A-beading I will go…
I had a dilemma to solve: How to decorate the apron on a small stool for granddaughter #2. She uses a little stool to sit while playing the guitar, during her guitar lessons.
I don’t have any power tools that would give me what I wanted: I really, really wanted a narrow groove and a bead on the bottom edge of the aprons. Finally, the little light went on, and out came the solution:

My Stanley 66 Universal hand beader! I purchased this baby at an auction recently. And it performed flawlessly, after a few minutes tweaking the cutter.
You can read the rest of the gory details on my blog entry
Al
-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com






















6 comments so far
Douglas Bordner
home | projects | blog
3424 posts in 960 days
posted 517 days ago
Nice looking tool, Al. How much did you have to drop for it? I like the fact that there is decoration in the casting.
Even if it’s only there to improve grip dynamics, it’s elegant in design.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
John Fry
home | projects | blog
73 posts in 597 days
posted 517 days ago
Yep! You’re right Al.
There are just sometimes when the #66 is the best way to get it done. I used mine on the table top edges that called for a round over and bead profile on the drum tables I made.
It worked perfectly.
-- John, Chisel and Bit Custom Crafted Furniture, www.chiselandbit.com
Al Navas
home | projects | blog
289 posts in 772 days
posted 517 days ago
Douglas,
Only $40, as it had only one cutter, and only the straight fence; it is very rare to find the original with both fences, and a full set of cutters. But this 66 is in perfect condition, with a beautiful patina. This was a very good find for me! The decoration looks like feathers, and I think it does help with the grip.
John,
Perfect! I like the color on yours, too ;-) . For those of you who have not seen John's drum tables, you are in for a real treat!!!
-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com
WayneC
home | projects | blog
6031 posts in 994 days
posted 517 days ago
Great tool. I’ve been looking for one for a while. Hopefully I will come across one for a while. I belive LN sells blades and blade blanks that will work with it.
http://www.craftsmanstudio.com/html_p/A370.htm
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Chris
home | projects | blog
1469 posts in 888 days
posted 517 days ago
I’ve been looking at the LN beading tool my self. They seem to be the best kind of tool for this work….
-- Chris
Al Navas
home | projects | blog
289 posts in 772 days
posted 516 days ago
Wayne and Chris,
The photo that John Fry shows above is the LN model, and is the same as the one sold by CraftsmanStudio in your link, Wayne. I will probably order the cutter set, already shaped, sharp, and ready to go.
-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com