A few years ago my son found an old toolbox in his cellar and gave it to me. Someone had put a screw thru the top to lock it closed. When I opened it, I found an auger, several auger bits, a draw knife , a tray of bits that must have been for a large drill press and a variety of incidental other items. Some of the tools have since found a new home.  The  key to the box was inside. An old newspaper page lined the bottom of the box. Enclosed are photos. I'll probably never use the box, but I don't want to destroy it either. The locking mechanisn really works

 

 

 

 

WOW! Thst is quite a find. The date on the paper appears to be 1891, just a few moons ago

Dec 9,1891 is the date on the newspaper

Thats a real treasure. That year my grandpa was 18 y.o.then. Those are interesting bits, I couldn't read the name of the manufacturer.  Whom ever the box belonged to probably made it too.

Herb

That's a nice find Al. Thanks for sharing.  One thing I noticed is the single board lid.  Not a glue up.  We would be hard pressed to find a board that wide in todays world.

The whole box was made using wide pine boards. The top, front and back are 3/4" thick and the sides are 1" thick. All the trimming is 1/2"

I don't know what the name on the bit is but the last 2 words are cast steel I think. It switched to cast iron way back when also but was still stamped cast steel. That bit might be worth a lot as is the tool box. Nice find and thanks for sharing.

 

Preston

That's really neat! 

Very cool.  What are the dimensions of the box?

Cal

On ‎12‎/‎9‎/‎2016 at 10:46 PM, It Was Al B said:

I'll probably never use the box, but I don't want to destroy it either

Al, if you are into antique tool restoration, that box might be a good place to display collectibles.

Not sure how I missed this when it was first posted, but that is a really cool find!

On 12/10/2016 at 0:48 PM, clhyer said:

Very cool.  What are the dimensions of the box?

Cal

The over all dimensions are 21 1/2"  L X 11 3/4" W X 11 3/4' D

That is a nice piece of history! Thanks for sharing.

Preston, Probably not a lot of value, but the bit pictured is one of the 15 shown in the tray in the tool box.

That is a really neat find !!

Did you do anything with the box.

Restore or just display?

 

On 12/9/2016 at 11:46 PM, It Was Al B said:

When I opened it, I found an auger, several auger bits, a draw knife ,

Al, Sorry I missed this post. Now seeing the tool box, I'm even more convinced this had to belong to a tradesman associated with ship building given your proximity to all the ship yards in our early history. The box and "spade bits" may very well be from some sort of apprenticeship. You may want to contact some local mariner museums to see if they can provide more information.

 

For all below who responded to Al's original post, I've quoted you so you know how true friendships can develop and grow yet never meeting someone in person.

 

Al & I first met a few years ago now on the old Handyman Club of America forum site...Two or three years ago, when I first joined the Wood Magazine forum, I "recognized" Al also participated there through his signature line. I initiated a PM and our friendship began to develop and grow.

 

We've spoken on the phone a few times supporting each during some life events, project needs, talk some "Deflate Gate"  and just to chat. I'll tell you, Al is much better than me at this and seems to have a great intuition when to reach out. According to Google, we're 1001 miles away, but I honestly count Al as one of my closest friends. I share all of the above for better understanding of the next few lines.

 

The reason Al spoke of the other tools (brace, several auger bits and draw-knife) in this box yet did not show pictures is one very fortunate, humbled and honored country boy in West Central Indiana received a USPS package a couple months back with all of those tools enclosed. Al's generosity and desire for me to "own" these tools genuinely humbled and honored me. Once winter is over here (if that ever happens ) and maybe all things resolved with my mother, one of my first projects will be making a tool case to store and preserve these tools. @steven newman has given me some great ideas from his shop befitting tools of this caliber and history. Of course, copies of this thread and other written documentation on who, where and how these tools made their way from Massachusetts to Indiana will reside in the case.

 

I had (have) pictures of those tools I intended to post but my Memory card somehow got corrupted in my new phone and haven't been able to recover yet plus everything that has occurred with my mother over the past 36 days. I will get some pictures retaken and create a separate thread with a link to this thread hopefully soon.

