August 2012

SHAVINGS, SAWDUST and SPLINTERS

This is one page of the patent for my uncle Les’ invention for killing grasshoppers.

The patent , #2,167,923 , was not something that changed the world as far as I know , but I read an article in the paper this summer that reminded me of the invention. The article was about the damage that the grasshoppers and locust were doing to the crops in Weld County. The crops were already hurting because of the dry hot weather. This invention, patented by Mr. Carl Leffler and Mr. Leslie Gosselin, was a method for destroying the grasshoppers and locust that were a problem in the western U.S. at the time. 1936 was a year with of the worst heat waves in U.S. history and it came at the tail end of the ‘dust bowl’ era .Protecting the crops was essential and this machine could be mounted on your tractor, truck or car. As the grasshoppers flew into the machine they encountered a sheet of metal which they slid down and into the waiting rollers which dispensed with them quickly if not humanly. The patent was filed August ,1937 and wasn’t granted till August 1939 . I’m not sure who Mr. Leffler was and my uncle Les has passed away .I’m not sure if it was ever produced or even smashed a single bug , but if someone has one I hope they got use it this summer. More of the patent papers can be found at Google patents .

From the President

The annual Labor Day Meet is right around the corner and the Board has been working hard to get everything up and running smoothly and at this point all of the major tasks seem to have been taken care of. The 'theme' of this year’s meet is "tools & trades of ranch life from the late 19th century to the early 20th century". Cash prizes will be given for the following displays - 'Best of theme 1st place & 2nd place', 'Best out of Theme' , 'Best Single Tool', and 'The People Choice' where all attending members get to vote on the one display they think the best over-all. Just to mention a few of the 'high lights' we will be having a tailgate sale the first day of the meet right across the street from the Table Mountain Inn, there is off street loading and unloading, a tour of the Coors Beer Brewery, a great buffet style dinner(free to every RMTC member whose dues are paid up - sorry but spouses and guests must pay), guest speakers and, of course, an Auction the last day with our own, entertaining regular group of auctioneers (the auction will also feature items from Ed Roland’s estate). Please make sure to invite everyone and anyone especially the second day when the tool room will be open to the public for a couple of hours. Included in this issue of the newsletter you should find a registration form and a schedule of events - these can also be found on our web site RMTC.ORG. It would be greatly appreciated, by the Board and the Table Mountain Inn, if you can get those registration forms in as quickly as possible (send them to Charlie Aumiller or Larry Haas) so we will know about how many folks to expect for dinner, how many tables we will need for displays, sales tables, registration packets, etc. Please view the registration form carefully especially the number of folks you will be bringing for diner (don't forget to include yourself even though your dinner is free). .

Attention All members please let Steve Costa know when you change your Email address!! steve-c@centurytel.net.

If you plan to stay at the Table Mountain Inn (and when you make your room reservation) don't forget to mention you are attending the RMTC Meeting and you will receive a discount on your room. If the Table Mountain Inn is full, or you would prefer to stay elsewhere, there are several other hotels in the area (check with the Golden Chamber of Commerce for addition hotels in the area). Also, I would like to let you know that you can expect to see "a friendly face", outside the Table Mountain Inn, for the first couple of hours each day of the event to help direct you as to where to unload, park, etc. And as always, if you have any question prior, please don't hesitate to contact me or one of the Board members. During June I asked 3 RMTC members if they would serve on the Nominating Committee; Steve Scruggs, Bill Bohl & Brian Germ all graciously accepted. There were several Officers up for re-election or Board positions to be filled. The Committee nominated the following: President (2 years) - Don Burd, Vice President (2 years) - Mark Koons, Secretary (1 year) - Charlie Aumiller, Treasurer (1 year) - Larry Haas - and one Director (3 years) - Jon Aasen. During the business meeting other nominations can be made from the floor in addition to the selection of the Nominating Committees'. I think that is about enough from me this time. In closing I would like to say that I, personally, hope you will consider attending and help make this one of the best annual meets ever. As that old saying goes "the more the merrier". - We can't make this successful without YOU! See you in September. Don

