Let's see your vintage drill bit indices

[RTM]

Here is an index that a buddy of mine is selling. I hadn't seen it before, but obviously my memory is failing, since it has been posted at least twice prior. Very cool, I love the level of detail in the castings.

 

[Southern83]

Picked this up a few weeks back. The stand itself is not marked Craftsman. The box is in good shape for its age.

 

[Southern83]

Here is an index that a buddy of mine is selling. I hadn't seen it before, but obviously my memory is failing, since it has been posted at least twice prior. Very cool, I love the level of detail in the castings.

Love the detail on it! Did he sell it?

 

[jwilson645]

Gave this one a quick little polish.

 

[RTM]

Love the detail on it! Did he sell it?

Yes, it went for $85, way outside my bottom feeder range. But I can still appreciate the artistry.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hey, Ed (@Oregon rock crusher), look what I found this morning at one of my fleas. Branded for the ETNA COMPANY of Taunton, Mass., (established in 1906, and later to become Etna Twist Drill Co.,), but surely made for Etna by Alemite Die Casting & Mfg Co. I could be wrong, but I believe it's the fifth of its kind on the thread, and the fourth different branding, along with your Alemite (#341), @Blue Frog 's Alemite (#123), @Davefr 's New Process (#163), and @JoCoSawdust 's splendid early Sears & Roebuck Craftsman (#274). It's had a hard working life, obviously well worn and beat up. I don't collect them, but for peanuts, I am happy to add it to the knowledge base you started on this particular type, and even though it's still serviceable, it will live out the rest of its days holding pencils and prompting conversations in my office at work.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

A good use for that index in it's retirement years Lugz. I can't count how many times I've seen something on this forum only to have the same item catch my eye at a flea or swap down the line. I spent the last couple days in central Oregon taking in the Redmond swap meet. Not much in the way of exotic indicies but I did pick up a couple drill sets. I like it when index manufacturers go above and beyond basic stamped sizes for the drills and give you some real info in a nicer format. A fractional General tool index and a number set branded Craftsman. Ed.

 

[RTM]

I have it’s brother. Posted in the period appropriate Craftsman thread, but not here. More pics there

Cruzan80 nailed it as a General made.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Nice one RTM. I suspected General but hadn't had a chance to track it down yet. `Ed.

 

[Outlawmws]

I have at least 2 (the third may be Craft man, and may be in my "Long C" stack? CRS...)

The one on the right I'm certain is older. The disk does have :general" on it if very faintly.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Nice pair Outlaw. I guess so far the only ones indicies I've seen with the nice enameled placards were by General Hdw. I sure haven't seen that detail in a Huot. Ed.

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep All I've seen were branded General or made by General for Sears.

 

[NJ Marty]

Here is a Standard Tool index I got at a great estate sale earlier in the year.
Being NOS adds to its appeal even though its one of the more common ones you will
come across.

 

[Provincial]

I found this Whitman Barnes index at the local flea market earlier this month. It is in pretty good shape, and will be handier to get at the bits than the typical folding box type.

 

[lilredex]

Found a small index at a garage sale a few weeks back with crappy bits, for $1. Wouldn't ordinarily even slow down for small ones like that, except it is a Huot, maybe from the forties.

 

[RedVise]

Every year around this time I pull my tool display down to make room for several hand painted (wife and her Grandmother) ceramic Santas.
Thought I would share some pics of my drill indexes. 4 are almost complete and the rest are works in progress. I love the details on these.
Anyone knows who made the wood and metal index in last pic I sure would like to know the manufacturer!

 

[Southern83]

That's a nice collection. I'm on the look out for the Cleveland you have in the third picture. I haven't seen the wooden and metal one before.

 

[RedVise]

That's a nice collection. I'm on the look out for the Cleveland you have in the third picture. I haven't seen the wooden and metal one before.

Thanks I picked that one up for $40, didnt blink just pulled out the cash. I havent seen another one since.

