Hand tool restoration challenge contest (Read post #1 for the rules)

[isb cornbinder]

My STERLING drill-bit grinder. From a decade of neglect at the back of a warehouse to fantastic. Yes, it works as it was designed to.
I built the grindstone guard. I had a grind-stone explode a few years ago, and I was lucky, that time.

The STERLING Drill Grinder – Performance Unmatched in the Industry!

You’ve found the home of the STERLING Drill Grinder, the tool that requires NO chucks, NO collets, and NO wrenches—even when sharpening different diameter drills.

www.sterlingdrillgrinder.com

 

[RivennHewn]

My STERLING drill-bit grinder. From a decade of neglect at the back of a warehouse to fantastic. Yes, it works as it was designed to.
I built the grindstone guard. I had a grind-stone explode a few years ago, and I was lucky, that time.

The STERLING Drill Grinder – Performance Unmatched in the Industry!

You’ve found the home of the STERLING Drill Grinder, the tool that requires NO chucks, NO collets, and NO wrenches—even when sharpening different diameter drills.

www.sterlingdrillgrinder.com

Maybe re-read the first post????

 

[d.mcfarland]

I’ll throw out a draw knife.

I picked this up while out in the hills of Palm Desert.

It was in a pile of junk, miles from the nearest road.

If nobody else has a genuine need for this, I'm up for the challenge despite not having a wood lathe. But, I think in this day and age, alternatives exist.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Working on this handle of this tool has reminded me of the incredible beauty of Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra). In 1992 the CITES (Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Speices) treaty declared Brazilian rosewood an endangered species and prohibited its import or export. Prior to this date it had been a heavily-harvested species to supply to the furniture industry, the musical instrument industry (primarily stringed instruments like guitars) as well as the tool industry. Brazilian rosewood was heaviliy used by toolmakers such as Stanley to make levels, workworking plane handles and knobs, try square handles, and t-bevel handles.

In the case of the t-bevel that I'm now working on for the hand tool restoration challenge, more than likely whoever left the bevel at the recycling center didn't realize (or, more likely didn't care) that the handle was made from the wood of a now-endangered species.

Here are a few links if you would like to learn more about Brazilian Rosewood.

The Cadillac of Wood: Brazilian Rosewood​

Tools for Woodworking blag: Before the CITES List: Endangered Materials Used in Tools​

The Wood Database: Brazilian Rosewood​

Brazilian Rosewood​

Notoriously, Gibson guitars had to recall instruments and pay a huge fine just for using up old stock! I understand protecting endangered trees, but I get lost on restricting the use of already purchased stock.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I understand protecting endangered trees, but I get lost on restricting the use of already purchased stock.

If we're talking about the same case, Gibson knowingly bought ebony and rosewood that was imported illegally. They were fined and all the stock was seized as a punitive measure. The government certainly wasn't going to let them profit from willfully breaking the Lacey Act. The punishment won't return the wood to the forest any more than the EU fining Daimler, BMW, VW and others a whopping $1.3 billion last year for emissions equipment collusion will clean up the air. But maybe it will put a dent in any notions of doing it again. That's the idea, anyway. Reported without any bias one way or another so as to avoid politicizing this thread.

 

[Shiftless]

If nobody else has a genuine need for this, I'm up for the challenge despite not having a wood lathe. But, I think in this day and age, alternatives exist.

GREAT !!

I‘m glad to see another candidate step up to the plate for challenge #2. Regular visitors to this thread know the rules so let‘s get started. Don’t forget progress reports and pictures.

 

[RivennHewn]

If nobody else has a genuine need for this, I'm up for the challenge despite not having a wood lathe. But, I think in this day and age, alternatives exist.

D,

The draw knife is already spoken for.
Not to worry though, I have a few more tools to put up for grabs on this thread.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

But, I think in this day and age, alternatives exist.

(Pssst! Yo, Dee. I'm not sure what you were referring to, but check out the midget spinner handles on this one!!)

 

[don long]

I’ll throw out a draw knife.

I picked this up while out in the hills of Palm Desert.

It was in a pile of junk, miles from the nearest road.

I have given you a head start on this one. It’s rust free, and I got started on the edge.
But it stalled out there. Ready for you to have your way with it.

free shipping in the USA

Ok lets play I'll polish that old knife up and put it with my collection of them. I can't remember posting them but I'm guessing Maybe 20 or so.

