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No. 24 June, 1981 Missouri Packs 'Em In From 11 States One of the nicest things about and Kansas. an M-WTCA decorated cake, was holding an area tool meeting is The meeting theme was levels (Do provided. seeing friends who share the same Your Level Best to Attend) but other A lot of people helped make the interest-old tools. Just ask Keith varieties of tools were in abundance. meeting a success. Special thanks go and Jill Mansfield, hosts for an April The event was held at a historic to: meeting in Columbia, MO. Columbia resort hotel called Candle Keith's parents for homemade More than 75 friends and new Light Lodge, now converted into a cookies and providing a truck for acquaintances showed up at their retirement center. table deliveries; his brother, Kevin, open house on Saturday evening, The meeting room was 40 feet wide and George Ann Jinchs, April 25, for fellowship, food and and 100 feet long. More than 35 eight photography; Dean and Martha favorite beverages. The real surprise foot tables were set up buy by 8: 30 Jenkins, registration and hard labor; was the main event on Sunday which a.m. the room already was cram Larry, Kathy and Bob Hiedergerke brought a beautiful, sunny 80-degree med. Temporary tables were placed and Joyce Stucker, buffet luncheon; day and, believe it or not, 185 tool en outside and when this area was Cliff and Maureen Smith, signs and thusiasts from 11 states. Represen exhausted, members pulled out car setting up; Ivan and Maggie Risley ted were Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, blankets to display their collections and Gerald McAcharn, official Illinois, Tennessee, Wisconsin, In on the lawn. greeters; Mr. and Mrs. Gross, Can- diana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma A complete buffet lunch, including (Conrinued on Page 2) Meetings M-WTCA FALL: Oct. 2, 3 and 4, 1981, Im perial House North (motel), Dayton, OH. Bill Baader and Gale Zerkle. WI: Aug. 23, Old World Wisconsin, Eagle, WI. Jim Mau, Len Borkowski, Jim Baird. OK: March 28, 1982, Seminole, OK. Clarence Hargis, OrlandM-WTCA.ORG Zajicek, Lowell Holloway, Jr. (Joint regional meeting of M-WTCA and SWTCA. EAIA FALL : Oct. 15-17, Mercer Museum, Doylestown, PA. EAIA-West CA : Oct. 3, San Joaquin County Museum, Lodi, CA. Bob Gilmore, Don Potter. THE COLUMBIA, MO MEETING drew M-WTCA mem SWTCA bers from 11 states. Taking advantage of the warm FALL: Nov. 1, Grove, TX. Lowell spring weather, George Wanamaker of Illinois, Vernon Holloway, Jr., Joe Griffin, Orland Creely of Missouri and Bill Hinz of Kansas ( from left) Zajicek. did their trading outdoors. No. 24 June 1981 Mid-West Tool Collect ors Association
Editor ...... Mary Lou Stover 151-60th St., RR 1 Caledonia, WI 53108 414-421-3836 The Gristmill is the official publication of the Mid-West Tool Collectors LEVELS of all sizes showed up at the Missouri Association and is published quarterly, meeting, whose theme was Do Your Level Best March, June, September and December. to Attend. The purpose of the association is to promote the preservation, study and un derstanding of ancient tools, implements and devices of the farm, home, industry and shop of the pioneers ; also, to study the crafts in which these objects were used and the craftsmen who used them ; also, to share knowledge and un derstanding with others, especially where it may benefit restorations, museums and like, institutions ; also, to accomplish this in a spirit of fun and fellowship . President Kenneth Runkle 1918 Charles St. Lafayette, IN 47904 317-742-1560 Vice President Tom Ward P.O. Box 11 Avondale Estates GA 30002 404-296-3883 Secretary-Treasurer William R. Rigler 8203 Devens Drive Brentwood, TN 37027 615-794-7851 Directors 1978-81 1980-83 Bill Eviston Fred Bair Jim Grant George Els ass E . A. Olson Gary Gergini Tom Ward Keith Magdefrau Jim Mau 1979-82 Dick Opsahl Mo Arnold Tom Reghi TABLES OF TOOLS filled the room at the Can Bill Baader Ivan Risley dle Light Lodge in Columbia. M-WTCA mem Dave Bruno Al Sellens bers had a chance to view interesting tools as Don Buttel Roger Smith well as do a little swapping, selling or buying. Dave Crow e Ray Townsend Bill Holden Gerald McAchran Ray Nissen M-WTCA.ORG Bruce Sandberg Tom Witte Missouri Area Meeting Gale Zerkle (Co ntinued f rom Page 1) Committee Chairmen Program ...... Kenneth Runkle dle Light Lodge proprieters, for and spouses made the Columbia Gristmill ...... Mary Lou Stover providing the space. Special Publications ...... Fred Malott meeting a smashing success. As Ivan Whatsit ...... Gary Gergeni The Grosses were so impressed said, "Gosh, this area meeting was Auction ...... I van Risley with M-WTCA that they've invited larger than several of the regional Executive Committee: the group back next year. meetings M-WTCA had when I was the above and the three officers All those fantastic tool collectors president." Address Labels and Scrapbook -Keith Mansfield Kerry and Lynne McCalla 3325 Culloden Way Birmingham, AL 35243
PAGE 2 • Keep a Date in Dayton ID October If Dayton, OH isn't already in your datebook for Oct. 2, make lace. They wear 18th Century costumes and are 3 and 4, put it there. Plans for the fall M-WTCA meeting "great," Bill says. are shaping up to produce another good program that A trip to Carriage Hill Farm will feature demon tool collectors won't want to miss. strations of approximately 50 crafts. Side trips to the Air Bill Baader and Gale Zerkle have lined up craftsmen to Force Museum also are in the works. demonstrate their skills at the event, which will be held at the Imperial House North ( motel). The program will include an auction of about 125 wood Highlighting the affair will be Art Clark, M-WTCA mem working tools from the collection of Lew Piepko of Cin ber, who will show the art of tinsmithing. He has been in cinnati, who died early this year. the business 30 years and is one of the