THE TOOL TABLE The Newsletter of the Richmond Antique Tool Society VOLUME 14, NO. 5 NOVEMBER 2008 Next meeting Friday November 14 Agenda All times are approximate 6:00–7:00 p.m. Tool talk & sales 7:00-7:15 p.m. General meeting 7:15-8:00 p.m. “Emmert vises” 8:00-9:00 p.m. Donation auction 9:00-10:00 p.m.Tool sales/wrap- up THE TOOL TABLE is the official publication of the Richmond Antique Tool Society and is published bi-monthly, in approximately January, March, May, June, August and November of each year. Editor & Layout ..... Bill Taggart [email protected]The President’s Plane Talk Our next meeting is our annual “Donation Night” Friday, November 14th at Pocahontas Middle School. This is the time to clean up your shop and bring in all the items, supplies, tools, and junk that has been cluttering the shop since last year’s meeting. This is our major fundraiser for the year and offsets the cost of the school and Legion Hall rentals. We also will have a presentation on “Emmert Vises” by Alan Weber and Dick Levy. I’m bringing some fresh tools to sell and hopefully, my sales will help pay for my speeding ticket to Bellwood Flea Market this past Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. I’m bringing lots to donate and Bill Taggart has a very nice (surprise) donation for your consideration. As usual, you never know what will show up. Bring a friend to this fun-filled auction night, learn about Emmert vices, eat some great food, bring in items to donate and have lots of cash. Hey, let’s all spread the wealth…or should I say “junk”. The Gathering will take place on Wednesday night, December 10th at the Glen Allen Legion Hall. We will mail all members a letter with all the details, directions and times. Remember you can place 10 items into the tool auction that night. This is a good opportunity to get a little money back to buy more tools. Well, we did it. We pulled the “Pocket Knife Night” off with anybody going to the pokey. Tom Storamski did a fine job explaining his collection and different aspects of collecting pocket knives. It was great to see a large turnout after our summer break. With the exception of Brian Blair bringing in his JUMBO pocket knife, I would like to thank everyone for following the rules. Linda Blair’s homemade warm bread made up for Brian. I guess that’s why she does such sweet things. Thanks, Linda! Also, Bob Ziegler gave a fine presentation on Liberty Bell planes. It was a great night. So, lots of activities coming up: The next meeting, Nov. 14th, The Gathering – Dec 10th and the Tool Show @ The ShowPlace Jan. 3rd & 4th. Please get involved in some way and best of all, just our company is needed. Let’s close out a great tool year and usher in a new one. Plane and Simple, Rick Long
Transcript
THE TOOL TABLE The Newsletter of the Richmond Antique Tool Society
THE TOOL TABLE is the official publication of the Richmond Antique Tool Society and is published bi-monthly, in approximately January, March, May, June, August and November of each year. Editor & Layout.....Bill Taggart
The President’s Plane Talk Our next meeting is our annual “Donation Night” Friday, November 14th at Pocahontas Middle School. This is the time to clean up your shop and bring in all the items, supplies, tools, and junk that has been cluttering the shop since last year’s meeting. This is our major fundraiser for the year and offsets the cost of the school and Legion Hall rentals. We also will have a presentation on “Emmert Vises” by Alan Weber and Dick Levy. I’m bringing some fresh tools to sell and hopefully, my sales will help pay for my speeding ticket to Bellwood Flea Market this past Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. I’m bringing lots to donate and Bill Taggart has a very nice (surprise) donation for your consideration. As usual, you never know what will show up. Bring a friend to this fun-filled auction night, learn about Emmert vices, eat some great food, bring in items to donate and have lots of cash. Hey, let’s all spread the wealth…or should I say “junk”. The Gathering will take place on Wednesday night, December 10th at the Glen Allen Legion Hall. We will mail all members a letter with all the details, directions and times. Remember you can place 10 items into the tool auction that night. This is a good opportunity to get a little money back to buy more tools. Well, we did it. We pulled the “Pocket Knife Night” off with anybody going to the pokey. Tom Storamski did a fine job explaining his collection and different aspects of collecting pocket knives. It was great to see a large turnout after our summer break. With the exception of Brian Blair bringing in his JUMBO pocket knife, I would like to thank everyone for following the rules. Linda Blair’s homemade warm bread made up for Brian. I guess that’s why she does such sweet things. Thanks, Linda! Also, Bob Ziegler gave a fine presentation on Liberty Bell planes. It was a great night. So, lots of activities coming up: The next meeting, Nov. 14th, The Gathering – Dec 10th and the Tool Show @ The ShowPlace Jan. 3rd & 4th. Please get involved in some way and best of all, just our company is needed. Let’s close out a great tool year and usher in a new one. Plane and Simple, Rick Long
