Thread: Monday night Show'n'Tell

I've wanted a mitre box for a while now, so I snapped this one up when the guy said $10! Got it from one of Brisbane's last junk shops - on Wellington Road at the Gabba. They don't often have much in tools, but lots of furniture.

Photos aren't too good as they're taken on my mobile phone.

Usual rust everywhere, but looks to be complete, instructions on the back are a bit battered. Made in USA stamped into the wood at the front. Found a reference on the net to "laminated maple, stained alternate light and dark" but I don't know if they made that up! Put Dad's Marples tenon saw in it to see what it did and it cut a nice square cut, but on a small slope, so I'll have to fiddle with that.

Took all the metal work apart and soaked in Ranex for a while and it came up ok. Did Dad's tenon saw at the same time - soak in Ranex, wash off, scrub with wire wool in diluted vinegar and washing detergent - just the diluted vinegar and wire wool for the handle, then a coat of orange oil and Trad wax, Trad wax on the blade, and all the mitre box metal work. Its a rough sort of way to clean up tools, but its quick and effective, it just leaves the metal work very grey - maybe it just needs buffing?

Didn't do anything to the wood on the mitre box. Its got a ply top, as there's a serious crack in the base, but it will work fine for now while I think about what's best to do about it.

The Stanley parts website says they have parts for the 115 made between 1927 and 1984, which I take to mean they didn't change the design for nearly 60 years - not bad even for Stanley. This one seems to have been painted blue.

Too much to say to fit it into one post...

Putting it back together, I'm always amazed by the level of detail, ingenuity and engineering skill. There's three screws holding the two halves of the saw guide together, along with a 'bump' cast on the inside of the saw guides, which together give incredibly fine control over the gap between the guides in all directions - fabulous!

I managed to break the little screw which adjusts the angle of cut so I'll have to replace that one day - for now its not vital and I can't get the old one out!

Originally Posted by Burnsy

Shoes handbags or both

Far.. Far more terrifying than that

DOLLS!!... dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnn..... they scared me as a kid and they still bloody well scare me now!

I'm telling myself at least she's into 60's 70's things and not those awfull antique china ones with the dead peoples eyes!.. but any doll is unnerving when one is on the way to the loo in the dark.

Originally Posted by rhancock

the guy said $10!

Congratulations for keeping your hand from shaking while you pulled the tenner out of your wallet and not giving the game away.
What a lovely little mitre box.. I'd say that'd be the gloat of the weekend and it's not gone friday!

Maybe Tom will guzzump you at the Sunday markets.. he does have that knack

His wife thumped him later on when he told her! She'd have charged $20 - I'd have paid that too.

Originally Posted by Slow6

My better half was arguing a very similar point today Tom.
If you like it, keep it.. you don't drink, smoke, gamble, eat out, etc etc etc.. have all the planes you want for petes sake!

I suspect she may be planning an addition to her own collection though... silencing my cries of protest well in advance

Oh yes I know that one. Suddenly bargains at the meet become very expensive.
"That'll be $5 and a new dress for the missus mate"

I did a favour for a friend a while ago and he gave me these in return.

I cleaned them up but havn't used them in the heat of battle yet.

Originally Posted by dakotax3

I did a favour for a friend a while ago and he gave me these in return.

I cleaned them up but havn't used them in the heat of battle yet.

That brings back memories.

I hope the rubber rings aren't perished, might have to do the job twice and then the calves are bigger and kick harder.

My preference was sheep, a lot easier to handle.

Originally Posted by dakotax3

I did a favour for a friend a while ago and he gave me these in return.

I cleaned them up but havn't used them in the heat of battle yet.

Used them a lot but was wondering "what" you intended to use them for and on WHOM.

cheers

Hi KevM & Calm,

1) The work that these boys do is not all that far back in my history actually, with sheep. One set may well get a run soon as I still do a bit of honorary work occasionally in this particular field. Keeps my hand in, just in case I have to use them in point 2).

2) The other set will be waiting with me behind my shed door waiting for the first uninvited intruder (read: tool thief) to experience first hand what they are and how they work.

Originally Posted by dakotax3

I did a favour for a friend a while ago and he gave me these in return.

Puuuuurfect for when blokes come sniffing around wanting to borrow your tools

Originally Posted by Scribbly Gum

I have been looking for one of these for a very long time.
Finally found one.
It is a Sargent Autoset 718C.
These were made between 1916 and 1943.
It isn't an early model as the knobs have diamond knurling.
The front knob is wrong but acceptable.
All in all it is in very good condition.
It wasn't a bargain but I paid what I consider a fair price for it. Sorry not telling how much.
This group of planes is a great group to collect because there are only a small number of them 707 - 722.
A bit like Turners in that respect.
Anyway I thought that I would just share my joy with you all.
Cheers from Tele Point
SG

Hi Tom

Ever since you posted that Picture I have been envious, one of the first planes that caught my eye was an Autoset on Brunners site and I think it was the same day that I decided I could swing it he marked it as "ON HOLD"

Anyway.. thanks to you reviving the longing I finally found one!.. also by complete fluke a 718C
Busted up front knob and one of the little female threads under the domed plate is chipped (but holding) most importantly there is some meat left on the blade.
I'm almost glad to get one in just ok condition because I want to play with it.. and I always feel bad letting really nice planes knock around the workshop.

I took plenty of photos.. I figure a lot of people will have seen them and like me wonder how the hell they work.. I had no idea what was going on under that front knob until I had it in my hands I didn't really get the lever cap working as a chip breaker/cap fully until I used one either.

I'm going to really.. really try hard to avoid becoming Sargent obsessed.. and keep it to a couple of planes to play with.

oh gawd.. but they are so pretty

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Turning a new front knob is going to be fun

That's a very cool plane! I think our familiarity with Stanley / Bailey planes has made them a little humdrum, whereas that looks a little exotic. What's the point of the gubbins under the front knob? Does it move around?

Wow in excelsis.
Great find Luban.
There is only one bigger than that and it is the 722.(very hard to find)
Yours has the proper front knob as well - adjustable for tilt and for/aft positioning.
Aren't they a great plane.- and like the Turners there aren't too many in the set.
Peter picked up a lovely 707 recently to fill a space in his number seven collection.
I don't have a 707 or a 722 but would very much like to.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Tom