The Heritage of Millers Falls

[Elroy]

The back door going to the garage has become a little swollen with all the rain of late and needs a touch taken off the edge due to swelling.

Elroy is fully aware this fine place is more of a wrench and screw driver crowd but none the less this is a fine old piece. Elroy also wanted to share with you just how badly the manufacturing base and the value of the dollar has hit the crapper.

So get it right, Eight Dollars and Twenty Five Cents of Made In U.S.A.

Yep, its got a little rust on it, You would if you were 60 year old

So what would a new 9" smooth iron plane run ya?

And it still produces nice razor thin wood curls. Lets see some other wood working tools for a change of pace.

 

[G1K]

Elroy,
That is a very fine plane you heve there. I have a few also, I'll try to get some pics and edit them to this tread in the next few days.

Very nice, and obviously well taken care of. The plane has chosen a good owner.

Ryan

 

[Elroy]

I have a few also, I'll try to get some pics and edit them to this tread in the next few days.

Please do just that. This place needs a momentary diversion real bad

 

[stevejh82]

Here is a Stanley combination plane. It was supposed to put to rest the need for having a separate wooden plane to complete each different operation such as rabbeting, grooving, dadoes, etc. I think it takes as long to set up as it does to operate. I do know one thing for sure, it is the oldest tool that I have (oldest marked anyway).

Elroy, hope this is what you meant by change of pace

 

[Bull]

Do they have to be in good condition? I have some old planes and braces from my grandfather. Some are sort of rough or in pieces, and I'm trying to figure out what to do with them.


BTW, Greenfield is not far from me. The old Millers Falls plant was left abandoned for a good long while. Just in the last few years, they either tore it down or converted it to housing, can't recall. That whole town is broken and depressed, now.

 

[bmwpower]

Have to stop over Dad's... you would like.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Wow elroy that thing is mint, What a very well built tool it is as well. Thanks for sharing

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

The back door going to the garage has become a little swollen with all the rain of late and needs a touch taken off the edge due to swelling.

Elroy is fully aware this fine place is more of a wrench and screw driver crowd but none the less this is a fine old piece. Elroy also wanted to share with you just how badly the manufacturing base and the value of the dollar has hit the crapper.

So get it right, Eight Dollars and Twenty Five Cents of Made In U.S.A.

So what would a new 9" smooth iron plane run ya?

And it still produces nice razor thin wood curls. Lets see some other wood working tools for a change of pace.

I know what you mean. I posted some pics of some old woodworking tools I had gotten from my friends father and they didn't stir up to much interest. That is a very nice plane there Elroy. I find it interesting that their numbering system is different than Stanley's. That would be about a No. 4 if I am not mistaken. A nice new Lie-Nielsen No. 4 would run you about $300. I would pay $8.25 all day for a quality plane like that.

Here are my pics: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39600

 

[jwitt]

I've never been good with wood, unless making scrap is good but I like any kind of tool. Here are a couple I've picked up along the way.

My old Stanley 190

I don't know why but I'm always picking up these old saw sets. I've got a bunch of old rusty ones but here are a couple of nice ones.

Does any one know if this shave is an actual tool?

Thats all I've got laying around the computer room.

Jim

 

[Elroy]

Nice saw sets.

What a refreshing change of pace. As nice as a cool summer breeze.

Thank you kindly.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

Here are couple more pics:

Stanley No.3

Disston No.4 backsaw

 

[Elroy]

Sweet.

Especially that back saw. keep em coming.

 

[ghnl]

No pictures handy but I have some of my (Swedish) Grandfather's tools. Stanley planes, spokeshaves and handsaws. I took his rip saw to be sharpened. When I came back a few days later to pick it up the guy offered to buy it - 'name your price'. I declined. He told me it was an old Swedish brand (can't read the printing on the blade any more) and it was the best steel for saw blades. It does maintain sharpness and cuts straight & true.

I also have many of Dad's tools. (OK, this ain't one of his woodworking tools...)

