Shopsmith Forums

I have inherited a variety of tools from my Father, Uncle and Grandfather. One of these was something I used to set the blade height on my 10ER, not knowing what it was. (By the way it worked well for the purpose.) Finally I took a closer look. It is marked "Stanley No. 93". An internet search revealed that it was a layout device for hinge butts. They were last made in 1942 and from what I gathered it is worth between $50 to $100. So now do I keep this device in storage or should I keep using it? I'm inclined to keep using it as my use does not put any wear on the gauge. What does the rest of the group think about using antique tools?
Ed Friedl
1952 10ER

I too have some old tools handed down by relatives. The old Stanley tools were works of art and function and I have taken pains to restore the one's I have and keep them in working order. To me, old tools are great to look at and hold but tools were made to be used. These old tools will last several lifetimes if taken care of. I say use them and be proud to have them. I'm sure your grandfather would be pleased to see them in your hands. These were made in America by Americans for Americans and thoes days are just about gone forever.

Ashbury

e.friedl wrote:I have inherited a variety of tools from my Father, Uncle and Grandfather. One of these was something I used to set the blade height on my 10ER, not knowing what it was. (By the way it worked well for the purpose.) Finally I took a closer look. It is marked "Stanley No. 93". An internet search revealed that it was a layout device for hinge butts. They were last made in 1942 and from what I gathered it is worth between $50 to $100. So now do I keep this device in storage or should I keep using it? I'm inclined to keep using it as my use does not put any wear on the gauge. What does the rest of the group think about using antique tools?
Ed Friedl
1952 10ER

Use them ALL for whatever task they are useful to YOU! Quit looking on internet(unless you cannot find a use) and then only to get a suggested use for it!;)

If you are a "craftsman" you WILL understand this. If you are a tool collector/speculator, you will think this CRAZY!:rolleyes:

e.friedl wrote:I have inherited a variety of tools from my Father, Uncle and Grandfather. One of these was something I used to set the blade height on my 10ER, not knowing what it was. (By the way it worked well for the purpose.) Finally I took a closer look. It is marked "Stanley No. 93". An internet search revealed that it was a layout device for hinge butts. They were last made in 1942 and from what I gathered it is worth between $50 to $100. So now do I keep this device in storage or should I keep using it? I'm inclined to keep using it as my use does not put any wear on the gauge. What does the rest of the group think about using antique tools?
Ed Friedl
1952 10ER

Hi Ed,
IMHO, you should use the tools, both for what they were intended for and for any other purpose as long as it is safe to do so.

e.fried

What would your Father, Uncle, and Grandfather want you the do with them???????????????? Yep there's your answer.

I have a large board of "American" made tools but I do not use them. Most are made of flint.
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Most of my ancestors had few tools. Some were too poor to own much and some were so rich that none of them "worked" for generations. Families were large and estates were split many ways so each child received only a few items. My grown son now owns the many wooden molding planes that belonged to a gg-grandfather.
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I do have a lot of my maternal grandfather's machinist hand tools etc. At least the ones that were not stolen and sold by a distant cousin. He was a toolmaker for IHC in Indy for many years and he had marked most of his tools and I have marked a few of them with his initials so my son will know which ones were his. I use them but not hard. I treat them carefully. Many of them he hand made to suit himself. I have a fair number of common tools that belonged to an uncle by marriage that I used to work with when I was a young man.
I have all of my fathers tools. Since we farmed together he and I "kept shop" together from the time I was quite small. By the time I was six I could pass him wrenches he asked for by size from the tool box while he was laying under some implement like a combine. We modified a lot a farm equipment and made some of it from scratch. I guess I could not help but be a tool freak.
Most of the time I prefer buying nice used tools to buying new ones. I shudder to think of how many I have bought. I have given some to my son (including a Shopsmith). I only rarely buy a tool that is not a bargain but then again there are a lot of bargains out there. I am still buying... Sadly none of my grandsons have any shop interest at this point but that may change.

I have several of the tools my Dad used and I still use them. I know he was way to "thrifty" to approve of just looking at them and to humble to believe they are too important to use. I sold his old Duro jointer to a guy who restores old machines because I could not make the needed parts. Some one is using it and I'm sure dad would have more pleasure in that than having it setting around just because it was his. My Mom has some of my Grand fathers molding planes on a framed display on the wall in the living room. These are all very old ( we know at least 120 years). They have cracked handles and probably would not last long if used. Another member of the family on the other hand has kept everything and will not allow any use or display. The unfortunate result is that many are no longer any good and others are gone,
stolen by other family members or whoever shows up.

I agree with the majority, an old tool is usually better made than modern tools, and are built to last, a coat of Johnson's wax, or similiar carnuba wax on the metal parts and it will last indefinitely, without any noticable wear. These tools were expensive in their day, and were expected to last, and even be passed down from father to son, use it and enjoy it.

Thanks Guys, I just wanted to get the nod from someone else. I will keep it and keep using the gauge. And thanks for the word about staying off the internet except for instructions. I did find a copy of the original instruction sheet. The gauge was used for installing the hinges of doors. I know how to hang a door (taught by my Dad) but today pre-hung doors are the norm. And hanging doors the old fashioned way does take a lot of time to do right.
Ed Friedl

I was visiting my 86 year old uncle, when he told me to go into his garage that he had an ammo can for me. When I opened it up it was full of my grandfathers tools that all had his intials on them. These were all pristen tools that my grandfather used in his job as a chauffeur/mechanic back in the 1920's. They have a place of honor in my tool box right next to my dads tools that I still use everyday. I still have my dad's ER that he bought before I was born and use it quite often.