WisJim
Well-known member
Back when this was new, I worked in a hardware store and bought a couple of them (20th anniversary edition), and still have this one plus one that wasn't opened.
Vintage tape measures
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I'm surmising 1983, if anyone else was wondering. I had to look up the trademark registration (1982, but claimed first use 1963) and do some math from there.
Edit: Confirmed, just found an article about the 50th anniversary issue in 2013. The background was golden.
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wayoutwestofaz
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- Sep 21, 2023
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I have this Stanley Four Square Push / Pull 6 foot Tape measure No.3306 ( without clip)
The Tape appears in a 1934 tool catalog where it sold with or without the clip for $0.75
Searching fairly diligently for any references or availability
I found only a couple of references two on Worth Point that give zero info unless you signup.
One on another site that has sold at online auction for $122.00
Anyone know what the rarity of this model tape and actual value?
Yes I would sell to a collector at the right price.
The Tape appears in a 1934 tool catalog where it sold with or without the clip for $0.75
Searching fairly diligently for any references or availability
I found only a couple of references two on Worth Point that give zero info unless you signup.
One on another site that has sold at online auction for $122.00
Anyone know what the rarity of this model tape and actual value?
Yes I would sell to a collector at the right price.
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JEFinCLE
Well-known member
Anyone have an idea on the age of this Lufkin? Can't find anything on the interwebs. Bought it at ArnFest last weekend, NOS in the box, taken from a nearly full 12-pack stocking carton.
RTM
Well-known member
1959 to 1982, as a start, look for subtle changes in the catalogs, and any information on the back, like zip code.Anyone have an idea on the age of this Lufkin? Can't find anything on the interwebs. Bought it at ArnFest last weekend, NOS in the box, taken from a nearly full 12-pack stocking carton.
d42jeep
Well-known member
I might have left this worn measure behind at a Friday sale but I was able to make out the early Sears Fulton brand name. Still works fine.
-Don
-Don
OP
Username already in use
Well-known member
And a first for this thread, I think. Nice!
Provincial
Well-known member
I found this small tape measure recently. It is labelled "WALSCO", "ADD 2 INCHES", and "made in USA"
d42jeep
Well-known member
I found this nice Lufkin measure at an estate sale yesterday. It needs a bit of rust removal.
-Don
Edit…. A little less rust.
-Don
Edit…. A little less rust.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
1oldtimer
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Beerhippie
Well-known member
Not as old nor cool as some, but this lived in my shooting bag for several decades:
I was just wondering why I ever replaced it with a fiberglass Empire--I mean, the Stanley is tiny by comparison, and lighter, too. Then I noticed the Stanley had some rust on the blade, so I took it out to the warehouse and stretched it out while running an oiled cloth over the blade. As I began to rewind it while pulling it through the oiled rag, I remembered: It's a pain in the ***! That tiny crank! That rounded case!
I'll stick with the big Empire for use--nice D-ring handle, large crank, never rusts--and keep the Stanley for a shelf-sitter.
I was just wondering why I ever replaced it with a fiberglass Empire--I mean, the Stanley is tiny by comparison, and lighter, too. Then I noticed the Stanley had some rust on the blade, so I took it out to the warehouse and stretched it out while running an oiled cloth over the blade. As I began to rewind it while pulling it through the oiled rag, I remembered: It's a pain in the ***! That tiny crank! That rounded case!
I'll stick with the big Empire for use--nice D-ring handle, large crank, never rusts--and keep the Stanley for a shelf-sitter.
Mintgrun
Well-known member
This 8' Millers Falls QUIK COIL No. 3108 is my most recent addition to the collection. Pressing the red button reels the tape back in. The belt clip attachment is somewhat unique, the way it comes out from between the halves.
The clip makes it too tall for my tape drawer, but there isn't room anyway.
The clip makes it too tall for my tape drawer, but there isn't room anyway.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I got this in trade for some knife sharpening today:
Nicely blued case.
Numbers and graduations are blued, too. They look black in the picture, but they're deep gun blue. Rewind spring is still good and strong. Tape is slightly kinked for the first six inches--seems to be par for the course with these.
I've been wanting one of these for pocket carry. This one might be in too good of condition.
Nicely blued case.
Numbers and graduations are blued, too. They look black in the picture, but they're deep gun blue. Rewind spring is still good and strong. Tape is slightly kinked for the first six inches--seems to be par for the course with these.
I've been wanting one of these for pocket carry. This one might be in too good of condition.
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Beerhippie
Well-known member
That was my thinking--but that blued case makes it hard for me to toss it in my pocket with all the other ****.
What make is the tape itself?Just like my little round one in post #65
Mine's Walsco:
Farmer J.
Well-known member
All it says apart from the Made in England is 'A1' on the case.
There's other ones say Fisco on the blade so i reckon that they were made by Fisco. They still make a range of 'A1-Plus' models.
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Old Radar
Well-known member
I picked these two up last week at a big tool hoarder's sale.
I like the 2-foot boxwood & brass because I have never seen what I would call a "trifold" rule. It's marked out in 8th, 10th, 12th & 16th inch increments and the only branding on it is No. 58.
Research indicates it's a Stanley and shows in catalogs from 1859 to 1909. Stanley made a No. 58-1/2 that was brass bound on the edges during the same years and an ivory version of the same rule (No. 60) from 1867-1892.
Stanley nomenclature calls them all Two Foot Six Fold Rules. That just goes against my upbringing--I guess if Stanley built biplanes, they would have called them quadplanes and a triplane would be saddled with "hexplane".
As far as I can tell, this was the only time Stanley made a rule that folded into thirds.
