Issue Three, 25 May 1997
Dedicated to those
who love, use, collect, or deal in wooden clamps
This is our third issue of the Journal. I'll get some content for Issue Three probably after Brimfield (Late May, for those of you who don't follow events in the NorthEast).
L a s t Issue ..... N e x t Issue .....
Top of W C J Page
The WCJ is for presentation and discussion of any material related to wooden clamps, and related devices, whether factory made or craft made. I'd be especially keen to receive information about clamps made outside the USA.
The companies that made wooden clamps also made pianoforte clamps (aka bar clamps) and bench screws. I think those are worth discussing too.
Discussions are also welcome about transitional clamps, with metal screws, or about other clamping devices, such as Tarbell's Improved Clamp, patented in the 1890s.
Please mail your ideas or suggestions about what you want to read.
A general listing of
See also the letter from Tony Seo, who has a nice site, and who gives the address of a listserver on old tools.
Return to Table of Contents
Mike Humphrey mentions, in his letter, that he will have a clamping device by Ebenezer Clifford in Bud Brown's Auction.
Return to Table of Contents
Well, I haven't quit my day job, so Howard and I waited until Saturday to go to Brimfield. The showers that were predicted for the evening started to arrive about 2ish, so our spirits were dampened a little. But not much. I managed to fill in a number of holes in the collection: a pair of 4 inch Bliss clamps (too small to bear a maker's mark, but unmistakably Bliss), a No 1 and a No 5 Bliss, a 12 inch Aldrich with fragments of a label, a No 1 Hood and Rice, and a Sandusky (the latter through the good work of Phyllis Morse of M-WTCA). Now all I have to do is clean them up, and do the paper work.
There were plenty of clamps in evidence, most at reasonable prices for their condition. There was only one that "got away"; the dealer didn't have a price marked, and my best offer wasn't acceptable. It was marked 812, with a "K", and very distinctive chamfering along five edges. I had found another like it in Maine a few years ago, and the dealer said he got all his clamps from Maine, so maybe I should do some more exploring up that way. With a model number, it can't be craft made, but the bare K is little hint as to the maker.
Anybody got news of Crane's auction? any other events?
Read a good book lately? Seen a video or movie that involved clamps in some way? Then share your thoughts and comments.
Return to Table of Contents
Return to Table of Contents
All the things you ever were curious about (concerning clamps), and responses from people who claim they know what they're talking about.
For Sale:
For Trade:
Wanted:
Return to Table of Contents
Editorial Policy will be to print all letters, edited for length, relevance, or offense.
Subj: Web site
Date: 97-04-23 18:16:27 EDT
From: cnewbold@mail07.mitre.org (C Newbold)
Hi Clamp Guy,
I just checked your site and learned a few things about wooden clamps. My first contact with antique tools was a set of 7 Aldrich wooden clamps that my father got as partial payment for some carpentry work about 40 years ago. I still have them and use them regularly. I also have 7 or 8 made by a local pattern maker.
Now I find I live near the hot bed for MA clamp makers. I live in Westford, MA, so Lowell, Chelmsford, and Carlisle are all neighboring towns.
If you would like, I can check out the local libraries or historical societies for info on the local clamp makers. What kind of stuff would you like?
I go to most of the Crane auctions, but seldom see clamps there.
Charlie Newbold
===
(my response)
Greetings, Charlie -
I've spent a few happy hours in the Lowell Libraries, both
down by Booth (?Boot?) Mill, and downtown. The next Lowell
Library research projects are
1) to check the city directories each side of 1858, and find
when N. Buttrick was in town. Once those dates are nailed down, I
can go on to pester the Carlisle and Chelmsford Historical
Societies to find out when he lived/ worked in those towns. He
may have worked in Chelmsford while he lived in Lowell, so that's
a possible complication.
2) to pick a year for which I have a good map of Lowell, and to
examine every page of the city directory for that year, looking
for people who worked for Milton Aldrich, and seeing where they
lived. Did they travel any distance to go to work? What kind of
neighborhoods did they live in? If I can get to the Census
Records for the decade, to see the kinds of families they had.
It's a branch off the clamps to see the makers, and not just the
factory owners.
Other research would be to get into the legal records (probate, deeds, etc.) and find out more about the Aldrich family.
Any of that sound like stuff you might like to try? Other suggestions?
