Patron Version Video: Tool Stories #1
Added 2023-03-10 20:42:58 +0000 UTCFriends:
I'm just back from workbenchcon, which was an amazing time. I even met a few Patrons! It was lovely. And then I caught an upper-respiratory infection and I've been sick as a dog for the last 5 days. Please excuse me if I've been late getting to your messages and comments.
Today: the birth of a new series. We call it Tool Stories. In each episode, I tell take an old tool and use the marks on the tool to tell its whole story. In this first episode, I'll reveal my favorite old marking gauge and the 3 lives it led.
Follow along as I uncover how the tool was made, broken, fixed, modified and used throughout its long career. There's so much to see, even in a simple tool like this.
Please tell me in the comments if you'd like to see more of these videos. I have a lot of old tools and I can do SO many of these. Just say the word.
Happy Saturday!
--Rex
Comments
Such an awesome idea for a series. Cant wait for more!
Nick DeFrances
2024-03-03 12:08:12 +0000 UTCTool Stories sounds very interesting and a great learning experience
Carlos Alvarado
2023-04-07 00:55:31 +0000 UTCMore FF and TS occasionally -- but focus on preparing/using the tool as you did here.
mike willoughby
2023-04-01 20:30:21 +0000 UTCDefinitely more! FF and TS are fascinating!
Maximilian Harth
2023-03-29 16:22:05 +0000 UTCYes! Definitely do more. Loved the furniture forensics, and this would be just as great. Love this stuff.
Perry Tamte
2023-03-21 17:55:15 +0000 UTCFascinating, so interesting to see how different the approach to tools was back then when compared to our current throwaway culture
Jason Brown
2023-03-17 11:55:09 +0000 UTCTremendous! Tool Stories is the bomb. You probably thought about it already but you could use old footage where you're using the tool of the episode in a project. "See how nice a mark this gauge makes on the leg of this timber I'm using as a leg for my work bench (or whatever)?"
Sean McGown
2023-03-16 20:09:09 +0000 UTCI would love to see more tool story videos.
David Tripp
2023-03-15 21:19:27 +0000 UTCGreat! Would love to see more tool forensics. Also, would like to see someone actually use the marker and chisel out on big ole timber like the old original version of this tool.
Ted Robbins
2023-03-15 17:24:42 +0000 UTCRex, is this a separate upload than the one released broadly? I'm thinking we need to make sure the version for the masses gets all of our likes and comments as well.
Jason Sharp
2023-03-15 15:43:36 +0000 UTCFiguring out how to solve problems is my favorite part of making things. That's probably why ive done as many tool building projects as "practical" projects.
Jason Sharp
2023-03-15 15:41:43 +0000 UTCVery intersting. Please do more.
Nevin Murtha
2023-03-15 04:43:46 +0000 UTCWhile you're at it Rex, throw in some histories and anecdotes about former and current USA tool manufacturers. Stanley, of course, Millers Falls and some of the lesser known ones. Thanks
Mark Petersen
2023-03-14 18:41:46 +0000 UTCMe neither, a few years back, there was a local carpenter/joiner/undertaker who when he passed away his family threw everything into a giant Skip/Dumpster and before anyone in the village could say anything it was taken away and probably dumped. There must have been some classic tools in his workshop that were just dumped, absolute sacrilege in my eyes. When I say everything I mean everything they even threw out and Burned his old, probably turn of the century workbenches. His workshops also went the way of the flames all to make way for a couple of modern houses.
cliff whitefoot
2023-03-14 16:49:50 +0000 UTCBummer, man. I hope you're on the mend soon. Thanks for all of the awesome content!
Bill Hedge
2023-03-14 15:34:32 +0000 UTCI might have "met" a few when I did this one!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:33:41 +0000 UTCHa! Oddly, this is one of the few tools I have that ISN"T name-stamped.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:32:50 +0000 UTCWe implemented your suggestions directly.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:31:53 +0000 UTCI've done a few of those in the past!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:31:29 +0000 UTCYeah, I'm still pretty sick.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:31:06 +0000 UTCThese guys were very smart!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:30:45 +0000 UTCI bet there's more than a few stories hiding out there!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:30:12 +0000 UTCIt really is a mystery! Takes me a minute to figure out what the heck is going on with these tools.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:29:40 +0000 UTCThe loss of the apprentice system is our greatest obstacle.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:28:24 +0000 UTCI never dump anything for being old!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:26:45 +0000 UTCThe story is my favorite part.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:24:49 +0000 UTCYou'll see the improvement, I promise.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:24:24 +0000 UTCI can do that!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:22:12 +0000 UTCI'm a mere Watson, but thank you!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:19:39 +0000 UTCWow, I even kept the lads entertained?
