CAST IRON RIVETER F.H. Smith Mfg. Co. Universal Leather

This vintage cast iron riveter is marked, "F.H. Smith Mfg. Co., Chicago, USA" on one side and "The Universal, Pat'd June 8, 1905" on the other side. The upper business end turns and is marked, "1, 2, 3" and has a mark like a sideways "T." The old tool can be mounted on a bench with screws, the better to put rivets in leather by pushing the handle down. The handle moves smoothly and easily, good for another million rivets.

Vintage 1900 CAST IRON REX RIVETER Old Tool Still Works

Vintage 1900 CAST IRON REX RIVETER Old Tool Still Works - eBay (item 310020907625 end time Feb-12-08 19:40:31 PST)

This vintage cast iron riveter is marked, "Rex" and "27" on the side, "28" on the handle, and "Pat Oct 9, 1900" on the other side. It's rather hard to make out the date due to the rough finish.

The tool works very smoothly. The handle flies upright when you start to lift it, and it locks down when you want to clamp the jaws. I think it's for setting rivets into leather. The feet have slots for bolting the riveter to a table.

There's not much of the original shiny black finish left, just small spots on one side. The handle moves easily and compresses the two cylindrical parts together.

Blogged with Flock

Vintage ATTWOOD ROLLING WRENCH Wheel Jaw Adjusts 1907!

Vintage ATTWOOD ROLLING WRENCH Wheel Jaw Adjusts 1907! - eBay (item 310020598404 end time Feb-11-08 18:26:55 PST)

This vintage wrench has a unique adjustable lower "jaw" that rolls. There's a strong spring in the hollow handle and big teeth, so this wrench will grasp any size nut.

The handle is marked, "The Attwood Mfg. Co., Conneaut, O., Pat. Nov. 1907." It's heavy like cast iron, but smoother. It weighs two pounds, is 11 1/2 inches long and the spring is strong, but the wheel can be pulled back with one hand and determination.

There's green paint on the back, spatters of white and gray something on the head, and dents on the back.

Blogged with Flock

Vintage HERTERS POWDER MEASURE Gun Ammo Cast Iron Tool!

Vintage HERTERS RELOADER Reload Gun Ammo Cast Iron Tool - eBay (item 310017561381 end time Jan-31-08 18:24:30 PST)

This vintage cast iron tool is marked, "Herters Inc., Waseca, Minn. Model 45. It will bolt to a table. The gauge measures from 0 to 7 units. Each unit is 5 mm.

I had no idea how it works or what it did until another eBayer shared his knowledge. It's a Model 45 powder measure without the powder hopper, he said, and looks like the rifle model (45-R).

Does this vintage Herter's reloader make you smile?

Blogged with Flock

Vintage GENERAL ANGLE DIVIDER Old Tool No. 835, Works!

Vintage GENERAL ANGLE DIVIDER Old Tool No. 835, Works! - eBay (item 310015187751 end time Jan-22-08 18:11:51 PST)

This vintage angle divider is marked, "Angle Divider, Made in U.S.A. General No. 835." There are two scales: one marked 30, 45 and 60 degrees; the other marked 0, 10, 8, 6, 5 and 4. A John Shiock etched his name on it in two different places.

I have no idea how it works, but I'm sure you do. I showed it spread open in the last shot, but it opens all the way, no limits. UPDATE: I see from other listings how it works. I shouldn't have opened it like that, but I restored it to the way I found it, so no worries.

The old tool is solid and ready to work for you if you'll forgive the patina and minor rust spots on the silvery finish.

Blogged with Flock

Vintage STANLEY LINE LEVEL in Orig Tin Litho Box, Mini!

Vintage STANLEY LINE LEVEL in Orig Tin Litho Box, Mini! - (eBay item 310011486210 end time Jan-05-08 20:25:38 PST)

Do you like old tools?

This vintage Stanley line level is in the original tin litho box. The box front says, "Stanley Line Level, Handy Dependable Rustproof." One side says, "Stanley." The back says, "Stanley Aluminum Line Level. Weighs less than 1/2 oz. Hooks made so level will not shake off line. (Patented June 11, 1929), The Stanley Rule & Level Plant, The Stanley Works." The lid says, "No. 87."

The level itself is mini and light, measuring 3 1/4" long and weighing 0.4 ounce. It says, "Stanley S.W. Made in U.S.A. No. 87, Pat. Applied For."

Blogged with Flock

Vintage AMERICAN LA FRANCE FOAMITE CORP UNIVERSAL TOOL

Vintage AMERICAN LA FRANCE FOAMITE CORP UNIVERSAL TOOL - (eBay item 290181316457 end time Nov-20-07 18:30:00 PST)

This strange old cast iron tool is marked, "American La France Foamite Corp" on one side and "La France Universal Elmira N Y" on the other side. A Google search gives me links to fire extinguishers and fire trucks, so maybe this is something to go along with one of those?

The little flat area on a stalk coming out the middle of the tool has a chip missing. The side of the curved end has a small square with something inside that could be 11 or A or U or H. Not much help to me. How about you?

See more photos on eBay.

Blogged with Flock

Vintage CRAFTSMAN DRILL GRINDING ATTACHMENT 9-6677 - (eBay item 290179664938 end time Nov-15-07 16:54:44 PST)

Vintage CRAFTSMAN DRILL GRINDING ATTACHMENT 9-6677 - (eBay item 290179664938 end time Nov-15-07 16:54:44 PST)

This drill bit grinding attachment is marked, "Craftsman Drill Grinding Attachment, 9-6677, Sears Roebuck and Co., U.S.A." The angle selector is marked, "CSK, 49 degrees, 59 degrees, 68 degrees, 88 degrees."

The base can be screwed down to a table and the rest of the tool twists around to wherever you need it. Three clamps hold the bit you're grinding exactly where you need it.

See more photos on eBay.

Blogged with Flock

Civil War Forged BULLET TRIMMER Smooths Round Ball Seam - (eBay item 290174045373 end time Oct-30-07 17:56:45 PDT)

Civil War Forged BULLET TRIMMER Smooths Round Ball Seam - (eBay item 290174045373 end time Oct-30-07 17:56:45 PDT)

Are you into vintage hand-forged tools?

My man in the field tells me this is a Civil War-era blacksmith-forged hand tool for trimming the rough seams off round lead bullets. I don't quite understand how it works, but maybe you do?

There's no maker's mark or name on it, but lots of evidence it's hand-forged. Besides small irregularities, there's an irregular groove down the back of one arm, like the metal creased as it was hammered into shape. When I took photos, the arms only opened partway, but now it opens out flat.

There's a tiny notch in the open circle on the outer side of the tool. The business end is carefully made with a precise circle and excellent hinge.

It's a peculiar and mysterious tool to me. I was thinking the ledge part was meant to trim off the roughness, but maybe the part below the ledge is supposed to flatten the roughness?

See more photos on eBay.

Blogged with Flock