Are the 7 Aldrich clamps that you have all different? matched sets? Tell me more, please. What jaw lengths? Since I don't have a catalog (not even sure that one exists ), I'm trying to fill in the table of dimensions by measuring.) I'm not even sure which sizes Aldrich made.
This weekend, there'll be a major upgrade to the site. I got a bunch of info about Grand Rapids, and I used that to expand the site. Funny company.
Do you "collect" or "have"? How did you come to have the ones made by the local pattern maker? What brought you to my site?
Hope to hear from you again.
/ Milt dba the Clamp Guy
===
Subj: Re: Web site
Date: 97-05-02 09:31:21 EDT
From: cnewbold@mail07.mitre.org (C Newbold)
Hi Milt,
I'm back from my latest work trip. Nice to find someone
interested in old quality tools and the people that made them.
Hey, that sounds like a topic for a talk show. :-)
>Greetings, Charlie - I've spent a few happy hours in the
Lowell Libraries, both down by Booth (?Boot?) Mill, and downtown.
The next Lowell Library research projects are 1) to check the
city directories each side of 1858, and find when N. Buttrick was
in town. Once those dates are nailed down, I can go on to pester
the Carlisle and Chelmsford Historical Societies to find out when
he lived/ worked in those towns. He may have worked in Chelmsford
while he lived in Lowell, so that's a possible
complication.
I can give a try at finding what the local libraries have on Buttrick and Aldrich. Another thing to watch for is that Westford was originally called West Chelmsford, so he may show up there as well. I can look him up in the Westford library and the Carlisle library. I drive by the Carlisle library every day to and from work. Westford also has a town museum, but it is only open one Sunday afternoon per month.
>2) to pick a year for which I have a good map of Lowell, and to examine every page of the city directory for that year, looking for people who worked for Milton Aldrich, and seeing where they lived. Did they travel any distance to go to work?
I suspect they may have travelled farther than you might think. At one time, Westford had 7 train stations and trolley lines that ran north, south, east and west. Now there are none, thanks to Henry Ford and production line automobiles.
>What kind of neighborhoods did they live in? If I can get to the Census Records for the decade, to see the kinds of families they had. It's a branch off the clamps to see the makers, and not just the factory owners. Other research would be to get into the legal records (probate, deeds, etc.) and find out more about the Aldrich family.
Since I have a friend on the cemetery commission in Westford, I'll ask her if she has old records showing any Buttricks or Aldriches. BTW, I had a college girl friend who was an Aldrich from Greenfield,MA. I wonder if there is a connection.
> Any of that sound like stuff you might like to try? Other suggestions?
Yup, see above. I'll give it a try. No promises on speedy service, but I'll let you know what I find.
>Are the 7 Aldrich clamps that you have all different? matched sets? Tell me more, please. What jaw lengths?
I have three that have 14 inch long jaws and four with 10 inch jaws. I think all the clamps have the same edge treatments and handle shapes.
>Since I don't have a catalog (not even sure that one exists), I'm trying to fill in the table of dimensions by measuring. I'm not even sure which sizes Aldrich made. This weekend, there'll be a major upgrade to the site. I got a bunch of info about Grand Rapids, and I used that to expand the site. Funny company. Do you "collect" or "have"?
I got them from my father who received them in payment for some carpentry work about 40 years ago. We both use treat them as users. I'm trying to avoid damaging them as I do realize they are actually antiques.
>How did you come to have the one's made by the local pattern maker?
I bought them (three that are 8 inch long, 3 that are 6 inch long) at a neighborhood yard sale. They all look like the Aldrich clamps that I have, just smaller. The seller (a machinist) got them from the estate (garage) of his uncle who was a pattern maker in Greenfield, MA. My son broke one, so I guess I should set them aside as a "collection" to avoid further damage.
>What brought you to my site?
An announcement on the OLDTOOLS list server by Ed Chambers who found your site by surfing the web.
>Hope to hear from you again.
I'll keep you posted on what I find at the libraries and maybe
we'll meet at Crane's or Wood Day at Canterbury Village. Look for
a guy in a hat that says GALOOT (the hats identify OLDTOOLS
listserver members).