The Editor’s Ramblings

First of all I would like to apologize for this sorry excuse of a newsletter. Like the saying goes stuff happens, and it always seems to happen when the newsletter is due at the printer. Oh well, I promise to do better next time. The summer Olympics are coming and as all the world’s great athletes prepare to compete in London, I wonder what the tool collecting Olympics would be like. The tool collecting Olympics would have both physical and mental competitions. There would be a 50 meter driveway sprint, where each tool collector would line up at the starting line, a garage door would be opened and a poorly lit garage sale mock up would revieled.Then each competitor would race, walk or waddle down the drive way towards the garage. Upon reaching the garage each person would have 30 seconds to scoop up as many valuable tools as they could carry and return to the starting line, where the value of their cache, would be assessed by judges. The winner would be the collector who got the best value in those 30 seconds, quantity not quality. You can feel the excitement now as the loud speaker cracks to life, ”And the judges are now ready to announce their scores, …8.9…8.0…..8.7….9.0…7.3 , wow the SWTA judge gave a 1.5 point deduction for picking up that craftsman hand plane. Tough luck for Jim today.” Teams would compete in the ’Whats it’ competition. Displaying their tool knowledge or the ability to bamboozle and befuddle the ‘Whats it’ judges. The #5 jack plane toss would combine the discus and lawn darts. Each throw judged by not only distance but accuracy. Bartering skills would be combined with physical strength in $500.00 tool power lift. Each collector would be sent into a flea market with $500.00 and a small wheel barrow. The object is to purchase the most weight in tools, but still physically be able to cart them back to your car. The winner would be the one with the most total weight for the least amount of money. Another competition would be the rustiest tools for the most money, this would be called,” The Clean you Jerk.

SHAVINGS, SAWDUST AND SPLINTERS

Published by the Rocky Mountain Tool Collectors – Three times a year or whenever we get around to it.

Editor: Steve Gosselin 2011 OFFICERS

President: Don Burd (2011- 2012) Vice President: Mark Koons (2011- 2012)

Secretary: Charlie Aumiller Treasurer: Larry Haas

~ Directors:

Buz Engleman, Jason Fink, Paul Weingart

~ Writers & Contributors:

Jason Fink, Steve Gosselin, Mark Koons, Dennis Scheel

~~ Web Master Jason Fink

www.rmtc.org ~~

Send material for publication and change of address to:

Steve Gosselin 1894 So.Leyden

Denver, Colo.80224 Sgoss926@Gmail.com

I think there should also be a competition involving tool repair projects never finished or tool parts never recovered. Everybody would win gold just for competing, because every one of us can relate to that one, we have all been losers at that competition before. I will leave you with two pieces of wisdom from Mr. Red Green, “Whatever hits the fan is not! Evenly distributed.” And my favorite, “I’m pulling for you, were all in this together. Thanks, Steve

CLASSIFIED ADS For Sale: 2 Stanley Plow Planes, # 45 and #46, both in Good condition – some wear on the plating and the #46 has a crack in the hand grip. Included are a dozen #46 blades, all sharp and rust-free. Also included is a Stanley Marking Gauge #97 in Good to Very Good condition. Asking $375 for all, but will consider offers. John Connors @ 512-401-3539 jconnors1@austin.rr.com Wanted: Ohio Tool Co. & A.C.Bartlett moulding planes. Tom Wiersema @ 307-7421933, or twiersema@hotmail.com. For Sale: New power tools of all kinds. Contact Michael Springer at tooleditor25@yahoo.com Wanted: Keen Kutter K2 or K2C Steve Butti stephen_butti@yahoo.com - 970-290-4338

