sun shines on the PAST Winter Old Tool Show and auction in San Diego, The

Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, Inc., The, May/Jun 2001 by Wells, John G

The largest number of tool collectors and their spouses (four hundred strong) ever to attend the PAST Winter Old Tool Show gathered at the Sheridan Four Points Hotel in San Diego on the second weekend in February this year to spend three plus days swapping tools, sharing great tool stories, and renewing old friendships.

Among the regular meeting attendees from far away places were Reg Eaton and Tony Murland from England; Martin Donnelly and Ron Cushman from New York; Bill and Kay Brooks, and John Kesterson from Ohio; Charles and Cherie Fisk, and Don and Pat Jordan from Colorado; Art and Joy Kushlan from Pennsylvania; Bill McDougal, and Dave and Connie Fessler from New Mexico. Dave Englund, Mel Miller, Darrrell Six, Steve Dice, Bob Kaune, and Steve Johnson came down from the Pacific Northwest. Ann and Don Wing, well-known researchers and dealers in premium quality antique tools, were welcome first-time guests.

Trading in the Guest Rooms Although the event began officially on Thursday morning, trading was in progress in attendees' rooms when we arrived Wednesday afternoon. A very scarce "Pilot" block plane made by the Consolidated Tool Works (similar in form to a Stanley No.60 but with a detachable lambs tongue lever to lock the lever cap) found a new home with a happy collector from the Pacific Northwest.

Parking Lot Finds

Thursday morning, a good hour before daybreak, eager collectors began gathering in the parking lot in anticipation of acquiring that great find that would be remembered for years to come. I'm sure the collector who bought the very unusual inclinometer level made by the Toledo Indicating Level Co., in Toledo, Ohio, considered it his Great Find for the show.

An article in the December 1914 American Carpenter and Builder that Jim Mau ran across while researching the patent for the new owner describes the level as showing the slope in inches per foot, making it easy for the user to set grades for pavement or adjust work that is a little out of level.

Another sparkler that emerged from the parking lot was an early very rare Stearns No.53B, one-foot, four-fold, fully bound ivory rule in crisp, almost unused condition. I also heard about a signed 6 inch Stanley No.98 brass bound rosewood level in great condition turning up early in the parking lot.

A latecomer arrived on Saturday morning with an almost mint aluminum inclinometer level made by the Union Gravity Level Co, Sioux City, and Patented January 9,1923. It was snapped up in the parking lot while it was being unloaded from the car trunk and now has a new home in the Pacific Northwest.

Most of the trading moved indoors to the guest rooms by late afternoon where it continued at a relaxed pace, allowing ample time for enjoying a pleasant evening with tool friends at one of San Diego's many fine restaurants.

Traders set up in the Atrium

On Friday morning members began setting up their merchandise on 102 trade tables that had been set up in two of the Hotels three, fully enclosed, skylight covered atriums flanked on both sides by three stories of guest rooms.

Darrrell Six and Steve Dice brought a fine range of scarce and rare Stanley planes in outstanding condition to sell for fellow collectors in the Pacific Northwest. I remember seeing the very rare No.164 low angle plane and a scarce No. 111/2 floor plane among them.

Dave Paling had his usual mind-boggling array of tools including patented planes by Rodier, Morris, Stanley, Sargent, and every other maker and patentee considered collectable. A Miller's No. 43 1870 patent humpback plow plane in super condition, a Stanley No. 90A and an L. Bailey No. 12 1/2 were among the many rare pieces on Dave's tables.

Min Koide's offerings included a rare Leonard Bailey No.14 combination plane in excellent condition, a scarce Sargent No.2 size Shaw's patent plane and an equally rare Ohio No.2 size plane with the orignal maroon finish.

I saw some very unusual and absolutely stunning tools on Rod Galster's table. They were examples from a group of one of a kind, decorated and engraved tools that Rod is designing and handcrafting from the finest materials, including sterling silver, ivory, brass, and ebony. They were living proof that tools can be fine art.

It's always nice when people bring in unusual items for show and tell, especially when they are made in California. A collector brought in an unusual wood bottom transitional plane with "Harris, S.F., CAL." cast in large letters on the front top of the cast frame and "Pat applied for" cast on the rear. The cutter adjustment was identical to Chaplin's improved patent of 1900 and 1902. The unusual feature of the plane was the method of attaching the wood bottom, which was held between the two side flanges projecting below the cast iron bed. One side flange was removable, being dovetailed to the upper portion of the bed and screwed through the wood bottom to the opposite side flange.

Member Displays

Dave Paling's entry in the Members Displays was a fantastic J. Jones Miter Machine patented July 21, 1874, No. 153,343. It had every imaginable adjustment including a tilting bed allowing it to be used to trim compound miters. It won the Best One Tool Display award before being shipped off to its new owner.