Charlie
=
Subj: PNTC
Date: 97-02-15 22:46:14 EST
From: birkyjw@efn.org (Jack and Loretta Birky)
Reply-to: birkyjw@efn.org
While surfin along I found "CLAMPS" YA!! Have'nt read it all
yet but will. I am the newsletter editor of the PNTC,and our dear
friend Jim Conrad has been in tool heaven for 4-5 years.Please up
date to:
Jim Gillis
5022 Erskine Way S.W.
Seattle,Wa.98136
(206)937-4753
Treasurer
THANX jb
===
[done]
===
Subj: FLOATING JAW CLAMP
Date: 97-02-15 22:50:26 EST
From: birkyjw@efn.org (Jack and Loretta Birky)
Reply-to: birkyjw@efn.org
HELLO AGAIN!!
Just to let you know I have a wooden clamp with a floating jaw
in one of the legs,anything special??????? I thought it was!!!!!
:-)))) jb
=
Jack and Loretta -
I'm not sure I recognize the arrangement you describe. Are the screws metal? There were a number of easy adjust or easy release mechanisms patented - the general idea is that you press a switch or button and the jaw slides freely along the screw - is that what you've got?
I'm getting started on a project to study the clamps with metal screws and wooden jaws. If there's a makers name, or a patent date, on the clamp, then let me know and I'll chase it down.
What's your interest in clamps - user, collector, admirer, whatever? How did you get started? I'm always curious about how and why people get enthusiastic about whatever it is that turns them on. And what else are you guys interested in?
For my curiosity, just how did you come across my web-site? There seem to be a couple people who can't get to it - they get the message [server has no DNS entry], which I don't understand.
Many thanks for your mail, and I'll look forward to the
next msg.
/ Milt
==
Subj: Re: FLOATING JAW CLAMP
Date: 97-02-18 01:10:34 EST
From: birkyjw@efn.org (Jack and Loretta Birky)
Reply-to: birkyjw@efn.org
PSS not P-SS
I forgot to answer all your??????'s Interest in clamps,user,
collector of unusual ones. Started collecting at age 7 am now 60.
Found your web site MWTC home index.
jb
So many ????'s so little time:-) Dues $15, I'll send you a copy when it is done!!!
As to the afore mentioned clamp -- it has at the tip of one jaw a floating woodrift type key in the center of the tip!!! It is held there by one pin!!! So it can float to fit odd shaped items!!!! Can't find the darn thing, as it seemed to have sunk to the bottom of the pile!!
Did find another one of great weirdness ;; Wooden screws,legs 6 inch long, but at the top on the inside it is razzied out about 1 1/2 inch on both sides. On the inside there is 2 inch metal wing nut,there are the usual wooden nuts on the long outside threads. No name looks factory!!!!
Well gota get back to the newsletter :-(( jb
=
Subj: ADDRESS PLEASE!!
Date: 97-03-31 21:49:47 EST
From: birkyjw@efn.org (Jack and Loretta Birky)
Reply-to: birkyjw@efn.org
HI GUY!
Hope all is well! Found any great clamps????? None here:-(
Please send address,and I'll send copy of our newsletter!! Keep
in touch! jb
==
[my reply got lost. I sent my address, he sent a copy of
the newsletter - and quite nice it is too. I spotted an auction
item, a Bliss Bench Screw, and asked for info. ]
==
Subj: Re ! Bliss
Date: 97-04-20 02:34:15 EDT
From: birkyjw@efn.org (Jack and Loretta Birky)
JUST A QUICK HELLO !
We had another Bliss at the last meet, do'nt know if it sold,
but will check. Will check on the one sold in Seattle also. We
are talkin regular bench screws marked on the front of the
screw!! It was marked Bliss PAWTUCKET,RD Island. Real Cool!!
jb
===
Dick Dickerson
Date: 96-12-01 13:02:28 EST
From: TOOLMAN@wow.com (DICK DICKERSON)
Here is some information on a few clamps that I have. Most of them come from back East but, I really can't remember where all of them came from.
1. P.W. & Co. 2. #15 3. 4 inch
1. L.S. MUNROE 2. DANVERS 3. 19 inch
1. DETROIT ----SCREW/WORKS 2. DETROIT, MICH 3. 14 inch 4.
PAT'D APR 8-1884
Another one that I think is the same as the third one but there is no mark on it .
Also I have a Jorgensen with a patd date of 1901? I can't really make it out. I checked in the "Directory of American Tool Makers" but could find no ref to the above.
