Vintage power tool collecting

[four.cycle]

Black & Decker

 

[four.cycle]

Millers Falls


Portable / Portable Electric Tools Inc., Geneva, IL (330 West 83rd St, Chicago, IL 1951) / "Pet" "Shopmate" "Zephyr" hand held electric power tools /

Mall / Mall Tool Co., 7880 So. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL / hand-held power tools / est. 1921 acquired 1956 Remington Arms / 85 patents / http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1183 / https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/mall-tool-co/ / http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2012/04/vanished-makes-mall-tool-co.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/mall-tool-company.315796/ /

Independent / Independent Pneumatic Tool Co., Aurora, IL / formerly Aurora Machine & Tool, Aurora Automatic Machinery Co. / "Thor" pneumatic power tools, impact sockets / http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1985 /

Van Dorn / Van Dorn Electric Tool Co., Cleveland, OH and Towson, MD / http://www.vintagemachinery.org/mfgIndex/detail.aspx?id=1746 /

 

[kyrbz]

 

[Beerhippie]

Wait--they only worked 51 out of 52 weeks in a year?

SLACKERS!

 

[WildBill]

My local habitat store always has 5-10 cool old shiny metal power tools for sale. Most are around $10. If I didn't already have 3 lifetimes worth of **** and projects I would grab a couple every time I go. Maybe after I clean out my shop I can make a display wall area for them. Or the flying monkeys that come out my **** can, equally as likely to happen.

 

[Davefr]

I think this old girl came over on the Mayflower and still going strong. Notice "light duty". I don't think any tool company has used the words "light duty" ever since.

 

[four.cycle]

^ "Light Duty" because.... it weighs less than 16 pounds?

Albertson / Albertson & Co., Sioux City, IA / "Sioux" valve grinder / 1087525 Feb 17 1914 & 1282018 Oct 22 1918 & 1285573 Nov 26 1918 Frans O. Albertson & 918049 Apr 13 1909 & RE13421 May 21 1912 Robert H. Hazeltine & 1301891 Apr 29 1919 Frans O. Albertson / http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1980 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/albertson-valve-grinding-tool.487632/

 

[JHuston]

Boy, do I ever. I was a power tool repairman for twenty-three years, and have been collecting Porter-Cable tools for most of that time. I have somewhere North of 140 power tools build from 1926-1965, including seventy-five circular saws. That's in addition to forty nine stationary machines. It's a little crowded, but the nice thing is that I have options.
- James Huston

 

[genog]

Found a beautiful vintage Milwaukee Right Angle drill
It was Expensive....
But........I may have shelled out the cash and bought the darn thing if the Seller would have been a bit more personable, and a bit more willing to answer questions
After thinking about it, I'm kinda glad that I didn't buy it since I have no need for any (more) Wall Hangers or Shelf Queens

Seller says that he bought out a Storage Locker and it was full of collectible power tools, many in similar condition to this Milwaukee.

I sadly think about the previous owner of these very cool ole tools.....
Perhaps a member here?

It's too bad that his tools ended up as they have....kind of sad
...I certainly don't want my tools someday ending up in the hands of a hyena

 

[Beerhippie]

Found a beautiful vintage Milwaukee Right Angle drill
It was Expensive....
But........I may have shelled out the cash and bought the darn thing if the Seller would have been a bit more personable, and a bit more willing to answer questions
After thinking about it, I'm kinda glad that I didn't buy it since I have no need for any (more) Wall Hangers or Shelf Queens

Seller says that he bought out a Storage Locker and it was full of collectible power tools, many in similar condition to this Milwaukee.

I sadly think about the previous owner of these very cool ole tools.....
Perhaps a member here?

It's too bad that his tools ended up as they have....kind of sad
...I certainly don't want my tools someday ending up in the hands of a hyena

By "bought" did he mean "used an angle grinder on the lock"?

 

[genog]

By "bought" did he mean "used an angle grinder on the lock"?

