What’s your holy grail tool?

[Mike'smeatshop]

Mine is a Parker no 98 carriage makers vise. I found it last fall, not having any idea what I had found. I did however learn ALOT about vises since then. Fortunately for me I didn't let a few other guys I know take advantage of my then lack of knowledge. The other cool collectable one I have is a Stephen's patent jewelers vise I've had for years, mainly because I paid almost nothing for it and it was always to odd to get rid of. Just a conversation piece. I'd like to have the small Parker Halls patent to sit with the two just because. I know a guy who has one, however he won't part with it and seems to really want my no 98. It's the only one he's missing to have the set!
Joel

Oh. How I know the situation your in. Parker is a big time vise. And How could you part with it? A lot of great history with your vise if only it could talk. The Stevens is the one I was asking about and do you have more pics of it?

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I've been told this one. It is really neat and I will admit it has opened my eyes to a whole new level of collecting. I would really like to find the small version, I believe a 92? To go with it and my little Stephen's patent jewelers vise. That would be a neat addition to my growing collection.
Joel

What is the writing on the side of the vise?

 

[joel_400]

The lettering on the side says "T. HALL'S PATENT JUNE 24 1873". Also here's the pic of the little Stephen's patent vise. Can't tell me it wouldn't look real good next to a small Halls patent vise!
Joel

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

The lettering on the side says "T. HALL'S PATENT JUNE 24 1873". Also here's the pic of the little Stephen's patent vise. Can't tell me it wouldn't look real good next to a small Halls patent vise!
Joel

Yea. That would look good.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

There is so much great reading on this site. I just can't keep up with everything. So cool.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Wow, I had no idea that being satisfied would make me a man. Now I'm dissatisfied. Will I turn back into a woman, or am I screwed?

This is a subject that should be handled with much care. I would not want you to change. My daughter is a trades person.
I would like to have a Beverly Shear. I do not want an import.

 

[Zeus36]

My Holy Grail machine would be a Monarch 10EE Lathe

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

My Holy Grail machine would be a Monarch 10EE Lathe

I hear you. The things that could be made and fixed.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Sawset.

 

[Steven 33]

I don't really have any stand-alone "holy grail" tools.

That said, I am an obsessive Xcelite collector, and I have several drivers that I have been looking for for years to fill out my collections:

-Stubby Black-Handle Nut Driver, Model S6 (I've seen this one twice in large lots on ebay, but the lots always sold for more than it was worth to me)
-Extended-Length T8 Torx Screwdriver Model XTD8XL (only ever seen this one in catalogs, never seen the actual driver)
-Tamper-Proof T10 Torx Screwdriver Model XTD-10TP (only ever seen this one in catalogs, never seen the actual driver)
-Any Extended-Length nut driver from A-13 to A-15 (I have A-16), and any above A-16 (I don't know which of these exist) These can also be labeled L-11, etc. A-** and L-** are mostly the same.
-Any screwdriver/nutdriver that has a part number that ends in "CM". All I know about the CM drivers is that their colors are non-standard. I don't know what "CM" stands for.

Xcelite tools are hard to collect. Mainly, because it's hard to know what they even made. There's a handful of catalogs out there, and they made a lot of custom tools too. Most of the time I don't know I want something until I see it. Like in the case of the A/L Series nut drivers, I had a full run up to A-12, and that's all that's ever shown in catalogs. I thought it was complete. Then I found an A-16?! So I don't know if 13-15 exist. I won't know until I find them.

I have an old set in a military roll bag i believe its original ill check the numbers on it for you if you might be interested

 

[dchawk81]

Wow, I had no idea that being satisfied would make me a man. Now I'm dissatisfied. Will I turn back into a woman, or am I screwed?

To answer your questions: Yes, and yes.

 

[dchawk81]

I usually come across a need and buy the tool. I don't have any tools that I'm particularly aspiring to acquire.

I'll say, like some others, a proper shop would be my holy grail of sorts.

 

[Moldyjim]

Bridgeport vertical mill.

1. What is it and why do you want it? Bridgeport vertical mill. Because it's a mill.
2. Provide a photo even if you don’t own it. OK
3. Story behind how you got it(if you obtained it) I can get one anytime. Just don't have the space yet.

All it needs is a riser block and a cross slide rotary table, DRO and a kurt vise.

 

[Jim C.]

The Stanley #164. If you collect vintage Stanley hand planes, the #164 should be at the top of your wish list.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my current very difficult to find item. Maybe someone has some of these sitting around and doesn’t know it.

