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The Tiny Tools Thread

Outlawmws

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OK I admit it, finding a diminutive sized tool always gets my attention, and as long as they are not silly on the price I usually buy it...

Anyone else like the little stuff? I'm not talking about some of the stamped tools or (in general) toy tools, but real tools that are just way smaller than the usual suspect.

Post 'em if ya got 'em!

I'm generally putting something in for contrast, as without it who can tell? :dunno:

a few of of mine to start:



A 2 Lb anvil (yes it's brass) and a post style vise, 1-1/2" jaws.

attachment.php



What's an anvil without hammers? Two 1 oz. BP hammers vs. a 16 oz. BP


attachment.php



And for finish work a dual face hammer one brass one leather, compared to a rawhide mallet and a copper hammer (I don't have a brass hammer except for the head I started 25 years ago and never got to the handle hole.. (Maybe a project for today...))


attachment.php


A 4 oz. small plastic hammer vs. a 16 oz.:

attachment.php


A small 6 oz. body/metal working hammer vs. a "small" 8 oz. Plvmb 1426 body hammer.

attachment.php


and all the small hammers together:

attachment.php


OK the 6 oz. body hammer is practically a sledge compared to the other hammers! :D
 

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teletekman

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Madera, CA
This has got to be one of my favorite's which I have used for years! I remember back about 6 years or so ago, Radio Shack was blowing these things out at $2 a pop. I ended up buying around 10 of them and so far for what I do these have been a life saver to me ever since.
 

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Paco Pena

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Vancouver Canada
Not a lot of posts on this subject. I guess nobody wants to admit they have a small tool.
A buddy of mine is famous for saying that having a small "tool" doesn't decrease your pleasure, just your opportunities!

Paco
 
OP
O

Outlawmws

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Here is a "Hack Saw" the blades have to be clamped, as they are too small to have pins or be pinned...

attachment.php



And an Eggbeater style Drill, the "big" one is a std "small" Millers Falls No. 5

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Outlawmws

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Not a lot of posts on this subject. I guess nobody wants to admit they have a small tool.
A buddy of mine is famous for saying that having a small "tool" doesn't decrease your pleasure, just your opportunities!

Paco

Well you know what they say about people that have to "compensate" ... :D
 
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mdbeck1

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Mar 7, 2010
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Location
Norman, OK
OK. I'll play....

I've got one of these...
IMG00017-20120321-2044.jpg


How about a drill index?
IMG00016-20120321-2043.jpg


Sorry about the crappy cell phone pics... My son broke my camera.
 
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mdbeck1

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So I'm getting ready to sign off for the night and my wife tells me that I have to tell everyone here where the "tiny tools" come from.

My wife's great grandfather was a watch repair man in a jewelry store. When he passed away his cabinet went to his daughter (my wife's grandmother) where it stayed in her garage until a couple of years ago. My wife has fond memories of being six or eight and looking in the drawers at all of the little tools (yes there are more... special pliers and the smallest tipped screwdrivers you will ever see (or I guess feel would be more appropriate)).

We also ended up with the lathe (and it works):
IMG00022-20120321-2050.jpg
IMG00023-20120321-2050.jpg

And the positioning table(?)
IMG00019-20120321-2048.jpg

The drill bits go down to 4/1,000". The little chuck will hold them as well and was found in the bottom drawer still sealed in the factory box and wrapped up in the paper. There is a whole drawer of collets for the different drill bits as well. Some day when I get a little bit of time I will take the lathe apart and clean it. I have no idea what I will make with it but some of those little flashlights sounds like a neat idea.
 
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JASTECH

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Oct 21, 2009
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2,671
Location
Gering, NE
Nice smallies guys!
I been looking for the tiny metal index and size scale metal too.
I have a few of them tiny drill bits and no index, did see one online unknown COO for 5.00 shipped.
 

Harvey Melvin Richards

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Mar 17, 2011
Messages
406
A few of mine that get regular use.

Precision square rescued from the dumpster.

P3221842Large.jpg

A Lufkin 1/2" wide scale, not shown are a 1/4", 3/8", 3/4", and 1".

P3221843Large.jpg

A Greist 2" travel height gauge and a 2" and 3" riser block.

PC091810Large.jpg

A very small no name bench vise.

P3221375Large.jpg

I've got some other small stuff at home that I will try to get photos of.
 
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Outlawmws

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Some more of mine:


needle nose pliers:

attachment.php


Screwdrivers:

attachment.php
 

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mdbeck1

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Some more of mine:


needle nose pliers:

Screwdrivers:

I don't have any REAL small pliers but there's some REAL unique stuff in there. How about a pair of pliers that is spring loaded to STAY SHUT?

Now on screwdrivers.....
How about some flat blades that are so small you have to get a magnifying glass to see them?

More pics this evening.
 

Harvey Melvin Richards

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Mar 17, 2011
Messages
406
Cool stuff! Interesting that the vise's dynamic jaw is of the reverse type...
Yeah, it's an interesting one. I got a Starrett 86 hand vise on eBay and the seller threw this one in with it. No complaints from me. The body is non-magnetic, possibly aluminum, and the jaws are removable and steel.
 
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Outlawmws

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Yeah, it's an interesting one. I got a Starrett 86 hand vise on eBay and the seller threw this one in with it. No complaints from me. The body is non-magnetic, possibly aluminum, and the jaws are removable and steel.