CLASSIFIED ADS RMTC members in good standing may submit ads for sale or wanted items of interest to other members. Please contact the editor if you have an ad. Wanted: Saw nuts for a Keen Kutter hand saw (especially the medallion). Stanley screws with a 'boss' or flange for holding stop for, as an example, a Stanley #180. Also, I need thumb screws with the 'boss' or flange for a Stanley #80. Extra heavy fence (proper) for a Stanley #289 Skew Rabbet .Don Burd Please send me a photo and ,or cost to: historicdonburd@hormail.com or call me at 303-541-9406 Wanted: Broken/damaged L.L.Davis /Davis Level and Tool levels, for parts. gregormszar@tx.rr.com. Wanted: Henry Disston saws: London Spring Steel No. 112, 16, 99.Must be in very good condition or better. Dave Miller: 303-988-5053 Wanted: Chapin iron circular plane, #19 or #20, would prefer #19. Don Biays, 303-797-0927

Wanted: 10” Delta contractors saw, with an enclosed canister base. Contact George Engen, 317-745-5594

For Sale: Estwing hardware store display hammers.1 ea. 29” rock pick , 1ea 38” claw hammer.Bolth made of plastic with chrome and Estwing blue coloring.Sgoss926@gmail.com

Wanted: Post Drill Bits , Sizes 17/32 , 27/32 , 1 1/16 ,1 3/32 , 1 1/8 , 1 5/32 , 1 3/16 , 1 7/32 , 1 5/16 , 1 11/32 , 1 5/16 , 1 3/8 , 1 13/32 , 1 7/16 , 1 15/32 , 1 ½ . These are the sizes I most interested in but if you have any you want to sell please contact me. Bill Baker @ 303-343-3607. Wanted: a set of handles for a full-size contractor's wheelbarrow? The ones that I need replaced are oak, 1-3/4” X 2-1/4” X 60". Mark Koons 307-322-2127 or mark@markkoons.com

Mark Koons, picked up a tool chest in Albuquerque from a non-member who would like to have it auctioned at our Labor Day joint meeting. The chest is approximately 80-100 years old, well-constructed though of simple design, sound, and painted gray. It measures 23" X 25" X 36". It is work area storage, far too heavy to be considered portable though it has handles. There are 6 sliding tills approximately 12" X 36". The maker/ owner of this chest was an employee of Firestone Tire and Rubber and a hunting buddy of Mr. Firestone.

A Book Review By

Dennis Scheel

Carving a Bear in Soapstone Tasha Unninayar, Lynn Bartlett

Artwork by Dawn Harwig If you have ever thought about carving soapstone, particularly a bear, this is the book for you. Although it is primarily about carving a bear it has all the basics steps to carve anything from soapstone. Artistic ability notwithstanding. An introduction about soapstone and history of the bear is followed by the few supplies you will need. Most of us would have the basic tools you need to carve and finish a soapstone figure. No special clamps or fancy, expensive tools. From drawing the initial design to the step by step carving of the bear you will find easy to follow instructions. Finishing and polishing is the last step. Again with tips on good technics to use to put the finishing touches on your bear. Loaded with pictures, for those of you who are challenged by the printed word, and easy to follow instructions you would have no problem carving this bear. Included is a pattern for the bear. All in all an informative how to book.

Rare Blind nailer spotted at April RMTC meeting at Magurire’s in Monument, Co. William Galway Stranahan of Minneapolis, patented this blind nailer on July 20, 1886, designed to lift a sliver of wood so that a nail could be set in the opening and then have the sliver of wood glued back over it.

US Patent: 345,870

This tool was one of the many displays at the April meeting. Don Hodge brought this tool along as well as few seldom seen Stanley planes. Dennis McCaigue had a display of gouges used to carve parts on the violin. Wes Stratman showed a patented machine for installing the bolts and nuts through the steel rim on a buggy wheel.

Gail Parks shared this Christian D. Cowgill Rule attachment, that was patented on May 05, 1891.The meeting was great and we all left to a snow storm, remember, snow?

