I was so lucky that there was an auction close to the ski centre, so I only skied one day, and the next day I went to see if there was any interesting things up for sale.
I ended up with a total of approximately 8000 nails, some braces, a set of dividers, 3 very old braces some hammers and 2 hand planes, a Hellstedt No 5 and an Anchor No 3.
Both planes were in a pretty good state, but none the less, I decided to bring the No 3 with me on board for a little make over.
The totes are made out of beech, and they were originally varnished with a thick coat. This coat has cracked and has started to come off in various places making them rather uncomfortable to grip. I am sure I would get a blister in two minutes time by using it.
The sole needs to be straightened and the frog needs a cleaning for some rust. In addition to that I am considering to modify the lever on the lever cap. When closing the lever the corner sticks out too far, so it is basically necessary to re tighten the lever cap screw after mounting the lever cap.
The washers for the frog screws maybe need to be a little smaller, since the mouth can't be set to a really tight opening due to that the washers limit the movement of the frog.
By the way, the nails were: 1 box of 6000 pcs. of 60 mm galvanised nails.
1 box of 1200 pcs of 5" galvanised nails.
Roughly 1000 pcs of 4" nails (not galvanised).
Anchor No 3 hand plane
Front tote showing cracked varnish
More cracked varnish
Hi Jonas,
ReplyDeleteyou can buy pretty cheap tools in sweden. I found some good tools on sjælland too, but non in vendsyssel.
I like the kidney shaped hole in the Cap!
Farewell
Pedder
Hallo Pedder
ReplyDeleteSweden is a Mekka when it comes to fine old tools.
Allmost all the tools are some kind of quality brand, either Swedish brands from Eskilstuna (E.A. Berg, Jernbolaget, Hellstedt, Bahco, B.A. Hjorth etc)or other places in Sweden. I have found some nice American tools as well. I imagine that some of the Stanley tools were given to relatives in Sweden from families who had emigrated to USA. (But that is just my imagination).
I agree that it can be hard to find good cheap and used tools in Vendsyssel, but it is possible, if you go to some of the larger flea markets. In Denmark most of the good tools I have been able to find are old wooden planes. Typical either JPBO or DANA tools which were manufactured in Denmark.
Thanks for commenting
Brgds
Jonas
(Ich hatte die Idee, ein Deutsches Antwort zu schreiben, aber ich glaube das die meisten Leser das nich lesen kann.)
The #3 looks very much like a Stanley. Did Stanley copy Anchor or vice versa? I've never been to a tool auction where I was able to get anything. The tool collectors get all of the good items before they go on the market.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think that you should have responded in German :)
Hi Bill.
ReplyDeleteAnchor copied Stanley, as did Hellstedt by the way. Anchor was manufactured by a company called "Jernbolaget" in Eskilstuna. Eskilstuna used to be the Sheffield of Sweden when it comes to tool manufacturing.
The auction wasn't a tool auction, but more a general stuff auction. There were maybe 5 or 6 lots with some tools, and I pretty much got those that I wanted.
I paid around 10$ for the No% and half a box of 4" nails.
For the No 3 plus a lot of other good stuff I paid 15$.
I paid around 12$ for the 7200 nails along with a folding anchor for a small boat and a hydraulic jack. So I actually think I made a pretty good deal. (So according to your blog I am on my way to becoming a cool woodworker:-)
Maybe I'll respond in German the next time (if I find the courage).
Brgds
Jonas
Yes, what you did was very "cool woodworker". In fact, it was even better because you were not even at a true tool auction but still came away with tools for a low price. There are cool woodworkers who would give their left arm for that experience.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have no German speaking ability in the least, I just happened to recognize the first few words in your sentence, which I translated to "I had an idea to answer in German" Though that translation is probably not very accurate it was enough for me to get the general idea of what you were saying. I speak no languages other than English, but I can recognize some words and phrases in German and French.
Actually I was on a skiing holiday, so that should also give some "cool woodworker" points.
DeleteIt is actually a pretty accurate translation of the first part of my German phrase, the last part reads "But I doubt that most readers won't be able to read it".
I can speak and read German pretty good, but I am not that good at writing German. Probably because I don't use the language enough.
As for French I am pretty clueless.
I took Spanish for 2 years in high school, and barely made it through the exam, so I have forgotten most about it anyway.