between shims made of sheet iron. The method of feathers and plugs began to be On Dartmoor, Devon, England, the process is employed around this time, and spread rapidly known as feather and tare and it was used from throughout the region. Evidence of stone split with around 1800 to split the large blocks of granite both methods indicate the evolution of this found on the ground there. technique. The method using the cape chisel created long rectangular slots, whereas the newer In New England, the plug and feather technique is method, using a plug drill, left round holes first mentioned in The New-England Farmer; Or, Georgical Dictionary (1790) by Samuel The plug and feather method is still widely in use today
The information contained in the above article was based on an entry on Wikipedia.
11 ATLANTIC TOOL COLLECTORS FALL SHOW & SALE Saturday September 22nd, 2018
Admission to the Tool Show is Free Open to the public from 12 noon to 3:00pm
AGENDA
10am: ATCA Business Meeting (Members, guests, perspective new members) 12pm: Tool Displays, Swap & Sell Tables and Tool Identification 3pm: Close
73 Ryland Avenue, Truro NS (on the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition grounds)
Theme: Gadgets
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