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:19:25 +0000 UTCMost of my series are pretty occasional, so no worries that I'll over-do it.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:18:36 +0000 UTCOutstanding!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:18:06 +0000 UTCOnce you've sharpened it, it will be a totally different tool.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:17:39 +0000 UTCYour cutting gauge is probably a little bit better, but any gauge that slices is a good one.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:17:11 +0000 UTCI will be your tool detective.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:16:07 +0000 UTCI love that you said "joy". I feel that.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:15:14 +0000 UTCI bet each one tells a story!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:14:33 +0000 UTCI think we all like a little discussion of alloys.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:14:03 +0000 UTCThe marks tell the story. They're like writing.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:13:08 +0000 UTCYour honesty is appreciated!!!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:11:45 +0000 UTCYou know, that's a good point about debt. I should look into that!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:11:05 +0000 UTCI'g glad you think so!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:09:46 +0000 UTCI love doing them. It's always a matter of finding pieces to look at.
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:09:28 +0000 UTCLooking vs seeing really is a useful distinction!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:08:43 +0000 UTCYou got it!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 15:08:18 +0000 UTCThen I'll do more!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 14:48:33 +0000 UTCJust make some thing!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 14:48:13 +0000 UTCGet it done is really the key!
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 14:47:47 +0000 UTCI might have a plane or two around here....
Rex Krueger
2023-03-14 14:47:24 +0000 UTCWe all loved it Rex. Mas, mas, mas!
michael J Ezell
2023-03-13 18:01:49 +0000 UTCI love it! More, more, & more!
Iron Regimenti
2023-03-13 15:24:00 +0000 UTC"Me, too!" -some braindead AOLer
Patrick McNeal
2023-03-13 15:22:45 +0000 UTCMore tool stories. I'm fascinated by the guys who know their craft and can get things done.
John H Paul
2023-03-13 14:41:37 +0000 UTCMore tool stories please !!!
Andrew Fish
2023-03-13 05:39:58 +0000 UTCTo answer your question, “Yes! I’d lone more tool stories.
Rick Goodwell
2023-03-12 20:26:31 +0000 UTCHello Rex, I think that I am with Blake on this one. Don't get me wrong, I like a good story but the concept behind this series seems counter to your final comments which were about getting things done. The tip on sharpening the pin was useful but the lives that this tool led won't really help me on my next project.
Michael Lo
2023-03-12 16:19:51 +0000 UTCYes Rex. Tool history is as important as tool reviews, especially when the tool user has thought about fixing or modifying the tool. Thats when you get to meet the old craftsman!
Steve Sousa
2023-03-12 12:57:18 +0000 UTCmore like this, please. :)
Csongor Halmai
2023-03-12 12:20:53 +0000 UTCYes please: more Tool Stories!
Christopher Moore
2023-03-12 06:59:26 +0000 UTCI'd love the Tool Stories vids. I really enjoyed this
Stephen Wood
2023-03-12 04:44:18 +0000 UTCmore tool stories please. loved this one.
Stuart Bland
2023-03-12 03:40:46 +0000 UTCTool Stories; yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Nerd out, my friend. Nerd out.
Jeff Stauffer
2023-03-12 03:17:45 +0000 UTCI would definitely like to see more tool stories videos.
Bruce E Harang II
2023-03-12 00:41:35 +0000 UTCscratch is what I'll use.
ARTHUR REIHL
2023-03-11 22:47:31 +0000 UTCThanks, Rex. I have one not quite as old. the tip of sharpening the
ARTHUR REIHL
2023-03-11 22:46:51 +0000 UTCtHAN
ARTHUR REIHL
2023-03-11 22:44:59 +0000 UTClove this series, keep it going!!
Jared Leff
2023-03-11 21:24:46 +0000 UTCThe forensic skills on display here are impressive. Rex was even able to determine the name of the owner of this 100+ year old tool.
Kevin Hogg
2023-03-11 20:52:40 +0000 UTCvery interesting. More tool stories please
Stephen Dellelo
2023-03-11 20:25:32 +0000 UTCYes please do more of these
Patrick Howie
2023-03-11 19:57:08 +0000 UTCTool Stories sounds like a great idea Rex!
