Tool Talk
Woodworking Forum => Woodworking Forum => Topic started by: pritch on September 24, 2011, 10:19:20 PM
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I don't know if this is the right place, but while I had the camera out today I thought I'd share these:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/tools022.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/tools023.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/tools024.jpg)
The two lower Braces are run-of-the-mill Stanley 10"ers, but the other seems much older and the only marks I can find is this:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/tools025.jpg)
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Looks like PEXTO to me. Peck, Stowe & Wilcox.
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Looks like PEXTO to me. Peck, Stowe & Wilcox.
+1.
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Could be a Pexto or Fray and any one of several other makes.
It probably had a hardware store label when sold which is why it doesn't have the makers name.
Sometimes these unmarked ones are lesser quality, but this brace has a closed ratchet
(as opposed to the cheaper open ratchet seen on the Stanleys),
so this one is a better grade tool.
The Stanleys look to be fairly modern. They were still making identical braces in the 1970's.
The bottom brace is a 10" and the other two are 8's. They measure from the centerline of the chuck to the centerline of the throw handle, and double that, which is the total sweep of the brace.
6" to 14" is fairly common.
16" and up or under 6" are both pretty scarce.
I am always looking for a 16". The 16's look really funny wide when you see them.
If anyone spots a freakishly wide brace, cheap??
Of course I'd take a full featured ratcheting 4" just as quick heehehehehe.
yours Scott
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It probably had a hardware store label when sold which is why it doesn't have the makers name.
But it does have a maker's name, Scott; the PEXTO-oval-logo is quite visible...
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Oh cool!
Like I could see it heeheheheh
Its squoze in there, but yeah I see it now. Classic Pexto in an oval.
Peck Stowe and Wilcox made great stuff! Its often underrated among collectors, but I like it fine.
Everything I ever had from them. I look for that brand!
yours Scott
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IF you need any braces or parts there is a chance i might have it bob w
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Or maybe here
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Bob's house is full of holes...
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Bob
I see a couple I could definitely use, depending on price of course.
I don't have a joist brace anymore. Like an idiot I let mine go.
And the big one might be a 16. its wider than any of the others thats for sure.
yours Scott
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Next time i am out in the garage with help i will get the two out of the foot lockers . bob w. The pics are from my inventory records
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Heres a little Stanley-Fray X3-6in I'm a little partial to.
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Nice Brace. What is the knurl where the handle attaches to the collet do? Does it break down there?
Jim
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Sweet brace. I bet you -are- partial to it.
6's are not so easy to get. And a 6 with a closed ratchet in that good a shape?
Yeah you're partial alright, heh...
yours Scott
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Knurled part is where brace is reversed (left or right).
This shelf mate got jealous so I'll post his photo also. This one is Fray brace with Spofford's pat of Mar 23,1880. He is 6 inch throw also.
Enjoy the pewter rings ?
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This one is Fray brace with Spofford's pat of Mar 23,1880. He is 6 inch throw also.
Enjoy the pewter rings ?
Yes I enjoy the pewter rings! I'm wondering, though, what the patent covers. The split chuck dates back to the late 1850's. I think '59, but it's been ten years since I had to document the thing. We have one in the artificers' stores and tools for the Civil War. All metal, like the one I found a couple of weeks ago.
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This particular patent of Spoffords had to do with casting end with slot included so that welding one arm on or milling slot was not required. His claim was that increased strength was result.
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A 6" Spofford, cool!
I have a nice 14" and have been looking for a 16" Spofford forever.
The pewter rings are a little tricky to do on a brace.
Well not tricky to pour at all really, just that finishing them is harder because you can't turn them on a lathe afterward.
Handles like chisels and screwdrivers that you can remount in the lathe, are easier to clean up.
In case you ever need to make a whole new center brace handle, or just re-pour some Spofford rings (often missing)
the story of how-to-do-it is here.
http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/Brace11.htm (http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/Brace11.htm)
I had to figure all this out, nobody anywhere was offering any advise at the time.
In fact, its still the only way I know how to do it. If you have made some and found an easier way, please tell!!
Here was my project but go back to the link and read the whole story.
(http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/brace11.jpg)
yours Scott
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I don't suppose you need to be told that is one gorgeous brace, but it's really wonderful!
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Thanks for the kind words Branson!!
Its also the toolbox handle for the box I haven't built yet.
The head snaps off and a peg installs in the chuck, to connect to brass brackets.
Its about a 1/2 size brace (4.5" throw), meant to go on my 1/2 size Studley........................... someday.
yours Scott
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Thanks for the kind words Branson!!
Its also the toolbox handle for the box I haven't built yet.
The head snaps off and a peg installs in the chuck, to connect to brass brackets.
Its about a 1/2 size brace (4.5" throw), meant to go on my 1/2 size Studley........................... someday.
yours Scott
All I can say is, "Wow!"