 

Anyways, as Paul Harvey used to say, "That's the rest of the story."  These tools now are among my most valued possessions along with the few tools I have from both my grand-fathers and my dad. Not only because of where they came from but most importantly from whom they came from. One small way to remember and honor Michael, Al's late son too. Someday, I hope my grandson's will also hold that same value and continue the story and tradition. 

 

THANK-YOU AGAIN Al. You are a true example of friendship and generosity.

 

 

On 12/9/2016 at 11:50 PM, Chips N Dust said:

WOW! Thst is quite a find. The date on the paper appears to be 1891, just a few moons ago

 

On 12/10/2016 at 0:15 AM, Dadio said:

Thats a real treasure. That year my grandpa was 18 y.o.then. Those are interesting bits, I couldn't read the name of the manufacturer.  Whom ever the box belonged to probably made it too.

Herb

 

On 12/10/2016 at 8:32 AM, HandyDan said:

That's a nice find Al. Thanks for sharing.  One thing I noticed is the single board lid.  Not a glue up.  We would be hard pressed to find a board that wide in todays world.

 

On 12/10/2016 at 11:48 AM, steamshovel said:

I don't know what the name on the bit is but the last 2 words are cast steel I think. It switched to cast iron way back when also but was still stamped cast steel. That bit might be worth a lot as is the tool box. Nice find and thanks for sharing.

 

Preston

 

On 12/10/2016 at 11:57 AM, lew said:

That's really neat! 

 

On 12/10/2016 at 0:48 PM, clhyer said:

Very cool.  What are the dimensions of the box?

Cal

 

On 12/11/2016 at 8:35 AM, PostalTom said:

Al, if you are into antique tool restoration, that box might be a good place to display collectibles.

 

On 12/11/2016 at 8:53 AM, Fred W. Hargis, Jr said:

Not sure how I missed this when it was first posted, but that is a really cool find!

 

On 12/12/2016 at 4:46 PM, Joeb41 said:

That is a nice piece of history! Thanks for sharing.

 

On 12/14/2016 at 10:07 AM, LarryS said:

That is a really neat find !!

Did you do anything with the box.

Restore or just display?

 

 

Dave, I'm humbled by your words, but you failed to mention how you supported me thru hard times and how you took someone who had "0" knowledge about small motors  and  provided the instructions and confidence to  disassemble and repair the motor from over 1000 mile away. When I ran into problems with the re assembly, I phoned you  and you guided me thru to a successful repair, saving me hundreds if not a couple of thousand $$$$$ for a new tractor.

I have no one in my family who would have appreciated  the tools that were given to me by my son. I knew Dave would cherish having them.

There is an active boat building museum locally, the oldest in the country, " The Lowell Boat Shop", where I may inquire about the bits shown in the photo. Boats are still being built there , teaching selected interested High School students the art of building  boats and using them on the waters.  The life boats for one of the tall ships were recently built here. I've unfortunately forgotten the name of the ship.

I'm seeing lots of people who have made friends from a distance here, and who sincerely care about each other. The common woodworking interest and the desire to help where you can  brings everyone closer together, without ever physically meeting. While Dave and I met on other forums, I believe the Patriot Woodworker is the friendliest and most rewarding  site we've had the pleasure of visiting.

 I thank you Dave for your friendship.

 To answer the question by Larry L, The box is in my shop and I really don't know what I'll do with it. It definitely will be cared for.

 

Great post and very interesting reading.  Thank you, Al for sharing and pointing us to what folks used to do in our past. 

 

Steve, the old FlGatorwood

Al I keep thinking I have seen these bits somewhere. Maybe it was on The Woodwright's Shop, as Roy is always digging up something. It just seem to me that they go back to old English roots.

Here are some similar bits

Herb

http://www.fullchisel.com/blog/?p=105

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Center-Metric-Brad-Point-Boring-Wood-Drill-Bits-spade-auger-Drill-Press-Machine/262753971360?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D38530%26meid%3Da973e29b535f4291b0cdb785d31cc82f%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D152361505248

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Four-Vintage-Center-Boring-Wood-Drill-Bits-spade-auger-Drill-Press-Lattner-/152361505248?hash=item23797411e0:g:tHkAAOSwJ7RYVxdM