The Richmond Antique Tool Society (RATS) is a non-profit organization serving to promote knowledge of and interest in collecting, making and using antique tools. RATS provides a gathering place where members and guests can gain knowledge and understanding about tools and trades from the past and also buy, sell and trade old tools. Regular meetings are held in February, April, June, September, November and December. Memberships are available for $10.00 annually by mailing to: Richmond Antique Tool Society
c/o Mike Larkin 9487 Williamsville Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Officers President.......................Rick Long
Known as “The Iron Hand,” the Emmert line of vises were marketed as the most versatile vises ever made – and they quite likely were (and still are). They mostly are associated with patternmaking, where their ability to hold various oddly-shaped pieces of work at almost any angle was highly valued. Today, an Emmert vise is the “holy grail” of woodworking tools for many woodworking enthusiasts. Tales are told of finding an Emmert vise at a garage sale for only a few dollars, just like the stories of finding an all-original classic old car in a barn with only a few miles on the odometer. The reality is that Emmerts tend to go for several hundred dollars, unless the seller doesn’t realize what he or she has – and then the buyer has a very happy day indeed. Alan Weber and Dick Levy will be showing us more about these great tools. In the meantime, for a primer and some reference material on Emmert vises, check out http://www.mprime.com/Emmert/index.htm.
PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO PAY YOUR DUES FOR 2009!
RATS Calendar 2008
November 14th RATS Meeting Pocahontas Middle School, 12000 Three Chopt Rd.
December 10th RATS Gathering American Legion Hall, Indale Road, Glen Allen
January 3-4, 2009 Antique Tool Show The Showplace, Mechanicsville, VA
THE NEW ROGERS TREADLE FRET SAW
By Bill Taggart
The Millers Falls Company introduced its “Rogers” treadle saw in 1878. Only a year later, the company replaced that saw with the “New Rogers” saw, which went on to become a very successful item for the company. The saws became very popular with home hobbiest woodworkers – and even some serious makers of fret-work – and remain popular today. The New Rogers saw came with an automatic dust-blower bellows, strategically located just above and behind the blade, with a nozzle pointed down towards the work. The bellows kept the cutting area clear so the operator could see the cut line.
It also came with a simple collet-like drill chuck on the right side, for making “pierced” fretwork. A small drill was used to make a hole just big enough
to thread a blade through. In this way, the operator could make fretwork without having to start the cut from the outside and cut into the piece.
Several companies made similar saws and variations of scroll saws, but the New Rogers appears to be one of the most commonly found. This probably is because it actually works very well!
These days, fretwork usually is cut out with a laser, or stamped out with a steel die. But a New Rogers saw, although over 100 years old, can still work just as well as when new, and children often enjoy cutting out simple shapes. It is a very safe way to introduce children to woodworking.
As with any other tool, there is always someone who collects them. For pictures of an impressive collection, check out http://www.scrollsaws.com/SawCollection/SawsCollection.html.
For a bit more history of the New Rogers saw, and the best site on the web for information about the history and tools of the Millers Falls Company, go to http://oldtoolheaven.com/history/history2.htm.
THE TOOL TABLE The Newsletter of the Richmond Antique Tool Society
VOLUME 14, NO. 5 NOVEMBER 2008
The Richmond Antique Tool Society (RATS) is a non-profit organization serving to promote knowledge of and interest in collecting, making and using antique tools. RATS provides a gathering place where members and guests can gain knowledge and understanding about tools and trades from the past and also buy, sell and trade old tools. Regular meetings are held in February, April, June, September, November and December. Memberships are available for $10.00 annually by mailing to:
Richmond Antique Tool Society c/o Mike Larkin
9487 Williamsville Road Mechanicsville, VA 23116
RATS Calendar 2008
November 14 RATS Meeting Pocahontas Middle School
December 10 RATS Gathering American Legion Hall Indale Rd., Glen Allen, VA January 3-4, 2009 Antique Tool Show The Showplace, Mechanicsville, VA
FIRST CLASS MAIL DATED MATERIAL
Richmond Antique Tool Society c/o Mike Larkin 9487 Williamsville Road Mechanicsville, VA 23116