From the color, I'd guess Zamac. (A zinc alloy, well above pot-metal) It was often used for light tooling for decades. Atlas even made their small lathe gear sets from the stuff...
 

Harvey Melvin Richards

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406
A couple more from my collection. My arbor press, made for working on clock parts.

P3224667Large.jpg


An old plunger type indicator. Reads in tenths, and has a dovetail mount on the back.

P3224666Large.jpg


A newer Starrett that has a flat back, and reads in half a thou.

P3224671Large.jpg
 

Harvey Melvin Richards

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406
There's a whole bunch of miniature tools in this thread, you might have to be a member to see all of the photos. You can also search the OP's name and find lots of other miniatures that he made.
 
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Outlawmws

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Harvey, your wood Rule (folding?) reminded me of a couple I have:

A 12" (3" folded) wood/brass rule that also has a Caliper, and a 4" (but for practical purposes is something short of 4"...) Stanly Brass and wood Stanley Caliper. with a slightly more normal 24" folding rule for more scale. Other than the Stanley, I have no clue who made the other two. no markings at all... :dunno:

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Harvey Melvin Richards

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406
Harvey, your wood Rule (folding?) reminded me of a couple I have:

A 12" (3" folded) wood/brass rule that also has a Caliper, and a 4" (but for practical purposes is something short of 4"...) Stanly Brass and wood Stanley Caliper. with a slightly more normal 24" folding rule for more scale. Other than the Stanley, I have no clue who made the other two. no markings at all... :dunno:

attachment.php


attachment.php

Mines a Lufkin, it's similar to the top one in your photos.
 

Myra

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Joined
Mar 7, 2012
Messages
80
Location
East Tennessee
OK I admit it, finding a diminutive sized tool always gets my attention, and as long as they are not silly on the price I usually buy it...

Anyone else like the little stuff? I'm not talking about some of the stamped tools or (in general) toy tools, but real tools that are just way smaller than the usual suspect.

Post 'em if ya got 'em!

I'm generally putting something in for contrast, as without it who can tell? :dunno:

a few of of mine to start:



A 2 Lb anvil (yes it's brass) and a post style vise, 1-1/2" jaws.

attachment.php



What's an anvil without hammers? Two 1 oz. BP hammers vs. a 16 oz. BP


attachment.php



And for finish work a dual face hammer one brass one leather, compared to a rawhide mallet and a copper hammer (I don't have a brass hammer except for the head I started 25 years ago and never got to the handle hole.. (Maybe a project for today...))


attachment.php


A 4 oz. small plastic hammer vs. a 16 oz.:

attachment.php


A small 6 oz. body/metal working hammer vs. a "small" 8 oz. Plvmb 1426 body hammer.

attachment.php


and all the small hammers together:

attachment.php


OK the 6 oz. body hammer is practically a sledge compared to the other hammers! :D


I think I love you!!!! I definitely dig your collection..
My kinda tools!!!!! WOW... I want to come play in your tool box!
 

Myra

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Joined
Mar 7, 2012
Messages
80
Location
East Tennessee
Yes... Indeed. I had missed it.. Thanks!!
You have some super awesome pieces...

Thanks again for sharing the pictures..
If you get tired of looking at them, I want first dibs...;)

I dig boxes to.. Just got my first big metal box.. I'm going to completely redo it.. It's got a few dings & dents but I don't mind.. I'll fix them & paint it, maybe green & I'm using it in my living room...

My toolbox thing started about 15 years ago.. I bought a Gerstner Tool Chest.. & loved it.. However, I lost it when divorced.. I've bought 3 since then but gave my dad my favorite.. (I regretted it as he loaded it in his truck)..
I know that sounds terrible, but it's true...

I'm looking forward to fixing up the big metal one.. I think it has about 16 drawers... :)






;)


You must have missed this: (it's a fast moving thread...) Start about post 6730 :evil:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466&page=337
 

ishiboo

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Oct 27, 2010
Messages
9,481
Location
Oshkosh, WI
Thanks for your show of support Myra... it took a lot of guts for Outlaw to come out and admit he has a small tool. :beer:
 
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Outlawmws

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Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,091
Location
The Badlands
Yes... Indeed. I had missed it.. Thanks!!
You have some super awesome pieces...

Thanks again for sharing the pictures..
If you get tired of looking at them, I want first dibs...;)

I dig boxes to.. Just got my first big metal box.. I'm going to completely redo it.. It's got a few dings & dents but I don't mind.. I'll fix them & paint it, maybe green & I'm using it in my living room...

My toolbox thing started about 15 years ago.. I bought a Gerstner Tool Chest.. & loved it.. However, I lost it when divorced.. I've bought 3 since then but gave my dad my favorite.. (I regretted it as he loaded it in his truck)..
I know that sounds terrible, but it's true...

I'm looking forward to fixing up the big metal one.. I think it has about 16 drawers... :)

Thank you and you're welcome. :beer:

You should post before pics of your toolbox on the TW thread! :D
 
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Outlawmws

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Messages
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Location
The Badlands
Thanks for your show of support Myra... it took a lot of guts for Outlaw to come out and admit he has a bunch of small tools. :beer:

Actually that was covered earlier, and Fixed! :lol_hitti

Not a lot of posts on this subject. I guess nobody wants to admit they have a small tool.
A buddy of mine is famous for saying that having a small "tool" doesn't decrease your pleasure, just your opportunities!

Paco

Well you know what they say about people that have to "compensate" ... :D
 
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