* i , ' Ia' ' i I... V-r Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/boxwoodivoryOOphi BOXWOOD 6 IVORY Stanley Traditional Rules, 1855-1975 Philip E. Stanley Photographs by the Author The Stanley Publishing Co./Westborough Published by The Stanley Publishing Company P.O. Box 689 Westborough, Mass. 01581 Copyright © 1984 by Philip E. Stanley All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electrical or mechanical, in- cluding photocopying, recording, or by any information or retrieval system, without the written permission of Publisher, except where permitted by law. Manufactured in the United States of America Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number 84-050516 ISBN 0-9613291-0-6 First printing Designed by Tomasino Capolongo Dedicated To CATHY, BARBARA, and GREG, . Who 've had to put up with a lot while this was being written Acknowledgements Another author/collector once told me, "What you're writing is the book you wish someone else had written before you started collecting Stanley rules". There's more than a little truth in that. It started as a list. As I became interest- ed in Stanley rules, I decided that I'd need a list to check them off as I acquired them. Gradually that list grew and evolved, first one line per rule, and then several, with the information becoming continuously more detailed. Eventually, about four years ago, it became an end in itself, and I decided to turn it into a book. It would not be possible to have written this book without the aid and support of a great many people: tool collectors, librarians, historians, and other authors in the same or allied fields. They have given freely of their time and resources, often volunteering help even before it was requested; they have al- lowed me to photograph rules from their collections; and by publishing the results of their own research they have made availa- ble information and resources whose even ex- istance was unknown to the author. Particular thanks are due to four people: James and Ray Hill, Ken Roberts, and Roger K. Smith. Jim and Ray gave me access to the results of the years of research which they have done for Jim's forthcoming book on measuring instruments of all types. Ken, who has reprinted many Stanley catalogues over the years and authored numerous books and articles on tools, made available copies of a number of early Stanley catalogues. Roger not only gave me access to original Stanley catalogues in his collection, he also instructed me in the intricacies of book publishing. From the beginning all four have consistant- ly given me their support and encouragement, the most important factor in any project extending over several years. A number of individuals have all allowed me to do research in their collections, and to photographs their rules. Without their aid the majority of the rules in this book would be listed with no accompanying illustration. They all have my eternal thanks. William Baader Springfield, Ohio Aime Blouin Georgetown, Mass. Eugene Frankio Brockton, Mass. James Hill Clarksville, Maryland Charles & Walter Jacob Pottstown, Penna. Paul Kebabian South Burlington, Vermont Dave Knight North Oxford, Mass. Charles Leverone Hanson, Mass. Bud MacDonald Wrentham, Mass. Ruben Morrison Brookline, Mass. Kenneth D. Roberts Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire Roger K. Smith Lancaster, Mass. Bud Steere North Kingstown, Rhode Island John Treggiari Dracut, Mass. In addition to those mentioned above, the following are also deserving of special thanks: my designer, Tom Capolongo; my proof- reader, Cecilia Thurlow; the librarians and staff of the public libraries of Worcester, Massachusetts, and New Britain, Connecticut; the directors and staff of the Connecticut Historical Society; the many members of the Early American Industries Association and Mid-West Tool Collectors Association who have helped me and shared their knowledge; and, last but not least, the nameless antique dealer who sold me my first rule (he has a lot to answer for). To forestall questions, the author wishes to state that the name is purely a coincidence. He is not connected in any way with The Stanley Works, nor is he related to any branch of the Stanleys of New Britain. The section THE ENGINEERS' (SLIDING) RULE, Chapter 5, in somewhat amended form, will appear in 1984 in the Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association The section RULE ACCESSORIES, Chapter 4, in somewhat amended form, appeared in 1983 in The Fine Tool Journal During its 130 year history the company whose products are the subject of this book has been known successively as A. Stanley & Co., The Stanley Rule & Level Co., The Stanley Rule & Level Plant of The Stanley