Patternmakers chest show and tell - a very generous gift

[nick_b00]

Recently I was gifted a patternmakers chest by a family friend. I believe that the owner was a patternmaker for Evans Deakin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evans_Deakin_and_Company) boat builders here in Brisbane, and then for Parkes badge makers. From the contents it was at least used in the late 1950's to his retirement, and I am hoping to have a more detailed history recorded for me to keep with it as part of its significance.

The chest is made of ply and is approximately 18*18*36". There are 4 internal sliding trays which are removable. Amongst other things is 30 odd excellent quality English paring chisels, paring gouges and carving chisels by Marples, Sorby, Addis. There a couple of wooden planes, a Stanley 113 (type 3), a couple of saws, calipers, brace bits, and other bits and pieces that are all from his days in his trade.

I'll let the images show you why I am humbled to be offered such a treasure.

Nick



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[wheelinround]

Better than Blackbeard's Treasure chest :2tsup:

[pmcgee]

Absolutely fantastic. Top score.

Is the name on the saw 'Henry Boker' ?
I have only seen european-style horned planes and irons from them. German I believe.
OldTools Archive -- message 89835 (http://swingleydev.com/archive/get.php?message_id=89835)

Cheers,
Paul

[nick_b00]

Thank you all.

Paul, yes the saw is a Boker. I have an identical saw to this already. They made other tools, I have seen planes etc as you mention, augers, pliers, blades, saw sets.

Nick

[Sawdust Maker]

drool!

[DSEL74]

Wow that is a real find. You must be a valued friend for such a gift.

[ian]

Hi Nick

I see that you are suitably humbled by such a gift

If I can ask one thing, can you please get a complete inventory recorded, including the tray/till where each tool was stored.
A resource like that will be invaluable in the future.

[Ball Peen]

. A real time capsule. I just googled Kangaroo chisels....Sorby. Poor old Champion Ruby looks very different today.

[DSEL74]

Here is a link to another pattern maker's chest and story. You may be able to relate to it
The Superior Works: C.A.Jewett's Patternmaking Chest (http://www.supertool.com/etcetera/pchest/pattern.htm)

[fineboxes]

One of the nicest user Chests I've seen and to be fully kitted out with original tools is a real bonus.

A true gift fro the heart.:2tsup:

Cheers

Steve

[tdrumnut]

OMG I just dribbled into me coffee, that is so cool.

[pmcgee]

Please let me know what you did good in your previous life so I can get started on that now. :D

Paul

[wheelinround]

OMG I just dribbled into me coffee, that is so cool.

What dribbling into your own coffee :p

[nick_b00]

Thank you all.

I wanted to mention there are 2 small calico bags in the chest labelled silica.

I am wondering if any eggheads (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggheads_(TV_series)) out there can tell me if this is there as a rust inhibitor or used in some other way?

Thanks

Nick

[Clinton1]

Not sure on this one, as a gel is can be used as a moisture absorber, but as a powder it would be used as an abrasive.
I guess the test (to see if it was used as a rust inhibitor) would be to spray some water on some powder and see if it absorbs water, then bake it at 120C to see if the resulting powder will absorb water again.
What colour is it?

[nick_b00]

Not sure what colour it is Clint - its sealed up pretty well in the bags, and they are both full, which makes me think its more for rust than use for anything. The granules feel quite coarse - say 3-4mm.

Thanks,

Nick

[pmcgee]

The forum has some info ... http://www.woodworkforums.com/f152/question-silica-impregnated-plane-socks-115822/#post1135473

but these guys (https://tembi.ca/en/p/b/1) say
"Flooring Varnish (https://tembi.ca/en/p/36)
Water-based varnish for wood floor finish Water-based self-sealing varnish, strengthened with silica nanoparticles, for wood floor finish"

So what I think it is ... you just kinda wave the bag airily over your finish and let some nano-particles out.
Jeez - those guys were really advanced! :D

Paul

[clear out]

Nice find, are the contraction rules still there?
Any other sizes of the fillet rubbers(pic 3 ball bearings on brazing rod).
Transfer calipers,a mouse or two?
The trammel heads are there, are the dividers sharpened with a chisel point on one side?
The core box plane is it a modified maker or did he have his own stamp?
H.

[nick_b00]

Nice find, are the contraction rules still there?
Any other sizes of the fillet rubbers(pic 3 ball bearings on brazing rod).
Transfer calipers,a mouse or two?
The trammel heads are there, are the dividers sharpened with a chisel point on one side?
The core box plane is it a modified maker or did he have his own stamp?
H.


I'll have a closer inspection on the weekend for you, I'm not sure off hand, and I'll try to take some photos for those interested.

Thanks,
Nick

[pmcgee]

... I'll try to take some photos for those interested.
Thanks,
Nick

"Orright you lot ... form an orderly line around the block ... " :D

[snafuspyramid]

H. Boker made some of the finest straight razors ever made. I can't imagine the quality of the saw being any less. Speaking of which, is that a straight razor I see peeking out there?

[nick_b00]

H. Boker made some of the finest straight razors ever made. I can't imagine the quality of the saw being any less. Speaking of which, is that a straight razor I see peeking out there?

Yes. The benefactor asked if it was ivory, alas no, its an unmarked plastic cut throat.

Nick

[Peter57]

Thank you all.

I wanted to mention there are 2 small calico bags in the chest labelled silica.

I am wondering if any eggheads (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggheads_(TV_series)) out there can tell me if this is there as a rust inhibitor or used in some other way?

Thanks

Nick

It will be silica gel. Called a gel but actually small crystals of silica. They are a desiccant so will keep the humidity in the box low, they do not have inhibitor. the low moisture levels help prevent rusting. My dad still has one that he used in the '50s.

The nice thing about silica gel is that it can be regenerated by placing it in a hot 120C oven for a fair while. We used to use it in the laboratory and regeneration was usually achieved by drying overnight in the oven.

Be careful not to burn the calico though.