I don't know....
The Seller wasn't very talkative.........was very engaged with his phone.
Totally emersed
It was as if I was bothering him when I tried asking him questions

I didn't notice if he was selling a slightly used angle grinder

 

[Dagny]

My dad had one of those sioux drills I think it was about 300 hp. I really need to figure out pic. posting.

 

[subroc]

what's expensive mean?

 

[Burt Shaver]

I bought this hedge trimmer today at the local flea market, I said to myself before asking “25.00 or less and I’m buying it “ asked how much and the vendor says $5.00

 

[genog]

I spied a cool 1/4" Dayton Ray Gun looking drill at the Flea Market today


I bought this one some months ago

 

[Burt Shaver]

I spied a cool 1/4" Dayton Ray Gun looking drill at the Flea Market today


I bought this one some months ago

2nd one looks like a spaceship

 

[KFBR392]

I like to buy them super cheap and spend a couple hours restoring them. They get torn apart, ultrasonically cleaned in Simple Green until all grease is gone, new bearings, new Super Lube in place of grease, new power cable if needed, etc. I don't do much for cosmetics unless they're super ugly and need the work. The polishing of the aluminum takes hours and is not fun. The functional restorations are what is fun for me.

Here's my new jigsaw, since I don't have a modern one and rarely need to use one. This will serve my needs more than fine enough. It looks badass and runs great. It also has the auto scroller feature which is really interesting and might do a passable enough job of being a scroll saw. No idea since I've never used one.

The gut shots are the before photos. This one leaked out all the oil from the aluminum case and just left the thickeners/additives behind in the gearbox, compacted all around the sides and settled at the bottom from decades of sitting unused. It ran, but it was very loud and not very smooth for obvious reasons. The old made in Poland 608 bearing on the end of the armature was also worn out which didn't help. All of this was remedied.

EDIT: I have since put the correct original screw in the blade holder after catching my mistake in these photos

 

[DetailSeeker]

I like to buy them super cheap and spend a couple hours restoring them. They get torn apart, ultrasonically cleaned in Simple Green until all grease is gone, new bearings, new Super Lube in place of grease, new power cable if needed, etc. I don't do much for cosmetics unless they're super ugly and need the work. The polishing of the aluminum takes hours and is not fun. The functional restorations are what is fun for me.

Here's my new jigsaw, since I don't have a modern one and rarely need to use one. This will serve my needs more than fine enough. It looks badass and runs great. It also has the auto scroller feature which is really interesting and might do a passable enough job of being a scroll saw. No idea since I've never used one.

The gut shots are the before photos. This one leaked out all the oil from the aluminum case and just left the thickeners/additives behind in the gearbox, compacted all around the sides and settled at the bottom from decades of sitting unused. It ran, but it was very loud and not very smooth for obvious reasons. The old made in Poland 608 bearing on the end of the armature was also worn out which didn't help. All of this was remedied.

That is fantastic work.

 

[don long]

I'm not too good at making thing work and don't really care if it goes on display it has to look good (IMHO)

 

[genog]

I found a little mini Black & Decker jig saw this weekend at the Flea Market
Came in it's original case in very good cosmetic and working condition with several packs of period correct extra blades

Nice heavy duty power cord
If I didn't have the Bosch, this one would be my user

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I found a little mini Black & Decker jig saw this weekend at the Flea Market
Came in it's original case in very good cosmetic and working condition with several packs of period correct extra blades

Nice heavy duty power cord
If I didn't have the Bosch, this one would be my user

Man I love these old tools. Compared to the new ones. I know you got to lug a extension cord, but they hold so true.

 

[genog]

Man I love these old tools. Compared to the new ones. I know you got to lug a extension cord, but they hold so true.

I'm with you Mike.
Couldn't agree more

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I have a Black and Decker 1/2" electric impact and Black and Decker "Shorty" Drill (right angle) that both work and just needs new cords if anyone is interested hit me on PM.