Dick
(my reply)
In a message dated 96-12-01 13:02:28 EST, you
write:
>Here is some information on a few clamps that I have. Most of
them come from back East but, I really can't remember where all
of them came from. 1. P.W. & Co. 2. #15 3. 4 inch
>Dick -
Does it look like the "P.W & Co" is the mark of a user, or like the mark of the maker? Usually, the presence of a model number is a good sign the clamp was factory made, not home made. I have no knowledge of a P.W&Co who made clamps. The #15 matches the length of the jaws, so I think you've given me a lead to another maker. I just wish makers put towns in their marks.
>1. L.S. MUNROE 2. DANVERS 2. 19 inch
There is a Danvers in Massachusetts, so I will start there, trying to track down L.S. MUNROE.
>1. DETROIT ----SCREW/WORKS 2. DETROIT, MICH 3. 14 inch 4. PAT'D APR 8-1884 Patent dates are nice - they go fairly directly to corporate histories. I'd guess that this doesn't have wood screws. In the late 1800s, iron got cheap, and quality machine tools got cheap, and inventors came up with all sorts of designs to overcome the limitations of all wood clamps. Would you reply if in fact the screws are wood? I haven't spent much time on these transitional items - the companies seem to come and go fairly quickly. Maybe when I've finished (famous last words!) with all wood, there'll be another project.
>Also I have a Jorgensen with a patd date of 1901? I can't really make it out. I checked in the "Directory of American Tool Makers" but could find no ref to the above.
Jorgenson is now the pre-eminent maker of clamps with metal screws and wooden jaws. In woodworking supply houses, there is hardly any alternative to J. They make a nice product. One of these days, I plan to write to them to see if they have a booklet on the company history. Usually the PR Dept is glad to hand them out. One more thing to get around to.
Thanks for letting me know about your clamps; I'd really like to know more about the one marked with #15, and about the Detroit Screwworks. Hope to hear from you later.
/ Milt
Subj: More Info
Date: 96-12-10 22:20:21 EST
From: TOOLMAN@wow.com (DICK DICKERSON)
Here is more info on the clamps I wrote you about.
#1 The P.W. and Co appears to be factory made. There is ni
location on them and the logo is stamped on both clamps I have.
They must use a different numbering system because they are only
4 inch long and are stamped #15.
#2. The Detriot clamps do have steel screws. There is a steel
insert in the wood part of the clamp for the screws..
Also I have another clamp that I failed to mention. I found
the info on this maker be in the 'Directory of American Tool
Makers'.
1. M. (MILTON ALDRICH LOWELL , MASS
2 10 inch
I have others floating around and will get you any data I have on them.
Dick
(my reply)
In a message dated 96-12-10 22:20:21 EST, you write:
>Here is more info on the clamps I wrote you about. #1
The P.W. and Co appears to be factory made. There is ni location
on them and the logo is stamped on both clamps I have. They must
use a different numbering system because they are only 4 inch
long and are stamped #15.
Dick - There were three common things makers seemed to do. 1) just make clamps in standard sizes. These weren't too standardized; for example, almost everybody went from 10 inch to 20 inch in 2 inch increments, but smaller and greater sizes were pretty individual. Some went 5 inch, 7, 8 1/2, others went 6 inch, 8. After 20 inch, some went on in 2 inch increments, others in 1 inch increments. The Inch Scheme seems to be the oldest, used by Bliss, Aldrich, Buttrick, Webster and Butterfield.
Some makers used a series of numbers from 800 to 816, with bigger numbers for smaller sizes. This 800 Scheme seems to be the newest, and apparently got to be pretty standard. Sandusky started out with a weird proprietary scheme, and switched to using 800s. Bliss and ONeil used it.
Other makers used "No." and a number between 1 and 15, again the bigger numbers for smaller clamps. No. 15 was usually 4 inch long. They're cute little things when you find them. Bliss, Hood, and Hood and Rice used this scheme.
>#2. The Detriot clamps do have steel screws. There is a steel insert in the wood part of the clamp for the screws.. Also I have another clamp that I failed to mention. I found the info on this maker be in the 'Directory of American Tool Makers'. 1. M. (MILTON ALDRICH LOWELL , MASS 2 10 inch
I did some research on Milton Aldrich and his sons in the Lowell library. Their clamps are fairly common in the area. William continued to use his father's mark after he took over the business. I have one clamp with M Aldrich stamped in the end, and a paper label bearing William's name, and the hardware store that sold it. It's the only proof I have that William ran the business, other than his ads in the city directory. I don't (yet) have a copy of the Directory of American Tool Makers. Could you copy the info on the Aldrich family and mail it to me? What I found in the library I wrote up and published in the EAIA Chronicle, and there were lots of questions I couldn't answer.
