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Newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Tool Collectors
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December 2014
SHAVINGS, SAWDUST and SPLINTERS
RMTC Exposes Itself to thousands at wood workers show!!!
The Rocky Mountain Tool Collectors were able to show their stuff to thousands at the woodworking show this November. For three days, the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of November, we were invited to display and sell tools. But more importantly we were able to sell ourselves to everyone who came by our booth. If only a small portion of the excitement generated at the show can be funneled into the club, we will be growing like crazy. We were unsure if we would be invited to the show until the last minute but the club stepped up on short notice. Thank you to everyone that volunteered to work the show and thank you to everyone who came by at the show. A special thanks to Scott Roth for getting our foot in the door.
The Fessler’s Receive Award at Annual Meeting.
Dave and Connie Fessler each received a well-deserved, Life Time Membership Award at the annual meeting dinner. Thank you to the both of them for their long standing service to the club. This year’s annual meeting was held at the American Mountaineering Center, in beautiful downtown Golden, Colorado. Cont.pg # 7
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RMTC New Mexico October 2014
Fink/Clark house Albuquerque, NM.
October is here and time for a local RMTC meeting! In addition to that, a tool event sponsored by our local hardwood store, Albuquerque Exotic Woods (AEW) was happening. We were invited to attend the AEW tool sale last year and we decided to show up again, more for outreach and publicity rather than sales (which were modest). Rather than combine the events, as we did last time, I decided to hold the RMTC meeting the following week. Ken Burris and I both showed up on an early Saturday morning and set up our wares. Turn-out was light, but folks trickled in throughout the morning and a few were pleased to acquire some very inexpensive user grade tools.
Ken sits as woodworkers peruse
The Sunday following this AEW event, we held the regular meeting at my house. I have hosted the October meeting every year since 1997! It has always been my pleasure to have members and friends visit my shop and engage in tool talk for an entire afternoon. This meeting was no exception, and while I was too busy playing host to keep notes or track attendees, I did manage to snap a few photos and my feeble memory will have to fill in the blanks for the rest. Think we had about 10 folks show up, including a non-tool collecting friend who wanted some of his grandfather’s tools identified.
His tools included a common marking gauge; a Stanley Bevel gauge and a very early Bevel gauge that Dave Fessler believed to be of the Disston variety.
Dave Sabo and Dave Fessler
We didn’t have any ‘whatsits’ at the meeting today, but pair of interesting devices accompanied by their Patent drawings were displayed. One, a mechanical measuring device called a Planimeter, which is a device that I am quite familiar. I got my start in the field of Geographic Information Systems by measuring city plat maps with an electronic planimeter, only a step away from the purely mechanical version displayed today. I was glad when I no longer had to calculate area parcel by parcel, and instead utilize our fancy new GIS computer to perform a whole host of spatial analysis. The old style mechanical tools are still cool though!
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I will sign off with this picture of Gary, which makes it look like he was the last one out the door, with a trail of tools as his wake. Thanks to everyone who came by!
Gary Says “Good Buy “
Jamieson Tools
RMTC New Mexico October 2014
The other item shown was a Reed Organ Coupler. While I didn’t examine the patent drawing close enough to gain an understanding of how this little teapot looking thing does its coupling, it is really neat to see these devices and the drawings that brought them into commercial life!
After tools were displayed, bought and sold, we all sat down for a light lunch of green chile stew and chocolate chip cookies. We had very little business to conduct, but I did report that I have secured the hotel for our 2015 meeting and put down a deposit. We will be in the Plaza Elegante again; however we will have a better tool room, larger than last time and easier access for loading and unloading. I hope everyone is looking forward to a swell 2015 event!
Visit RMTC.org, for a full color newsletter and other information. Please contact the web master,
Jason Fink with any pictures, articles or information.