 

[d42jeep]

I haven’t posted on this thread for a few months but in the meantime I’ve moved many of my indices into my basement display. Shiftless stopped by with a new index and lots of number bits to fill out sets.
Some of these went into my Gerstner box
-Don

 

[crguy]

Thanks I picked that one up for $40, didnt blink just pulled out the cash. I havent seen another one since.

Those Cleveland indexes turn up regularly for sale.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this nice wooden index for auger bits at a sale on Wednesday. It has a patent number but I haven’t been able to decipher it yet.
-Don

 

[RTM]

I believe that is a Barrett Bartlett Below is some stuff I’ve been researching on the topic, hope to start a thread on wooden auger bit boxes at some point, not too many in this thread. (Not been proof read yet.)

George H Barrett Bartlett Storage Box Patents
https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=388334
https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=400286
https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=400287
https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=400288
https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=498455
https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=1024388

Other patents
https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=428396



These are a very distinct pattern of boxes, and were used throughout the auger bit industry. I have seen many posts of these types of boxes, all unmarked, with different brands of bits in them. I finally saw one with the Barrett’s Patent or something similar marked on it, and it really surprised a lot of people to find that it was a generic box that the auger bit makers were just stuffing their bits into. Even found one place selling just the box.

Wood Brace Auger Drill Bit Storage Box~For Irwin~Jennings~Set Storage~Patd 1893 | #1863709797

Recent estate find!!!!Antique wood storage box for auger bits.Wood with brass accents.I believe the imprint on the front reads Patented May 30 1893 This box will hold 13 bits.These boxes are getting

www.worthpoint.com

There are a few variations on the theme, some have wooden wings (think wingback chair) others have thin metal (brass) wings, like mine.

11” x 2-⅛” x 4-⅝”

 

[d42jeep]

I took more pictures of the faint patent markings but it’s still inconclusive.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ maybe try a little bit of salad oil/olive oil and a cloth?

 

[four.cycle]

@RTM - Barrett? Bartlett?

Barrett / Barrett, St. Louis, MO /

Bartlett / Bartlett Mfg. Co., Detroit, MI / 7876 Van ****, Marlett, MI 48453 / https://www.bartlettman.com / Searight Mechanics Shears / patent 936574 Oct 12 1909 John R. Searight / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/call-those-tin-snips-this-is-a-tinsnip.506088/ /

I'm going to assume it's a different Bartlett than the shears maker, because that's all they made was shears.

Looks like only one of those patents applies to an item that was actually produced. (?) ... or do we just not have extant examples?

That other patent belongs to Russell Jennings.

Russell / Russell Jennings Mfg. Co., Chester, CT (Deep River, CT) / auger bits / patent 12318 Jan 30 1855 & RE2081 Oct 3 1865 Russell Jennings /

Augers and Braces and Planes are three things I've tried to steer clear of because the rabbit holes are too deep.

 

[Terry D]

Picked this up a few weeks back. The stand itself is not marked Craftsman. The box is in good shape for its age.

I have the same index. Took a chance and paid 10.00 for it a few years ago. I'm thinking it not that old. Maybe a commemorative edition or something. Like you said, no craftsman markings on the index. It is stamped made in USA. Its made out of aluminum and has laser etching on the back. I have googled the number 6694 and came up with nothing. I have other craftsman indexes in my collection, and this is like none of them. It is more modern. It also has a 79 stamped on the bottom of the box. Any information from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RTM]

@RTM - Barrett? Bartlett?

Geez, Bartlett. I said it wasn't proofread, but I didn't think I missed one that Big

I'm going to assume it's a different Bartlett than the shears maker, because that's all they made was shears.

Looks like only one of those patents applies to an item that was actually produced. (?) ... or do we just not have extant examples?

I'm guessing not existing, but I don't know. I found the patent on my first one, and went away chasing his name down. I know not to trust the DATAMP "not know to have been produced, as I've had 4 or 5 items cross my path in the last 3 years.

