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Posted 3 years ago
EricWood
(14 items)
Hi Guys:
Here's another one of my dear late dad's many unique antique tools. It's some type of router or cutter of some sort because there's an internal blade perhaps this is used to cut the edges off of the top of a wooden pole in order to fashion it into a conical shape? I have no idea but it seems like one end fits into something that would be used to turn it or spin it in some way. I don't know. Lolol. Going through his own his old tools is definitely a history lesson in determining what these things are.
Any info should be appreciated. You guys know a lot more than I do.
Thank you!
Eric
I would believe you have what is called a post pointer. Looks almost antique. You put the end in a drill and feed it into a square post to make it pointed. Just google "antique post pointer".
Thanks fhrjr2.
While I couldn't find post shaper, going off of that search did lead me to find the answer so thank you very much. And here is what I found....
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-wheelwrights-spoke-shaper-506840830
Very interesting, isn't it?
Thanks again! I appreciate the time you took to send me your response which was very helpful.
Oops... I meant to say that I searched on POST POINTER. :-)
Well I suppose calling it a spoke shaper is acceptable. I have sharpened a good many dowels to drive same as you would a spoke. Mine were for reproduction raised panel doors and drawers for an original look. I did take note that in the article you posted it made reference to this sharpening dowels.I suppose it depends on your trade what you prefer to call it.
I could easily put it to use (every so often) in my trade too -- what an interesting old tool whatever it's really called?! I find it even more intriguing because the square tapered brace-chuck end of it looks extendable with that thumbscrew, I wonder what kind of application needed that feature?
@fhrjr2... Yes sir... You were right on the money with its use. Are you a carpenter yourself? I'm very curious as to the professions of those who respond to these postings. You guys are so knowledgeable. Very impressive indeed!
@AnythingObscure That's exactly what I was thinking. That part looks like it would be chucked into a drill, doesn't it? It obviously needed to be put in this something that's spun. I guess some sort of manual drill that would clamp it into place just like an ordinary drill bit.
I'll be posting something soon that's still at my parents house that is so unusual, rare, and likely quite valuable. I'm curious as to what you guys would imagine it is. The only reason I know what it is is because he told me before he passed away. :-)
Eric
Eric I am actually supposed to be retired now but spent my life after the military mostly enjoying carpentry which expanded into cabinet making then antique restoration and reproduction. I say mostly enjoying carpentry because some of the individuals I did apprenticeships under were very difficult to get along with. Actually they just wanted things done right but their way. Doing it there way didn't make it right or wrong it was just their way of doing it. As they passed away I was fortunate enough to be able to buy some of their older and treasured tools. Those tools are now being handed down to my youngest son who is learning the trade.
And in my case Eric, I refer to pipe organ building as my 'trade' -- a good part of which is fine woodworking. I've never specialized in that aspect myself (there are other more musical elements I do more) but one can't help but to learn how to make things finely out of likewise quality materials around an organ shop...? ;-) :-)
Ain't it funny how that 'my way or the highway' thing turns out over years, fhrjr2 -- sometimes one discovers that 'my way' really *is* better in the long run?! (of course, in the organ world we also have the 'grandpa did it wrong and BY GAWD we're gonna do it wrong, too" mindset to deal with occasionally... <sigh><lol>
This tool in a brace was also used to sharpen the pins that are used to hold the pieces together in barn post and beam construction. I have one of these and the tool that fits in a brace to make the wooden pins. It will turn a square pin into a round one which was then sharpened with your tool so they could be driven into the holes more easily. It is adjustable for making pins of different size diameter.
srarman you are basically right, the tool was quite often used in post and beam construction. Ease of driving it wasn't the main concern but it did help. Same basic routine is followed on anything that is held together by pinning it with dowels which is a far superior joint but unfortunately you will seldom see it in use today because it is so labor intensive.