Miller’s Falls #88 Perfection Jointer Gauge rehab

19/5/2014

I bought this jointer gauge from Patrick Leach recently. His contact details is on the library page of this sight. Miller’s Falls eventually inherited this tool from Langdon who introduced it in 1904. They continue to produce it until 1944. You can find a wealth of information on the history of Miller’s Falls and Langdon at the following site. http://oldtoolheaven.com/index.html

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This was how mine looked like when it was still with Patrick in the US of A.

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Shortly after arrival in Namibia, I sent it to Kenny at the Prop Shop who bead blasted all the old paint and rust away. You can see the spectacular job he did in the picture below. Just a warning though, I understand from what I read in on Patrick’s site that the tools actually lose value to collectors if they are rehabilitated like this. I however use my tool to work with so it is not much of a concern to me but, you might want to be aware of this, if you want to collect tools.

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After a coat of rust converter. I followed this with a coat of antirust undercoat (no photo unfortunately).

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In these pictures you can appreciate the cadmium plating Kenny did on the cams. I glued a strip of seal leather to it’s inside where it tightens against the rim/side of a handplane. This way it grips better and does not grind the japanning off the plane.

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Here you can see it reassembled and in action on a #6 Record fore plane.

 

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My first acquisition from Patrick Leach

14/5/2014

On Monday my first tools bought from Patrick Leach arrived safe and sound. You will find all his details on the library page of this site. Patrick has singlehandedly solved my problems with regards to accessing quality old world tools.

Here you can see 3 x Imhoff & Lange wood screw box and tap sets.

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This Irwin Auger set were made well and truly before 1900, but is soooo much better than anything you can buy today. Even the lid of the original wooden box is built with breadboard ends. There are 9 augers ranging from 4/16″ to 1″

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This Miller’s Falls #88 jointer gauge will first be subjected to my usual rehab and then put into action for many years to come, hopefully.

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The Mighty Okavango River Migration 2014

13/5/2014

The reason why I have been so quiet is the fact that we migrated to our fishing camp on the Might Okavango for the usual early May fishing foray. Here are some photos.

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Due to the late rain in the highlands of Angola, we had to haul our stuff over about three kilometres of flood plane with these mokoro’s to reach our secluded little island.

 

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According to the legendary Dr Spoedie van Schalkwyk there was a massive lion resting on this piece of grass about a week prior to our braai.

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A Lechwe feeding not too far from our braai spot.

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A few lekker sessions at a local shebeen usually completes the picture. That is of course after having to kill a massive Angolan Spitting Cobra and a Black Mamba, as well as dodging a beautiful Boomslang all week.

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