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Then we’ve got a sledge hammer head
Jon with his ancestor’s tools
Below is a condensed version of a letter Mr. Clarke sent to Chris Gomez after the annual meeting. It sounds as if he is very pleased with how George’s tools taken care of and appreciated by the club. Dear Chris: When I learned 67 lots were sold to multiple buyers, all of whom are knowledgeable and appreciative of what they now have, it made me happy. The final resting place of George Jamieson and his wife Betty is the Old North Cemetery in Providence, Rhode Island. I would like to think George would be pleased to know his tools are now in good, caring hands, no longer gathering dust in some descendant’s garage. Please convey my thanks to the members and especially to Don Burd and Steve Scruggs whose performance and results were well beyond my optimistic expectations. Gratefully yours, Jon Clarke Thanks to everyone who helped with the auction, Steve, Dave, Jon, Chris, etal.
R.M.T.C. members receive a once in a lifetime opportunity. Members attending the annual meeting were treated to a once in a lifetime opportunity to see firsthand a 19th century jointer’s tool box full of tools. Even luckier were the members that were able to obtain a piece of history at the annual meeting auction.
George Jamieson immigrated to America from Scotland and brought his tools with him. Many of the tools in chest were stamped with the ‘G.Jamieson’ stamp. I was impressed with quality of tools as well as the care Mr. Jamieson took with his tools. Almost all of the edge tools were sharp , clean and ready to go to work, almost as if he had put his tools away just yesterday not decades ago. Mr. Jamieson’s ancestor, Jon Clarke, was gracious enough to make an appearance at the beginning of the auction and gave us all a brief history of George and his family. Unfortunately this reporter lost his notes, but I still feel a connection to George Jamieson, every time I pick up one of the tools I was lucky enough to purchase that day.
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SHAVINGS, SAWDUST AND SPLINTERS Published by the Rocky Mountain Tool Collectors – Three times a year or whenever we get around to it.
Editor: Steve Gosselin 2011 OFFICERS
President: Don Burd (2013-2014) Vice President: Mark Koons (2013-2014)
Secretary: Charlie Aumiller Treasurer; Chris Gomez
~ Directors:
Jon Aasen, Jason Fink, Bill Bohl
~ Writers & Contributors:
Jason Fink, Steve Gosselin, Jon Aasen, & Riley Schilling,
And Dennis McCaigue Web Master Jason Fink www.rmtc.org
~~ Send material for publication and change of
address to: Steve Gosselin
1894 So. Leyden Denver, Colo.80224
Tool collecting web links Dennis McCaigue, sent this YouTube link, This guy is one of us!!! Makes me want fly across the ocean and give this guy a hug. http://youtu.be/ijCEeRIdQSo Don Burd sends me this one, Work benches and tool boxes. [email protected] Send me your favorite [email protected]
CLASSIFIED ADS
RMTC members in good standing may submit ads for sale or wanted items of interest to other members. Please contact the editor if you have an ad. Wanted: Saw nuts for a Keen Kutter hand saw (especially the medallion). Stanley screws with a 'boss' or flange for holding stop for, as an example, a Stanley #180. Also, I need thumb screws with the 'boss' or flange for a Stanley #80. Don Burd Please send me a photo and, or cost to: [email protected] or call me at 720-202-1375 Wanted: Broken/damaged L.L.Davis /Davis Level and Tool levels, for parts. [email protected].
.Wanted: Ohio Tool Co. & A.C.Bartlett molding planes. Tom Wiersema @ 307-7421933, or [email protected].
Wanted: Keen Kutter K2 or K2C Steve Butti [email protected] - 970-290-4338
Wanted: Stanley NO.36 or 37 levels that are 6" or 12" long that have the copper finish on them. I think the finish was used during WWII. Copper wash/finish needs to be 75-100 % more is better. Call Dave at 303-988-5053 or [email protected]
Wanted: #45/ #55 blades; numbers 17, 19, 55, 106, 113, & 21. Contact Jason Fink at 505-768-3943 or [email protected]
Attention all members
Please let Fred Mares know if you have any changes to your email address ‘ [email protected]
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From the President
"The King is dead - long live the King"! Well, this is my final message as President of RMTC. Been lots & lots of fun - thanks everyone for all that you have done and helped me do the last six years (most notably the 3 annual meetings up here in Colorado). Hope everyone ate more than they should have on Thanksgiving and Santa brings you that long sought after tool you have been wanting. Our booth at the Wood Workers show a couple of weeks ago was a huge success. I was able to help out on the final day and from what I saw our incoming President did an out-standing job organizing members to staff and represent us to the public. We had several folks join and lots of others leave their email address wanting info on the club. Excellent job Steve! If this any indication of your future ability to preside over RMTC then we are in good hands. As the final decree/executive order of my 'lame duck' administration I am making a new by-law. The incoming President elect (Steve) must give up one, prized tool to the out-going President (me) of my choice as tribute for past service - I will be over before the end of the year to claim what is rightfully mine - thank you Steve! - After I have made my selection then each and every RMTC member, as an incentive, (whose 2015 dues are already paid or will be paid before the end of the year) may, also select one tool from Steve's collection. With great power comes great responsibility, or in Steve's case great pain and sacrifice (as I did at the Wood Workers show - Steve, remember the #5 incident? I do...) Be well, be happy - see you at the next one. Don
Annual meeting Election Results
Each year at the annual meeting elections of the officers occurs, according to the club bylaws, article 4, and section 2. A nomination committee will present a slate of nominees prior to and at the annual meeting.
