Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: oldtools on August 27, 2012, 12:47:46 AM

Title: What is it?
Post by: oldtools on August 27, 2012, 12:47:46 AM

Stanley, steel block with 2 adjustable cutters, Pat'd No. 95-2-28-11

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: geneg on August 27, 2012, 05:17:41 AM

Its a marking gauge. (butt gauge)  The small scribes are used to make parallel lines to the edge of a piece of wood.  Often used to mark hinge (butt)  locations prior to chiseling them out.

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: oldtools on August 27, 2012, 06:35:58 AM

Thank you,
this is a great resource for oldTool information.

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: Branson on August 27, 2012, 09:17:35 AM

This is specifically a butt gauge, made for laying out the mortises for a butt hinge, both on the door and on the frame.  You set one arm for the proper distance back from the edge of the door, and the other arm for the proper distance from the edge of the frame.  I have one Stanley and one Miller's Falls like yours, though yours has the wheels while mine both have cutters to mark out.  Both of mine have a third cutter on one of the arms to gauge the depth of the mortise necessary for the hinge to be flush with the jamb and the door. 

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: oldtools on August 27, 2012, 10:52:39 PM

Thank you, is this one old vintage? collectable? or commond?

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: geneg on August 28, 2012, 05:33:20 AM

Not overly uncommon, I think they were made into the 70's at least.  Some auctions they sell as just an item in a flat or a box lot, others they are sold singly.  Rust & bad plating are detractors to serious tool collectors & the box would be a real plus.   They fit nicely into a toolbox tray and are easily worth $10 or so if you only use it occasionally.
Found this link to instructions      http://www.tooltrip.com/tooltrip9/Stanley/stanmisc/95man.pdf

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: Branson on August 28, 2012, 06:44:00 AM

Quote from: oldtools on August 27, 2012, 10:52:39 PM

Thank you, is this one old vintage? collectable? or commond?

There's one on eBay right now, asking a hopeful $47.50.  But it's mint condition, in original box.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261089770775?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Prices are all over the board, with one in the UK asking 40 pounds, while another sold for $10.

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: Branson on August 28, 2012, 07:18:23 AM

Looking at all the examples of the 95 butt gauge on the net, and remembering all those I have seen over the past 30 years or so, I haven't seen another with the wheel cutters.  All I've seen have the spur cutters.  Anybody seen these on a 95 before?

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: oldtools on August 28, 2012, 07:34:21 AM

Just checked Ebay, have several old ones $45-$60. but no wheels.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/STANLEY-94-95-BUTT-MARKING-GAUGE-USA-MADE-/390141429025?pt=AU_ToolsHardwareLocks&hash=item5ad63dc521

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: geneg on August 28, 2012, 07:36:28 AM

Good point!  I haven't either.  Here is a page from Walters'.  Looks like they were made until '84.  Think someone swapped the rollers from a 97 or 98?  I'll also try to get out some Stanley catalogs to check this evening.

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: geneg on August 28, 2012, 07:43:51 AM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stanley-95G-Butt-Gauge-/251109586252?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a774c354c  Completed listing  Less than 6.00 with box

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: Branson on August 28, 2012, 07:49:25 AM

Quote from: geneg on August 28, 2012, 07:43:51 AM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stanley-95G-Butt-Gauge-/251109586252?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a774c354c  Completed listing  Less than 6.00 with box

Now that's pretty unbelievable -- sold for $.01?  This one looks like one of the later 95s, made with a cast aluminum body.

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: gibsontool on August 28, 2012, 11:57:26 AM

I have 7 but none with wheels for cutters

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: geneg on August 28, 2012, 07:57:55 PM

The patent also shows cutters, not rollers.

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=985389&id=5563

Title: Re: What is it?
Post by: Branson on August 29, 2012, 08:12:16 AM

Quote from: geneg on August 28, 2012, 07:57:55 PM

The patent also shows cutters, not rollers.

Speaking of cutters, what do we do when we use up a cutter?  I worry about using one up someday, since all
my tools, but especially the butt gauges, are working tools.