The Plane-Axe four-in-one roofing tool

T

Twindog

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I came across this pair of Plane-Axes, and they were in such good condition and with all the original paperwork that I couldn’t resist. The axe was produced by the Plane-Axe Corp. of Providence, Rhode Island, which was incorporated in 1954 and abandoned in 1968.


The idea was to give carpenters or roofers a four-in-one tool to install cedar shingles. The builtin plane was to trim the shingles when needed. There is also the axe, the hammer and the nail puller.


Not much is known about this company or the inventor. I found a record at the Rhode Island Secretary of State’s office that lists Armando Salvadore as both the company’s treasurer and attorney. His attorney’s office is the same address as the company’s. Nothing about the owner or inventor.


Presumably, the tool became outdated as roofers shifted to three-tab asphalt shingles.


There are a few of these around, but not many that I could find as a complete, unused set. For some reason, they were sold as a set. According to a historical entry at Lee Valley Tools, no patent was ever accepted. I couldn’t find one, either.




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Always thought those were bizarre. I'd be way too worried about damaging the plane component when using it as an axe or hammer.
 
The plane is pretty well protected, and the axe was just for shingles, not splitting firewood. I haven't tried it, but I'd guess that the plane would be fine for roofing.

I sided my cabin with cedar shingles and never had the need for a plane.
 
Interesting tool. I would be cautious of the plane blade just with holstering the tool.
Maybe shave off a bit of hand or toolbelt.
Plane btw, is useful if making weaved external corner on shingled walls.
 
Lieblad said:
Interesting tool. I would be cautious of the plane blade just with holstering the tool.
Maybe shave off a bit of hand or toolbelt.
Plane btw, is useful if making weaved external corner on shingled walls.
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You're right. My shingling was of a lower level.

I did find some reports that earlier roofing axes also had builtin planes, so it was obviously useful. Maybe those earlier plane axes were why the Plane-Axe didn't get a patent.
 
It didn't fail because of the switch to asphalt shingles. Still did plenty of shake roofs in the eighties. It was a gimmick.

The two pack is an odd way to sell them. Maybe they just needed to get rid of the inventory?

Really cool find in great condition.:thumbup:
 
Twindog said:
The plane is pretty well protected, and the axe was just for shingles, not splitting firewood. I haven't tried it, but I'd guess that the plane would be fine for roofing.

I sided my cabin with cedar shingles and never had the need for a plane.
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Oh I know, but it'd still lead me to treat the tool more gingerly than I would if it didn't have a plane on it. Pocket planes aren't that hard to carry around, really.
 
@twindog Thanks for sharing. Very unique tools. With the box and papers it would have been hard to pass up. I have put on a few shake roofs in the past. Always trimmed them with the blade side of an "AJC" roofing hammer and split with a small pry bar.
 
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