PATINA Goodies?

Re: PATINA Goodies?

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>Oh yeah Brad...err...Todd was there. Watched the master in action. Bout um 7 or so a pick up with a couple of ladies from Canada showed up. Dropped the tailgate and threw a tarp on the ground. Well ole Todd slid up as they were piling up tools and parts on the tarp. Next thing you know Todd was helping drag boxes out of the truck...rooting thru each one as he handed them to the gals. Grabbed a nice little pile before the rest of us galoots could even get close to the tarp. Chatting up the ladies as he went. What a pro.

I got a little panel saw, Simonds, 18" nice etch no pitting with beautiful wood. Got a bought in 1967 Brown and Sharpe full combination square set (all three heads) that looks like it was brought home oiled and never used. A 1" to 2" micrometer that I need for work. A pin vise and a # 18 knuckle joint block plane missing the lateral but otherwise sweet.

Met a lot of galoots. It was a real nice sale. You,Todd,need to make it next year. Put it on your calendar.JR

Re: PATINA Goodies?

Todd O. Cronkhite Maine Native, Presently Away

>Now Joe, you know darn right well that you've got to get up pretty early in the morning yesterday to even have a chance of getting ahead of Todd today! ;~)

Sounds like you scored yourself a few goodies and had a good time to boot.

T.O.

Re: PATINA Goodies?

Paul in NJ

>I left NJ at dark o'clock in the morning and was actually there before Todd. I set up a table to sell my excess, business was so good that I hardly had a chance to check out what every one else was selling. Wouldn't you know it every time I tried to walk around, someone would come up and buy something! I did buy a 2x72 belt knife grinder and buffer from the guy next to me. Todd even bought a couple of things from me. Funny thing was that no one even tried to haggle me down. I closed up just before 9 and went inside for the dealer sale. I got a good deal on some Roy Underhill and Mike Dunbar books, a few Addis carving chisels, and a couple of firmers. I also found a real nice Fray brace with cocobola handles. I have been looking for a nice one for a long time. There were good deals to be had inside, not dirt cheap, but a lot less than new tools. My only disappointment was not finding some wooden planes I was looking for. I was too pooped out to stay for the auction and had a long drive home. It was a lot of fun as usual and I am looking forward to the next one. These events are the best for getting tools, sorry you couldn't make it.

Paul Dzioba

Re: PATINA Goodies?

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>There was a reason business was good Paul. Your stuff was primo. The chisels with the osage orange handles were beautiful. They were all sharp and the backs were flat. You had covers for the edges. You offered to wrap them so they could be carried safely. Even wives were buying from you:-) .

I would like to thank you again for the Yankee bits. I used one of them yesterday.The battery in the Makita was dead...Cordless is Cordless right?JR

Re: PATINA Goodies?

mikew

>"I also found a real nice Fray brace with cocobola handles. I have been looking for a nice one for a long time."

Ah, one of the few weaknesses I have but mostly the Spofford type. Got, uh, one or two. While I am sure I am bias, I think they are about the best non-ratcheting braces--and the ratcheting ones which have followed me home made by Fray and or copied by others [just who made the Keen Kutter ones anyway?] are cool as well.

Still looking for sizes at and below the 7" sweep with the Spofford chuck [got only one]. That is if they made them below. And one needs many braces to hold the most used bits, right?

Take care, Mike

Re: PATINA Goodies?

Paul in NJ

>Most of the time I prefer a non ratchet brace. This one is a model 110. I think it is a 'Spofford' type since it has the simple clamp type chuck. The wood waist handles are held on with pewter rings. The nice thing was that this dealer had three of them available. He also had some long auger bits that I clamped into each one to see which brace was most axially true. I will enjoy using this one.

Paul Dzioba

Re: PATINA Goodies?

Paul in NJ

>Thanks Joe. I enjoyed talking with you and hope to see you next year.

Paul Dzioba

Re: PATINA Goodies?

mikew

>Well, enjoy Paul!

Fray/Spoffords are my favorite. Don't know if the is the pewter rings which do it for me, or that fact they are very good braces. Lighter than a ratcheting type.

Ah, I feel a hunt coming on...

Take care, Mike

Did Good, Had Fun

Todd Hughes

>Left the house around 3, met some friends down by the bay bridge and guess we pulled into the parking lot around 5:30. Still dark but I had my flashlight. Think it seemd like a little less people set up but I still bought very well.Just a partial list,Stanley 140,no.16 Disston, iron leather clam, HUGE Starret caliper, adj. hollow auger, some knives,small anvil, stanley blades and a bunch more

Met these two women that had drove down from Canada just for the show and got some stuff from them. After talking with them for a good bit my name came out and they both looked at each other and burst out laughing because they "knew" me from the old tool list and couldn't believe we all have finaly met. Was pretty funny that they said they thought I would be an older guy, I sort of got the impression that they thought I would be like Andy Rooney or somthing! I enjoyed hanging out with them while waiting for the auction to start and had lots of laughs though they got a little squemish when I described me pulling out my tooth myself last week.....and it even involved the use of a witherby chisel.

