Recent content by Stearman456

My Dad had a set when I was a kid (which I still have and sharpened just last week) and they are a nice, easy cutting set. Bluebirds had two styles in three sizes (7”, 10”, and 12.75”) and one style was for making straight cuts and the other for curved ones. I think what I like about them the...

I know I’m old, but my 1950’s era Bluebird snips, made in Buffalo, NY by Bergman Tools are still my everyday, go-to snips. I have many of the other makes mentioned here, but I still think the old ones are the best, and made of better quality, old-fashioned, American steel.

I’m sure this has been discussed previously, but what color(s) were the original No 4 Fishook Wilton Bullets available in? The one I restored was kinda a muddy, wine color which I deduced was probably some shade of red back in the early forties (it’s ‘56 Ford Red now) and I have a slightly...

My 1941 or ‘42 four-inch Fishhook, just finished tonight. I took this picture just after cleaning my brush from doing the touch-up painting on the base feet. I’ll figure out where it’ll get mounted tomorrow.

My newly finished Toddler added to the deck of my tool cab. I gave it some non-marring, smooth brass jaws for gentle finishing jobs. Cute little thing.

Before and After photos of my Wilton Baby Bullet. It was fairly stiff when I got it and hadn't moved in a few years, but it’s now smoothly pulling duty as my new soldering vise.

Thanks very much!

Can you tell me how long the sliding handles are on the main screw on both the Toddler and the Baby? Both of mine are homemade and they’re too long.

I’m restoring both a 2” Baby Bullet and a 2.5” Toddler. Can anyone tell me what the overall length and diameter of the main handle for the screw is for either or both? Mine were both obviously (and poorly) home-made.

The new 2” Baby Bullet showed up two days ago. I’m busy for the next couple of weeks so I just gave it a good few hits of penetrating oil while it waits but it’ll be restored, mounted to a good sized square of mdf or something, and then going to work as my soldering vise. It sure is cute.

The newly arrived (today) 2” Baby Bullet, hosed down in penetrating oil. 1 76 appearing on the guide key. Jan ‘76 I guess is it’s date of birth? It’ll be a couple of weeks before I can get to it but this one will be restored and pulling duty as my soldering vise.

My 4” Wilton 9400A(?) I’m assuming that that is its model number although the dynamic jaw says 8400A. It had a “Tijuana Overhaul” at one time but looks good and works great and will be getting bolted down properly shortly.

Had a guy contact me yesterday that “had the Wilton base I was looking for in good shape”. It was a scam. If somebody is telling you they have something you’re advertising for, question them politely but give them some real doozers of options. When he said he had the Baby Bullet swivel base I...

Does the 2” Baby use the same swivel base as a 2.5” Toddler, or are they different?

Good info - thanks. Gives a guy a few more options when restoring one. Slot head screws can be difficult to source in Canada for some reason.