The 50' No.4351 from John Rabone & Sons (Birmingham, England) is a steel tape in a black steel case. The tape is marked "London Made In England" and "Rabone" and has 1/8" increments. The back of the tape is blank. It is depicted in catalogs from William Marples & Sons, Ltd., from 1928 through 1959. In 1963 Rabone merged with James Chesterman & Co. and thereafter branded their products under the Rabone Chesterman name.
I like the 2-foot boxwood & brass because I have never seen what I would call a "trifold" rule. It's marked out in 8th, 10th, 12th & 16th inch increments and the only branding on it is No. 58.
Research indicates it's a Stanley and shows in catalogs from 1859 to 1909. Stanley made a No. 58-1/2 that was brass bound on the edges during the same years and an ivory version of the same rule (No. 60) from 1867-1892.
Stanley nomenclature calls them all Two Foot Six Fold Rules. That just goes against my upbringing--I guess if Stanley built biplanes, they would have called them quadplanes and a triplane would be saddled with "hexplane".
As far as I can tell, this was the only time Stanley made a rule that folded into thirds.
The 50' No.4351 from John Rabone & Sons (Birmingham, England) is a steel tape in a black steel case. The tape is marked "London Made In England" and "Rabone" and has 1/8" increments. The back of the tape is blank. It is depicted in catalogs from William Marples & Sons, Ltd., from 1928 through 1959. In 1963 Rabone merged with James Chesterman & Co. and thereafter branded their products under the Rabone Chesterman name.
GaryM909
Well-known member
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Picked up this 6-ft folding jobbie at the flea market this morning.
Never heard of the mfgr.
The allure was the "country" of origin.
Never heard of the mfgr.
The allure was the "country" of origin.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Surprised that the Emperor MacArthur didn't put his name on that rule.
d42jeep
Well-known member
Picked this up at a yard sale yesterday. 
-Don
-Don
Mintgrun
Well-known member
That appears to be a WHITE CHIEF Carlson & Sullivan no. 3210 .
I've never heard of them. What does the tape's print look like?
I've never heard of them. What does the tape's print look like?
RTM
Well-known member
They were actually from my hometown, bought out by the company that owned Disston, and changed name to include Disston. I've posted a couple of them above somewhere, maybe even more history.
Old Radar
Well-known member
^^^ Very Cool! Unable to help myself from noticing your avatar name in conjunction with Blackwood's business, I have to ask: Is your name Harvey??
Nope, Harvey was the families 2nd generation owner of the business started in 1879...
My wife was 5th generation owner when we both retired from the business on December 2021...
I still stop by and say Hi to all the workers in the shop...
Here's a little back story on the shop... https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/heres-where-it-all-started.504127/#post-9772463
Snip's is short for Tin Snips...
RTM
Well-known member
Edit: Name was still on the building 3 years ago
843 Kerr St
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
maps.app.goo.gl
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isb cornbinder
Well-known member
While I have hundreds of original Vise Grips I do not have so many vintage tape measures. Lufkin was always my favorite. The others are retired from active service.
One of the retractable tape measures if a Gauge measure. It is for lay-out for brick laying. One of the other "tapes" is for converting lengths to diameters
The long ruler is a Lufkin tinsmith's layout straight edge. The reverse side of the lay-out ruler has hundreds of formulas for the trade. I have owned this straight edge or 60 years. The last time I used this Lufkin lay-out ruler was making the upholstery for my 1940 Ford.
One of the retractable tape measures if a Gauge measure. It is for lay-out for brick laying. One of the other "tapes" is for converting lengths to diameters
The long ruler is a Lufkin tinsmith's layout straight edge. The reverse side of the lay-out ruler has hundreds of formulas for the trade. I have owned this straight edge or 60 years. The last time I used this Lufkin lay-out ruler was making the upholstery for my 1940 Ford.
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Nope... New owners put their name up... That's an old google street view...Name is still on the building
843 Kerr St
Google Maps
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
But that's my MINI and my wife's Ford...
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
This is the coolest thing I have read on GJ all week.
ObnoxiousFumes
Well-known member
I hope you were able to keep the old sign.
Old Radar
Well-known member
Very interesting read--Thanks! I made the Tin Snips connection all on my own!
Nope... Had no use for it...
That sign was made in the shop awhile back... New owners made a new sign, in the same shop...
I stop by from time to time and give them a hand with CAD drawings until they become proficient, and say Hi to the old gang...
d42jeep
Well-known member
This little one had gotten pretty rusty so I did some work on it with the 3M 220 rotary disc. There is still some pitting but it’s very useable. 
-Don
-Don
Stanley No.36 1/2L Left Hand Caliper Rule, Boxwood with Brass Slide and Trim,
Bought the 36 1/2 on Friday last and posted it on the Garage Sale Thread. While seeking information about it I found “Boxwood & Ivory” by Philip Stanley at Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/boxwoodivory00phil/page/94/mode/2up?view=theater.
If you have any interest in Old Rules, it’s an example of a "Store-It-On-Your-Own-PC" rabbit hole.
Bought the 36 1/2 on Friday last and posted it on the Garage Sale Thread. While seeking information about it I found “Boxwood & Ivory” by Philip Stanley at Archive.org, https://archive.org/details/boxwoodivory00phil/page/94/mode/2up?view=theater.
If you have any interest in Old Rules, it’s an example of a "Store-It-On-Your-Own-PC" rabbit hole.
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The vintage cloth tape collecting bug bit me way to long ago. I currently have 120+ of various brands, mostly Lufkin, and some as old as the 1860s. Experimenting with a buffing wheel to polish up the brass cranks and banding. Anyone as nuts as I am on these things?