>I have others floating around and will get you any data I have on them.
I'd love to hear about them. Write up a couple paragraphs, and I'll stick it into the website. I'm looking for material to put into issue 2 of the journal.
Glad to hear from you, Dick, and I'll look forward to
continuing this conversation.
/ Milt
Subj: Aldrich
Date: 96-12-27 22:15:25 EST
From: TOOLMAN@wow.com (DICK DICKERSON)
Milt,
Here is all the info I can find on Milton Aldrich: Maker Name
City State Tool Type Working Dates Aldrich, Milton Lowell Ma
Clamps 1857
The info is somewhat skimpy on this maker. I hope that the final version of the Directory has more. I think the final was supposed to be out by now but I don't remember exactly when. The book I have is the draft. If you have some makers and you need info let me know and I will see what is in the book.
Dick
Subj: Reply to: Re: Narragansett
Date: 96-12-29 17:18:56 EST
From: TOOLMAN@wow.com (DICK DICKERSON)
Milt,
Nothing in the book about Narragansett which seems odd. However, I remember drinking Narragansett beer when I lived back there. Unfortunately, I didn't collect tools then. I hope you had a good Christmas and happy New year.
Dick
Subj: New E-mail Address
Date: 96-12-31 15:12:04 EST
From: TOOLMAN@wow.com (DICK DICKERSON)
My new E-mail is littleandy@juno.com
Dick
(my reply)
In a message dated 96-12-27 22:15:25 EST, you write:
>Milt, Here is all the info I can find on Milton Aldrich: Maker Name City State Tool Type Working Dates Aldrich, Milton Lowell Ma Clamps 1857 The info is somewhat skimpy on this maker. I hope that the final version of the Directory has more. The book I have is the draft. If you have some makers and you need info let me know and I will see what is in the book. Dick
Dick -
That's mighty skimpy! I ought to send to the editor a reminder
to look in the Chronicle for the article I wrote on the Aldrich
family and their clamps. Oh well, he probably works with the info
he gets, so I should make sure he gets the good stuff.
There is another company I have only skimpy info on, and that's the Narragansett Machine Company. Their clamps always say Providence, but I know the factory was located in Pawtucket RI. They made a bunch of other stuff: bowling alleys, folding gates for railway carriages, steel lockers and gym stuff. They tried their hand at all sorts of things connected with wood, and sports. I've got reprints of their ads in the Pawtucket City Directories. I wonder what the Tool Makers has to say about them.
Our son came by today, with our grandson, while our daughter in law had to work. We went crawling from booth to booth in a new antique cooperative (about 250 dealers), me for clamps, and him for militaria. I found a couple Aldriches in nice shape, a Bliss Mfg Co No 9 with jaws in rough shape (the hand cut threads on the screws seemed odd for a factory made item after 1872), a Narragansett 810 with the circular mark, and a home-made clamp (poor job of cutting threads). Not bad, but all duplicates to what I've got, so I passed them by. But the prices were low enough (none more than 10$); I may go back tomorrow after all and get them for swapping stock.
Thanks for sending me the info. I hope you enjoyed your holidays. Good luck in the New Year.
/ Milt
Subj: Clamps
Date: 97-01-01 18:39:54 EST
From: TOOLMAN@wow.com (DICK DICKERSON)
Milt,
I found a few more clamps but the way they are stamped I think
the are owner marks. I got these at an auction in Indianapolis
(mailed in my bid) a few years back
1. J. REED no address
2. none
3. 5 inch
1. F. STANLEY no address
2. non3
3. 7 inch
The EAIA book lists
James A. Reed East Action, NH 1870-84 making handles.
John Reed Utica, NY 1820-68 making planes.
Joseph Mason Reed Keene, NH 1855 making jackscrews
Nothing on F. Stanley.
If you find any planes by ARROWMAMMETT WORKS/MIDDLETOWN I would be interested in them. Also, the reprint of their catalog shows tool boxes with wooden clamps included. I don't know if they made them or bought from another maker. If you find any with that mark I'm interested in them also.
