Back On Board

[ron darner]

Howdy to all from Ron Darner.  I haven't gotten caught up again since the crash, but working on it.  I'm the power drill guy - collecting old (corded) drills and, especially, the "conversion tools" that make them into something other than a device to make holes.  Hedge trimmers, lawn edgers, lawnmowers, and flower bulb planters; saber-, reciprocating-, circular-, chain-, and band-, hack-, and table-saws; cocktail shakers, blenders, fish scalers, and eggbeaters; putty removers, power caulking guns, and grease-pumping guns; bud trimmers ("cleans herbal material"); car lifts (yes, drill-powered whole-car lift!) and man-lifts (portable bucket lift); drain snakes; disk-, drum, orbital-, flap-, and belt-sanders; paint mixers, paint sprayers, and paint removers; lathes, routers, planers, and mortising machines; rivet spinners and pop-rivet pullers; floor buffers and shoe polishers; and on and on.  I have identified more than one hundred different KINDS of such tools, so far, and many come (or came - some are obsolete, like specialized tools for re-lining drum brake shoes) in an amazing number of brands and with many different methods of operation.
I have started to document and catalog my drills and my conversion tools.  Have about 150 of the drills listed so far, and 165+ of the conversion tools, but have a long way to go on both.  I have also found and listed many drill and drill-related patents; I may be able to identify some where the nameplate lists only the date of issue, if anyone has questions.  I have a few conversion tools which start with something other than a drill: a chain-saw-driven weed-eater, and an angle grinder-based chop saw.  There are others that I know of, such as a portable circular saw made into a table saw, another into a radial-arm saw, and a reciprocating saw used to move files. 
I have a number of other tools - a lot of saws of all kinds from a tiny one made for dentists to widen the space between teeth, to a two-man, 11hp chainsaw, for example, or a largish batch of parallel-jaw pliers and variants made from them.

[jimwrench]

 Wow I asked wife to read your post so she would know how fortunate she is that I collect only wrenchs,planes, Stanley tools and Bernard pliers. Good luck with your cataloging. I have set up a computer in basement close to my wrenchs and plan to catalog them this winter. Glad you are back up and running. Saw a tool at auction Thurs that was interesting. Sold as pop rivet gun. Had castaluminum handle and was about 1 foot long collapsed and extended to about 3 feet. with a pop rivet chuck on end. the extension was accomplished by a (X) type frame similar to a child restraint that they put across a stairway. I suppose it might be handy to place pop rivets in someplace you coudn't reach. Wonder I didn't buy it as i'm a sucker for anything I haven't seen before. Again welcome back.

[rusty]

A drill powered cocktail shaker....now that would make James Bond proud LOL

[RodFru2u]

Welcome Back from Sunny So Cal

[Neals]

Welcome back

[Branson]

Welcome back.  That's a few drills!  So, I got a question.   Since Thor made drills, you might have references to some of
their other tools (I hope).  I bought a Thor "all purpose saw" not long ago, made after their merge with Speedway.  I can't
find anything on this tool.  Got any ideas?

[ron darner]

Nothing coming instantly to mind regarding Thor after merger w/ Speedway, but I'll take a look back at what I've found on each company.  When was the merger, do you know?  I don't recall seeing an "All-Purpose" saw, but I have a few saws that I haven't documented; drills and conversion tools come ahead of them, for me.  Picture would be useful; design or styling features sometimes carried across multiple tool lines within companies, as a means to solidify their market position or to minimize tooling requirements, so I might be able to tie in to either Thor or Speedway items.  With a starting date, I can also search some of my magazine back-issues for advertising which may carry pictures or other information.

[Strongman79]

Hi Ron! It was really nice talking to you over the phone. Its too bad we were not able to meet up at the Edgerton Thresheree Show. It was my first time at that particular show and I enjoyed everything you gave me a heads up on. BTW, the Big Bars you went on and on about... AMAZING! Loved those things! Welcome to the new board and Im sure at some other point we will cross paths. 

[bonneyman]

Glad you found your way back!
I've got an old DUNLAP 1/4" drill I inherited from my father in law. Chrome-plated body, still works, but I don't use it much, as it has the old wood inserts between the magnets. Would love any info you could provide. I can PM some pics and nameplate info.

[Branson]

Nothing coming instantly to mind regarding Thor after merger w/ Speedway, but I'll take a look back at what I've found on each company.  When was the merger, do you know?  I don't recall seeing an "All-Purpose" saw, but I have a few saws that I haven't documented; drills and conversion tools come ahead of them, for me.  Picture would be useful; design or styling features sometimes carried across multiple tool lines within companies, as a means to solidify their market position or to minimize tooling requirements, so I might be able to tie in to either Thor or Speedway items.  With a starting date, I can also search some of my magazine back-issues for advertising which may carry pictures or other information.

There are pictures in the Classic Power Tool section.   I think we dated the merger, and I think the saw was made after 1960.  I haven't been able to find any reference to "all purpose electric saw" in any search I've tried so far.