Old Tool Advice needed

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 5:58 pm

According to my 1/2 brother, this belonged to my father. It is made by"MARSHALL-WELLS" and has a patent date of "OCT 29 07" .
It doesn't look like it but I cleaned all the crud off it. Appears to have been chrome plated.
Should I have it re-plated? Maybe have the blade re-blued"
Is it worth it?
Any other suggestions?
[ATTACH]20996[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]20997[/ATTACH]

db5 · Post by **db5** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:32 pm

I suppose you know what it is used for because you didn't ask. As a collectors' item it is not worth restoring, particularly since that will bring the value DOWN. It won't bring much anyway. I suggest you keep it clean and use it. After all, every wood craftsman needs one. I have one, but much newer and prettier but I would consider a trade - "new lamps for old".

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:43 pm

If it were mine, I'd keep it just as is.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:49 pm

Bob,
Several people, including my wife, said the same thing. With her opinion, I guess it's unanimous.

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 7:31 pm

This antique dealer is selling one which looks like yours for $40. See the third entry under Bevel Squares. His is mostly clean and shiny.

http://www.jonzimmersantiquetools.com/t ... aslist.htm

Gary

db5 · Post by **db5** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 11:28 am

greitz wrote:This antique dealer is selling one which looks like yours for $40. See the third entry under Bevel Squares. His is mostly clean and shiny.

http://www.jonzimmersantiquetools.com/tools/measlist.htm

Gary

And there are hundreds of Shopsmith owners who are selling their old rusted machines for $1000 - $3000. Just check Craigslist for major cities and you will see the listings. Locally an extension for a 500 has been listed for almost two years. "Selling for" is meaningless. "Sold for" means something.

burkhome · Post by **burkhome** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 12:34 pm

I concur with the majority...Use it. I have one similar and like it because the locking mechanism doesn't get in the way like the ones with the lock on the side.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 1:46 pm

I would not do a single thing to it unless it "needs" repair in order to be functional. Pretty only counts for brand new tools.

db5 · Post by **db5** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 10:00 pm

burkhome wrote:I concur with the majority...Use it. I have one similar and like it because the locking mechanism doesn't get in the way like the ones with the lock on the side.

Now you've done it! I was hoping to trade my "pretty" one for his "ugly" one and you had to offer your uninvited opinion before I could close the deal.

burkhome · Post by **burkhome** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:58 am

db5 wrote:Now you've done it! I was hoping to trade my "pretty" one for his "ugly" one and you had to offer your uninvited opinion before I could close the deal.

sooorrry!!!!