Shopsmith Forums

Gene, I am a member of the Midwest Tool Collectors and they publish some standards on what and what not to do with old tools.

Basically it is appropriate to remove all rust and crud and replace broken or missing parts if a replacement part can be found that fits the type. If it is re-painted, re-chromed or fitted with parts not fitting it's type (the production run before the manufacturer makes design changes), it lessens the value to a collector.

Herbert Kean, in his book: Restoring Antique Tools writes about bevels, "When the blade shows some evidence of the original bluing I'd leave it alone, unless there are some bad rust spots here and there. I would opt for an emery and steelwool job if that were the case" (p. 85) He also doesn't recommend a wire wheel on blades because it gives a crosshatch effect. Emery in finer grades and finish with steelwool.

With a little research you should be able to discover what the value of the Marshall/Wells is. Off hand, I don't know; it could be a rare example. Bottom line, if you want it to look like new, it's your tool. If you want to value its antique status, restoration is best that does not try to make it look new.

Oh, one more note. The cast patent date is not necessarily an indication of it's age, in this case 1907. Many manufacturers cast a patent date for many years in a production line.

I did a quick check and learned that Marshall-Wells was a hardware company originating in Duluth, MN. Many larger wholesale and distribution hardware companies had tools made with their name on them. This bevel gauge was most likely made by Stanley, Sargent, or one of the larger manufacturers. Here is a quick history of Marshall-Wells:

A HISTORY OF THE MARSHALL-WELLS BUILDING

Marshall-Wells is a genuine 1910 industrial warehouse, with high ceilings, large windows, and original woodwork. This is a classic industrial look that other "loft" projects can only imitate.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, the Marshall-Wells building is one of the Pearl District's last remaining industrial warehouses suitable for residential conversion. It is highly ranked in the Portland Historic Resource Inventory because it was specially engineered with an unusually solid structural system.

1643—A Douglas-fir seedling takes root that will in 1910 become one of the 92 massive support posts on the ground floor of the building.

1893—The Marshall-Wells Hardware Company is established when Albert Marshall, of Duluth, Minnesota, buys the Chapin-Wells Hardware Company, also of Duluth and gives the new business a new name. This is a wholesale company dealing in hardware, saddlery, paints, and mining and railroad supplies.

1901—The first West Coast branch of the Marshall-Wells Hardware Company opens its doors in Portland at the corner of SW 4th & Pine Street.

1910—The Company builds the first 4 stories of Warehouse #2 between 14th and 15th Avenues at NW Lovejoy. Nationally acclaimed architectural firm (Daniel) Burnham and Company of Chicago was also influential in the origin of the modern skyscraper and for many of the city of Chicago's urban planning features.

1978—The Marshall-Wells warehouse is purchased from Coast-to-Coast Stores and occupied by the Layton Creations Company, pillow manufacturers.

1999—The Marshall-Wells Company warehouse is bought by Evergreen Northern LLC of Portland; Robert Ball, owner.

2001—Re-construction begins on the historic warehouse, turning the 7-story building into 164 classic lofts.