Election results 2015
Steve Gosselin, President (2yrs) Dennis McCaigue, Vice President (2yrs) Steve Butti, Secretary (1yr) Chris Gomez, Treasurer (1yr) (returning) Jason Fink (NM) Director (3yrs) (returning)
John looks at the newsletter special addition available at the Wood Workers Show in Denver.
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Dues are $20.00 per calendar year. Make out the check to: RMTC. MAIL TO: Chris Gomez, Treasurer 3148 So. Halifax St. Aurora, Co. 80013-4304 Info call: 720-587-5930 Or E-Mail- [email protected]
This plane is marked ‘Union Made Eccentric’ with a 1902 patent date cast into base. I had never seen one before, was it made by the Union Mfg. Co. or was it made by a Union shop or was it even made in the U.S.? Who knows, but I think the research could be fun. Adjacent to the tool room was the display room and it also was very busy. There were ten or more displays this year as well as a table of whats it’s and tools displayed in the tool room.
Stan McAlister had a display of special purpose pliers and some whatsit pliers as well. Stan always has some strange gizmos and makes a nice display.
Steve Gosselin’s, ‘Block Planes of steel ‘display.
Annual Meeting Golden Co.
The meeting started off early Saturday morning with the traditional tail gate sale. The buying and selling was in the parking lot was accompanied by a lot of storytelling and reminiscing. When the time came we all reluctantly went in to the building to set up displays and our sales tables.
Soon the show started and the room filled with collectors from all over the country. They came from California, Kansas, Wyoming and New Mexico, even as far away as Texas. The tables were overflowing with tools. One of my favorite parts of the annual meeting is the amount and diversity of tools for sale. I saw some things I had never seen at a local meeting and some tools I had never seen even in a book before.
W When we
R.MT.C. Annual Meeting cont.
Greg Heath had a display of J. Stevens and Co. machinist tools, 35 or more tools and some impressive notation and ephemera to back it up. Stevens is also known for his arms manufacturing.
Richard Rutherford brought out his Bed Rock plane display 18 different planes, wow! There were flat sides, round sides, corrugated bottoms and flat bottoms. I really loved the early lever caps.
Don Burd had a display of the Union Manufacturing Co. tools, including some of his grandpas. The Union Manufacturing Company joined the plane manufacturing business in 1900, when it purchased the derby plane manufacturing co., formally the Birmingham plane co. Their best contribution to the hand plane is the Carleton & Trask cutter adjustments patented in 1903 &1904. They made planes till 1920, when Stanley bought their plane manufacturing division.
John Gilmore’s contribution was ‘Fencing Tools and Barbed Wire.’ John’s barbed wire display was pretty comprehensive I thought, till I found out there were 501 patents issued for barbed wire and thousands of variations of the patents. The tools were loppers, twisters, splicers, crimpers and appliers, Stretchers, augers, diggers and lightener’s.
Susan’s Grandparents
Susan Scruggs display was of a different but invaluable tool. Keys and not just any keys, her grandfather, Charles’ shop keys. Framed and displayed by Susan’s aunt Dorothy, sometime after Charles’ death. They have since been passed on to Susan, for her enjoyment and safe keeping. Susan also ran the registration table, Thanks Susan.