My new e-mail is littleandy@juno.com
Dick
Subj: Clamps
Date: 97-01-05 18:59:23 EST
From: robinson@oitunix.oit.umass.edu (Trevor Robinson)
Hi, Milton
I saw your letter in Shavings and realized that you were probably the person who could answer a question that I have had. I am a general woodworker with no special interest in clamps, but I have some nice, unusual ones that I inherited from my patternmaker uncle; and in many years of going to tool auctions and flea markets I have never seen any others like them. They are wooden clamps with steel screws and a large thumb screw that releases the pressure when you twist it. They are stamped DOSCH Speedclamp No. 10,Patd. April 8, 1913, The Smith and Ecce Mfg. Co., Bridgeport, Conn. I like these a lot and wonder if I have any chance of finding more of them in other sizes, or are these a real rarity?
Trevor
(my reply) In a message dated 97-01-05 18:59:23 EST, you write:
> They are stamped DOSCH Speedclamp No. 10,Patd. April 8,
1913, The Smith and Ecce Mfg. Co., Bridgeport, Conn. I like these
a lot and wonder if I have any chance of finding more of them in
other sizes, or are these a real rarity?
Trevor
Trevor -
You do have a real rarity. If you wanted to work hard to find
another, I'd suggest you contact Richard Crane, Your Country
Auctioneer, in Danforth Corners NH, or maybe The Two Chiselers in
Colorado. Both advertise in the Chronicle and the
Directory.
I'm not sure you have a unique item, but close! I don't believe I've seen that company name before. I usually get to Brimfield once or twice a year; maybe this spring I'll keep an eagle eye open and spot one for you.
Could you measure the dimensions of the jaws? I'd like to see how that compares to the size of a No 10 all wood clamp. Thanks for the data. A photo would be very much appreciated, if one is available.
I haven't yet spent much time on steel screw clamps, but that may become the next project. There were lots of people in The Fifty Years of Ferment, from roughly the 1870s or 80s to the 20s, who explored the use of metal screws in clamps. Eventually Jorgenson got to be pre-eminent.
The good thing (for a collector) is that so many things got patented that there is a historical record of companies and individuals to track down. The bad side is that many of them were under-capitalized and went belly-up in a few years, so that the historical record is skimpy, and hard to track down. In my own neighborhood of Milford NH, a fellow named Wendell Tarbell patented a clamp in the 80s. The only mention I can find in the local histories is that he was a member of the town band. Some day I'll track down birth and death dates, and get to know him better. In the meantime, I'm still filling in names and dates and varieties for the all wood sort. Do you have many of those? I'd be curious to find out if a pattern maker had a different collection than a boat-builder or a cabinet maker. I've seen some of the specialized gear of a lutier, mostly small delicate things, some with peculiar shapes to engage the parts of the instruments.
I'm not sure I've helped you very much. Please keep in touch, and spread the word. Have you had a chance to visit the website? Any comments would be appreciated.
Best Wishes,
/ Milt
Subj: Hi, Milt
Date: 97-02-10 06:40:49 EST
From: robinson@oitunix.oit.umass.edu (Trevor Robinson)
Hi, Milt
I got around to looking over my wooden clamps. Besides the three Dosch clamps, I have one Tarbell; but all the others are generic, with no maker name on them. The Tarbell did not come from my uncle. I think it was probably in an auction box lot.
I have still not succeeded in reaching your web site. I get a message like "server has no DNS entry", and I have no idea what that means.
Trevor
(my reply)
Trevor -
I got your letter; thanks for the sketch that you enclosed. I notice that both screws are on the same side, contrary to practice of hand screws. The same feature is found on the Tarbell clamps. I wonder if it's characteristic of pattern makers, or some specialized application. I'll get a copy of the patent from the Boston Public Library, and find out if Dosch makes any claims for the arrangement.
As for getting to my site --- I think the problem is in the address as printed, but I'm not sure. /member.aol.com/ClampGuy/wcj.htm seems to work for some people, and /members.aol.com/ClampGuy/wcj.htm seems to work for other people. When I ask the navigator to bookmark where I am, some times I get "memberS" and sometimes I get "member". An equivalent alternative is to substitute "user" for "member" in the URL; that should also get you to the AOL websites.
Most of the search engines do not look at the AOL websites, so it won't do much good to use them. Apparently, they made a policy decision that the vast majority of AOL users have pictures of their pets, significant others, etc., so there's no need to index that stuff.