Works, and The Stanley Tools Division of The Stanley Works. In this book the names Stanley, The Rule & Level, and The Company have frequently been used in place of these longer proper names to improve readability and keep the text as short as possible; no dis- respect is intended or implied. Excerpts from "History of the Rule Shop", from The Rule Shop Seismograph, 1:5 (June 16, 1919): © 1919 by The Stanley Rule & Level Co. Used by permission. Excerpt from "I Supervise the Making of Box- wood Rules", from Tool Talks, No. 11: © 1938 by The Stanley Works Inc. Used by permission. Excerpt from A History of The Stanley Works by Robert K. Leavitt: © 1952 by The Stanley Works Inc. Used by permission. Excerpt from The Village Blacksmith by Aldren Watson: (c) 1977 by Aldren Watson. Used by permission. 111 IV 1 Table of Contents 1 Stanley and The Rule Industry Origins 1 Early Growth 1 E. A. Stearns & Co 2 Bailey and Plane Manufacture 4 Competition 4 . And More Growth 6 The Contract System 7 Automatic Machinery 7 The Turn of the Century 8 Growth Through Acquisition 9 World War I and Cancellations 10 The Twenties 11 The Depression and the 1930's 13 World War II and the End of Traditional Rule Manufacture 14 2 Materials, Construction, and the Rulemaking Process Materials Types of Wood 17 Ivory 19 Types of Metal 19 Construction The Main (Rule) Joint 20 The Middle (Knuckle) Joint 21 The Double Arch Joint 23 Binding 24 Alignment (Closing) Pins and Bits 25 Tips 26 Slides and Calipers 26 The Rulemaking Process The Raw Materials 27 Manufacturing and Assembly 28 Joint Making 28 Framing 28 Finishing 29 3 Graduations and Markings Trademarks and Rule Numbers A. Stanley & Co. Markings (1854-1857) 31 Stanley Rule & Level Co. Markings (1858-1921) 31 "Sweetheart" Markings (1922-1932) 33 "Made In USA" Markings (1934-Present) 34 Embellishment Lines 34 Graduations Linear, 1:1 Scales English Graduations 35 Metric Graduations 37 Other 1:1 Scales 37 Linear Scales, Not 1 : Drafting Scales 38 Shrinkage Graduations 39 Octagonal (4 Square) Scales 39 Board Scales 39 Nonlinear Scales Log Scales 40 Gauging and Wantage Scales 40 Degree and Pitch Scales 40 The "Gunters " Slide 41 Tables Weights and Measures Tables 42 Board Measure Tables 42 Hat Size Table 42 Engineers' Tables 42 4 Custom Rules and Rule Accessories Custom Rules Special Order Standard Rules 45 Advertising Rules 48 Full Custom Rules Custom Metric Length Rules 48 Custom Graduations On Standard Shape Rules 49 Custom Rules With New Shapes and Functions 50 Purchaser Modified Rules 51 Rule Accessories The No. 2 3-Angle Tool 53 The No. 99 Rule Trammel Points 53 The No. 1 Odd-Jobs Tool 54 5 The Rules and Their Features The Engineers' (Sliding) Rule (Between 5 and 6) 63 "Blindman's" Rules (Between 7 and 7) 67 Metric Rules (Between 8 and 10) 70 The Carpenters' (Sliding) Rule (Between 10 and 12) 71 The Button Gauge (Between 22 and 23) 80 The School Rule (Between 23 and 23) 81 Shrinkage Rules (Between 30 and 30) 85 The Bench Rule (Between 30MsM and 31) 90 The Folding Shrinkage Rule (Between 31 and 31) 91 The Yard Stick (Between 32 ft and 33) 97 Board Measure and Board Sticks (Between 34 V2V and 35) 100 Gauging and Wantage Rods (Between 37 and 37) 108 Ship Carpenters' Bevels (Between 41 V2 and 42) 112 Board and Log Canes (Between 47 and 47 Vz) 1 18 Log Rules and Log Measures (Between 48 and 48 V2) 1 19 Forwarding Stick(s) (Between 49 and 49 V2) 121 Architects' Folding Rules (Between 53 and 53 V2) 124 Optional Width (Between 54 and 55) 125 The Six Fold Rule (Between 57 and 58) 127 Heavy Figure Rules (Between 61 and 61 A) 131 Inside—Measuring Calipers (Between 101 and 136) 161 Stationers' Goods (Between 151 and 160) 164 The Gunters' Scale (Between 174 and 176) 169 Printers' Rules (Between 176 and 186) 170 Hatters' Rules (Between 211C and 212) 170 Extension Sticks (Between 214T and 240) 173 Counter Measures (Between 360 and 450) 175 VI 6 Bibliography Catalogues 181 Other Material '. 185 Vll CHAPTER 1 Stanley and the Rule Industry Origins by Henry Stanley), the new company immedi- ately commenced operations. Manufacture of The Stanley Tools Division of the Stanley rules was begun, and one or more price lists, Works has been manufacturing folding rules identifying the rules available by rule num- and measuring instruments for 130 years. ber, were issued. Today, rules are only a small part of the Stan- ley product line, but in 1854, when the Early Growth Stanleys first became toolmakers, rules were In February 1855, after only a few their initial (and only) product. months of operation, the company purchased The numerous Stanleys in and around the rule business of Seth Savage, a manufac- Britain, Connecticut, had been involved New turer in Middletown, Connecticut.