NOTE :: I wrote this last night well this morning around midnight but forgot to hit the post button but did send RivennHewn A message with my address and he got back to me saying it will be in the mail this week end

Sorry Mcfarland for any confusion.

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for clearing up that confusion Don. We all look forward to what you will be able to do with that draw knife. Don’t forget to post progress updates with pics when you can.

 

[JustinL]

I had some leftover Evaporust so I tossed this really rusty wrench in for two days to see what it would do, I'm pretty impressed!

 

[Shiftless]

Justin:
Nice job on the wrench, but this thread is NOT for showing your own projects, but for showing the results of work on projects sent by other members as a “challenge” to restore and then keep for themselves. Please read post #1 to learn the rules if you want to play yourself or follow along. Thanks

 

[d.mcfarland]

Sorry Mcfarland for any confusion.

No problem at all, you'll probably do better work than me! Looking forward to seeing what the finished product looks like!

 

[PugetDude]

I’m in for another eBay listing description…

 

[PugetDude]

I’ll throw out a draw knife.

I picked this up while out in the hills of Palm Desert.

It was in a pile of junk, miles from the nearest road.

I have given you a head start on this one. It’s rust free, and I got started on the edge.
But it stalled out there. Ready for you to have your way with it.

free shipping in the USA

Heck of a pile of old pocketknives, Riv.
Also shears, scissors, and other edged weapons. You might have stumbled onto a serial killer’s dump site.

 

[Ricky Joe]

If we're talking about the same case, Gibson knowingly bought ebony and rosewood that was imported illegally. They were fined and all the stock was seized as a punitive measure. The government certainly wasn't going to let them profit from willfully breaking the Lacey Act. The punishment won't return the wood to the forest any more than the EU fining Daimler, BMW, VW and others a whopping $1.3 billion last year for emissions equipment collusion will clean up the air. But maybe it will put a dent in any notions of doing it again. That's the idea, anyway. Reported without any bias one way or another so as to avoid politicizing this thread.

According to an acquaintance that I had who worked at Gibson at the time, the stock had already been bought before restrictions were imposed. He did the warranty work on Gibson amplifiers during that time, and built an amplifier for me after he left Gibson.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My recollection is that Gibson argued a few different aspects to allege their innocence, including corruption/deception in the governments/companies they were dealing with, as well as technicalities in schedule (when it was actually bought, and when the Lacey Act went into effect), all of which the US government denied in their charges. But it was a major case and a national news story and I'm sure a factual accounting can easily be found on media as well as the Justice Dept, and perhaps old Gibson PR releases.

 

[jagwinn]

Here is wrench found in an abandoned coal furnace in my crawlspace just beyond the basement. Know nothing of its history as I just bought the house in October 2021.
If anyone feels like trying this challenge I'll send it along....

 

[don long]

As promised
I went into the tool container and pulled out this old piece that I'm willing to let go if someone is up for the challenge

 

[RivennHewn]

Don,
The draw knife is on its way.

All up to you now, the pressure is officially on

Looking forward to seeing your take on it.

 

[Bobioz1]

Gonna need a bigger trophy

 

[don long]

Don,
The draw knife is on its way.

All up to you now, the pressure is officially on

Looking forward to seeing your take on it.

Ok guys
It's game on. I received the draw knife this afternoon



The knife is in pretty good condition. It has a few pits that will need to be removed and the bar underside looks like it was struck with a hammer a few times that I plan on fixing.





The back side of the knife I hope to make look like chrome with no pits or waves.







And these puppys will need some finger burning work to make look new.



I know that the clock is running so tomorrow afternoon I'll get cookin.

 

[Shiftless]

Looking good so far Don.
You’re on track to win the quickest reno job trophy.
Looks like nobody wants to take on your brace project. I don’t blame them.

 

[don long]

Looking good so far Don.
You’re on track to win the quickest reno job trophy.
Looks like nobody wants to take on your brace project. I don’t blame them.

I don't know about any trophy and i'd hesitate jumping on that old brace and bit. It was the first rusty piece I found. I also have an old Stanley plane that might make a better project. I'll try that tomorrow

 

[Shiftless]

Don:
No actual trophys. Just a virtual one like you can see on post #33

 

[don long]

I spent 2 1/2 hours working on the draw knife this afternoon.
Here is my set up to get started



The boxes are various grits of sand paper I'm going to use to clean up the steel
It starts out with 80 grit 3" discs and finishes with 1000 Grit. (80, 150, 220, 400, 600, 800, 1000)

Here is the shot after grinding with each disc. You can see how much material I used to get a nice clean finish on the knife



A close up of the polished knife





All the pits are gone and the pieces look like chrome.

