Haven't posted in a little while because I have been on vacation at my parent's house in Alabama. I did however come back with a few new to me toys.
First Dad gave me a Drill press that belonged to my grandfather. It is a small 8in Delta model with 5 or six speeds. It needs to be cleaned up a little bit but is in perfect working order. The chucks spins smooth with no wobble at all. In fact I am surprised at how quiet it is, probably the quietest machine in my shop.
The second tool he gave me was a hand saw that is quite old. I didn't know much about it at the time but on closer examination I have found the initials JES were carved into the handle. This is my Grandfather's initials, so I am super excited about it. It looks to have been barely used, but the blade is rusty and will need to be cleaned. It is however very sharp. I have already tightened the handle up, but it needs to be cleaned and oiled. I especially love the shaping of the handle, and hope to find a brand name of some sort on it after cleaning, but it doesn't really matter what brand it is. To hold something and use it as my long dead grandfather did, will thrill me to no end.
The third thing is a pantograph (hope I spelled that right). This also belonged to my grandfather, but it doesn't loo to have ever been used. It is always hard to tell with his tools as he always took very good care of his tools and refused to allow anyone to borrow them. It is still in the original box. I suspect he used it to make small pictures bigger to transfer them onto pieces of wood for scroll sawing, but I don't know it for a fact.
The fourth thing is an old brace. It looks to be a Stanley, but I am not sure yet. It needs to be cleaned up but looks to be in great shape. I don't have any bits for it as of yet but I will be on the look out for them in the future.
The fifth item was a 1950's Black and Decker drill. It is a 1/4" Heavy Duty Holgun model. This item was the first one that I decided to start with. It's cord had been cut, probably because it had stopped working. Being an all metal drill it is essential that it works properly electrically or you will get zapped. I plan on fixing this drill up and using it mainly as decoration in the shop, using it occasionally, as the parts are no longer made for this drill.
The last thing I will mention here will be a non-woodworking item. It is a Fish cooker that is around 30 years old. It has been well used every year since it was new, so it needs a little TLC though it works very well still.
Keep a look out for future posts on these items as I refurbish and use them. Also next time you see that old tool at a flea market, yard sale, or estate sale remember that even in its used, rusty, and dilapidated state its still better than anything you can buy off the shelf at your local box store.
