Cool Old Tools

[GSPTOPDOG]

I would tend to agree with that FRJ.

[Unk]

Nice pliers, Joe. I have never seen those before.

[OSCAR]

Some tools I inherited from grandfather. Late 1800’s to early 1900’s.

[just bob]

Who made the axes and hatchets for Blue Grass and also Craftsman? Thanks for all info.

[cody6268]

Nice group!

The weird little knife is designed to be used when putting up old-style wallpaper. I have a Russell around here, somewhere. I guess like many trade knife styles, it was superseded by the box cutter/utility knife.

I wasn't allowed to use power tools until well into my teens, and was given a Millers' Falls 2-A when I was 10. Still use it regularly. Even though that model was a budget version with a zinc alloy frame, it's still going strong after nearly 60 years.

I still use a 133H regularly. I find the push motion is a little bit easier to control--especially when I'm up on a step stool holding what I'm putting up in one hand and trying to put the screw in with the other. It weighs little more than a standard bit-holding screwdriver, yet is faster than a ratcheting model.

You can buy an adapter that allows it to take standard 1/4 bits. I've regularly misplaced the handful of bits mine came with, and this allows me to retire them. Be sure to pick the right size. I didn't realize that Yankees came in several sizes, with the 133H being the smallest with a 7/32 shaft.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/to ... em=24K0555

In fact, I just got mine out to hang the mount to a Shop Vac in my room (the Shark with a hose I used to use broke, the current vacuum is terrible when using the hose, and this one was like $30 at Walmart). Had to pull the old screw out of a wall anchor, and drill a new hole for it. The downward pressure provided by the Yankee allowed me to yank the old screw out without the anchor spinning.

[OSCAR]

Nice group!

The weird little knife is designed to be used when putting up old-style wallpaper. I have a Russell around here, somewhere. I guess like many trade knife styles, it was superseded by the box cutter/utility knife.

I wasn't allowed to use power tools until well into my teens, and was given a Millers' Falls 2-A when I was 10. Still use it regularly. Even though that model was a budget version with a zinc alloy frame, it's still going strong after nearly 60 years.

I still use a 133H regularly. I find the push motion is a little bit easier to control--especially when I'm up on a step stool holding what I'm putting up in one hand and trying to put the screw in with the other. It weighs little more than a standard bit-holding screwdriver, yet is faster than a ratcheting model.

You can buy an adapter that allows it to take standard 1/4 bits. I've regularly misplaced the handful of bits mine came with, and this allows me to retire them. Be sure to pick the right size. I didn't realize that Yankees came in several sizes, with the 133H being the smallest with a 7/32 shaft.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/to ... em=24K0555

In fact, I just got mine out to hang the mount to a Shop Vac in my room (the Shark with a hose I used to use broke, the current vacuum is terrible when using the hose, and this one was like $30 at Walmart). Had to pull the old screw out of a wall anchor, and drill a new hole for it. The downward pressure provided by the Yankee allowed me to yank the old screw out without the anchor spinning.

IMG_20230920_185108.jpg

Thanks Cody. I had no idea what that weird shape knife would be use for. !!!!!

[Unk]

I spent several hours the last couple of days cleaning up and sharpening the 8 WoodRiver chisels I bought last week. I'm pretty sure Helen Keller or Stevie Wonder sharpened them on a grinder. Good Lord, what a mess. I had to flatten the backs on each one, and then use sandpaper to clean up the edge and re-establish a 25 degree angle. Then I ran them through the water stones- 400, 1000, 3000, and 8000 grit. Then honed each one until they would pop hairs off my arm. It was a lot of work and they aren't perfect, but these chisels get pretty decent reviews..... I think I am really going to like using them.

[FRJ]

Very nice chisels, Mike.
It's amazing what a sharp chisel can do for you especially in the harder woods.

[Unk]

Very nice chisels, Mike.
It's amazing what a sharp chisel can do for you especially in the harder woods.