tops in his field. The never-ending trading sessions will be held outdoors The women will be particularly interested in the if the weather cooperates in an area "big enough to hold Nealeigh Family, who will show how to spin, weave and a football game and crowd," according to Bill. University Museum Opens Goudy Exhibit The Frederick W. Goudy Collec What visitors won't see is gold leaf, In 1907, shortly after Goudy moved tion, housed in a reproduction of a used to decorate many old books. his firm to New York, it was 19th century printing shop, opened With today's gold prices, the destroyed in a fire. His life changed this year at Illinois State University, museum staff decided against put in 1910 when he designed type for a Normal, IL. ting gold leaf on display. book of H. G. Wells short stories. The Goudy, who was born in 1865 in In 1903 at age 18, Goudy started the journal Typographia called his new twin-city Bloomington, IL is famous Village Press in Chicago with a Kennerly Old Style typeface the most for creating over 100 styles of friend. Things didn't go well finan beautiful to appear since the 18th typeface. cially, especially when the Kup century. Besides bookbinding and edging penheimer Co. for whom he had The Williams Hall museum on the tools, the exhibit includes cylinder designed advertising type, decided ISU campus is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and hand presses and drawers of not to use it, nor to pay him. weekdays and 1 to 5 p.m. weekends. Goudy type.
Chaff From the President Big meetings, little meetings, area meetings, state meetings. This year has been an active one for many members who have put in a lot of hard work bringing off good meetings. It takes planning, time and a terrific effort from the hosts, com mittee, family and friends to make sure everything runs smoothly. I have never been invited to so many meetings, dnd it hurts not to be able to attend them all. I want to express my thanks for the invitations and offer my apologies for missing what certainly were informative and fun gatherings. Keep up the good work and keep those meetings coming. That's what it takes to retain a strong club. M-WTCA.ORGThe hosts and their committee undoubtedly feel rewarded when their meeting is over and they know club members went home happy with a new tool, without a tool they sold to another pleased collector and with good thoughts of gathering with friends of like interests. But let them know you enjoyed the day. A pat on the back will make both of you feel good. If you haven't been to a meeting, you 're missing the best part of M- WTCA. See you in Dayton, OH in the fall. That's another big one.
PAGE 3 Having Fun On A Limited Tool Budget By Hunter M. Pilkinton is truly amazing, so "sleepers" are rare, but they do oc MOST COLLECTORS like to show off their prizes, cur. but few talk about the money involved in paying for them. CONSIDER EXTRA WORK to subsidize your hobby. The money angle is important, obviously. If you are For instance, I have moonlighted for extra kitty money. filthy rich and money is no object, you could have a This, plus any windfalls, I always kept separate from my fabulous collection, as people would beat a path to your regular job paycheck. This cleared my conscience when door offering you rare and expensive pieces. I bought some slight extravagance. But what about us ordinary folk, scraping to pay the Consider any collecting purchases as savings and light bill, trying to put kids through college, pay for a hedges against inflation. The financial experts list an home or car? These things are a part of basic living and tiques as one sound investment against inflation. People of course should come first. But, that doesn't mean you often are quite envious of my purchase prices of days have to put off collecting until all those obligations are gone by, marveling at the bargains. behind you. I have bought bushel baskets of molding planes for EVERY BUDGET should have a little money in it for 25c each, and my first plated Sheffield wood brace cost fun purposes, no matter how small the amount. This does $3, after I pondered quite a while before buying it. In the not decrease the fun of collecting, just the quantity or the last 15 years I have seen broad axes go from $3 to $45 and types of tools you can buy. froes from $1 to $20 up in the Northeastern states. Why not pick out a slightly offbeat category and Of course, you can't buy groceries with froes, unless specialize until you can broaden later? For instance, you cash them in by sales. As to the bargains of yester screwdrivers, or pliers, or hammers (some of these, day, similar bargains are still here if you are smart however, are costly), or handsaws, or drill and auger enough to see them and take advantage of them. bits. All of these can be bought for modest investments Ever think about the next wave of collectibles? How and could make ·some very impressive displays. about early electric tools? Early radios are already Study your prices so you won't pass up a "sleeper" collectible. Look around ahd have fun, regardless of your when you find one. The communications between dealers budget.
