Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Branson on January 07, 2013, 09:36:23 AM

Title: Another multi tool
Post by: Branson on January 07, 2013, 09:36:23 AM
This is the kind of multi tool I picked up several years ago.  Mine came with a scribe bit.  Guess I have a couple more bits to find...  The chuck is smaller than the old braces have.

The accompanying blurb on these tools says:

"The idea of one tool that does lots of jobs has been around forever. This is a
tool handle with a bunch of interchangeable tools like chisels, gouges,
screwdrivers, reamers, files, saws, etc...... one of the sort of rare things
about this one is it has a hack saw! This one is signed Booth & Mills, Philada.
and also marked "Premium Awarded by Philada. & New York Institutes". I assume
this was made in the US but this forum of tool goes back to the late 18th c. in
England...... Booth & Mills seems to have been in business in 3rd quarter of the
19th c...... my books were not real clear on their exact dates. I do know they
had a very fine exhibit at either the Great Exhibition in London or the
Centennial Exhibition in Phila."
Title: Re: Another multi tool
Post by: geneg on January 07, 2013, 10:19:08 AM
Fantastic set. You can't be missing too many bits, the box looks pretty well filled & your assortment -- never mind, reread your post stating that you only had the scribe.  I was giving you credit for having the pictured set.  BTW, where did you find the photos?
Title: Re: Another multi tool
Post by: Branson on January 07, 2013, 01:51:05 PM
I can't find where I located the pics.  There was also an old advertisement engraving for another set of tools with this same style of handle. 
Title: Re: Another multi tool
Post by: rusty on January 07, 2013, 05:26:43 PM

From EAIA ; from Philadelphia & It's manufacturers -1859
"BOOTH & MILLS, are the successors of T. E. Wells & Co., who received the prize medal at the London World's Fair "


The philadelphia 1874 centennial is more problematic ;P

Very nice :)
Title: Re: Another multi tool
Post by: Neals on January 07, 2013, 07:42:18 PM
Nice!
Title: Re: Another multi tool
Post by: oldtools on January 07, 2013, 10:16:17 PM
Hope you can complete your set, that's a beautiful handle. do you have photos of yours?
Title: Re: Another multi tool
Post by: Branson on January 08, 2013, 08:39:10 AM
Hope you can complete your set, that's a beautiful handle. do you have photos of yours?

So far, I haven't found a single additional bit -- they're significantly smaller than the bits for the braces.  I don't have any pictures at present, and mine is in storage at the moment.  It's essentially identical to the one in the photograph, with a boxwood handle.  I don't recall a manufacturer's mark on it.
Title: Re: Another multi tool
Post by: scottg on January 08, 2013, 05:45:12 PM
I missed the part about only having one bit the first time though, and I was doing backflips across the room!!
 Boxwood is still superbly droolworthy though!

 There are lots of small drill bits around you can modify the shanks to fit,
  but you are going to have to learn to weld  and grind if you want that rasp and ivory saw...
 Holy Mackerel!!!!
  yours Scott