OldTools Archive

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114587 "Joe Grittani" <joegrits@m...> 2003‑02‑21 Intro and Tool Questions (long)
Hi -

I finally got one of these here computer things at home and am now at
liberty to do more than lurk (which I've been doing for some time).

I'm truly an entry level galoot trying my best to learn hand tool ways and
creating firewood in the process. I've been gathering momentum on the way
down this hill for about three years. I've amassed some planes and other
tools, mostly old, learned some sharpening skills and I've become harder
and harder on brakes since I've developed this fetish.

I'm currently unemployed after being downsized after seventeen years with
the great state of Ohio. I've yet to experience boredom and I'm limping
along okay except for the lack of tool money. Have to do something about
that.

I've learned a lot just following what you all have discussed over the
past two years or so since discovering old Tools. I hope to learn a lot
more and contribute what I can.

I do have two tool questions that I've been sitting on for some time. My
Dad gave me a 24" folding rule that had belonged to his father. It's
boxwood and brass. It's marked "The C-S Co., Pine Meadow, Conn.,U.S.A,
No.84". I've figured out that this is Chapin and Stephens, but this rule
is odd. If you look at it on either side with the scale right side up it
reads right to left instead of left to right. On one side there is a
second scale that I can't figure out. Starting at the mid-point and
running left (mid-point) to the right end, there is a scale below the inch
scale that reads 3, 2, and one (aligned with the 11, 10, and 9" marks on
the inch scale, then 1/16s are marked below the 8" to 7" range. Between 5"
and 4" are marked 14 and 12, between 4" and 3" are 10 and 8, between 3"
and 2" 6 and 4, and from 2" to 1" 2 and 1. The numbers on this bottom
scale left of the midpoint are upside down.

Turn the whole thing over and the numbers that were upside down are now
legible and read from the midpoint going to the right 4, 3, 2, 1, then in
the last segment 6, 4, 2, and 1.

I probably didn't describe this very well, but I'd appreciate hearing from
anyone who might have a clue.

The second item is a Stanley piece that I can't find in Walter's book.
It's a sort of 9" combination square, all steel, with a Sweetheart logo.
It's stamped "No.21" with a patent date of 1/23/17. The rule piece is
slotted down it's center for only six inches of its length, so that's the
extent of head travel. The head itself has 90 and 45 degree faces and the
flat plate section is machined like a knurled knob would be to a sort of
pebbled texture. There's no provision for a scratch awl.

Maybe this should have been two or three postings. I didn't mean to get so
wordy and I'll try not to do it again. Thanks for your insights past and
future.

Joe Grittani in gloomy Dayton, Ohio  



Recent Bios FAQ