Shopsmith Forums

This photo has been around awhile, I wanted to post it for anyone that might not have seen it.

It's in a private collection today, but some years ago it was on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Industry in DC. I was in town for some meetings and when I had a break I went over to see it. Too bad it was behind glass because you just wanted to explore every nook and cranny.

The chest was made by T.O. Studley a piano maker by trade. You can see a number of tools in it specific to this trade. The little plane in the arched cove is a Stanley #1. It alone is worth between $1200 - 1500. There is a #2 hidden next to the Masonic symbol and it is easily worth $200 - $600 depending on type. Next to it on the left is a Stanley #9 Cainet Maker's Miter Plane. Although I don't see it I am sure it has it original "hot dog" handle. This plane is worth $1500 - 3000. In the left corner up against the transition joiner is a Stanley #101 worth about $50. The brace looks to be a Brown and Son who made braces in Sheffield, England from 1829 - 1849. Value is $150 or more. This is a lot of money just for a couple of tools. It is my understanding that the tool chest was traded for a car before it surfaced in popular publications and its exhibition at the Smithsonian. Beautiful tools never grow old.

do a search on "STUDLEY CHEST" in youtube and you'll see some nice shots of it - including this one with Norm... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cGNT-RSkEU

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodw ... tool-chest

http://www.popularwoodworking.com/workb ... leys-vises

Original owner was a "traveling man"... An absolute thing of beauty.

Thanks for the video links on this. I am glad they are documenting the chest, good thing to do. However, I will get a gripe off my chest here. Those doing the documenting get into a "holy" mindset treating the tools like religious ritual objects. THEY ARE TOOLS, FOR GOD'S SAKE! Tools are meant to be used. They are tough, built that way, even more so back-in-the-day (i.e. no plastic in them)! I am not advocating carelessness, just loose the white gloves. I collect old tools and use most of them. I treat them with respect and care. that covers it. I don't need white gloves.

There, I got that off my chest.

WmZiggy wrote:Thanks for the video links on this. I am glad they are documenting the chest, good thing to do. However, I will get a gripe off my chest here. Those doing the documenting get into a "holy" mindset treating the tools like religious ritual objects. THEY ARE TOOLS, FOR GOD'S SAKE! Tools are meant to be used. They are tough, built that way, even more so back-in-the-day (i.e. no plastic in them)! I am not advocating carelessness, just loose the white gloves. I collect old tools and use most of them. I treat them with respect and care. that covers it. I don't need white gloves.

There, I got that off my chest.

I agree! However these are privately owned. The owner is I am sure a 'collector'. As such the 'collection' needs to be 'preserved' in it's current condition. Thus the white gloves and lack of 'breathing' on them(notice?).

Then there is the lawyer angle!


I am amused at the inclusion of a miniature (what looks like a) monkey wrench. Used for tuning?

I assure you, monkey wrenches are not used for tuning!!

I just took a close look at the 'Masonic Symbol'.

That surrounding the obvious symbol to me represents a shrine!(no pun intended!).

That obvious symbol is made up of actual 'working tools'(masonic connection intended).

The compass and small square are real and were likely actually used by him!

Surrounding the masonic 'symbol' is more masonic stuff.

A plumb symbol is below the left column.

A level symbol is below the right column.

The columns themselves have symbolic meaning as do the brass globes on top of them.



I have to assume his masonic devotion was as profound as his tool chest.

ashbury wrote:I assure you, monkey wrenches are not used for tuning!!

Ahhhhh but that one is sized correctly.

I think it is related(an uncle?) to a monkey wrench(it gots some extra parts maybe).

Looks like a monkey wrench to me![ATTACH]23209[/ATTACH]