One day I'll take it down

[HeelSpur]

and clean it and tinker with it. This has been hanging in the same spot for 19 years at least.
Have never really looked at it just know its there and it was her great grandfathers.
Is there a link where I can make comparisons and try to find a maker?

[rusty]

Because I suspect it is the precurser to Millers Falls design, perhaps start here...

http://www.myoldtools.com/boring.htm

[jimwrench]

  Ron Barlows "The Antique Tool Collectors Guide To Value" shows seven different boring machines but yours is not included. That is ISBN 0-933846-01-0. Does yours have any marking?

[HeelSpur]

Because I suspect it is the precurser to Millers Falls design, perhaps start here...

http://www.myoldtools.com/boring.htm

Thanks for the link, it sure does have the handles of the millers falls in the link.

I have never looked at it up close, got use to it being there like a picture on a wall.

[john k]

Hoist it down, get out the oil can, spruce it up a bit.  The bits these use are a little different, after you know what to look for, be on the look out for the other sizes.  There are pictures of one in use in one of the Foxfire books.  I've always wanted one, usually too pricey, and afraid I might just hang it on the wall! 

[Batz]

I think that day should be soon, it looks like it deserves to be touched again.

batz

[OilyRascal]

A beauty for sure!  Thanks for sharing!

[Branson]

Pull that puppy down and give it a whirl!  With a good sharp bit, it will surprise  you.  I picked one up in the early '80s.  Looks mostly like yours except yours seems to have the double arch at the top, while mine has the single arch like the one at http://www.myoldtools.com/boring.htm

These sure made timber framing easier.  Before these, you're talking T-handle auger work throughout.

[scottg]

I tried to get one of these for 20 years. I finally gave up.
Even before tools were hardly collected at all, people still wanted money for them. 

I always wanted one to use.
  yours Scott

[Wrenchmensch]

The Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown, NY may have information for you.

[Rustn Dust]

I have a couple of them that look like yours (I don't have a rational reason for buying the second one).  I think one, maybe both of them may be marked Snell.  I know several auger bits made for them that I have are marked Snell.  Search using "boring machines," or "beam boring machines." and you can probably find quite a bit of information.  For those that are want one, there are timber frame web sites that sell speciality antique tools like slicks, spuds, boring machines and auger bits, but they're pretty pricey.  If you can find a woodworking tool collector's estate auction, you may find several (where I found one of mine).  Of course, there's always the popular on-line auction.  I'd bet there are some there.

[Bill Houghton]

I have a couple of them that look like yours (I don't have a rational reason for buying the second one).

We're supposed to have rational reasons for getting the second (third, fourth...) of something?  Must have missed that announcement.