Display at Museum Update: Missouri 1981 Membership Directory • Deubner, David; Florissant. Tools owned by Bob Brackett are featured in an exhibit at the Itasca Arkansas • Eckles, William; Kirkwood. • Hilgedick, Phil; Moberly. (Illinois) Community Library. • Bradford, Gordon; Rogers. His collection includes planes used • Ingram, J.M.; Des Arc. • Kimmons, Gary; Phillipsburg. • Matteson, Worth; Foreman. • Kirk, Jr., Thomas; St. Louis. by his great-grandfather, who was a • Luger, Alan; Columbia. cabinetmaker, and by his grand California • Nance, Fred; St. James. father, who was a blacksmith. • Mcinnis, Bob; Lafayette. • Zimmerman, Keith; Independence Planes, cooper's tools, rules, wren • Stakes, Courty; San Francisco. New Jersey ches and screw drivers are on Colorado • Gustafson, William; New Providence. display through June. The exhibit • Shea, Joseph; Colorado Springs. • Shippey, Frederick; Madison. fills four display cases five feet long, Delaware New York ten inches deep and six feet high. • Bates, Alan; Hockessin. • Eckers, Steven; East Northport. England • Simon, John; Eggertsville. • Hughes, Jennifer; Surrey. Ohio Florida • Hogg, Robert; Sylvania. • Kennedy, Jr., Frank; Largo. • Scherer, Ralph; Dayton. The Tool Game Illinois Oklahoma How about a Collective • Abels, William; Rockford. • Wooden, William; Tulsa. Game? It's sure to be fun for • earlier, Gene; Decatur. Tennessee any avid tool collector. • Madsen, Ray;• Tiskilwa. • Bates, Monty; Murfreesboro. You'll have to sharpen up on • McAlister, Bernard; Charleston. • Cantrell, Jack; Madison. your grammar because the • McClellan, B. P.; Tiskilwa.M-WTCA.ORG • Colburn, Jr., Harlan; Memphis. game is a play on words, using • Morrow, Bill; Villa Grove. • Duncan, Johnnie; Memphis. a collective noun and a related • Rosenquist, Holton; Tiskilwa. • Skelton, Jerry; Alamo. tool, trade, craft or profession. Indiana Texas One must be tool-related. Don't • MacOwan, Kean; Frankfort. • Anderson, David; Austin. all run for a grammar book. A • Stevens, Billy; Indianapolis. • Boykin, Bob; Richardson. collective noun denotes a Iowa • DeKing, Jr., Floyd; Vidor. collection of persons or things • Kay, Ralph; Davenport. • Maxwell, Thomas; Waco. regarded as a unit. • Klein, Hilary; Granville. Virginia We'll give you a few exam Michigan • Townsend, Ray; Williamsburg. ples. Then send us your con • Gruver, Earl; Warren. • Wurz, Nelson; Falls Church. tributions for the Collective • Lauer, Harvey; Roseville. Washington Game in the next Gristmill. • Vennix, DeVere; Livonia. • Lyle, Donald; Tacoma. Board of Lumbermen Minnesota Wisconsin Brace of Orthodontists • Casselton, Bruce; N. St. Paul. • Peters, Jim; Wauwatosa. Sea of Shipwrights • Watkins, William; Fergus Falls. • Ward, Joe; Baraboo. • Renier, E. J.; Eden Prairie. • Zimmerly, Robert; Kenosha.
PAGE 4 Old World to Welcome Tool Group What is hoped to be the first annual gathering of the tool collectors' clan at Old World Wisconsin will take place Aug. 23. The huge, outdoor ethnic museum, operated by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, is located in the state Kettle Moraine Forest area south of Eagle. It is halfway between Milwaukee and Madison but is closer to the Illinois border. Planners of the Wisconsin area meeting said that M-WTCA will have access to the entire 565-acre museum. Activities will center around the Clausing barn, an oc tagonal barn built in 1897 and moved to the site. On the lower floor is an ethnic restaurant that is known for its ethnic entrees -from Japanese chicken yakitore to Polish stuffed HALF-TIMBER or fachwerkbau houses such as this cabbage. The upper floor will be one at Old World Wisconsin were built by German im used for M-WTCA tool displays and migi:ants to Wisconsin in the mid-19th century. Houses demonstrations on the 23rd. were framed of heavy timbers, mortised, tenoned and More than 40 buildings constructed pegged together. The end posts were braced diagonally by pioneer immigrants to Wisconsin and the space between the timbers was filled with in the 19th century have been moved white-brick nogging. to the historical site. New this year are a wagon maker's shop and a smithy. These shops plus an inn and parking lot, which is large and blacksmith's house are the start of shaded. Demonstration time will be 1 Cross Roads Village. to 2:30 p.m. (longer if people ask). Old World Wisconsin is a state The club plans to offer demon Fees will be $4 each for members historical site near Eagle. strations in the shops. and spouses and $4.50 each for The outdoor ethnic museum depicts More volunteers are needed to guests. This includes museum en late 19th century life in Wisconsin. In demonstrate crafts or trades of the trance fee, printing and postage. the 18 70s, Wisconsin was the "most period. Persons-you don't have to Send registration money to Len. To foreign" of all the states because im be an expert-willing to demon see the village, visitors can walk migrants from throughout Europe had strate any of the following skills or (free) or take shuttle buses ($1 per settled in the area to seek a new life. others should contact Len person). Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They built homes, churches, Borkowski: carve, whittle or work There are no overnight ac businesses and schools much like with wood; wheelwrighting; broom commodations at Old World or those they knew in their homelands. making; spin wool, flax or cotton; Eagle. Lodging is available at Many of the distinc.tive buildings of bind books; barrel making; gun Milwaukee, Waukesha, Beloit, Norwegians, Danes, Fins, Germans, smithing; tinsmithing; make sugar Elkhorn, Whitewater, Madison and Yankees and others have been moved molds; quilting. Anyone who defi\On Janesville. Camping sites are nearby from their original sites and rebuilt at strates will be allowed to sell what he in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Old World. They are set in ethnic or she makes. · Or stay with Wisconsin friends. villages in a rural landscape similar If members would like to learn For more information, send a to what the settlers cleared to other crafts, let Len know and efforts stamped, self-addressed envelope to establish their farms and villages. will be made to find a teacher. He Len Borkowski, 2136 N. 73rd St., stressed that participationM-WTCA.ORG is needed. Wauwatosa, WI 53213. Tool swapping will be in the -Len Borkowski Two Auctions Flavor Southwest Meeting The Southwest Tool Collectors meeting a huge success. Tools from travelers arrived from Oklahoma Association held its spring meeting two estates, those of the late Clyde and Arkansas. March 28 and 29 at Ramada Inn Nor Maus and Johnny Sawyer, were auc The fall