Riverside chisels?

5/30/04, 4:09 AM #1

Bill Houghton
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Riverside chisels?

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>Picked up a Buck Bros. incannel gouge and a "Riverside" 1" bevel firmer today ($1.00 for both, with a file handle thrown in - beep beep!). The logo on the Riverside chisel is an oval, with "FARW---" around the top, "St. Paul" around the bottom, and, in the center, a drawing of the top of an anvil and "Riverside" in script.

Nice to have a chisel from one of my favorite Midwestern towns, but does anyone know what kind of quality I purchased? Are they good chisels?

I also spent $4 on yet another level - I'm starting to get hooked here - Stanley sweetheart No. 0 26" level, with both vials. Why do I need this level, in addition to the other 12 I own? I know I'm not a collector, because I don't know anything about the history, type studies, or that stuff; I must just be a gatherer.

Re: Riverside chisels?

5/30/04, 12:54 PM #2

Jack Guzman from Maine
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Re: Riverside chisels?

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Bill,

I don't understand the fascination with levels but I gather them too.I particularly look for good looking brass plates. Love to find one of those fancy iron ones.I plan to make a level out of some nice looking wood using original parts from a rough looking old one but it's still on the list with all the other tuits.---Jack

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Riverside chisels?

5/30/04, 2:07 PM #3

Bob Nelson
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Re: Riverside chisels?

Bob Nelson

>Riverside was a brand name used my Monkey Wards, but I don't know if/how the St. Paul mark would relate to them. Bob

Re: Riverside chisels?

5/30/04, 4:18 PM #4

Mike Johnson - Riverside, IL
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Re: Riverside chisels?

Mike Johnson - Riverside, IL

>If it is "THE" Riverside Tool Co., Bob is right that M.Ward distributed some of their tools.

That being said, the NewYork, New York based company did produce a range of nice quality tools. Do a quick hardness test and you'll know if you have one of the lower grade or better grade tools.

Oh yea, there is no affiliation with Riverside, IL...assuming that's the town you mentioned as a Midwestern favorite. But that's ok, we like it too.

Regards,

M.J.

Re: Riverside chisels?

5/31/04, 4:31 AM #5

Ernie Miller
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What?

Ernie Miller Topeka

>you have yo know about somthing to be a collector of it? That means I'm not a collector because I think planes are cute. nanna nanna nana! I do that level thing I have a special 4' drawer that runs between the strechers of my bench to hold then I need a busted level for a pull.

Re: Riverside chisels?

5/31/04, 11:30 AM #6

Jack Guzman from Maine
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Re: What?

Jack Guzman from Maine

>Ernie(and anyone out there looking to be a part of Ernie's drawer pull project).One of those small iron levels that attach to a framing square would be perfect.Food for thought?---Jack

- - -

I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Riverside chisels?

5/31/04, 3:16 PM #7

Bill Houghton
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Re: Riverside chisels?

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>I'm fairly sure the company was based in St. Paul, MN (and, please don't be hurt, Mike, but it's St. Paul that I was thinking of when I said "one of my favorite Midwestern towns," though if I ever stop by Riverside, IL, I'll surely add it to my list). I doubt that it was a Montgomery Ward tool; I do remember their Riverside products, including the famous-in-my-youth "twingle" motorcyle (two cylinders, one combustion chamber). Guess I picked up a tool from an obscure manufacturer - of which I'm realizing there are quite a few.

Re: Riverside chisels?

5/31/04, 5:20 PM #8

Mike Johnson - Riverside, IL
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Re: Riverside chisels?

Mike Johnson - Riverside, IL

>No worries,

I guess living in a Olmsted designed community (and National Historic Landmark) you just get used to folks refering to it like that. Wrong assumption on my part...

If your not familiar with Riverside, take a peak at the web site's history info...fairly interesting being "one of the earliest totally planned suburban communities"

http://www.riverside-illinois.com/images/historyofriverside/index.htm

Anywhose, enjoy the chisel!

Riverside chisels?

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