 

[Ihcguy]

I picked up this old critter the other day.

 

[DetailSeeker]

I picked up this old critter the other day.

That thing is pretty enough to prompt an entire new subcategory of collecting.

(ETA: Er, for me. I'm sure other people are already well aware of the joys.)

 

[Mintgrun]

This old Thor model 5215 drill was a scrap bin rescue on Thursday. It's got a 5/8" chuck.


I dipped the chuck in the electrolysis bucket and scrubbed the aluminum body with a soapy toothbrush. There was a newer drill in the bin with a nice cord, so I put that on this one. It spins, but sounds like it needs lubrication.

 

[Mintgrun]

I drug another tool home yesterday, after having left it behind twice; telling myself, "you don't need another grinder" and asking myself, "where would you put it?!" I was happy to see that it was still there and decided to go ahead and pay the $5 asking price, in spite of the duct tape covering a hole in the body. That may be why nobody else wanted it; although, the flapper wheel that came on it was worth the asking price.



The ID tag went away with the missing chunk, but once I got it home, I realized it was the straight version of my Van Dorn Heavy Duty 7" sander, which I'd purchased at the same store back in 2018 (for $12).



I don't really have time to mess with it now, but did go ahead and take a pattern for a patch, using aluminum foil tape and an x-acto knife to cut out the holes. I'll probably just make a screw-on cover plate, since it'd match the one beside it.



I found them in the 1943 catalog and based on the weight (18 lbs. (without a guard)), it is the 6" model, designed to take a 1" wide wheel on its 5/8" arbor that spins 3800 rpm.. The sander spins 4200 rpm and weighs 15 lbs..

Thanks to IA for the catalog images/information.



I'd also like to make a 'foot' for it, like the grinder has, but there are cracks around the mounting point. Oh, well.



Based on inflation, that $100 grinder in 1943-dollars, would cost $1867.33 today. Crazy.

Tom

 

[PugetDude]

I drug another tool home yesterday, after having left it behind twice; telling myself, "you don't need another grinder" and asking myself, "where would you put it?!" I was happy to see that it was still there and decided to go ahead and pay the $5 asking price, in spite of the duct tape covering a hole in the body. That may be why nobody else wanted it; although, the flapper wheel that came on it was worth the asking price.



The ID tag went away with the missing chunk, but once I got it home, I realized it was the straight version of my Van Dorn Heavy Duty 7" sander, which I'd purchased at the same store back in 2018 (for $12).



I don't really have time to mess with it now, but did go ahead and take a pattern for a patch, using aluminum foil tape and an x-acto knife to cut out the holes. I'll probably just make a screw-on cover plate, since it'd match the one beside it.



I found them in the 1943 catalog and based on the weight (18 lbs. (without a guard)), it is the 6" model, designed to take a 1" wide wheel on its 5/8" arbor that spins 3800 rpm.. The sander spins 4200 rpm and weighs 15 lbs..

Thanks to IA for the catalog images/information.



I'd also like to make a 'foot' for it, like the grinder has, but there are cracks around the mounting point. Oh, well.



Based on inflation, that $100 grinder in 1943-dollars, would cost $1867.33 today. Crazy.

Tom

I believe those were primarily used to smooth and de-burr casting flash in steel foundries.
Running one of those all day would be a real workout.

 

[Beerhippie]

I believe those were primarily used to smooth and de-burr casting flash in steel foundries.
Running one of those all day would be a real workout.

We had the Ingersoll Rand version of that back when we were building out the brewery. About half the time, it would pop a 20A breaker on start-up.

 

[Mintgrun]

I believe those were primarily used to smooth and de-burr casting flash in steel foundries.
Running one of those all day would be a real workout.

I certainly wouldn't want to do much overhead work with it. I'll bet it'd be useful around the Navy's shipyard. That may be where it came from. The list of applications in the catalog sure makes it sound handy!

