Our Shop #5: Heritage

That looks old, bet it is worth something, let us know anything you find out about it. it will be interested to find out what it was used for.

Diane

history

I’m guessing that it is a mallet to be used to pound chisels. Probably in making hand hewn barms.

The sides are cupped in so it has been hitting something over a long period of time.

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

that was what I thought it was for. It has definitely been used a lot. I just find it so “powerful” to picture my Great-grandfather (a man that I never met) using this “mallet” as he built his farm buildings. The sweat, the determination, the goals, the achievements, and of course his legacy…

I hope that my life is “doing him proud”.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

That thingy looks pretty heavy? How much does it weigh?

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

it’s not that heavy. I’ve hefted hammers that have weighed more.
(That probably doesn’t answer your question but without actually weighing it .. that’s the best I can do right now)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

It would have fit well into this page http://www.fine-tools.com/ham1.htm when first made I think. A great find.

Some of my most prized possesions are my grandfathers handtools. He was a carpenter by trade and helped build some of the old grand theatres in Boston in the early 1900’s. I never met him either but love to think that both he and my father are looking down at the work I do and are smiling…maybe laughing is more like it…:)

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

you have the “gene”, Bob!
:)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Hey Deb, let me know if you need help finding parts for your plane.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

thanks Wayne. Since I’ve never used a plane I have no idea how to fix it – except by following all the advice that has been posted here at LJ.

Some day though… it would be nice to bring it into my woodworking.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Your welcome. In the photo, it appears to be missing the Lever Cap, chip breaker and blade. Task would be to find parts that are approprate for the plane.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

missing pieces.. darn.

Maybe I should start looking now.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

What you need….

Lever Cap

Blade

Chip Breaker

Best bet would probably be to find another #4 at a flea market or similar.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

now you are going to have me addicted to “planes”.

“oh look Rick .. a flea market… let’s go look and see if they have any old planes”... “oh Rick.. stop quick.. a garage sale and they have hand tools.. maybe there’s a #4 plane!”

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Ms Debbie, ain’t it just grand to have that peice of history, family history, just to make you think about? I know I do. I have about 10 or so of my grandfather’s tools. His crosscut and rip hand saws still give me great service after 80+ years. I have an old mallet also.
My grandfather was a cab-maker and carpenter. He only had 1 power tool, an old 8in SMALL table saw(which I have). Incedently, my dad lost his index finger on his right hand with it, back in ‘62.
Thanks so much for sharing. I may get around to posting some pics of them one day.

-- Jimmy