....I paid the $15 and got into the show early and bought pretty well inside. Some prices was very high but deals were to be found if you looked.

I have never staid for the auction befor but this year decided we would.Not a big crowd and things for the most part went very cheap.Had lots and lots of molding planes and most seemed to go for $5-$10 each and most were in good condition too. For me I always sort of get over whelmed at these things but i still spent over $400 at the auction ! Bought lots including a couple caulking Mallets, Hausing iron, a really nice older 3C, and etc. etc. Most at very good prices I thought. Next year I want to be more organized and keep track of what to buy better.

This is really THE show to go to if you can, I know I am looking forward to next years already....Todd

Re: PATINA Goodies?

Skip in Falls Church

>We got there late - about 11, my wife is not an early riser but enjoys going. I picked up a couple of things but nothing big or gloatable. A small hand vise, a jeweler's anvil, a 3/4" Witherby chisel for my dad. He wanted a couple of socket chisels to fill out his set. I had a 1/2" to part with - but no 3/4". I also got a couple of punches and a cobbler's hammer head for my leatherworking. It was fun - even if I didn't get a lot. :)

Skip

Yes, They do...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>I have a few Fray's, I love 'em too. The smallest sweep I have is 4".

I'll on the prowl for the larger ones myself.

Re: Yes, They do...

mikew

>Argh! Thanks Scott. I think [g]

Now I need to look under every darn rock for ones below my 7"!

Thanks for the info. Been too lazy I guess to look for documentation. Never would have guessed they were made all the way down to 4". So that helps.

Take care, Mike

Fray Brace Thumbscrews

Jay Samuels

>I have one with no thumbscrew, and the thread pitch does not appear to be any size known to modern man. Any insight on a source, or is it just a matter of digging in alot of boxes and waiting to get lucky?

A favorite Fray (minor brag)

Wiley Horne--So. Cal.

>I never get to brag about this brace, so will take this opportunity. Is a John S. Fray & Co. brace; 6-inch sweep (3-inch throw); ratcheting; tropical head and wrist (cocobolo?); and for some reason will hold onto any shape shank I put in there--who woulda thunk that.

The action is positive and smooth. Business end is tight, unlike the two MF 734's I have had. Chuck shell is slim, and can get into tight places.

Brace is older than Methusaleh. Finishes look like hell, or are MIA. Knurling on the chuck shell is worn about flat. What's killing me is I can't find a model number anywhere on this thing. Ebay seller said he thought it was a model 62, based on similarity to the one in his catalog. Anybody got a Fray catalog?

I gave up looking for another one of these, but would recommend it to anyone looking for a short-throw brace.

Wiley

Re: A favorite of Mine ****

mikew

>Ah, Wiley, you know the drill [pun alert]...no picture, didn't happen .

And in that vein, here's a wonderful 5 inch sweep non-rathceting brace which I received from Alf:

Note the chuck is nine-sided...a first for me.

But I am jealous over these small sweep Frays...

Take care, Mike

Re: Fray Brace Thumbscrews

mikew

>Hi Jay, I'll try to determine the tpi/pitch later tonight when I can get to mine. Don't know whether it will help track one down, but it may.

Take care, Mike

Re: A favorite Fray *LINK*

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Same here, love my Fray. Mine is a shorter throw than the one shown, but they look exactly alike otherwise. They're not all that rare though, check out ebay.

Pam




Spofford Fray on ebay

Re: A favorite of Mine ****

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Hi Mike

I have a couple of 5" throw braces, one very similar to yours - not in nearly as nice condition. Quite poor actually. I can just make out "Skinner - Shieffield" on it. The ratcheting mechanism is frozen and I cannot free it up. Any suggestions?

The other is a Stanley #73, and this is my favourite brace. One of these days I will clean it up and make it proud.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: A favorite of Mine ****

Joe Rogers, Northern Virginia

>I would just immerse the chuck and ratchet in some penetrating oil. Walk away. Recheck every week or so and be patient:-) Can't hurt.JR

Re: A favorite of Mine ****

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>I tried that JR. For a couple of months. Nada, nil, zip.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: A favorite of Mine ****

mikew

>Use brake fluid and the same proceedure. Soak the end for only one day, try it, and if needed do it again. Repeat as necessary.

Brake fluid will dissolve/break loose most rust. Trick with braces is the small spring inside if it has one. Anything which can break the rust free may well eat the spring if it is rusted.

Can always make a spring, though.

Take care, Mike

Heat?

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>Heating can break rust loose, too; though there's a delicate balance between too little (no point) and too much.

Once, I alternated heat and, after the part cooled down to touch-but-warm temp, soaking in penetrating oil. I wouldn't want to put something cast in a cool liquid if it's hot - fear of inducing cracks.

Maybe something broke and is stuck? Can you drive out the pins holding the ratchet pawls in, to see if there are bits falling out?