More history with Dad’s router tools…
March 21, 2010 by admin
Filed under Router Tips
Well as I am cleaning up the shop we are finding more history. Today I found the two router bits he had in 1951 its the round over bit and the cove bit. Sorry I can’t find the straight bit but hey that has been over 59 years ago…Here are the two router bits. If you notice the round over bit has been modified into a Roman Ogee bit. All modifications were done on the grinder by hand. Not sure if they even had a Roman Ogee at that time. We will have to check with Dad on a later post…
I have also included a fixture that I think come with the router. Not sure because Dad’s not here to explain the fixture’s history. Can anyone tell what operations the fixture was designed to do?
Hard to tell from the one picture, but maybe the old laminate trimmer fixture? Reminds me a bit of the one I had with my old Craftsman.
My guess would be, (in response to your quiry about the second picture), that it is an attachment for trimming “arborite” as it was called in those days.
Way to go guys…good call. I think Formica was the first phenolic counter top and it was 1/8″ thick. The contact cement of the time was dangerous stuff as I remember from Dad’s stories. Ans as he said the counter top stuff wore like iron and nothing could scratch it…what is it today 1/32 thick and you can scratch it with your fingernail.
Hope you guys don’t mind some of this history stuff,
Rick
Hey this is great stuff. Always interested in the older tools. Kind of like a treasure hunt and you get a little excited when you find an old tool from previous generations.
I have an old Miter Saw box from my Great Grandfather, must be made of cast iron. It is one of the most versatile and accurate Miter Boxes I have seen. They just dont make tools with that kind of craftsmanship anymore.
I have about 10 or 12 of those kind of bit’s, that were in a box a friend gave me back about 4,5 years ago. Can they a sharpened and used, I think they are 1/4″ size.
I wouldn’t use them as they are High Speed steal and can’t hold an edge very well…you would always be sharpening them. Sharpening is another topic for another posts. Thanks for the comment, Rick
I had a workshop in 1951 but a shadow of what I have today. I certainly did not have a router and do not any recollection of the second tool. History is great so keep them coming.