41-W-900 Ignition Wrench Set - 7 wrench set

consisting of:

41-W-1468-350 Wrench, Elec. 13/64” (15) degrees x 15/64” (60) degrees

41-W-1468-355 Wrench, Elec. 15/64” (15) x 13/64” (60)

41-W-1468-360 Wrench, Elec. 7/32” (15) x 1/4” (60)

41-W-1468-365 Wrench, Elec. 1/4” (15) x 7/32” (60)

41-W-1468-370 Wrench, Elec. 9/32” (15) x 5/16” (60)

41-W-1468-375 Wrench, Elec. 5/16” (15) x 9/32” (60)

41-W-1468-380 Wrench, Elec. 11/32” (15) x 3/8” (60)

41-R-2738-75 Roll, Electrical Wrench Set, Leatherette 7 pockets

All wrenches stamped 41-W-900
-Don

 

[Zeus36]

All it needs is a riser block and a cross slide rotary table, DRO and a kurt vise.

Already have a cross slide rotary table, a Kurt clone, Heinrich quick action cam vise, Bridgeport mill vise, and a sweet X-Y cross slide. (Mostly used on an Electro-Mechano 601 drill press) Plus Vidmar drawers of end mills and slitting saws... Just need the mill and a DRO.

 

[The Wordsman]

This should be fun. It’s all about the tool you have been wanting for forever. It doesn’t matter if the tool is rare or out of your budget etc.

Here are the rules
1. What is it and why do you want it?
2. Provide a photo even if you don’t own it.
3. Story behind how you got it(if you obtained it)

I have a lot of great tools but always wanted a double horned Hay budden anvil.

Well, I’m getting a lift as soon as I mill enough wood to build the structure to,put it in. That’ll be a wish satisfied

 

[The Wordsman]

I am sick of crawling under cars. My truck is tall enough I don’t have to squeeze but I still want it lifted

 

[The Wordsman]

My grail is a garage. I desperately need my own.

My tool grail is currently a 1944 Snap on TM412E 1/4" drive 3/8" 8 point socket. Its the last piece I need to complete a set.

No photos of either.

I’ll look. I might have one. I don’t sell on this site so if I have one I’ll have to give it to you.

 

[The Wordsman]

I’ll look. I might have one. I don’t sell on this site so if I have one I’ll have to give it to you.

I know I have a 1944 1/2 inch ratchet and a 45. The 44 was e and 45 was g. Wartime effort

 

[The Wordsman]

I know I have a 1944 1/2 inch ratchet and a 45. The 44 was e and 45 was g. Wartime

My original Holy Grail was a Stanley #1 woodworking plane, just because they were rare and often spoken of, but I stumbled across one as part of a package deal. Bought two big tool chests, and it was part of the deal. Spotted it in the little bitty CL picture at the bottom, and guessed that it was a #1 or #2, so drove an hour plus the Sunday after Thanksgiving to get it. An as found picture first, cleaned up and parts replaced at the very bottom.
















The newest Grail is a Stanley GunMetal #42, like this, but I want it cheap, like I got my #1

STANLEY MILLERS PATENT NO. 42 Gunmetal Combination Plow & Filletster Plane - 92941 - AS OF MAY 16

Clean and fine. You can still make out the “MILLERS PATENT JUNE 28, 1870” on the handle. Full set of 10 cutters. The wrap-around-fence fit is a little awkward so it may not be original or one of the rods could be wonky.

www.jimbodetools.com

I have a Bailey #3

 

[The Wordsman]

I don't really have any stand-alone "holy grail" tools.

That said, I am an obsessive Xcelite collector, and I have several drivers that I have been looking for for years to fill out my collections:

-Stubby Black-Handle Nut Driver, Model S6 (I've seen this one twice in large lots on ebay, but the lots always sold for more than it was worth to me)
-Extended-Length T8 Torx Screwdriver Model XTD8XL (only ever seen this one in catalogs, never seen the actual driver)
-Tamper-Proof T10 Torx Screwdriver Model XTD-10TP (only ever seen this one in catalogs, never seen the actual driver)
-Any Extended-Length nut driver from A-13 to A-15 (I have A-16), and any above A-16 (I don't know which of these exist) These can also be labeled L-11, etc. A-** and L-** are mostly the same.
-Any screwdriver/nutdriver that has a part number that ends in "CM". All I know about the CM drivers is that their colors are non-standard. I don't know what "CM" stands for.

Xcelite tools are hard to collect. Mainly, because it's hard to know what they even made. There's a handful of catalogs out there, and they made a lot of custom tools too. Most of the time I don't know I want something until I see it. Like in the case of the A/L Series nut drivers, I had a full run up to A-12, and that's all that's ever shown in catalogs. I thought it was complete. Then I found an A-16?! So I don't know if 13-15 exist. I won't know until I find them.