The handles will be next and I will try to turn them on the wood lathe next week

 

[Shiftless]

Don:
Your work so far is amazing!

 

[freudianfloyd]

I spent 2 1/2 hours working on the draw knife this afternoon.
Here is my set up to get started



The boxes are various grits of sand paper I'm going to use to clean up the steel
It starts out with 80 grit 3" discs and finishes with 1000 Grit. (80, 150, 220, 400, 600, 800, 1000)

Here is the shot after grinding with each disc. You can see how much material I used to get a nice clean finish on the knife



A close up of the polished knife





All the pits are gone and the pieces look like chrome.

The handles will be next and I will try to turn them on the wood lathe next week

Don, what do you think about that little sander? I was looking at that exact one the other day at Harbor Freight, but didn't know if it was any good, so I put it back. It looks like it did a great job.

 

[don long]

Don:
Your work so far is amazing!

Thanks shiftless

Don, what do you think about that little sander? I was looking at that exact one the other day at Harbor Freight, but didn't know if it was any good, so I put it back. It looks like it did a great job.

Floyd
They are great for the kind of work I do. They last me a few months then they freeze up and I throw it away. They are not expensive and I get them 3 at a time and they last me all year

 

[d.mcfarland]

They last me a few months then they freeze up and I throw it away. They are not expensive and I get them 3 at a time and they last me all year

Even with proper oiling they don't last too long?

 

[don long]

I'm back on the draw knife today
I went to the blacksmith shop to show you guys the small display of our draw knives.



And this piece goes with them. I think they call it a draw horse It clamps the wood and you sit on it and cut away.



Sitting on the horse happened to be the same knife that I'm working on so now we have a before and an after



Now on with the project.
I went into the wood shop and pulled out a short piece of maple wood and cut a couple of pieces off of it.



Then I split the two pieces to give me four pieces that I glued together to turn on the wood lathe for the handles



More work next week cause the rest of this week is booked

 

[RTM]

And this piece goes with them. I think they call it a draw horse It clamps the wood and you sit on it and cut away.



Sitting on the horse happened to be the same knife that I'm working on so now we have a before and an after

Shaving horse is another name for it. There are two different heads available, Think this is called a Dumbhead, where there is a center post, and you can work on either side. The other type has two posts, and you work between them, possibly called an English.

Both are great for using draw knives and spokeshaves.

 

[RivennHewn]

Don,

That’s a great space/collection!

What is the tool hanging on the wall behind the hand crank grinder, next to the draw knives?

 

[PugetDude]

Don,

That’s a great space/collection!

What is the tool hanging on the wall behind the hand crank grinder, next to the draw knives?

Looks like a meat saw.

 

[don long]

Don,

That’s a great space/collection!

What is the tool hanging on the wall behind the hand crank grinder, next to the draw knives?

Thanks Rivennhewn
You are seeing inside the blacksmith shop in my western town

Looks like a meat saw.

You are right Dude
It is an old bone saw

 

[RivennHewn]

Actually, I was referring to the tool just below the saw

 

[PugetDude]

Seen those used to castrate bull calves…

 

[RivennHewn]

Seen those used to castrate bull calves…

Real cowboys just bite ‘em off.

 

[don long]

Ok guys, it's next week and I've managed to find some time to work on the draw knife again.

I have 2 blocks of wood ready to turn down into handles for the knife.

Both blocks held with wood clamps while the glue dried


I went over to the belt sander and sanded the edges of the block into a round shaft (well enough to put into my lathe
Then started cutting the block into a shaft



Then started shaping the shaft into my handle using my metal cutting tip on my lathe





After getting the shape I wanted I used several different grits of sand paper to get a smooth slick surface while spinning it on the lathe



Then I drilled the handle using a smaller drill to go in from the smaller end and coming back from the larger end with a bigger drill
getting a good fit on the knife



Now to repeat the process for the second handle

 

[Shiftless]

Don,
You are doing an incredible job recreating that drawknife and achieving a level of finish far above that which the tool had when it came out of the factory so many years ago. Amazing work as usual for you.