meeting is set for Nov. 1 at theast in Richardson, TX. tioned, providing top dollars to their Grove, TX, a small town with a turn Sixty-four registered during the widows. A member auction with a of-the-century blacksmith shop and two days with probably 80 persons in limit of two tools per collector added c PAGE 5 Don't Be Baffled By Broken Bubble By Ashley Kennedy Some while ago Bud Steere listed in his catalogue a Stanley No. 44 bit and square level at a reasonable price, and I was the first to ask for it. The only problem was that the level glass, or bubble, was missing. I didn't think too much about it, and the level sort of languished. Then in a hardware store I came across an empty, but original, Stanley box for the level, and it seemed a shame not to have the level complete. The ends of the two little cylinders that hold each end of the bubble looked like they were part of the level casting ( solid brass), and I was wondering by what sort of trickery Stanley was able to insert the bubble. A light scratch with a scriber revealed that the ends are merely a well matched paint over plaster of paris. Here are the steps I followed to replace the broken bubble: 1. Dig out all the old plaster of paris and broken glass, and rinse in water. 2. This is the hard part, like getting the bear for bear THE BUBBLE was broken in a Stanley meat stew. Find a one-inch bubble that is small enough No. 44 bit and square level when Ashley in diameter to fit in the level casting. I had to try several Kennedy bought it. He discovered a before I found one small enough. way to replace it. 3. Clamp a tairly stiff straightedge in a vise, and level it up with a level of known accuracy. excess and wait until the plaster of paris sets, then 4. Clamp the No. 44 to the straightedge, making sure repeat for the other end. You might also try Keith Man it rests solidly on the notches machined in the level body. sfield's "Bubble Magic," instead of plaster of paris. I 5. Insert the bubble found in Step 2, and shim up one bought a jar of it at his meeting in Columbia, MO but end with small bits of paper until the air bubble is cen haven't tried it yet. tered between the lines on the glass. With the bubble I 7. I tried painting the exposed ends of the plaster of had, the two lines on the glass wouldn't quite line up in paris with water colors, but it just didn't look right. The the center of the opening in the level casting and still local artist's supply store suggested Rub 'n Buff, a paste give a true level reading no matter how I shimmed the material in a small squeeze tube. glass. So I left it a bit off center, where it could be ad I used Antique Gold No. 76362B. It's made by Rub 'n justed to give a true level reading. Trim off any excess Buff Division, American Art Clay Co., Indianapolis, IN paper that sticks out. 46268, and was a couple of bucks or less for a half-ounce 6. Mix up a small amount of plaster of paris to a tube, which is a lifetime supply. Just take a tiny bit on a fairly heavy paste consistency. Gently feed this into one fingertip, rub it into the plaster of paris, let it dry, then end, so as not to disturb the bubble setting, until a tiny bit buff lightly with a rag. oozes through into the center opening. A small, flexible And there you have it - a like new Stanley No. 44 bit spatula works well, or perhaps a table knife. Clean up the and square level, complete in original box. 'West' to Visit Museum Tinsmithing, Anyone? The Floyd J. Locher Tool Collec Volunteers are needed to catalogue tion will be the feature at the EAIA and make samples from old tinsmith West, Northern Group meeting in patterns. California in October. Len Borkowski has received on The group will tour the San loan over 200 tinsmith patterns from Moved? Joaquin County Museum, Lodi, CA, the Wisconsin State Historical To ensure delivery of M at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. Any Society. He has offered to prepare a WTCA bulk rate and book rate tool collectors visiting California on list of the templates and make mail, it is important that mem that date are extended an invitation display items from the patterns. bers advise the club of M-WTCA.ORGaddress by the hosts. Len says, "Two heads are better changes as soon as possible. Information is available by con than one; three are even better. We Send to: tacting Bob and Joey Gilmore, 3929 could learn from each other." He has Bill Rigler Pali Place, Modes to, CA 95355 (209- a large tinsmithing collection of his 8203 Devens Dr. 529-6835) or Don and Jean Potter, 847 own. Brentwood, TN 37027 September Dr., Cupertino, CA (408- Anyone interested should contact -or- 253-1908). him. KLM Computer Service c/o Kerry McCalla 3325 Culloden Way Birmingham, AL 35243 Catalogue Offered Director Named A sample sales catalogue of old David Crow of Eau Claire has been tools is available free to members. appointed a Wisconsin director to fill the unexpired term of Rudy Konkel John Treggiari will send his list to who died earlier this year. those requesting it. His address is 67 Crow lost the last Wisconsin elec Lexington Rd., Dracut, MA 01826. tion for director by one vote. PAGE 6 Fiori Built New Life, Tools In Arkansas A boccie ball now has a prominent place in Bill Rigler's tool collection. For those unfamiliar with boccie, it is an It'alian game which uses wooden balls and is similar to lawn bowling. But this ball was turned on a handmade spring pole lathe around the turn of the century. Bill also owns the pole lathe and about 100 other tools made and used by Pietro Fiori. Known by collectors as the Arkansas tools, they were pur chased from Fiori's family by Ray Wilson, who treasured them in In diana before he recently decided to reduce his collection. Fiori, who died in 1950 at age 90, carved a new life for himself in the American wilderness after he came to the United States in 1895. Fiori was 34 at the time and nor thern Italy was caught