Give me a minute, I’ve got a lot more. I’m feeling christmassy

 

[The Wordsman]

Give me a minute, I’ve got a lot more. I’m feeling christmassy

Remind me later if I have one of your xcelite wants I’ll give you one. My tools are in disarray but I bought ought a deceased man’s heating and air conditioning companies tools from his wife. I don’t sell off eBay but I don’t post much either or Uncle Sam will be knocking at my door. I don’t sell much but wife likes buying tools and she’s good at it. So please remind me later to ask her where the x collection is. I’ve got tools I don’t even know what they are. Like I was reading a post a minute ago about a Stanley planer and I tripped over a Bailey number three. I don’t even know how to use a planer but since I’ve had cancer I’m gonna find out

 

[The Wordsman]

I don’t want much. I just want three of these. Should be no problem, right? The picture proves that they exist.
-Don

Never seen one ever

 

[CoogarXR]

Remind me later if I have one of your xcelite wants I’ll give you one. My tools are in disarray but I bought ought a deceased man’s heating and air conditioning companies tools from his wife. I don’t sell off eBay but I don’t post much either or Uncle Sam will be knocking at my door. I don’t sell much but wife likes buying tools and she’s good at it. So please remind me later to ask her where the x collection is. I’ve got tools I don’t even know what they are. Like I was reading a post a minute ago about a Stanley planer and I tripped over a Bailey number three. I don’t even know how to use a planer but since I’ve had cancer I’m gonna find out

Cool man, thanks. Everything in the pic I already have, but if you've got more, I'd sure take a look at it!

 

[The Wordsman]

Well, nobody’s dream tool consists of the word craftsman. I think we’re all drowning in that brand. Hopefully old and not new. My wife went out last week and bought another estate comprising almost all craftsman. They’re great tools but being the number 1 for 100 years means a lot of product

 

[The Wordsman]

Cool man, thanks. Everything in the pic I already have, but if you've got more, I'd sure take a look at it!

Yes I do and I’m not selling here. I’ll give my wife the numbers and I might have one. This heat and air guy loved his xcelite, hammers, and axes. I have everything I’ll ever need. Just remind me to show you. I’m looking through peoples lists right now and I’ve probably got most of it. That’s not bragging that’s just having my kind of wife. You can look at my eBay site, I’m more interested in 100% customer ratings than money. Doing the tool thing gives my wife something to do with me because she has nothing to do with my lumber business

 

[The Wordsman]

Yes I do and I’m not selling here. I’ll give my wife the numbers and I might have one. This heat and air guy loved his xcelite, hammers, and axes. I have everything I’ll ever need. Just remind me to show you. I’m looking through peoples lists right now and I’ve probably got most of it. That’s not bragging that’s just having my kind of wife. You can look at my eBay site, I’m more interested in 100% customer ratings than money. Doing the tool thing gives my wife something to do with me because she has nothing to do with my lumber business

Did you know xcelite was called something else until 1952 when they changed there name because the xcelite series was so popular no one really even knew the name of the company who made the series?

 

[The Wordsman]

Do you collect VACO also. If you do the Tru Value in Fremont Ohio has some NOS VACO screwdrivers and nut drivers on their display racks for sale.

True Value Store Directory | Local Hardware Store

Store directory of True Value locations. Find a location near for you for Hardware Store products.

stores.truevalue.com

 

[The Wordsman]

Yes I do and I’m not selling here. I’ll give my wife the numbers and I might have one. This heat and air guy loved his xcelite, hammers, and axes. I have everything I’ll ever need. Just remind me to show you. I’m looking through peoples lists right now and I’ve probably got most of it. That’s not bragging that’s just having my kind of wife. You can look at my eBay site, I’m more interested in 100% customer ratings than money. Doing the tool thing gives my wife something to do with me because she has nothing to do with my lumber business

Picked off the floor in corner, p6,vaco s14, Olympia, and snap on ,proto, and others. Do you know what the one on far right is?

 

[The Wordsman]

Here

 

[d42jeep]

Did you know xcelite was called something else until 1952 when they changed there name because the xcelite series was so popular no one really even knew the name of the company who made the series?

I believe that Park Metalware may have been mentioned a few times on this thread.

Vintage Xcelite or other Nut Driver Sets

One of my collecting quirks is an unnatural fascination with nut drivers. My tool collecting buddies are aware of the problem because I've sent some of them nut drivers as unsolicited gifts in the past. So when I saw this set at a nearby tool sale by a retired electrician, I just had to have...

www.garagejournal.com

-Don

 

[Maui]

What if there's nothing? What if I'm basically satisfied?

It appears that women are never satisfied.

 

[MR.X]

Vintage tool discussion "Holy Grail" thread and.......

We in here talkin 'bout Plastic handle nut drivers?! Nut Drivers?!

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

What’s wrong with nut drivers?

 

[Stubby1743]

Dragon-glass axe head.

 

[dchawk81]

It appears that women are never satisfied.

They just say they are to make you feel manly.

 

[kaymccampbell]

It appears that women are never satisfied.

I have days.....

 

[Old Man Roger]

Lol

 

[crguy]

Vintage tool discussion "Holy Grail" thread and.......

We in here talkin 'bout Plastic handle nut drivers?! Nut Drivers?!

My thoughts exactly.