That other patent belongs to Russell Jennings.

Russell / Russell Jennings Mfg. Co., Chester, CT (Deep River, CT) / auger bits / patent 12318 Jan 30 1855 & RE2081 Oct 3 1865 Russell Jennings /

Geez, who let this guy near a computer.

Thanks for a bit of proofing, there are 6 more patented boxes out there on my document, guess I will be more careful before I share.

 

[d42jeep]

Several of the auger bits in the box are unmarked but mostly in the style of Russell Jennings as are the bits in the roll.
I appreciate all the research.

-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ I've come across Russell Jennings many times running searches on stuff. I'm sure this has been covered, but the "not known to have been produced" is the default entry for that field at datamp.org if no other information has been entered.
They're short crew. Some of the stewards have apparently just dropped off the planet. I can't do it - I simply don't have time.
Russell Jennings made some beautiful stuff.
The subject was boxes. You're going to love this one:

 

[RTM]

I tried to volunteer at DATAMP, and Jeff hasn’t replied to my emails in months.

I have the patent info on that RJ box too, but it’s not proofread.

 

[four.cycle]

^ there was a patent on THAT box I just posted? interesting.

 

[RTM]

Try this, hope I didn’t foul it up too. Looks like the right patent. Actually the one you called out previouSly as being a Jennings. Some had the patent number on the label, think that was how I found it.

US Patent: 428,396 - Russell Jennings Auger Bit Box

US patent 428,396 Russell Jennings Auger Bit Box was issued to Simeon H. Jennings of Deep River, CT. It was granted on 05/20/1890. Three tiered auger bit box with semi-circular cut outs on the trays to hold the bits.

www.datamp.org

 

[four.cycle]

I'd say you nailed it there... wonder if I'll get a response back from that steward?

 

[RTM]

I tried to volunteer at DATAMP, and Jeff hasn’t replied to my emails in months.

Yeah, just heard back. Can help to reduce the backlog now, I hope.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I have every bit of confidence in you, sir. Hope things work out with you and Jeff.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As first reported on the 2023 Garage Sale thread, I found this "AJAX" folding triangular index at my flea market this morning.



There are four (4) others on the thread, or at least that show up in a search of "AJAX", owned by @twertsy, @d42jeep, @scooternut, and @SCscoutguy, and at least one of those displayed photos of every side, inside and out, if you're interested in all the sizes and markings.

One other observation that has not yet been made. That pesky little pin to keep it closed is of course missing on all the examples here except one and that is @scooternut 's. (They are probably all hanging out with all the missing midget hinge handle cross-bars somewhere! ) I put a brad in mine with just enough of a head to grab and snipped it off short.

Interestingly, and casting the actual manufacturer into question, @Outlawmws says he has a folding triangular one marked Morse, and @d42jeep also has the Morse, which he got from @Shiftless, posted on the Garage Sale thread.

But there is no information on them on this thread, so I did some research.

There was a prominent outfit called Ajax Manufacturing Co, in Cleveland, home of Cleveland Twist Drill and others in the industry. From what I can tell, they made a lot of machinery (forging, boring, etc). But I did see some references to drills that gave me enough ammo to look harder, and their Trademark application in 1906 does include drills.



Having said that, this page from the 1912 Morse Twist Drill catalog is kind of hard to argue with. It's possible Ajax made them for them. The other way around is also possible.



Either way, it's a cool piece and I am happy I found it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Lugz, mine is in post #9 of this thread, and has the keeper pin

 

[Copymutt]

Anybody need their dual 4 barrel Quadrajets rejeted?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugz, mine is in post #9 of this thread, and has the keeper pin

Thanks, I missed that. If Don doesn't post closeups of his, I may ask you to. I'm interested in seeing if the Ajax and Morse are identical, or if they just share a similar design.

 

[d42jeep]

Other than the brand markings, I believe that my number indices are identical. Here is the Morse in the middle.
Here they are together.
-Don