Now as for those 20 not so unusual clamps. Are any of them made outside RI and MA? I've got almost all the Bliss, Aldrich, Hood, Narragansett, Webster and Butterfield clamps I can manage (I said "almost"), but Stanley, Sargent, Buttrick, Sandusky, and others would be very interesting.
Thanks again, and good hunting!
/ Milt
Subj: Nice site
Date: 97-03-27 11:18:23 EST
From: tonyseo@postoffice.ptd.net (Anthony Seo)
I'm an old tool user/collector/dealer out here in Palmerton PA. I'm a wooden plane type of guy, but have a couple of secondary fetishes including wooden clamps. I've got quite a variety of your basic wooden screw clamps, C-Clamps (including some interesting user-made small ones), bar clamps of all sizes and vintages, chairmaker's leg vices, and a couple of specialized pieces, including a neat wooden saw vice.
I've got a page at http://home.ptd.net/~tonyseo if you are interested. I might also be interested in helping you with some writing when I get some time.
Thanks
Tony
___________________________________________________________________
One is an interest
Two is a collection
Three is an obsession
___________________________________________________________________
(my reply)
In a message dated 97-03-27 11:18:23 EST, you write:
> secondary fetishes including wooden clamps. I've got
quite a variety of your basic wooden screw clamps, C-Clamps
(including some interesting user-made small ones), bar clamps of
all sizes and vintages, chairmaker's leg vices, and a couple of
specialized pieces, including a neat wooden saw vice.
>I've got a page at http://home.ptd.net/~tonyseo if you are interested. I might also be interested in helping you with some writing when I get some time.
Glad to hear from you, Tony! Thanks for your kind words on the site. Any suggestions for changes/ additions/ deletions/ whatever?
I'd love to hear of what you have on the shelf. I'm particularly interested in makers outside of New England. I just got a thick collection of photocopies on Grand Rapids Hand Screw Co., and that will go into Issue 3 of the WCJ. John Walkowiak lent me a GR Hand Screw clamp a couple years ago to study, and this spring I bought one of my own in Lancaster. Now all I have to do is buckle down to do the writing.
Where is Palmerton? I get down to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, north of Philadelphia, from time to time, and sometimes I visit a firm in Spring House, again just north of the Tpke, north of Philadelphia. If Palmerton is in that vicinity, then perhaps we could get together someday.
I'd love to collaborate on a writing project; got some topic in mind? Have you written something that you could send over the 'Net? I'm a little nutty about clamps, but sometimes, clamps can lead in funny directions.
I'll look forward to your next msg.
/ Milt - The Clamp Guy
Subj: Re: Nice site
Date: 97-04-07 13:02:14 EDT
From: tonyseo@postoffice.ptd.net (Anthony Seo)
At 02:31 AM 4/7/97 -0400, ClampGuy at aol.com wrote: >Glad to hear from you, Tony! Thanks for your kind words on the site. Any suggestions for changes/ additions/ deletions/ whatever? I did a quick cruise, when I get some time I will take a longer look.
>I'd love to hear of what you have on the shelf. I'm particularly interested in makers outside of New England. I just got a thick collection of photocopies on Grand Rapids Hand Screw Co., and that will go into Issue 3 of the WCJ. John Walkowiak lent me a GR Hand Screw clamp a couple years ago to study, and this spring I bought one of my own in Lancaster. Now all I have to do is buckle down to do the writing.
>Where is Palmerton? I get down to the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, north of Philadelphia, from time to time, and sometimes I visit a firm in Spring House, again just north of the Tpke, north of Philadelphia. If Palmerton is in that vicinity, then perhaps we could get together someday.
Palmerton is about 20 miles north of Allentown. I live about 2 miles from the Mahoning Valley exit of the PA turnpike (the exit north of the Lehigh tunnel. Let me know when and I will get out directions.
>I'd love to collaborate on a writing project; got some topic in mind? Have you written something that you could send over the 'Net? I'm a little nutty about clamps, but sometimes, clamps can lead in funny directions.
I haven't written too much on tools, yet, but one of these days.. I don't have much time for "serious" research, so much of what I do is babble about techniques.
There is a listserver specific to old tools if you are interested. To subscribe, send a message to listserv@listserv.law.cornell.edu with the line SUBSCRIBE OLDTOOLS [and your address] as the first line of the message. Warning it can get to be upwards of 100+ messages a day.
