David Thiel and author of Tools: Rare and Ingenious Sandor Nagyszalanczy, share their thoughts on how tool materials and designs have changed over the years.
- Fifty years ago, a tape measure was made of cloth and had to be hand-wound. Now tape measures are made of steel and some even has a digital readout for the most accurate reading (figure A).
- Some Nineteenth century American tri-square had rosewood stock (figure B) and brass escutcheon braced the blade in place. Contrast that with the modern cast aluminum speed square. It has a lip that registers against the piece you're measuring to hold it in place while you mark off 90 or 45 degree angles. The yellow plastic triangle in the center, folds up for portability.
- This traditional sliding bevel (figure C) near the bottom of the picture has a brass star inlaid into the handle. It has a knob to adjust angles when working with miters. Its modern equivalent has a battery-powered LED readout and can lay out or measure angles to 1/10th of a degree accuracy.
Levels (figure D) haven't changed very much in the last 100 years. The traditional version has bubbles, just like most modern versions and its casing was made with brass and mahogany. High-end extruded aluminum torpedo levels have a built-in laser beam to transfer a distance measurement to another piece further away.
The hand plane (figure E) is another tool that hasn't changed much over the years. In the old days, craftsman made their own hand planes out of wood and iron from a local toolmaker. Then, the Bailey plane originated some of the mechanisms still found on modern planes. It differs very little from the modern planes we use today.
In the center of this example is a traditional American Disston hand saw (figure F). Disston developed a steel process that made saw blades flexible, yet tough and sharp. The other two saws are modern tool box saws. The yellow-handles saw has aggressive, Japanese-style saw blade. The other saw is coated with Teflon to make it glide more easily in the kerf.
A traditional hammer handmade by its original user, has a wrought iron hammer head and a nail-pulling claw. The modern versions have different features. One is made from titanium. Another has two interchangeable striking heads: one with a waffle face, the other with a smooth face. Yet another modern hammer has a built-in tuning fork in the handle that absorbs vibration. And, one is bent to ergonomically suit a right-handed user. Left-handed models are also available.
RESOURCES :
Bosch Digital Angle Finder
Phone: 877-Bosch99 (267-2499)
Website: boschtool.com
Stiletto Titanium Hammer
6061 Winton Way
Winton, CA 95388
Phone: 800-987-1849
Email: info@stiletto.com
Website: www.stiletto.com
Hartville Tool Company
13163 Market Avenue North
Hartville, OH 44632
Phone: 800-345-2396
Fax: 330-877-4682
Website: hartvilletool.com
GUESTS :
Sandor Nagyszalanczy
Author, Tools: Rare and Ingenious
150 Atherly Lane
Bonny Doon, CA 95060
Phone: 831-421-0191
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