Robert
2023-03-11 19:50:22 +0000 UTCWould love to see more tool stories. There are so many lessons to be learned, and so much history at the craftperson level to hear.
Dean Wight
2023-03-11 18:27:45 +0000 UTCI really love those forensics videos, including the furniture one. There's so much "old knowledge" tucked in them. I also love the improvements to the "Patron Tip" section - it's not as distracting as the last video! Looking forward for more.
LiraNuna
2023-03-11 17:58:10 +0000 UTCYes, do more of these. And maybe include tips on how to shop flea markets and antique stores to find our own old tools with histories.
Boyce Rensberger
2023-03-11 16:37:25 +0000 UTCCon crud is just the extra bonus you get to take home with you after the con is over!
Bill Hedge
2023-03-11 16:34:43 +0000 UTCUsing hand tools is so empowering for the small scale woodworker...with a little more sweat and muscle you can eliminate most of the expense and danger of modern power tools and actually enjoy the play of sharp edges and wood grain. Keep the tool explorations coming, "those guys weren't dumb";)
John Griswold
2023-03-11 15:53:50 +0000 UTCMakes me want to run out to the shop and see what cool stories I can find with my older tools
Kirk von der Heydt
2023-03-11 15:43:09 +0000 UTCMore please...great job Rex. A bit like watching an old mystery movie unfold when at the end all the pieces come together.
Dick Wright
2023-03-11 15:25:54 +0000 UTCWould love to see more.
John Hiemstra
2023-03-11 14:45:54 +0000 UTCThat was awesome - I love finding out how these tools work, because It has always felt to me like I was doing it wrong, but there wasn’t an explanation why. New tool makers don’t explain how old tools worked, and older books and such seem to assume that everyone knows what to do, so just ask someone. It’s the danger of the old craft system: there were secrets that you only shared with apprentices, even if it wasn’t particularly secret in the ordinary sense.
JKlarinet
2023-03-11 14:23:32 +0000 UTCGreat video! Keep 'em coming.
Rob Kirkpatrick
2023-03-11 13:40:24 +0000 UTCI really like the idea of using this as a base for a new series, it’s such a shame how many of these old tools have ended up being dumped for no other reason than it’s old. Bring it on Rex, Bring it on.
cliff whitefoot
2023-03-11 13:20:58 +0000 UTCFascinating and useful. I'd love to have more of these.
Jim Dalton
2023-03-11 13:10:45 +0000 UTCI would really enjoy this as a series Rex. My favorite part of using antique tools is knowing that they had been used for 100 years to make things.
Jonathan
2023-03-11 12:57:29 +0000 UTCThat was great. I'd love to see more of these.
Robert Storey
2023-03-11 12:46:35 +0000 UTCReally enjoyed the Patreon Tip - I have a modern one of this style of gauge, I now know how to make it work much better!
Rob Weir
2023-03-11 12:42:11 +0000 UTCgreat information
joseph severson
2023-03-11 12:33:52 +0000 UTCMr. Anderson beat me to the appropriate reference.
Todd Maurer
2023-03-11 12:09:13 +0000 UTCPlease sir can I have some more.
Jason Anderson
2023-03-11 11:38:38 +0000 UTCLove it. Keep them coming.
Brian Taylor
2023-03-11 10:49:49 +0000 UTCAbsolutely interested, but maybe a video with the tool in action, making something in between?
Wouter Engels
2023-03-11 08:46:23 +0000 UTCGreat explanation of the marking gages life so far. I want to make one this summer.
Dan Delie
2023-03-11 08:11:22 +0000 UTCI have always been interested in making tools
Bruce Langman
2023-03-11 07:56:20 +0000 UTCThis is a great idea for a series. Sherlock Holmes becomes a tool collector and woodworker!
Laura Reutter
2023-03-11 06:23:45 +0000 UTCI like this deduction work. It feeds right into my interest in history. So yeah ‘more of this’ also gets my vote
Koen de Boeve
2023-03-11 05:34:49 +0000 UTCAgreed, this is really interesting!
Bob Goettle
2023-03-11 05:32:10 +0000 UTCI loved this and so did my two boys 9 and 10 who were enthralled from start to finish. There were some really important life observations that my boys and I picked up on. The forensic thinking was also a blast. To take the ordinary and make it extraordinary is a craft the you excel Rex. More please!!