in the af termath of a revolution. People there were burdened with taxes and political oppression. Then in a pamphlet distributed by the mayor of Rome, he learned of an A SPRING POLE LATHE was built by Pietro Fiori at the opportunity to come to the United turn of the century to make tools and other necessities in his States. The mayor of Rome was the hew homeland. The foot treadle is operated by a rope at legal representative in Italy of tached to a long stick above the lathe. Austin Corbin, a wealthy New Yorker who in 1887 decided to organize the Sunnyside Co. and from New York to Sunnyside to help inadequate food prov1s10ns. colonize the thousands of acres he the despondent and disorganized In the spring, they cleared the land owned in the southeastern Arkansas colonists. He found land about six and planted crops and grape vines. delta. miles west of Springdale, AR that All were farmers but they had other He offered to bring 100 families a was more similar to Italy's climate. skills which enabled them to make year for five years to America. He It was government land, sparsely their own tools, build houses and would provide each family with 20 settled by homesteading veterans of become self-sufficient. acres, a house, food, clothing and the Civil War. farm implements. Within 21 years With a small down payment and A skillful and inventive man, Fiori they were to repay their mortgage the rest to be paid in long-term in rigged a spring pole lathe and forged by raising cotton and sugar cane on a stallments, Father Bandino bought tools to use it. He also made wagon share crop basis and by cutting tim 200 acres. The soil was more suitable tools and tools to make wooden shoes ber. for farming. There were woods, for himself and other families. (He Fiori, his wife and children were green slopes and a cooler and drier claimed wooden shoes were warmer on the first ship of immigrants bound climate. than leather.) He remarried and for Sunnyside. They landed in New About 20 families followed Father fathered 12 children. Orleans after 21 days at sea and then Bandino to the new settlement in 1898 The settlers originally con- transferred to a steamboat on the while others returned to Italy, stayed centrated on vegetable farming, Mississippi for the rest ofM-WTCA.ORG the journey at Sunnyside or spread to other although all grew grapes. They later to Lake Chicot where the Corbin areas. bought more land and a railroad plantations were located. Another spur so they could ship produce to St. group of immigrants landed in New Father Bandini named the new set Louis and Kansas City. York in 1896 and went to Arkansas by tlement Tontitown. It had been the Father Bandini found that the soil train. site of the Post of Arkansas was highly suitable for grapes, so Until Corbin was killed by a established as the first white set more land was planted to vineyards. runaway horse in 1897, things went tlement in the lower Mississippi When the Welch Grape Juice Co. well. Disinterested in Corbin's Valley in 1686 by six men who had built a plant in Springdale in 1920 Arkansas investment, his heirs cut been with an exploration expedition most of the area was in grapes. off all funds for the project. To add to headed by Henri di Tonti, a Another writer said, "It takes the colonists' problems, more than lieutenant of LaSalle. There still great fortitude to leave the land of 100, including Fiori's wife and three were a few one-room cabins and a one's birth, to learn a new language children, died of malaria and yellow frame building known as Smith's and customs, to survive illness and fever in the mosquito-infested Chapel in the heavily forested area. poverty, and to be self-reliant in car region. The settlers survived a very cold ving a new life out of a wilderness. Father Pietro Bandini was sent first winter there in spite of Pietro Fiori had such fortitude." PAGE 7 ' ·-· ~ ••••• ~•--,,~•.··❖:- • ...... . _:·w..·':··:. _,,,.,,,, \\\ > M-WTCA WOMEN are drawing raves from every corner for their quilt project. A sam pling of blocks surrounding a busy Linda Eviston at work on hers shows why. The blocks and their makers are ( from top left, counterclockwise) goosewing axe, Joe Ann Heavrin; double caliper, Loretta Ring; h. Stanley No. 1 plane, ultimatum brace, Davis level, Mary Parish; anvil, Cordelia Daniel; open scorp, Maxine Wood; moving filletster plane, Mildred Tuttle; witchet, Thelma Christy; M-WTCA emblem, Norma Rigler; traveler, Sue Zajicek; bow drill, Lynn Runkle; bowl scraper, Ann Henley; cooper's hand adze, Juanita Vandivier; bow drill, M-WTCA.ORGSharon Wanamaker. ( Quilt block photos by Ken Runkle) PAGE 8 life expectancy of approximately 300 the pictured tools in the captions The years. rather than use scales or rules which Our written heritage is therefore in would have detracted from the ar serious danger unless the necessary tistry and unity of the pictures. Book Gnoine funds are maintained for research Six main topics are con- by Royce Winge projects on the preservation of sidered-The Soil, Wood, Metal, Horological Shop Tools 1700 to 1900 by library materials. Stone, Leather and Glass. These Theodore R. Crom. Brady L. Crom, The author has achieved what he topics are broken down into some 29 Distributor, Rt. 2, Box 212, Hawthorne, related occupations or crafts. FL 32640. 1980. 