Memorial Day Weekend Finds

screened porch

screened porch

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I got an early start.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/77365440/bench.jpg

The big one is stamped "Master Mechanic" and has a label on the helve saying "Master Mechanic manufactured exclusively for True Value". Cedar pattern? I took out a fat aluminum wedge and put in a hornbeam one. The edge is in good shape but a little crooked near the toe.

The little one is stamped "Collins", with a paper label saying "[Collin]s Ames" and [Home]stead. The handle is labeled "dependable" and "G P Link handle co, Salem Indiana". Baby blue finish on head continues into eye. I pulled a small dry wedge and put in a carpenter's shim. I was a little impatient with wedges, having laboriously sawn one out of ironwood and then put it down and lost it. It might turn up by the time the shim loosens.
I'm impressed with the previous owner of this one- he used it enough to wear off almost all the finish, but never hammered on it or with it, and never bruised the helve under the head. Just a couple small nicks.
 
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That's a great start to the weekend. It's encouraging to find axes that haven't been abused.

If I can ask you an off topic question, what are those large slabs of metal sandwiching your anvil? Those must add a lot of mass to your anvil - a very good thing.
 
Square_peg said:
what are those large slabs of metal sandwiching your anvil? Those must add a lot of mass to your anvil - a very good thing.
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That's a pretty bad picture, isn't it? I can't tell what slabs of metal you mean.

The stand is all wood, 4x4s and 2x what-have-yous. The anvil is tied down with steel straps running fore and aft, crossing in front and behind. You can see most of the North Chicago Rolling Mills initials on the waist of the anvil. I could pile some tie plates or sash weights on the steps of the base; that might be a good idea. Or my raw rail-road rails, one of which is on the floor to the left.

I haven't used this stand yet, but I'm expecting great things. The old one had a lot of spring and slide in it, which was definitely not a good thing.
 
nice finds! you fellows wish me luck tomarrow when the wife and i go out to St.Regis 'axe hunting' :D
its supposed to rain all day, but thats OK, it'll keep folks away. meaning more for me ;)

god, i hope i find something to make it worth the trip... :)
 
We're pulling for ya, Bearhunter. Clean 'em out!

And don't forget to give us pictures!!!!!!!!!!!
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Here's mine. Not sure of the maker but this will be my first project. I have seen some very nice work from some of you on here so I am anxious to give it a try myself.

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I picked up a mortise axe that is sweet. I'll show it later. Also picked up a WW-2 German military flag and a very cool damascus fixed blade knife.... oh and a drunk chick.
 
I got a massive Haul yesterday and hopefully I can get some pics soon. I got a meat cleaver. a mini bone saw, an industrial grade bone saw, a 16-20 pound sledge, 1 hatchet, 2 hammer hatchets, 1 hand saw, 1 High Carbon Chefs knife, 1 screw driver from some airplane company, and 1 really old wrench/hammer. I might have snagged something else but can't think of anything else at the moment.
 
billoo13 said:
I got a massive Haul yesterday and hopefully I can get some pics soon. I got a meat cleaver. a mini bone saw, an industrial grade bone saw, a 16-20 pound sledge, 1 hatchet, 2 hammer hatchets, 1 hand saw, 1 High Carbon Chefs knife, 1 screw driver from some airplane company, and 1 really old wrench/hammer. I might have snagged something else but can't think of anything else at the moment.
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I'm impressed and jealous. I was all over the place Saturday and found nothing. All riding on tomorrow's flea market now.
 
bearhunter said:
nice finds! you fellows wish me luck tomarrow when the wife and i go out to St.Regis 'axe hunting' :D
its supposed to rain all day, but thats OK, it'll keep folks away. meaning more for me ;)

god, i hope i find something to make it worth the trip... :)
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well, i must say that my trip was a waste of time, gas and $! :( live and learn i guess...
on top of it all, because i wasted my time going all the way over to St Regis, i lost an auction by $1 on a very nice plumb 3/2 jersey because i wasent here...
 
Here are some of my finds.

Here is some really old wrench I snagged. It has some writing but I can't read it.

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Here is the first hatchet I got. It say Vaughan Made in USA.

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Here is the second hatchet and I have never heard of this brand. It says Briar Edge Service Tools.

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Here is a hatchet and an awesome bone saw. The hatchet says Stanley Made in USA. The bone saw says Property of H&C Inc. PGH. Not To Be Sold. No. 2-89.

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Does anyone know anything about the vaughan or the briar edge companies? If anyonedoes please rate them on a 1-10 scale. 1 being scrap and 10 being an axe that will last your whole lifetime and high quality.
 
That Stanley hatchet is really nice. I like the design of the briar Edge and vaughan. Any vintage tool at a good deal is :thumbup:for me.
 
billoo13 said:
Does anyone know anything about the vaughan or the briar edge companies? If anyonedoes please rate them on a 1-10 scale. 1 being scrap and 10 being an axe that will last your whole lifetime and high quality.
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Looks like you got some rare stuff there. I've never seen a wrench like that one, or heard of Briar Edge Service Tools.

Vaughan is highly regarded in the axe forum, and people swear by their hammers also.

True Temper Corporation was granted the Briar Edge trademark in June of 1966. It expired in 1987, I think. That's all I can find on them.
 
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I did have a little more luck on the day itself. A boy's axe handle for my Gamble's Artisan, a hammer handle, and some short, beefy tongs at the flea market; and a Vaughan claw-hammer and a big galvanized slack tub elsewhere.
 
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