Anyody Collect Antique Tools?

My personal rule is that if the tool is older than you, it could be an antique. I still use a ~1955 Skil circ saw all the time that I inherited from my uncle. That thing is HEAVY, but because of the weight it works great when trying to hold a nice accurate straight cut.

The one good thing about those tools that weigh like "half a ton" is that they will probably last a life time compared to some of the tools built today. My brother in law was using an old saw, I think it was a Black & Decker when we were working up to his house. When I picked the thing up, I almost pulled my arm out of socket.

Come on young pups--any tool run by elec flunks my antique requirement mandates

I have this really old table saw. I use it whenever I need it. It works good. 10" blade and a Craftsman electric motor. I installed an A/B key switch as my kids were young & curious when I used it to build an addition in NJ. I keep sawdust on it for obvious reasons, apparently, not enough. I just gave it a coat of oil.
I found some parts for it once. I think it dates back to the 50's.

Here is one I collected, but it's the only one I have. It's a marbles saftey hatchet, the guard folds into the handle.If I run into another at the flee market I'll pick it up,if the price is right. I showed it to a wood chopping friend and he never saw one, though he saw alot of wood

If it was your grandfather's, it's a antique.
And probably very well built.
I still have a bit brace and two yankee screwdrivers I bought brand new!

I'm old

heartofcoal wrote:If it was your grandfather's, it's a antique.
And probably very well built.
I still have a bit brace and two yankee screwdrivers I bought brand new!

I'm old

What's a bit brace?

I found a 1952 Rockwell Radial Arm 9" saw and my current purchase was a 1958 Craftsman Drill Press, even has Variable speed. Not just changing the pullies, but actually 2 clutches that open/close (like snowmobile clutches) that tighten or loosen to change the speed and my lathe is only a 1980's vintage craftsman. A few old planes, hand drill, saw....slowly buying them, some for garage art, others just to have...

a few neat sites
http://www.oldtoolphotos.com/
http://vintagemachinery.org/
.

WNY wrote:I found a 1952 Rockwell Radial Arm 9" saw and my current purchase was a 1958 Craftsman Drill Press, even has Variable speed. Not just changing the pullies, but actually 2 clutches that open/close (like snowmobile clutches) that tighten or loosen to change the speed and my lathe is only a 1980's vintage craftsman. A few old planes, hand drill, saw....slowly buying them, some for garage art, others just to have...

a few neat sites
http://www.oldtoolphotos.com/
http://vintagemachinery.org/
.

Your drill press looks like the bigger brother to mine.

I could'nt figure out how to explain it.
So I went down the shop and took some pics. So the bottom pic here shows the bit brace under my grandfathers old Millers Falls # 5 Jack plane
Look at all the pics goin' up already! this is gonna be awesome.

I love those Hit-N-Miss engines!! That's great!! America was building those while the rest of the world was still making stone hammers - gotta love it!

I've got quite a few items I'll have to take pics of tomorrow. I have an old Snap On ratchet wrench from my grandfather, that reverses direction by popping out the 1/2" drive & reversing it to the other side! Pretty wild -- built like a tank and will still be here long after I'm gone. Also have a few woodworking tools left here by what I believe to be the original owner of this house's. There's a few 100+ year old farming tools out in the barn as well. Plus my grandfather's Model T Ford coil! I'll definitely have to post a video of that in operation .... tomorrow ... when I sober up. That son of a bitch packs at least 30,000 volts -- I have no business screwing with that tonight!

SMITTY wrote:I love those Hit-N-Miss engines!! That's great!! America was building those while the rest of the world was still making stone hammers - gotta love it!

They are still being made in India, they make a copy of an old lister diesel,1 and 2 cylinders, they were importing them into the us, I believe they stoped due to EPA regulations. The way I understand they are best to take apart and check out before running, their are some that had problems with sand inside from the casting process and their quality may be so so. Their was a company in Maine that sells a generator set on Ebay with the metro diesel from India.

Yeah, I've seen some vintage motorcycle parts out of India that have been responsible for grenading a few 2-stroke engines .... as they say, you get what you pay for....

I love going to the local fairs in the fall & watching these originals make power for a myriad of antique tools. Saw one powering a bottle-capping operation from the late 30's. I'll never forget it.