694 pp. $95 (North For example, the section on wood America), $l 05 (Overseas), plus ship covers the joiner, cabinetmaker, box ping and handling. maker, carpenter, wheelwright, shoemaker, last maker, cooper, M-WTCA member Ted Crom has basket maker and musical in put together an extensive collection strument maker. Historical of information on horological tools. It coverages often trace the tools and is directed to horologists, collectors trades to their Egyptian, Greek, of horological tools and museums, Roman and Biblical origins. but anyone who enjoys fine tools can The authors obtained coherence not help but be fascinated by the and inspiration for their book from a page after page of interesting and definition of tools made by Pierre handsome watch and clockmaker's Larousse in the Dictionnaire Univer tools. sal du XIX O siecle which I Recognition was given long ago paraphrase as follows: Tools, that " ... the groundwork for our properly speaking, are instruments modern tools was laid in model, in set out to do-to provide a com of work that are used in the hand of the workshops of the horologists ... " prehensive reference to those who the workman such as the pincer, the (Record of the International Exhibition, are interested in horological tools hammer, the rasp, the file, the saw, 1862, Printed by William MacKenzie, and to acquaint restorers of early the plane, the trowel, the Glasgow, p. 293). clocks and watches with the tools by shoemaker's knife, the brace, the Pages reproduced from 18th and which they were made. The tool composing stick, the burn is her, and 19th century books and cagalogues, collector's library will be enhanced so on. with accompanying explanatory and broadened by the presence of Other items which play a passive this book. Now I can only daydream notes, account for 314 pages. Up to role in the work such as the joiner's four catalogue pages are reduced to that someday a grimy rounding-up bench, the holdfast, the blacksmith's tool or wheelcutting engine will ap one page in the book. The quality and anvil, the locksmith's vise and the detail of these reproductions are pear in the bottom of a box of junk printer's form are instruments generally good although the author that I have purchased at an auction. rather than tools. Apparatus which advises that an eye loupe may be ap act on the workpiece without being propdate for some of the printed directed or guided by the workman matter on the reductions. are machines. Another major section of 306 pages Le Livre de /'Outil (The Book of the The authors illustrate this focus of illustrates and explains the Tool), by Andre Velter and Marie-Jose their book at the beginning with a specialized horological tools, many Lamoth. Hier et Demaio, Paris. 1976. large photograph of a capable and of which come from the author's 479 pp. 275F. (French language). experienced pair of hands in a reflec collection. Additional sections cover Much as we would like to, few of us tive attitude. The authors emphasize workshops and tradecards, the haye the proper combination of that their book is not a cemetery of dating of horological tools, a listing resources, time and luck to assemble tools. If fact, the book gives life to a and commentary on horological a collection of the ultimate in early large and magnificent assortment of toolmakers and a listing of museums tools. The next best alternative is to tools through the universal language in the United States and Europe be able to experience these tools of pictures. which display horological tools. through a well illustrated book. The author presages that his book Le Livre de /'Outil is a profusely and will be read three centuries from superbly illustrated large-format Another big "thank you" goes to now and to do his part he has had it volume (13-1/2 x 10-1 /4 inches) that Jim Baird; who drew the artwork for printed on archival qualityM-WTCA.ORG paper. contains what must be some of the the Book Review column. This is commendable because a finest tools in France. One example It is based on an idea from large portion of the books in our is a beautifully sculpted small plane reviewer Royce Winge, who told all present day libraries will have self which dates from the 14th century. about those busy gnomes in the last destructed by then. Papers made By the reviewer's count there are issue. since the middle of the 19th century 285 color photos ( up to 12 x 19-1/2 in This is Jim's second major con deteriorate in about 100 years. The ches), 49 black and white photos, and tribution to The Gristmill. Earlier, he linen-based papers used before about 200 reproductions of early prints and drew the gristmill for the cover 1850 last considerably longer and the engravings. The authors ap nameplate. present day archival papers have a propriately listed the dimensions of PAGE 9 • Data Wrong ID Directory Obituary A small computer bug trotted formation is right. Addresses of the Rudolph C. Konkel across page 40 of the new M-WTCA following should be corrected. Name directory, causing some city is given first, then the city. Young - Rudolph (Rudy) Konkel, a Wiscon casualties. Germantown. Zaino Memphis. sin director, died in his sleep of a Zajicek - Richardson. Zarich - Hun heart attack on March 20. The following address should be tington. Zedrow - Naperville. Zerkle - Mr. Konkel, 60, of Brookfield, WI, added: Zimmerman, Keith & Mary, Springfield. Zimmerman, Jack had been an M-WTCA member since 302 W. Mill, Independence, MO 64050. Traverse City. Zimmerman, Robert - 1974 and was elected director of Area The cities are incorrect in 11 ad Highland Park. Zion - Newark. Zluky B in 1979. He had been particularly dresses; however, all other in- - Whitehouse. Zook - Southfield. active this year in planning the area meeting to be held at the Old World Indianapolis Sets Fast Pace Wisconsin historical site in August. He died on St. Joseph's Day. St. A ride around the Indianapolis members already were waiting to Joseph is the Catholic patron saint of Speedway 500-mile track and a visit get into the exhibit room to set up for carpenters and unofficial patron to the racing museum were included selling, showing and telling. At least saint of tool collectors. Mr. Konkel, a in activities at Indiana's March 100 attended. carpenter by trade, was fond of meeting. It was the first Mid-West gathering animals, gardening and tools and Pat and Mary Parish were early, for professional auctioneer Steve was active in Boy Scout and Girl early arrivals so they also took in Jen kins, who kept bidders on their Scout organizations. some antique shows. Others came on toes during the morning auction. Friday afternoon and by the Happy Another highlight was Ernie Ben Hour the hospitality room was filled. nett's woodcarving display and Besides his wife, Esther, he is sur vived by daughters Sue and Connie By 7 Saturday morning, eager demonstration. -Mo Arnold and sons Charles and Richard. Area Membership 1981 Directors Area A: West Virginia 4 District A • Bill Baader 1979-82; 4183 Hominy Ridge Minnesota ..... 