Stanley Tool Idenity

[hddennis]

Howdy, I was sent here by the folks at H.A.M.B. to try and solve this mystery:

I've tried in vain to identify this Stanley tools age, use and value. So far it's split between woodworking, plastering and auto body lead work. My guess is lead work. Can anyone here give me definitive answers so I can move this to a new owner or relegate it to a dark corner of my tool box.

Thanks, Howard Dennis

 

[Nolan]

So far it's split between woodworking, plastering and auto body lead work. My guess is lead work.

Wooden boat building perhaps?

Or, my first choice, a tool for a cooper. It might work for smoothing out the inside of the neck.

In the event people don't really remember what a cooper is or does:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper_(profession)

 

[krusty the clown]

i would post that a papawswrench

 

[MotoDave]

That looks a lot like some of the tools I have from my wife's grandfather, which I was told were for lead bodywork. I'll try to find out more about it next time I talk to her dad.

 

[StupidHippie]

Pretty sure it is for lead work on car bodies. Stanley made several boxed sets of bodywork tools in the 1930's. According to John Walter's Stanley book the sets were: 600A-5 tools, 600B-8 tools and 600D with 21 tools....Rob

 

[bgott]

Lead work. I have no idea how much it is worth.

 

[webscrounger]

I was thinking some sort coopers shave used in making barrels/casks or a boat makers file.

 

[Nolan]

I've tried in vain to identify this Stanley tools age, use and value.

I just had a thought. What's the radius of the curved surface? Maybe that'll give use a clue.

I've a few large British made flat files of that tooth type but I don't remember what that specifice type of tooth style is called. It was a really uncommon name.

 

[StupidHippie]

I don't remember what that specifice type of tooth style is called. It was a really uncommon name.

Vixen files?

 

[nissan_crawler]

I just had a thought. What's the radius of the curved surface? Maybe that'll give use a clue.

I've a few large British made flat files of that tooth type but I don't remember what that specifice type of tooth style is called. It was a really uncommon name.

Not uncommon at all.

Vixen files?

Yep.

 

[krusty the clown]

vixen is a brand name

 

[StupidHippie]

vixen is a brand name

'Milled tooth'?

I understand that it's a trade name but you are more likely to be handed one if you ask for a 'Vixen' file....Rob

 

[lbgradwell]

I'm not sure of the exact use for that tool, but it is from the Stanley "Sweetheart" line and that will date it to somewhere from the late teens to ~ 1932. Ironically, Stanley has just re-introduced this highly-regarded line.

Because it is a Sweetheart tool, I would be very surprised if it is not for woodworking. It might be some type of reveal file or, as suggested above, a coopering or boat-building tool. If it is for auto bodies, I think we'd be talking about wooden bodies!

 

[krusty the clown]

that style of file with wide curved teeth is typically for soft metals, but who know's.............stanley was the leader in woodworking tools.

 

[Nolan]

vixen is a brand name

The large flat files that I have with that style of curved teeth are called dreadnought files. I don't know if the same name applies to the curved Stanley tool in question thought.

Like I said, it's an uncommon name.

 

[hddennis]

Hey, guys I just wanted to thank you for the help and let you know I listed this at the Antique Automobile Club of Ammerica, H.A.M.B. , eBay antiques group, Stanley Tools factory website and here and you guys have been the most helpful. As you can see lots of opinions but nothing positive. I even sent many inquiries to Stanley collector sites and only 1 took the time to reply he had no idea what it was. I'll keep trying, beginning to think whatever it is not many have survived.

Howard Dennis

 

[lbgradwell]

that style of file with wide curved teeth is typically for soft metals, but who know's.............stanley was the leader in woodworking tools.

Such files are/were also used for wood, Krusty. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a smoothing file of some kind...

 

[lbgradwell]

...you guys have been the most helpful.

Howard, we are happy to have (tried to) help!

As Krusty suggested, try posting the question at Papaw's site; they're really more focused on things of this vintage...

TOOL TALK

Oh yes... please be sure to come back & let us know when you have a definite answer!

 

[krusty the clown]

Such files are/were also used for wood, Krusty. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a smoothing file of some kind...

you are probbably right.........the only wood i'm good at working is the morning kind

 

[lbgradwell]

Just be careful of tearout...

 

[back2class]

Seems to be for smoothing out and inside radius. Perhaps for water tanks you see on building roofs in big cities.

 

[hddennis]

Well just as you guys predicted I found out what it was through the folks at Papawswrench who posted it at Sawmill Creek Woodworkers Forum:

"This is a No. 694 Half Circle File Holder for a "Vixen" file for auto body work. You will find it in the 1939 Catalog #139. Tool not included in Walter's book. Do not know value, sometimes this type of holder brings good money, mostly of limited interest from my observations."

Courtesy of Peter Evans at Sawmill Creek

Thanks a million for your efforts on my behalf, Howard Dennis

 

[krusty the clown]

those guy's at pawpaw's wrench know thier stuff!