Key Display
Gregor Mszar had a display of pencil sharpeners. Some the pencil sharpeners were very simple but some were so complex.
Gregor’s display was complete with patent information and patent drawings for the five of the sharpeners that were patented, but one. It was a beautiful but primitive user made sharpener that was a gift from Dr. Don Rosebrook, a friend of Gregor’s.
Cliff Fales contribution was early North Brother’s tools, Pre 1900. One was the #30 ratcheting screw driver and the other was #40 push drill. Both exhibited some of the early traits, no model numbers, full spelling of the words, Philadelphia and patented and a 4 digit year stamp. Also some individual mechanical differences, for more info go to MWTCA .org and type in Cliff Fales in the search box and see what you get.
Mmmmmm Mmmmmm nnn
Annual displays continued,
Steve Gosselin’s displayed was called, NOT Stanley by the Numbers, kind of a play on Patrick Leach’s, Stanley Blood and Gore. There were 25 non Stanley planes with their manufactures number on a tag and the corresponding Stanley number on the back of tag. Plus some history on the tool companies displayed.
Don Roth brought us a tool that is seldom seen, a patented tool, #2478881, made for removing locking keys on automotive brakes. The inventor, Carl Wayrynen, was an employee of the Howry-Berg Co. of Denver. Don showed the company history and contributions to world.
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Display Award Winners
Greg Heath, Best in theme.
Steve Gosselin, Second best in theme.
Gregor Mszar, Best out of theme.
Don Roth, best single tool.
RMTC Annual meeting programs
Dave Fessler gave the early program on Saturday. The tools pictured above were part of the talk, but certainly not the whole story. Dave acquired this transom and surveyor’s chain through a trade with another collector, but what was amazing is he also received a stack of hand written letters by Mr. Robinson, an engineer and the owner of the tools. The letters written to his brother, in the late 1800’s chronical Mr. Robinson’s adventures as he laid out the railroads from Kansas to Mexico and everywhere in-between. Including some time spent on the Royal Gorge line. The story is too long and too unbelievable, to be given a good write up in this issue. I hope that Dave will send me his notes and maybe I can make it a running article in the newsletter. The second program of the day was put on by Steve Costa. Steve brought an impressive collection of Edward Preston and, Edward Preston and Sons planes. The Preston Co. was founded in 1825 and for over one hundred years they sold a wide variety of rules, iron planes, levels and other measuring devices. Toward the end of their manufacturing they tried to compete with the Stanley Tool Works and they painted the tier planes green. Unfortunately the were unable to upgrade their manufacturing capabilities to compete with Stanley. In 1932 they were purchased by Rabonne and sons .In 1934 Preston were sold to the C.J.Hampton Co. Hampton duplicated many of the planes and the name Record was applied to the blue labels attached to the planes. Steve passed out a chart showing the Preston –Record numbers and planes.
Just a Portion of Steve's Tools
Steve’s collection was pretty impressive, he also handed out some general info on Preston , the Record – Preston comparison and an inventor plus notes on the tools he brought. Steve was able to tell about the purchases and the ‘hunt’ that was involved in each tool. Plus when he let us come up and handle the tools it was easy to see the appeal of the fine tools. Thanks to Dave and Steve for sharing. Thanks to Susan Scruggs and Carol Gosselin for manning the registration table. Thanks to everyone who helped. Thanks to everyone who came!
RMTC MEETING DATES 2015
Colorado/Wyoming area meetings For 2015
January 11, 2015
Red Rocks Community college
March, 2015 T.B.A.
May 3, 2015
The Maguire’s Monument, CO.
September 4, 5, and 6th 2015 Annual meeting
Albuquerque, N.M.
Non R.M.T.C. Events .
M-W.T.C.
Spring 2015, June 10-13, 2015, Kingsport, TN Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966
New Mexico area meetings For 2015
September 4, 5, and 6th 2015 Annual meeting
Albuquerque, N.M.
Dues are $25.00 per calendar year.
Make out the check to: RMTC.
MAIL TO: Chris Gomez, Treasurer
3148 So. Halifax St. Aurora, Co. 80013-4304 Info call: 720-587-5930
Or E-Mail-
