Identification of tools

KarenCC · Post by **KarenCC** » Sun Sep 11, 2022 7:32 pm

Hello all

I'm having a bit of a garage clearout and have come across a number of tools - not sure if they have any value or even how to sell them because I'm not quite sure what they are called.

Is anybody able to help please? The man who previously owned them was a bit of a keen woodworker if that helps with some....

I've attached the photos and given them numbers... :)

Many thanks for any pointers...

Karen

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Sep 11, 2022 7:50 pm

1) Drill and screwdriver
First thing is a screwdriver (They didn't have plastic for handles back then)
Next thing is a drill bit (Way before manual drills) You put a bar through the loop at the top and turn the bar to turn the bit. Some did use a screwdriver, but you shouldn't as a screwdriver has a sharp end

2) Is a surform
It's a huge file for use on wood. You hold the black tip to guide it, and grab/push the red handle

3) Brace (L) and a drill (R)
The Brace needs to have a drill bit put in the end, once done you push on the "mushroom" and turn the "small barrel" this in turn makes the drill bit go round so you drill a hole.
The drill, is a hand operated drill, you put a bit in the chuck (Silver bit on the end) hold the handle (Thing with a bit of sting tied to it) then you turn the small handle on the wheel that has teeth. It turns the chuck, which turns the bit, which makes the hole.

4) Is a sash cramp (Its what I know them as)
Its like a vice, but you can use it on really big things, as you can slide the other bit closer or further to the end, then put in the pin (Thing on a chain) so it will not move then you tighten it, like you do the vice.

5) Is a bench vice.
You Bolt it to a bench (it cant move then) and you turn the big bar, which opens the jaws, you put in what you want to hold, then turn the bar the other way to tighten the jaws. The bar can slip through the silver bit, so that when the jaws are tight, it is not in your way.

6) see 8

7) That is a Last.
You put shoes on the sticking up bit. You move it (tip it) so you have the best fit/size at the top, you then put the shoe on it and carry out the repair to the shoe. (Yes, shoe that you wear on your feet, back in the day, they repaired shoes, pull the heel off and put new nails in to secure it, thats why you needed something to hold the shoe as you hit the nails in.)

8)Last, float, saw
Same last as above,
Float, (I think thats what it is) you put plaster on a wall, and you use a float to float over the plaster to make it smooth.
Coping saw, its a saw with very fine teeth, its used to make delicate shapes, it goes "so far back" to allow you to cut further into what you are cutting, if it was closer to the blade, you would have to stop as it would be in the way. Silver/gold smiths also use them.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sun Sep 11, 2022 7:51 pm

picture 1 some sort off auger

2-- surform planes a cross between a wood plane and a file

3 hand drill and a brace

4 sash clamps

5 metalwork vice

6 fret saw

7 shoe makers last

and a cement/plaster float

KarenCC · Post by **KarenCC** » Sun Sep 11, 2022 7:58 pm

Both! That is really good of you. Thank you!

It's funny, I was looking at the black object wondering why something which looks like it is related to shoes was in his carpentry box! But really appreciate the detailed descriptions. It helps a lot. Really.

thank you.

Grumps · Post by **Grumps** » Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:10 pm

I'll have a go.

Photo #1. The two on the right are basically Awls. Used for drilling wood.

Photo #2. Surform. Basically used for abrading and shaping wood prior to sanding. Now replaced with electric belt sanders.

Photo #3. Hand drills. The one on the right isn't much use but, the other, with a screwdriver bit inserted, and a healthy dose of 'stomach contact' exerted, can shift 'stubborn' screws. We used to have a couple, which were very useful but, 'someone' decided that they weren't needed and 'binned' them.

Photo #4. Sash Cramps. Woodworking Tools. Regardless of age, they never become obsolete. As Norm Abram of the series, "This Old House" and New Yankee Workshop" used to say, "You can't have too many clamps."

Photo #5. Vice. Looks rather small and not in good condition. Not worth little more than scrap value.

Photo #6. Coping saw. Non-adjustable (seemingly). Scrap.

Photo #7. Shoemakers Last. May attract a few quid at auction.

Photo #8. Another Last. Unknown wooden tool + another Coping saw.

Sad Puppy that I am, when someone once asked what I wanted for a Xmas present, I requested a Coping saw.

It has endured much usage when fitting skirting boards.

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Sun Sep 11, 2022 8:39 pm

Only B-A is correct regarding #6, which is a fret saw, which has a much taller hoop than a coping saw.

The Surform on the left is a Stanley with a plastic handle so 1970's. The one on the right is a Simmonds (original patent Australia 1949) and may have a value to a collector of historic tools though with plastic handles it is probably late '60's/70's.

Both these and the sash cramps still have a practical use for a keen & knowledgable DIYer. The vice may have a use similarly as it could easily be refurbished.

The shoe last may be worth a couple of quid at a carboot sale, an antique shop or a charity shop - people use them as novelty door/gate stops, I've also seen them used as bases for table lamps.

The auger bits have no real use these days. The brace & hand-drill are ornaments for a man-cave. All the items pictured are at least 50 years old.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Sun Sep 11, 2022 11:30 pm

dont " fret" pet as alvedizane pet used to say

fin · Post by **fin** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 8:42 am

those surforms are used by plasterers quite a lot for triming boards to size. or atleast plasterers ive worked alongside.

sash cramps are so usefull also. ive got i think 6 or 8 of the things in my garage

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 9:06 am

i have perhaps 15 to 20 from 6" to 76" with the ability use some back to back on some to increase capacity by about 80%

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 4:51 pm

The float seems to be sitting away from whatever it's on . Is it possible to get a photo of the other side to the handle?

The screwdriver in the first picture is probably worth grinding up . I still use one similar to it as I can get a moveable spanner onto it for really awkward screws.
Likewise I still carry a brace to use a a back up if I don't have my cordless with me but only use it occasionally and don't carry a huge amount of bits for it.
The sash cramps are still perfectly useable and I don't think anybody really has enough of them.
Same goes for the vice , perfectly usable and very useful at times
The surforms I never really got on with and the same goes for the engineers drill. I reckon they've broken more drill bits than anything else in the wrong hands.
Rarely use the fret saw
I do have a couple of lasts and have used them to repair my re-enactment boots.

KarenCC · Post by **KarenCC** » Sun Sep 25, 2022 10:51 am

Arghh. I didn't get notified that I'd had more responses. Thank you very much all! Interesting to note that they look more than 50 years old. That sounds about right!!

etaf · Post by **etaf** » Sun Sep 25, 2022 1:04 pm

As a DIYer i still have some of those and have also used recently - the surform, Sashclamps , coping saw, benchvice
if for sale have a look on ebay - items sold in the search
i suspect the sashclamps and benchvice would sale very quickly - i'm always on the lookout for clamps - can never have enough