We had the Ingersoll Rand version of that back when we were building out the brewery. About half the time, it would pop a 20A breaker on start-up.

There's nothing wimpy about these two tools. I'll definitely be tucking-in my shirt before using them.

 

[genog]

And one more-- a Porter-Cable 666 3/8" variable speed drill motor. Not dressed in chrome and heavily used in the past and present, but a fine machine. My go-to.

I'm a big fan of Porter Cable....

Even though I have plenty of good drills, I went ahead and grabbed this 1/2" PC at a Sale recently
Missing the Spade Handle, but what-the-heck, I figured that just the chuck would have justified the price for it

 

[toolmiser]

I have one like your PC 666 and really like it. It has a different feel or balance to it. Doesn't get a lot of use these days with cordless.

 

[Burt Shaver]

Not sure if this is vintage or not, I bought this for 25.00 at the local flea market today to use. Any recommendations on how to clean it up?

 

[Nutria]

Not sure if this is vintage or not, I bought this for 25.00 at the local flea market today to use. Any recommendations on how to clean it up?

For the table and base: Round the corners of a fresh razor blade. Flood the table and base with WD-40. Keep wet. Scrape rust with blade. Remove WD-40 and grunge with denatured or similar. Coat with paste wax, Boeshield, etc.

 

[genog]

My dogs and I have been walking by this forlorn ole Rockwell Delta 43-110 Shaper rusting away in a Neighbor's driveway....
We make sure that the house is on our route so that I can admire it

With rain forcast tomorrow through Wed, I thought that I would inquire if the Ole Boy was for sale
It was
Well.....my neighbor gave it away to another one of our neighbors....but the guy hasn't come by to get it yet
I offered cash

The drawers are full of bits and a Thorsen wrench

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

My dogs and I have been walking by this forlorn ole Rockwell Delta 43-110 Shaper rusting away in a Neighbor's driveway....
We make sure that the house is on our route so that I can admire it

With rain forcast tomorrow through Wed, I thought that I would inquire if the Ole Boy was for sale
It was
Well.....my neighbor gave it away to another one of our neighbors....but the guy hasn't come by to get it yet
I offered cash

The drawers are full of bits and a Thorsen wrench

Is it yours? Did the motor get wet? Great find if you did. Where do you live? I need neighbors like yours.

 

[genog]

Is it yours? Did the motor get wet? Great find if you did. Where do you live? I need neighbors like yours.

Hi Mike,
Yes indeed.
Initially, the neighbor gave it away to a friend of his...
....apparently someone here in the neighborhood

The Guy never came by to pick it up.
Imagine that.....
I offered all of the cash in my wallet -and drove my truck over a few minutes later and loaded it up

There's a shroud covering the motor and it must have kept it dry enough during our Big Rain a few nights ago...
Upon first plug in, the motor was bound up and tripped my GFI
So, I turned the motor by hand a turn or two and loosened it up
Seems to run good now
I'll check to see how it behaves under a load this week

I'm in an older neighborhood in Campbell, a little Southwest of San Jose

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Hi Mike,
Yes indeed.
Initially, the neighbor gave it away to a friend of his...
....apparently someone here in the neighborhood

The Guy never came by to pick it up.
Imagine that.....
I offered all of the cash in my wallet -and drove my truck over a few minutes later and loaded it up

There's a shroud covering the motor and it must have kept it dry enough during our Big Rain a few nights ago...
Upon first plug in, the motor was bound up and tripped my GFI
So, I turned the motor by hand a turn or two and loosened it up
Seems to run good now
I'll check to see how it behaves under a load this week

I'm in an older neighborhood in Campbell, a little Southwest of San Jose

Good job. I would take the motor apart and clean the brushes. I have had good luck with a very fine emery cloth and clean the actuator.

 

[Cruzan80]

Capacitor start motors generally don't have brushes.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Capacitor start motors generally don't have brushes.

Yea thanks. And I would clean the Armature other than the Actuator.