15 118 Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Rd.; Springfield, OH 45502; 513-969-8530. North Dakota . 1 Area I: • Bruce Sandberg 1979-82; 428 E. Lit • George Elsass 1980-83; 7571 Olentangy South Dakota . 2 Kansas ...... 39 chfield Ave.; Willmar, MN 56201; 612- River Rd.; Worthington, OH 43085; 614- 18 Oklahoma ..... 16 235-5401. 888-0591. Area B: Texas ...... 14 District B District H Wisconsin ..... 61 Wisconsin 69 Canada, England, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, • Dave Crowe 1981-82; 2301 Sherman 61 Area J: Virginia , plus all states north and east of these states Creek Rd.; Eau Claire, WI 54701; 715- Area C: Missouri ...... 66 • Ray Nissen 1979-82; Director of Per Michigan ...... 73 832-2771. sonnel; Marshall University; Hun 66 • Jim Mau 1980-83; 1235 39th Ave. ; tington, WV 25701; 304-696-6455. 73 Area K: Kenosha, WI 53142 ; 414-552-8731. • Roger Smith 1980-83; 1444 N. Main St.; Area D: Arkansas ...... 12 Lancaster, MA 01523; 617-368-8468. Iowa ...... 42 Kentucky . . . . . 10 District C Michigan Nebraska 18 Louisiana . . . . . 6 • Ray Townsend 1980-83; 914 Coleman • Tom Witte 1979-82; RR2 Box 91; Mat Mississippi . . . . 4 Dr. ; Williamsburg, VA. 23185; 804-229- 60 tawan, MI 49071; 616-668-3574. Tennessee ..... 23 2973. Area E: • Tim Reghi 1980-83; 11766 Payton ; Illinois ...... 106 55 District I Detroit, MI 48224; 313-527-1251. Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas 106 Area L: District D • Al Sellens 1980-83; 134 Clark St.; Area F: Arizona 7 Nebraska, Iowa Augusta, KS 67010; 316-775-5540. Indiana ...... 104 California ..... 21 Colorado ...... 25 • Ole Olson 1978-81; 925 S. 52nd St. ; Lin District J 104 Idaho ...... O coln, NE 68510; 402-488-9208. Missouri Area G: Montana ...... 0 District • Jerry McAchran 1979-82; 1541 Fontana Ohio ...... 98 E Nevada ...... 0 Illinois Dr.; Creve Coeur, MO 63141; 314-878- 98 New Mexico . . 6 • Jim Grant 1978-81; 2635 Central Park 9386. Ave.; Evanston, IL 60201; 312-869-4737. Area H: Oregon...... 2 • Ivan Risley 1980-83; 4406 E. 107 Terr.; Utah . M-WTCA.ORG...... 1 • Bill Holden 1979-82; 1185 Bellevue Ave.; Kansas City, MO 64137; 816-761-5655. Connecticut . . . 5 Delaware . . . . . 0 Washington . . . 2 Elgin, IL 60120; 312-695-1641. District K O Dist. of Col. . . O Wyoming ...... • Dave Bruno 1979-82; 9238 Baldwin Dr.; Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee Maine...... 1 64 Rockford, IL 61111; 815-633-0967. • Keith Magdefrau 1980-83; 3065 Scheibler Maryland...... 3 Area M: • Gary Gergeni 1980-83; 520 Pennsylvania Rd.; Memphis, TN 38128; 901-388-2113. Massachusetts 7 Alabama ...... 2 St.; Windsor, IL 61957; 217-459-2656. District L New Hamp .... 5 Georgia ...... 21 District F All states and countries West of North and South New Jersey ... 14 North Carolina 9 Indiana Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. New York ..... 38 South Carolina 3 • Bill Eviston 1978-81; 13310 Hand Rd. ; • Don Buttel 1979-82;3324 W. Scott Place; Pennsylvania .. 31 35 Fort Wayne, IN 46808; 219-637-3534. Denver, CO 80211; 303-458-6579. Rhode Island. . 2 Area N: • Mo Arnold 1979-82; 909 E . 81st St.; In Vermont ...... 3 District M Florida...... 38 dianapolis, IN 46240; 317-251-7513. Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina Virginia...... 5 38 • Dick Opsahl 1980-83; 6612 Fable Rd.; In • Tom Ward 1978-81; PO Box 11 ; Avon dianapolis, IN 46227; 317-786-6466. dale Estates, GA 30002; 404-296-3883. District G District N Ohio Florida • Gale Zerkle 1979-82; 511 Cookston Ave.; • Fred Bair 1980-83; PO Box 828; Auburn Springfield, OH 45503; 513-399-1725. dale, FL 33823; 813-967-3262. PAGE 10 FOR SALE: Good selection of brass trimmed tools; fully bound levels; The Gristmill folding rules; ship's bevels, etc.; cooper's, farriers, blacksmith's, Grinds Slowly wheelwright's, lumbering, and The Gristmill must have joinery tools, and a wide variety of something to grind if it is to hand forged items. Feel free to write keep turning so let's hear more your list of wants. If not in stock, we from fellow tool collectors. will gladly search for your needs. Bill Contributions are always and Janel/en Little; 4 Bartlett Street; welcome. Just figure that if Machias ME 04654. Members of M something interests you, a lot of WTCA, EA/A and ATTIC. other people will like it, too. WANTED: Sanduskey No. 143 ebony Tell us about unusual tools, WANTED: Parts for Stanley planes. panel plow, screw stop, ivory tipped, local museum tool exhibits that No. 48, wide cutting iron, rosewood self regulating, with handle. Call travelers might want to see, knob 1-9/16" tall. No. 45, two collect: Charles F. Beck; 1-513-399- area club activities (future and rosewood knobs, cutters No. 5-1/4", 6- 1744. vast), tool articles from other 3/16", 9-1-1/4", 28-5/8", 22-5/16". No. publications. (We'll seek per 55. The auxiliary center bottom C, WANTED: Cutter heads for Stanley mission to reprint.) the complete fence E including No. 77 dowel turning machine: 3/16, And there's nothing wrong rosewood face and rosewood han 7/16, 9/16, 11/16. Does anyone know with getting personal. Have you dhold. Parts for Helb 24" railroad what the small rods are for in the given a tool demonstration level, compass and top level glass. Stanley No. 248 weatherstrip plane? lately? Or, how about some Harold Mutch; 305 6th St.; Grundy Center, FOR SALE: 1948 Stanley No. 34 sidelights from those fabulous IA 50638. Catalog, $15. A. Kennedy; PO Box 191; tool auctions that many mem Evanston, IL 60204. bers miss. NEW COLLECTOR wants Stanley WANTED: Original tool catalogues: Photos may be color or black No. 21, No. 25, No. 27-1/2, No. 33, No. and white prints. Just be sure 34, No. 37, No. 122, No. 127 wood bot 1. Stanleys from 1916 through 1921, $25 each for No. 34 size, minimum $40 they are in focus. (Take a deep tom planes. Bob Gilmore; 3929 Pali breath and don't wiggle when Place; Modesto, CA 95555. each for dealer size, earlier ones also wanted. 