Annual meeting 2012 schedule of events

Saturday, September 1st, 2012 Dawn ~ 8:30am - Tailgate sales, across the street from the hotel at “Woody’s” in the parking lot. 7:30am ~ Display set-up – Del Rio Room 7:30am ~ Sale Table set-up. Tools may be brought in but, tools must remain under tables -NO SELLING till 8:30 – Arapaho Room & Lakota Lounge 8:30am ~ Tool Selling begins (see above) 10:00am ~ Hospitality Room opens – Kokopelli Lounge (refreshments may be taken out to the Patio). 11:00are ~ 12:00n – Speaker/Demonstrator: Dennis McCaigue – violin making in the Kokopelli Room. (Tool selling & Display rooms closed during lectures/demonstrations from 11:00am-12:00n & 5:00pm- 6:00pm) 12:00n ~ Lunch (you’re on your own) 1:00pm ~ 2:30pm – Tour of Coors Brewery (travel time included) 3:30pm ~ 4:30pm - Members who have displays are asked to be by their displays to answer questions 5:00pm ~ Tool Room, Display Room & Hospitality Room closed for the evening 5:00pm ~ 6:00pm – Speaker/Demonstrator (Rex Rideout – traditional Cowboy music) – Kokopelli Patio 6:30pm ~ 8:30pm - Dinner & Awards – Kokopelli Room Sunday, September 2nd, 2012 8:00am ~ Open Tool & Display rooms. Tool sales begin 9:00am ~ 10:00am - Business Meeting – Kokopelli Room 10:00am ~ Hospitality Room opens 10:15am ~ 11:00am - Auction Consignment check-in - Kokopelli Room 10:30am ~ 1:00pm – Arapaho Room & Lakota Lounge open to Public for tool sales. 11:00am ~ 1:00pm - Auction Preview – Kokopelli Room 12:00n ~ 1:00pm – Lunch (you’re on your own) 1:00pm ~ 4:00pm - Auction – Kokopelli Room 4:00pm - Convention over.

REGISTRATION FORM FOR ANNUAL MEET SEPTEMBER 1ST & 2ND 2012

Name _____________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Name of Spouse or Guest ________________________________________

REGISTRATION - $10.00

I plan to attend Saturday Night Banquet YES__NO__ Banquet is FREE TO ALL RMTC MEMBERS.

Your dues must be current & you must be registered to get the free dinner!

BANQUET COST FOR SPOUSE/GUEST IS - $29.00.

Total # of people attending banquet (including yourself) = ________

SELLING TABLES - $12.00 EACH Number of selling tables __ Total $________

I will require ___DISPLAY TABLE(S) against wall? YES__NO__

TOTAL COST = $________ PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO RMTC.

MAIL CHECK WITH & FORM TO: Charlie Aumiller 4840 Thunderbird Dr. #182, Boulder, Co 80303 For room reservations @ the Table Mountain Inn call 1-800-762-9898

QUESTIONS????? CALL Don Burd @ 303-541-9406 OR Charlie Aumiller @ 720-562-8088.

RMTC MEETING DATES 2012

Colorado/Wyoming area meetings for 2012

September 1 & 2 2012 Annual Meeting

Table Mountain Inn – Golden

October 7th 2012

Rockler’s Woodworking and Hardware

2553 S Colorado Blvd

November 11th 2012

The Ranch Fair Grounds

Loveland Co.

Southwest Tool Collector’s Association

26th ANNUAL GROUNDHOG DAY MEET

Bentonville, Arkansas

February 9, 2013

P.N.T.C.

14th Biennial

August 17,18 &19th,2012

WWW.tooltimer.com/PNTCBest.htm

New Mexico area meetings For 2012

September 1 & 2

2012 Annual Meeting

Table Mountain Inn – Golden

October 20,2012

Jason Fink

M-WTCA FALL MEETING

DAVENPORT IOWA

SEPTEMBER 26-29

Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966 or Bob Fields (704) 393-1282

Tool Swap/USA

THE VOICE OF THE INDEPENDENT TOOL COLLECTOR, DEALER, AND USER To be on an email reminder list for upcoming

So Cal Old Tool Swap Meets, send your name and email address to:

laura@toolswapusa.com