Thanks Joe. I can attest to the fact that they are sharp! I was putting a coat of Johnson's paste wax on them this afternoon, and was on the very last one, the little 1/4" one. I was buffing the handle when the blade got away from me and I stabbed myself pretty good in between my fingers. Bled like a stuck pig. The wife patched me up, but it's kind of an awkward place to get a bandage to stick.

[FRJ]

Ouch!!
I hope that heals up well for you Mike.
Sharp tools are not very forgiving.

[Unk]

Thanks Joe. There goes my career as a hand model.

[GSPTOPDOG]

Very nice chisels, Mike.

I stabbed myself pretty good in between my fingers. Bled like a stuck pig. The wife patched me up, but it's kind of an awkward place to get a bandage to stick.

I'm not sure I'm buying that story ... Could the truth really be that some other type of altercation took place and then a convenient cover story was used to cover up the facts of the altercation? .... The truth is out there!

[Unk]

lol - you caught me, dog! But you oughta see the other guy!

[GSPTOPDOG]

lol - you caught me, dog! But you oughta see the other guy!

I knew it! You can't fool this 'Ol Dog I was sure you were putting some of those "Cool 'Ol Tools" to deadly use!

[edgy46]

Found this pair of waterpump pliers, or as my Father called them (knuckle busters). This type of pliers were a forerunner of channel lock pliers. They were adjustable, but would slip when worn thus my Dad’s name for them. This pair must have been the economy level. Stamped from 3/32 sheet steel. I bought them for the stamp. Near new condition.

[cody6268]

Found this pair of waterpump pliers, or as my Father called them (knuckle busters). This type of pliers were a forerunner of channel lock pliers. They were adjustable, but would slip when worn thus my Dad’s name for them. This pair must have been the economy level. Stamped from 3/32 sheet steel. I bought them for the stamp. Near new condition.

These look like they'd be handy as pocket pliers. I usually keep a pair of Knipex 125mm Cobras on me for heavier chores, and they seem like a modern equivalent, as they are smaller, yet open up wider than the littlest Channellocks. I can get my Cobras around a garden hose to loosen or tighten it.

Like the angle of attack and narrow profile of these. May start looking for a pair myself.

[Ridgegrass]

Found this with my Great-uncle George's (1890-1980) tools. A coiled wire screwdriver. He made a lot of tools but I don't know if he made that one. Neat little item, O'.

[FRJ]

A coiled wire screwdriver. O'.

That is a neat little screwdriver.

Makes you wonder if George Schrade made it.

[Ridgegrass]

That's true! J.O'.

[FRJ]

I thought I had something similar.

This one still has a decent tip.

[Unk]

Those little wire screwdrivers are pretty cool. Haven't seen those before.

I was looking at Facebook Marketplace this morning, and saw this Delta Rockwell 14" bandsaw for $75 had just popped up. It was not too far from me, so I messaged the guy, and jumped in the truck. It works great, and just needs a little cleaning up. It dates to 1979. I will stick a 6" riser block in this one, and use it to resaw logs.

[FRJ]

Congrats for jumping on that nice tool, Mike. I'm sure you won't regret that buy.
You're putting together a nice little shop there.

[Dan In MI]

Good score, Mike! I wish I had space for a rig like that.

[Unk]

Thanks guys.

[Unk]

I added a 6" riser block to one of my bandsaws today. The bandsaw is an old KFF Taiwan made 14" bandsaw that dates to 1983. I ordered the riser from Grizzly tools. I knew the pins on the riser would not line up with those on my saw, so I was prepared to do a little drilling and installing of new alignment pins.

The installation took me a couple of hours and went off without a hitch. The kit came with the riser block, and extended front and back blade guard, an extended upper blade guide bar, and a new longer 105 inch blade. I was a little worried that everything - the top and bottom wheels - were going to be out of alignment - but thankfully everything lined up and the saw works fine. This doubled my re-saw capacity from 6 inches up to 12 inches. I have some of the green paint left, so I will shoot the riser block sometime this week to match the rest of the bandsaw.

I have a lot of trees on my place - including oak and ash - and I have access to a lot of mesquite. It will be nice to be able to process some wider boards out of these logs now.