Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Twertsy on September 02, 2015, 08:08:27 AM

Title: New Tool History Site
Post by: Twertsy on September 02, 2015, 08:08:27 AM
Some of you know I've been diligently working on a new tool history site.  This came about as a consequence of whatever life changes the AA site owner has been / is experiencing.  There have been many revelations and discoveries since he quit editing his AA site, and they've not been captured anywhere but random forum posts and are doomed to be lost unless someone fixes it.

I've spent 3 weeks and 2 days so far on this site, with the help of many folks from here, other sites, and some folks that don't frequent forums.  I have a new found respect for just how much effort went into the AA site!  We are nowhere near the content they have where they left off, but we're working on it, and we've found many new discoveries already!  So, I'd like to invite you to take a look around, register if you feel compelled, and contribute what / when you can.  Unlike AA, I've designed this site so any registered member can contribute pictures, knowledge or whatever to any and all of the content, AND WE NEED CONTENT.  This way, I feel we will capture a much broader knowledge base and ultimately become THE source for old tool identification, dating, etc.  The vast majority of information is in Plomb and Bonney, but we're working other sections as well.

Just this morning I discovered 2 new company acquisitions on the part of Plomb, previously undocumented!  Those are under the "Timelines & Case Studies" tab, under the Plomb timeline.

My current project is a "webified" catalog browser where users will be able to explore, sort, combine, discover production dates, etc. of 1,d, 3 or all catalogs at the same time.  All catalog data will be stored in tables so, for example, one could select a given socket set, and view it's contents/configuration over it's entire lifespan, all in one spot.  By the end of the week, I'll also be adding the capability for anyone to upload their catalog scans as well.

Ladies & Gents, this is a LOT of work and we could use all the help we can get.  So, register and post up your knowledge!  Last important note: Do NOT copy ANYTHING from the AA site.  I humbly request anyone who contributes to respect his wishes, which are to not use ANY of his content.

www.toolarchives.com

Thanks!  Todd.
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Lostmind on September 02, 2015, 09:54:59 AM
Thanks for the effort Todd. I tried to register , came up with a server error.
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: oldgoaly on September 02, 2015, 10:38:24 AM
Is the plan to stick to small hand tools or expand into ???? vintage air tools or machines used in fabricating old car bodies?
I just was looking at the what is it's, good stuff. Don't worry about slow starts, it will take off and you will be swamped with stuff! 
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Papaw on September 02, 2015, 10:45:45 AM
Registered under my real name and hope to participate as I am able. Great idea, Todd!
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: oldgoaly on September 02, 2015, 10:51:10 AM
registration is working fine. no problems!

Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on September 02, 2015, 10:59:59 AM
Do you think that AA will eventually allow you to clone the site? It would be the right thing for him to do.
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Twertsy on September 02, 2015, 11:15:57 AM
Thank you all for registering!  As far as the "genre' of tools, it's whatever people want!  If you want machinery included, I can make you an editor of content and let you go to town!  Lostmind, try again, you're the first I've heard to have a problem?  In terms of AA, as I understand it, he's grieving and not very receptive, which is certainly understandable.  Who knows what the future holds.
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Lostmind on September 02, 2015, 11:49:46 AM
I just tried again , here is the message

This page error has the following parameters:
clientIP -
gatewayHostname - starkgate-p02
originDomain -
resolveOriginDomain - toolarchives.com


It won't go any further.
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Aunt Phil on September 02, 2015, 12:32:33 PM
Has anyone downloaded the AA site to preserve the information when AA eventually craps out? 
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Twertsy on September 02, 2015, 12:55:29 PM
I saw a post on another site where someone has copied it.
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on September 04, 2015, 10:31:45 AM
I see that Rose Antique Tools is not online anymore.  Is it somewhere else? If not, I downloaded most of the pdf's and could repost them
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: HeelSpur on September 04, 2015, 01:09:47 PM
I see that Rose Antique Tools is not online anymore.  Is it somewhere else? If not, I downloaded most of the pdf's and could repost them
http://www.blackburntools.com/articles/rose-tools-catalog-archives/index.html
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Mitch on September 05, 2015, 03:37:21 AM
I'm having the same problem as Lostmind. I keep coming up with the same error message. :cry:
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Lostmind on September 05, 2015, 10:19:42 AM
I'm having the same problem as Lostmind. I keep coming up with the same error message. :cry:

I changed my " handle" and it accepted it. Guess it didn't like " Roy "
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Twertsy on September 05, 2015, 06:35:07 PM
Huh, I don't know guys but I see Roy got in.  Perhaps there is some limit I don't know about in terms of the length of usernames?  Lot's of new info being posted daily including new patents found, new catalogs, etc.  As a teaser, I have a catalog coming (I think) from 1888 for Bonney Tools.  Did you know the company wasn't called "Bonney" during that time?  It was Newkirk, Ritchie & Bells starting in 1885, then Newkirk, Ritchie & Bills in 1887.  The 1888 Bonney catalog was put out as "Newkirk, Ritchie & Bills, Catalogue of Bonney's Patent Vises, Ritchie's Champion Vises, Hardware Specialties."

Man I'm finding some cool stuff!!!!
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Twertsy on September 09, 2015, 08:30:24 AM
Just an update folks.  Things are progressing nicely.  Check out the Bonney Timeline under the "Timelines & Case Studies" tab.  Our research efforts have been incredibly successful and there is a LOT of new information in there.  4 new Bonney catalogs should be available soon; 1888 (front cover in pic), 1914, 1915 and 1919.  They're on the way!  Let's get some comments / clarifications / revelations going!!!
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Twertsy on September 09, 2015, 05:15:06 PM
Bonney 1915 "Cement Tools" catalog and 1919 tool catalog posted at Toolarchives.com --> Hand Tool Manufactureres --> A-B --> Bonney --> Bonney Catalogs.  1914 will be uploaded tomorrow, and possibly 1888 if it arrives in time.
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Twertsy on September 10, 2015, 03:36:40 PM
I just uploaded the 1914 Wrench / Vise Bonney catalog to the site.  I received the 1888 catalog but it will take me some time to get it scanned.
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Twertsy on September 14, 2015, 06:45:18 PM
Ok folks, things are going well on the site for the first month.  So, just in case they keep going well, I'm redesigning it to make it simple to find everything.  Basically, instead of posting pics and info on a page, we will post individual tools, tagged appropriately, and you folks will be able to view it however you want. 

As an example, let's say you find a DBE wrench but the stamps were ground off for whatever reason.  You could go on the site, select DBE and the broach sizes and view every example on the site on one page.  Or, maybe you want to see every wrench of a certain size, or model # Blue Point ever made.  Just select BP and the model and presto, all on one page.  Or, let's say you wanted to see all wrenches by OEM, regardless of brand, same thing, just select the company.

The thought is that any registered user will be able to add examples, and the appropriate views will display them just based on the selected tags.

So, over the next few day you'll start seeing a new area to play around in.  Enjoy and thanks to those who have been contributing!
Title: Re: New Tool History Site
Post by: Nolatoolguy on September 19, 2015, 01:04:44 AM
I just signed up, looks like another great tool site. Of course tool talk will always be home base for me but your site looks like it will hold great info as well.