 

[ears]

North Brothers "Yankee" 1555 in desperate need of a cleaning. Has straight drill, left and right ratchet, and right hand double speed. Last patent date is 1910 with more pending.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Does any one know if this shave is an actual tool?

Jim

X-Acto makes one that looks like that. So it's sort of a real tool.

 

[-B-]

Nice condition MF is pretty common around here as Stanly is. i have 4 or 5 bench, panel and jack planes plus a few block and rabbit. some of the planes were pops, my adopted grand fathers, and others Ipicked up cheap before they got popular as a collectible tool.

 

[whelenfan]

I especially love the figure and grain of the wooden handles Elroy. That's a beaut!

 

[fatfillup]

I am always amazed at the Condition of Elroy's tools. He has a discerning eye for picking up objects in mint condition. He has made me a bit more picky of what I drag home.

Also, I have never seen a saw set. I assume it is used to reset the teeth on hand saws. Does that mean to bend them back out slightly?

 

[jwitt]

Here are a couple of Millers Falls tools - a #188a hand drill, I'm missing 3 bits, an MF #63 ratchet screwdriver also a Stanley Yankee #41Y Bell System-B hand driver.

Can we go vintage electric? My as new, in the box Skil Drill.

 

[jwitt]

Also, I have never seen a saw set. I assume it is used to reset the teeth on hand saws. Does that mean to bend them back out slightly?

Thats pretty much what you are doing. This explains the process pretty well
http://www.vintagesaws.com/library/ftj/spring97/spring97.html

And your right, Elroy has some nice stuff.

Jim

 

[Snappy]

Millers Falls No. 55 ratcheting screwdriver that my Grandfather gave me yrs ago.

 

[old salvage]

Some of my hand drills and braces.
Please excuse the awful photography but lighting in my basement has 2 settings, supernova and dungeon...

 

[Elroy]

Hand drills are cool

This one needs a little work but it's all there

 

[peter_x]

I have a Millers Falls slotted screwdriver that is a push-to-turn kind of thing. It looks just like the ones above except it has the spiral grooves running down in both directions (it is reversible). I'd get a pic but can't seem to find a microUSB cable for my camera.

 

[Elroy]

You need to find that USB and post it up.

 

[-B-]

I have a Millers Falls slotted screwdriver that is a push-to-turn kind of thing. It looks just like the ones above except it has the spiral grooves running down in both directions (it is reversible). I'd get a pic but can't seem to find a microUSB cable for my camera.

it is a " Yankee" screw driver MF copied lots of tools others made famous.

 

[old salvage]

Hand drills are cool


This one needs a little work but it's all there

Elroy,
Nice tools there.
I've got your drills baby brother. You can see it at the bottom of the case in the pic I posted. You cant beat hand crank drills for fine work.

 

[HandyManny]

Seeing this stuff makes me both proud and happy, yet at the same time deeply saddens me.

On the one hand, there was a time when America took pride in the products it once manufactured. We had the ability to manufacure great quality tools in this country.

On the other hand I see that this country has nearly completely lots it's ability to produce really great quality hand tools in this country and at a reasonable fair price. Seeing those old vintage quality "Made in USA" tools, makes me wonder just how much we've regressed in this country as far as production and manufacturing today. "Made in USA" was once the envy of the rest of the world.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Elroy boy,

I'll pay you double the price and take that crummy old thing off your hands, you can get yourself a brand new Huan Falls plane made entirely from the finest pot metal on earth. The edge is so keen it is guaranteed to shave balsa like butter.

That is a dandy plane

Steve

 

[peter_x]

Millers Falls No 29 Made in USA R---O---L

Twist to reverse:

 

[krusty the clown]

Here are couple more pics:

Stanley No.3

i have a bailey #3 just like that one, it doesn't have stanley on it.......possibly before stanley bought bailey?

 

[Frank Elson]

Does any one know if this shave is an actual tool?

Jim

Damn right it is. Full name is a "Spoke shave" and once over that was the only way you got a wooden wheel spoke or a chair leg.
It was used by a "bodger".

I have a couple, and use them for furniture making, and when I am well enough to get back in the garage I can take some pics.