Thanks
Tony
___________________________________________________________________
Yield to temptation, it may not pass your way again (Lazurus
Long)
___________________________________________________________________
46 Western Avenue
Sherborn MA 01770
97 Jan 07
Dear Milt,
I've seen mention of your interest in clamps in different places, most recently in Shavings.
I have some clamps or clamping devices. They are certainly unusual and early (in 2 cases) pieces and have been in my collection for varying lengths of time.
1. two clamps marked Nathan Buttrick Carlisle Mass. The clamping parts appear to be birch and are 9 inch long. The threaded arms are hickory, or something like that, and all of the grips are a little different in shape. All four flat ends are marked - not all clearly. Nice color and condition. Clamp condition 85/100, available for 400$ for the pair.
2. J. Fisher - Another conventional clamp. One side maple, the other birch. Maple screw arms. Signed on the birch flat end as shown (pencil rubbing enclosed). J. Fisher is in Pollak's plane book. The planes have mostly shown up around Woodstock VT, which is where this clamp was found last year. I had a J. Fisher plane once. My plane was most likely late 18th century and was found, I believe, in Canton MA. By the style of the plane I think that J. Fisher may have originated in South East MA, and moved to VT late 18th century. Clamp condition 75/100, available for 225$.
3. Unusual clamp. Clearly marked E. Clifford with an early initial stamp. In the Pollak's book, and Instruments of Change, Ebenezer Clifford (b.1746-d.1821), in Kensington NH (1772-1793) , Exeter NH (1793-1808), joiner, architect, known tool maker (though very rare). Also known to have made clock cases for Jeremiah Fellow. (This clamp is) about 5' tall, all probably original except for the pegs. Uncleaned. Nice character to it. Condition 75/100, available 500$. (sketch in margin shows screw in headstock, with two rails attached. The rails are parallel, and have holes that can receive pegs that hold a tailstock in place. )
Regards,
Mike
(my reply)
Thanks for letting me know of these interesting pieces, but
unfortunately I'm in no position to take you up on any of your
offers.
I have a couple Buttrick clamps in my collection, one from Carlisle, another from Chelmsford MA. I first found a couple others in the collection at the Old Schwamb Mill in Arlington MA, but I mis-read the mark and went on a wild goose chase to Gardner, not Carlisle. I hope to write them up for the Chronicle, as soon as I find time to do more research in that area.
I think the Clifford clamp was used for window sash, or for panels. I have seen one like your sketch, but without any maker marks.
Best Regards,
Milt
46 Western Avenue
Sherborn MA 01770
97 Feb 12
Thank you for your letter. The E. Clifford clamp I recently gave to Bud Brown for his auction, so you'll have a shot in Oct/ Nov at auction price.
Also, I was told by a friend that he has soon other Buttrick examples - so they are not as rare as I had suspected.
The J. Fisher is from a period before mass production. No telling whether this is a very rare product to sell, or a very rare product to use.
If you are going to be at one of the Crane Auctions, let me know, and I'll bring what I have.
Regards
Mike
Eric Coyle
Subj: ID help SVP......
Date: 97-05-19 00:32:10 EDT
From: ecoyle@cadvision.com (eric coyle)
I've attached a JPG of a clamp which I would love to get an opinion on. I converted this to a 640 x 400 gif file (size = 29Kbytes), and lost most of the color along the way
When I picked it up out of a pile of ashes, I initially thought it was a flooring clamp, but it simply won't work as such as the fixed handle would be prohibited from turning by the joist.
The ID #'s on it are
No. 1.
1 1/2
and 1649
Notably the pads on the screws have a VERY proud X that is roughly 1/8 inch proud of the flat, so that to me rules out any kind of fine application.
The channel on the web measures 1 3/4 inches in width, so this might be what the 1 1/2 relates too, but I'm just guessing.
One guess was that it was a "handle" clamp which would allow a handle blank to be mounted to the edge of a workbench prior to shaping it with a spokeshave.
Any thoughts??
Eric
ecoyle@cadvision.com
If you look at the pitch on the thread, one (incomplete) turn of the crank could nudge a floor board a good quarter inch, maybe more. So you could be right. It could snug up floor boards real well, and take care of bows. I also thought of planking on boats, but the 1 3/4 inch web doesn't match what little I know about typical boat joist dimensions. I haven't seen one like this, so I'm guessing, not laying down The Truth.
I've included your picture; and we'll see if anyone else can figure it out.
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