It was made by a retired machinist, turned woodworker. I met him shortly after he had to give up woodworking because of health issues. I purchased my first table saw and drill press from him, when I was first setting up my shop and starting woodworking. This was just one of the tools and jigs I purchased from him.

Unfortunately, he passed away a couple weeks later, during a medical procedure. So, I never learned the full story behind this jig, nor all of the ways he used it.

The base of the jig is 1/4” x 6” x 12” steel plate. There are ten 3/8” holes for drill guides. The shop made knobs and hold downs allow the jig to accommodate board up to 4/4 thickness.

It works well as a doweling jig. I also know he used it to remove material for hand cut mortises. Please share any other ideas you might have regarding its uses.

This jig has just been taking up space in my cabinet for the past few years. I have considered trying to sell it. But, I have no idea what this beauty is worth. Any suggestions appreciated.

This is not a new pick, but it is one I thougth you might find interesting.

Thanks for looking.

Tim

One of the local estate sale dealers has me on their preview list and lets me know when sales are coming. They usually have preview hours the day before the sale starts. This week’s sale is near my house, so I stopped on my why home from work.

Machinest Drill Vise

AMT Squirrel Tail Plane
Sargent Block Plane with brass knobs – Can someone tell me how to identify the plane number?
Stanley #151 Spokeshave

Starrett 50-A Trammel Points

Dowel Marking Pins
Divided Marking Guage
Strip cutter

Drill Bits

Razor Saw

I am a few bucks lighter, but all-in-all happy with my find. I may have to go back this weekend to see what else I can snag.

Thanks for looking. Happy (tool) hunting.

Tim

The only thing I have found over the past few weeks was this 50 foot Lufkin Chrome Clad, leather bound metal tape. The tape looks almost new, with all of the number crisp and clear and winds as smooth as silk. This was a $2 find, as I was passing through an estate sale recently.

Since I hve not been finding as many tool sales, I have tried to put my normal “tool picking” time to good use. I started gathering the pieces to make an electrolysis chamber. I picked up an old chlorine bucket from a local pool. The bucket is nice with a latching lid, that will be nice for storing everything when not in use. Cut some 1” bar stock to use as my sacrificial steel, bolted around the inside and wired for electricity. Here is bucket before its first use.

Looked through my “to do” rehab list to find a suitable candidate for the first ride. Here it is, a Disston Rancher. This one has not been touched, since I brought it home.

Here we are with the power first connected. You may remember that battery charger from an earlier blog. I picked it for $1. I think I am getting my money’s worth out of it. Four gallons of water and 4 tablespoons of soda in the bucket. Positive lead on the bolt wiring all of the steel bars together. Negative lead on to the saw blade. Nitrogen bubbles started and the water turned cloudy as soon as the power was turned on.

Here it is after it has been cooking for 45 minutes.

I need to run to the store and get some stripper to remove the remaining lacquer from the handle, getting it ready for refinishing. So, I will come back later with the results.

After about three hours on electrolysis, here is a before and after comparison. I probably could have let the blade cook a little longer, but I wanted to see the results.

While the tool picking has barely measured up recently, it has turned into an electrifying experience.

Thanks for stopping by.

First stop: Picked up this 1” belt sander. The previous owner said it works but “runs rough”. So, for $5 I thought I would take a chance. While there, I also picked up a clip hallogen work light for another $1. Six dollars first stop, not a bad morning. Plugged the sander up when I got home. He was right, it ran rough. A little adjustment to the tensioning screw and it now runs smooth as silk. I think it sounds happy in its new home.

Grabbed my bride and we went back to the estate sale, from yesterday. While she did some picking of her own, I spied this Vintage Craftsman Dovetail Jig. I haven’t decided if this is a keeper or going on ebay. It was at a price, I will be happy either way.

Once again, thanks for letting me share. Hopefully soon I will be ready to start sharing some of the rehab pics.

Keep your eyes open. There is some great bargains out there.