 

[rcm296]

Love that old Skil drill, they knew how to make tools in old days. that little "spring guard" for the cord, so doesnt get kinked is ingenius(all corded powertools should have those). Sad thing is that drill will still be running as same as first day was bought, and by then I will have went through 5 more drills,lol

 

[StupidHippie]

OooOoooooh....hand planes. I have a bit of a problem with hand planes.....

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

OooOoooooh....hand planes. I have a bit of a problem with hand planes.....

That is awesome.

 

[bgott]

If you end up with one of those yankee screwdrivers and you decide to unscrew the cap on the end of the handle, just to see if there are other tips stored in there, make sure the business end is all the way out and not locked in the storage position. That spring in there pops out rather quickly.

 

[petty4243]

Here are a couple of Millers Falls tools - a #188a hand drill, I'm missing 3 bits, an MF #63 ratchet screwdriver also a Stanley Yankee #41Y Bell System-B hand driver.

QUOTE]

I have a stanley yankee 188 identical to the one in the bottom of your pic complete with bit... came from my wifes grandfathers tool collection whe we got them

 

[MOPARHOUND!]

Okay to post pic's of a Millers Falls socket set?

Not woodworking tools, but part of the Millers Falls Heritage..................

 

[krusty the clown]

Okay to post pic's of a Millers Falls socket set?

Not woodworking tools, but part of the Millers Falls Heritage..................

please.......

 

[scottg1952]

Well well well, step into my parlor
"What do you wanna see first? he said wonderin to hisself

Oh wait, better explain some about the previous pix first?
Elroy, your Millers plane is second or third production of the company!! In the box, it is a killer score.
You did know that box is worth even more than the plane??

The combination plane, a Stanley #45 is pretty early too. The floral decoration is a giveaway. These originally came with about 24 blades standard for making coves and beads and rabbits and well a lot of cuts. And then if this wasn't enough you could buy about 40 more blades if you wanted.

The Disston backsaw is from the 30's to 50's and is a #4. Looks like 12" from here. This will be a remarkably good saw to use when its properly sharpened and set. Like buttah they cut!

The tiny spokeshave is indeed a real tool. Very real. More real than you can imagine when you get it tuned up. I have a bunch and use one or another just about everyday.
They aren't such a big deal if all you care about are straight lines. But we're guys, right? Curves is where its at!!
You can buy a $900 spindle sander the size of a washing machine, and then buy replacement sanding sleeves forever,..... OR
that dinky little shave will do the same thing with little setup and cost you bupkis!! When you get good at it, its faster than the power tool and takes little effort!

Um, simple advise. Condition is everything, relating to collector value.
Most collectors aren't even woodworkers, if you can imagine. So shiny original paint, and especially paper, means everything to them.
Woodworkers on the other hand are either cheap bastards who will buy an old tool cheap, and make it work for real, or prissy modern yuppies who will pay outlandish sums for anything shiny new retail and then hardly ever make a cut with it at all.
Then there are a handful of crazy toolmakers who built their own tools from scratch. I am guilty of this.

OK a few pix
I found this saw handle inside an old mangy rotten apple tree stump.

I found this brace in a nasty old boneyard pile of assorted scrap.

This plane was supposed to be stock for a piano key

Handsaw for a "little prince". Its 1/2 normal size. The handle is cocobolo wood and the scews are stuffed with abalone.

An infill scraping plane, all built from scratch, same as everything I am showing.
The blade is adjustable -forward- for the finest scraping cut. The tote, or rear handle, tilts over out of the way for working close to a vertical edge without barking your knuckles.

A couple of miniature planes built for Paul Hamler by several of us making and contributing parts, as a gift.
Paul Hamler is the greatest miniature toolmaker who ever lived, btw.
These two bladeholder designs are his early patents (full sized tools) but he never made miniatures of them. We thought it would be cool to make him some.

I have a page of designed and built woodworking tools. None of these are reproductions, they are all new designs.
http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
I'm not much into plowing old ground.
yours Scott