While cleaning my shop this week after using the destructive, chip throwing “Lancelot“, I found this tool on my top shelf (yes, unfortunately, wood chips covered everything, reinforcing the notion of using my “assembly table” for assembly only.)

Can I assume since it’s Starrett that it’s for measuring? Sure, it’s got a rubber wheel that when rolled, turns a dial that is labelled from 0-100 with inexplicably odd numbers at each mark around the dial: 19,28,37,46, 55… - I see a pattern here.

This gauge, shaped something like a large key with a rotating rubber disc on the end is labelled on the back of the numbered dial; The LS. Starrett Co., Athol, Mass. U.S.A. – Pat. Mar. 28. 1905.

For a first on ToolboxBlog – You tell me – what is this Starrett Tool?

This old Starrett original came to me in an toolbox filled with turn-of-the-century upholstery tools. Did upholsterers measure by 9′s in 1900?

My second Millers Falls Push Drill on Toolboxblog.com features a wooden handle with a complete set of bits stored beneath it’s removable wooden cap. (See the other one) I’m not precisely sure where I got this Millers Falls Co. Push Drill but it’s been in my ‘abandoned tools’ box for years.

Features:

• Wooden Handle with Screw Cap
• Bit Storage within Handle

Experience:

As I’ve mentioned, I’m far too young to know about using these tools on the job. I do occasionally drill a few holes with a Millers Falls Co. Push Drill. Mostly used for entertainment purposes. It’s easy and fun to use.

This Millers Falls Push Drill is in decent working condition. The handle is marked with a previous owners initials. I think it’s one of the first Millers Falls push drills but we’ll have to see. This one is marked Millers Falls but with no model number or patent ID that I can find.

If you know more about this tool please leave a comment.

Links:

Yankee style push drills on OldToolsnStuff.com – informative page!

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This nut wrench was owned by an upholster. His name is stamped on every tool and multiple times on each one: J. Lainc. It’s almost obsessive how many times he stamped his name on some of the handles, tool bodies and cases. Here is another turn of the century tool from his magic box.

Check out this photo showing the maker’s mark.

Experience:

Yes, I’ve used it. It’s not like I gently place this tool in some velvet case. It’s tossed in with a mess of other hand tools in my “overflow bin” – tools I haven’t hung above my workbench yet, that I use often enough to have them on the workbench shelf. It’s of a hardy breed.

Patent Marked Feb. 26 1901 this Perfect Handle Wrench must have cranked around a lot of nuts. The reverse side of this H.D. Smith Wrench is stamped 1985. Any ideas why?

This Keuffel & Esser Cloth Tape Measure is the first antique tool posted on ToolboxBlog.com and with it comes a story of Woodworker’s fate. I’m talking about two kinds of fate here; the kind which befell the original owner and the kind which landed his tools in this woodworker’s hands.

A Keuffel & Esser Tape Measure was included in the 1939 World’s Fair Time Capsule.

Condition:

My Keuffel & Esser Antique Tape Measure is missing the first inch, which is not uncommon of used cloth tapes. Come to think of it, it’s not altogether uncommon of all tape measures. How many Powerlocks have I tossed? The leather is in great condition, the cloth tape is missing the first inch and the mechanicals work fine.

Experience:

When I moved to New England my neighbor was 95 years old. Out of kindness, I would stop in and help her with simple tasks like putting in the air conditioner or fixing the TV antenna. I patched a drafty window and fixed her front door and other handyman help. One day she asked me, since I like tools would I like to have her father’s toolbox? Of course I said yes and since then some of his turn of the century tools have merged into my everyday life. Others have brought new skills and some sit on a shelf. There were so many tools in his old wooden box that I still haven’t discovered them all.

J. Laing was an Upholsterer and his toolbox contains the specialized tools of an upholsterer in the early 1900′s, including this Keuffel & Esser Tape Measure.