Some of you may have noticed, I purchase wood (among other things) on eBay from tme to time.
I was intrigued by this lot of inlay banding that the seller claimed to have purchased at an estate sale in Canada. It was still wrapped in its original packaging, complete with shipping label and C.O.D. sticker in the amount of $16.62 (Canadian) from the now-defunct T. Eaton Company. The seller thought the date was September of 1959, but I can’t really tell for sure. It is obviously very old. The original packaging was open, and presumably some of the inlay had been used. It was advertised as about 35 pieces (3’ long). When I unwrapped it, there were actually over 50 pieces. The bands were thinner than I had judged from the photo on eBay… they range in width from 3/32” up to 1/4”.
What amazes me is the fine detail in these. I’ve used inlay banding before, but this appears to be far superior in detail and quality to anything I’ve purchased previously. The photos don’t really do them justice. In case you are wondering, my winning bid was $58.01.
If anybody has any background info that would shed more light on the history of these, I’d love to hear it. I’m looking forward to working these into future projects.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
19 comments so far
GaryK
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8243 posts in 389 days
posted 153 days ago
You lucky dog! That’s one heck of a find.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Tomcat1066
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556 posts in 197 days
posted 153 days ago
They’re junk. Mail them to me immediately for proper disposal ;)
Seriously, I have nothing to offer except for a congrats for that beautiful stuff!
-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!
MrWoody
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149 posts in 175 days
posted 153 days ago
Charlie, I can’t offer info of my own but there is a short blurb here.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&cat=1&p=45550
A few years ago there was better write up in a Lee Valley catalogue, which I no longer have. (
-- If we learn from our mistakes, I'm getting a fantastic education.
CharlieM1958
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3640 posts in 619 days
posted 153 days ago
Thanks, MrWoody. Compared to Lee Valley prices, looks like I got a bargain.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
mrtrim
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1480 posts in 281 days
posted 153 days ago
big problem charlie , that stuff is highly illeagal to import into the u s . being that we are friends i wont haul you in this time . pack it up amd mail ….... this is not working is it ? lol nice score charlie enjoy !
-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes
griff
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294 posts in 163 days
posted 153 days ago
smooth Charlie, I`m looking forward to seeing them in your up coming projects
-- Mike, Bruce Mississippi = Jack of many trades master of none
Todd A. Clippinger
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2460 posts in 500 days
posted 153 days ago
Pretty cool find!
I am looking forward to see what you use it on.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Grumpy
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4025 posts in 252 days
posted 153 days ago
Great find Charlie.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Scott Bryan
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7957 posts in 223 days
posted 153 days ago
Wonderful find. Ebay is a nice resource for wood and tools if you are selective. Now that you have these inlays you have a good excuse to get into the shop (as if you really needed one).
Thanks for sharing.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
scottb
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2771 posts in 728 days
posted 153 days ago
always nice to get more (Much more) than you bargained for.
-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative
grovemadman
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541 posts in 173 days
posted 153 days ago
SCORE!!!! Looks like you’ve come up Chaz, Now dat’s how we like ta roll in dis hood!
-- --Chuck
tomd
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85 posts in 171 days
posted 153 days ago
Good find, inlay strips are expensive.
-- Tom D
rikkor
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6614 posts in 276 days
posted 153 days ago
Great catch Charlie. That should “jazz up” some projects.
-- Maplewood, MN
Thos. Angle
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3243 posts in 363 days
posted 153 days ago
Great, Charlie, now everybody will be looking on E-Bay and we’ll never get any more bargain!!! those are beautiful. Congrats.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
CharlieM1958
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3640 posts in 619 days
posted 152 days ago
It’s getting harder and harder to find eBay bargains because everybody already is looking.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Dick Cain
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4387 posts in 700 days
posted 152 days ago
A beautiful find Charlie.
It looks like a lifetime supply.
-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Blake
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1833 posts in 275 days
posted 152 days ago
This is an amazing find! You will have fun working with it. I can’t wait to see what you do. Great story behind it too.
-- Dust collectors suck.
Lip
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126 posts in 451 days
posted 152 days ago
Sweet deal … I’m jealous!
-- Lip's Dysfuncational Firewood Farm, South Bend, IN
jeanmarc
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528 posts in 117 days
posted 49 days ago
splendid there is what to make with all that
-- jeanmarc manosque france