Comments on: Carpenter’s Toolbox Time Capsule

By: swirt

swirt — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:43:12 +0000

I think there are a lot of these old carpenters chests around. Unfortunately I think there are fewer family members that appreciate having the these great memories taking up space in their homes. Glad to hear you appreciate having them.

By: Chip Johnson

Chip Johnson — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 13:27:32 +0000

I have a similar good fortune. The rather large carpenter’s box contains everything needed but the raw materials to build a fine house. It belonged to a member of my wife’s family in Hyde Park (now part of Boston), MA. There is a separate box just for braces and bits. Included are brass tape measures, specialty planes and even a tool for making old wooden gutters. There is even a laddle and lead bars for sealing cast iron plumbing. Like yours it is a real time capsule. Some tools are unknown to me and some are obviously home made for some specialized purpose. I have used the wooden planes and found thme to be both very sharp and efficient. My late father-in-law told me that when these tools were in service, carpenters came to work in coat and tie. They arrive an hour early sharpen and service their tools before the day’s work began. While I have considered displaying them on the wall of my home shop, I enjoy keeping them in their origional chest to examine every year or two. Its like being a young boy on Christmas morning all over again!

By: swirt

swirt — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 14:57:58 +0000

Doc, That’s great. There is something about using tools that belonged to family. I can’t put my finger on why, maybe they are just romantic notions, but I enjoy it.

By: John "Doc" Holladay

John "Doc" Holladay — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:51:56 +0000

Very interesting. I have a lot of old tools that belonged to various members of my ancestry. My favorites are several old Stanley planes that belonged to my great uncle who was a builder and cabinet maker.

By: swirt

swirt — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:43:16 +0000

After a bit of discussion on a Lumberjocks post it has been reasoned out that the wooden paddles were likely wedges used for leveling a door while hanging it.