What does she do? She lets me get out early to go tool picking at an estate sale.

First up: A pair of handles for a two-man crosscut saw. I don’t really need these, but they were too good to pass up. I will be listing these on ebay within a few days. If anyone has need of them, send me a message and we can work out a trade.

A 24tpi back saw and Stanley speedsquare.

A couple vintage bullnose planes. The larger one is a Craftsman version of a Stanley #78. The smaller plane is a Stanley #75. These will look great cleaned up and in my collection. They will be rehabed and ready for use hopefully in the very near future.

Finally: A super nice two-way ratcheting brace, with bits. Most of the bits are sharp. A couple need a little touch up work. Looking forward to putting this to work on a couple projects real soon.

So, after an early morning of tool picking, I still had to go to my regular job that pays the bills and makes hobbies like this one possible. After a day’s work, take by blushing bride out for a nice quiet dinner (without our teenagers). So after 21 years, what do I have to say about my beautiful bride?

YUUUUUUUUUUUUUPPP!!! She’s a keeper!!!
She’s the best pick I could ever have.

The love of my life and me.

”He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22

Thanks for looking and letting me share.

Tim

In a freak event, simply pulling a door open, I snapped a tendon band for the ring finger of my right hand. I have almost no grip (cannot even remove a jar lid), swelling, pain and lovely shades of blue and purple.

A couple weeks of meds and “no impact” on my hand. If that does not help we will do steriod shots to the effected area, in the palm of my hand. The Doc tells me that is as painful as it sounds.

I am wearing a brace to discourage people from trying to shake hands and remind me not to do anything stupid to cause worse injury.

At least I don’t have any big projects started that will be staring me in the face. Maybe I can clean and organize the shop… or start electrocuting some of these rusty tools… or, or…

OR, I could spend my “shop time” lurking around here enjoying the hobby vicariously through your projects.

Thanks for letting my whine. Time for me to pull my “big boy britches” on and get back to the job that pays the bills.

I could not go to the first day of the sale on Friday, so my Dad scoped out the tools for me. He picked up a couple planes for me. I have not seen them yet, so I will have to add that pic later. He did tell me he picked a Stanley 110 and a Worth jack plane.

Saturday morning, I went to the sale and grabbed a hand full of nice toys.

- One Stanley socket chisel
- Two Craftsman socket chisels
- Stanley torpedo level
- Rosewood & Brass try square
- Clamp-on Mini Vise

I left a few things that I thought were overpriced. Sunday is the last day and anything remaining is 50% or less. So there may be more pictures added to this pick.

It was a slow picking Saturday, but that gave me some time in the shop to work on a few projects. Finally got back on my Walnut natural edged table. Here is the dry fit. Now to sanding and finishing.

Thanks for letting me share.

Tim

First stop, gathered 4 pipe clamps, 8 corner clamps, froe, Wilkinson folding drawknife, Disston one-man crosscut saw, and 10 woodworking books. One of the books was about colecting old tools. LOL

Walked away from this sale only $60 lighter, in the pocket.

At the second stop was only about a block away from first. I spotted this Disston D-8 Swayback. Picked it up, had it in my hand while looking at other things, when I heard a voice from across the yard: ”I’ll take $2 for that saw.” Well, all right.

All said, the trip cost me $62. Now, I definately need to build a sawtill.

Okay thank for looking and reading my ramblings.

Tim

There is a lake on the property, in front of the building where I work. The property is very close to the Forestry Managed area in Northeast Alabama.

Recently, we notice we had a new neighbor that moved in:

Yesterday, we managed to capture a few pictures of one of the new residents.

Looks like fish for lunch. It is difficult to see the fish, but notice the ripples where our new friend plucked it out of the water. It happended so fast, the geese did not even react.

After lunch, he gave us a nice little modeling session. He spotted us with the camera and did not seem to care that we were out there.

Thanks for letting me share, even if it is a little off topic for the forum.

Tim