2. Hammacher Schlemmer, shooting.) If possible, identify WANTED: Odd and unusual old ad minimum $25 each, values dependent the people in the pictures. justable wrenches and combination on specifics such as content and age. Now all you have to do is send tools. Will sell Bell System marked 3. Union Mfg. Co., New Britain, CT, your contribution to Mary Lou tools. Marvin Wullweber; Virgil, SD of higher value, dependent on con Stover, 151-60th St., RRl, 57379. tent and age. 4. Other manufacturers Caledonia, WI 53108. As soon as possible helps so we're not FOR SALE OR TRADE: of metal planes, minimum of $25 each. Value subject to specific deluged at the last minute. But Wheelwright tools: tiring dogs, tire if you forget, the final deadline lifters, spoke dog, wheel stand, com catalogues. Forward description and price. Ruben Morrison; 167 Thorndike for the September issue is Aug. bination clamp & wrench for buggy 15. wheel tire bolts (3). Write or call for St.; Brookline, MA 02146. details. Will bring to spring meeting. WANTED to buy or trade: Home Merle Webb, W 166 N8450 Dardis Ave.; made hand tools used on the farm. Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. Robert Mc Williams; 112 Jacqueline Dr.; SILVERSMITH TOOLS: T stakes, O~ford, OH 45056. over 50 anvil heads, including flat WANTED: Cabinet makers' and ware, head holder, hammers, woodworkers' tools for a restoration various special stakes, pictures cabinet maker's shop for historic Old available, $1,200. TINSMITH Colorado City, original capitol of the Information TOOLS: Five machines, stakes: Colorado Territories. Must be • Rates: 6c per word. blow horn, candle, needlecase, "T", useable, circa 1859 to 1920's. Stanley Minimum $2 per ad. tea kettle, double seaming, square, No. 55 complete, etc. Send details to •Payment: Mail ad and check mandrel, etc., bench plate and other J. A. Shea; PO Box 6536; Old Colorado (made out to M-WTCA) to: forming tools, $950, pictures City, CO 80934 or call 303-634- 7988. Mary Lou Stover, 151-60th available. Bill Little; 4M-WTCA.ORG Bartlett St.; St., RRl, Caledonia, WI Machias, ME 04654. WANTED: Square fence for Stanley 444, also cutters and spur blocks. 53108. WANTED TO BUY: Trade axes, belt FOR SALE: parts for Stanley 55 and • Deadline: August 15 for Sep axes, tomahawks, military and early Stanley 45. Also, Barnes velocipede tern her '81 issue. axes with smith marks and steeling. scroll saws No. 2 and No. 1. Leather • Publication information: The Send sketch or picture and prices to: stitching horse. Joe T. Stakes, 314-822- Gristmill is published in Gerald Wynn; 2430 W. Sprague Rd.; 8932. March, June, September Parma, OH 44134. and December. Ads may be WANTED: Filletster bed and one placed for as many con WANTED: Helb railroad levels, brass fence adjusting bolt for a secutive issues as desired if fancy cast iron levels, any rare or Miller patent No. 41 plane. Also arms advance payment is in unusual levels. Odd or unusual ad and fence for a Miller patent No. 43 cluded. Ads must be for justable wrenches. Have Stanley and plane. Cash or trade. J. A. Giesen; tool or related material. other tools to trade. Jim Plantikow; 4806 South Norfolk; Tulsa, OK 74105; l- 7815 N. 34th St.; Omaha, NE 68112. 918-749-JJ93. PAGE 11 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID {jri~tmill Permit 126 Columbia, Mo. Marion Henley, 808 Fairway Dr., Columbia, MO 65201 Bill Hinz Rt. 1, Bo::-:: 120 Partrid9e, KS 67566 District B Gets Curator's Tips on Exhibiting Tools "There's no tool like an old tool" Public Museum, told how to prepare dition to the considerable tool was the theme for the March 15th meaningful displays and exhibits. displays in the basement the District B meeting with Jim and Pat Tours of the historic Kemper Hall museum had many historically fur Mau the hosts. The meet was held at campus also were offered. nished rooms, a school room and an Kemper Center, a former girls' The afternoon was capped with a extensive display of kitchen finishing school overlooking Lake visit to the Kenosha County paraphernalia. Michigan in Kenosha, WI . Historical Society Museum. In ad- -Jim Mau Eighty-three members and guests from Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Indiana registered for the event. No effort was made to determine distances traveled, but top honor surely would have gone to either the Bilderbacks from LaPorte, IN or Stanley and Catherine Croft of Winterset, IA. It was nice to meet the Cammaratas, John and Nina, who have recently located in the Chicago area from New York. All pre-registered members and guests received a packet containing sheets for dating Snap-on Tools, a pocket screwdriver and a souvenir poster. The weatherman really outdid himself with a beautiful, sunshiny day. The morning was spent setting up displays, tailgate trading, viewing displays and just plain visiting. Each person displaying M-WTCA.ORGtools was presented a commemorative blue ribbon. Coffee and Danish kringle HISTORIC KEMPER CENTER in Kenosha, WI lasted almost until noon when all provided a background for some tool dickering between were on their own for lunch. Walter Marx (left) of La Crosse and Merle Webb of In the afternoon, Kevin Williams, Menomonee Falls. The center is on the Lake Michigan curator of exhibits at the Kenosha shore. Mid-West Tool Collectors Association Regional A.ffiliate of the Early American Industries Association PAGE 12