Scott Forsyth
2023-03-11 04:40:42 +0000 UTCYes. More, more, more (how do I like it?).
Jon Linna
2023-03-11 04:32:16 +0000 UTCI'd like to see more of these, but not as a regular series. I think you should keep a few of them handy as an occasional thing to toss out; say if you "just got back from a con and developed a severe head cold".sort of occasion.
Michael Bennett
2023-03-11 04:28:13 +0000 UTCLoved it a great addition to your video toolbox. I for one would like to see more, and I totally agree about the getting things done analogy. I am making a folding table at present and need to laminate the pieces for the tabletop, but I don't have any clamps for that, so I looked for alternatives. I found this video by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlehVLUrPPE and made a set of these. Quite frankly they work really well.
Shane Thomas
2023-03-11 03:59:11 +0000 UTCDeffo......
Gareth McMahon
2023-03-11 03:59:03 +0000 UTCI'm down with Tool Stories and Furniture Forensics as regular features Rex. Thank you for this video on sharpening the pins on marking gauges. Now I can fix mine. Have a great weekend.
Matt Evans-Koch
2023-03-11 03:45:15 +0000 UTCI like old tools, do more. I have an question about the pin/cutter in your gauge, I have a Japanese marking tool that looks pretty much the same as yours, except the cutter is a flat knife affair that is angled to a point on one side and sharpened with a single bevel. It seems to work well for me, is there any advantage to the design on the one you have?
john howard
2023-03-11 03:32:45 +0000 UTCWhat a delightful bit of detective work. More like this please!
Zac Murray
2023-03-11 03:32:13 +0000 UTCgreat idea for a series. Your approach and insights is always more than just the "hardware"; you uncover and amplify our the meaningful purposes and connect to the "joy". thanks
Steve Levine
2023-03-11 03:05:03 +0000 UTCDefinitely would like to see more. Thank you.
Richard Schultschik
2023-03-11 02:45:03 +0000 UTCI love the history of how and why the tool was used.
Scott Burleigh
2023-03-11 02:34:38 +0000 UTCPlease continue the Tool Stories series
ROBERT MCCLENNING
2023-03-11 02:33:36 +0000 UTCThis is very useful, I would like to see a series about old tools.
Leroy Barker
2023-03-11 02:12:46 +0000 UTCI would like more tool stories.
Richard Appleton
2023-03-11 02:03:22 +0000 UTCyep...
Christopher Petrich
2023-03-11 02:02:14 +0000 UTCRex, I would be very interested in more videos like this one. I have a collection of gauges, You video makes me want to take a close look at each of them now.
Curtis Lee Zeitelhack
2023-03-11 02:00:46 +0000 UTCYup, excellent presentation on a great topic. Go for it Rex. More content about old tools!
Marcel Lapierre
2023-03-11 01:07:25 +0000 UTCWorth it just for the sharpening tip! Very enjoyable, even if I do also kinda like thinking about alloys... :D
Kenneth Carlile
2023-03-11 00:12:07 +0000 UTCPositive from me, please continue Tool Stories thank you Rex 👍🏻
Wayne
2023-03-10 23:59:26 +0000 UTCI love videos like this. Part of what I enjoy about vintage tools is the history behind the tools, especially if I can see the marks of history on the tool.
PhDamned
2023-03-10 23:53:04 +0000 UTCI really do like your in depth forensic reviews. Whether it's furniture or tools you make it intriguing and compelling. Thx!
Tom Moeller
2023-03-10 23:36:52 +0000 UTCVery interesting and helpful. Please do more.
EVAN FRY
2023-03-10 23:27:25 +0000 UTCRex, you put a lot of effort in to this video, thank you. I am going against the grain here, I think this was enough. That being said, I will not watch them, however others might enjoy.
Blake Webber
2023-03-10 23:19:39 +0000 UTCGreat story Rex more of this type of content would be great. This is the kind of information I think many of us really appreciate
Scott Johnston
2023-03-10 22:59:15 +0000 UTCGood stuff, there's nothing like it. I'm a history buff and this appeals to me. I'm always wondering how did this or that came about. The possible backstory on this gauge shows how our relationship with stuff has changed. Two hundred years ago ordinary people didn't have a lot of stuff. They were lucky to have more than one change of clothes. You can't be romantic; a carpenter then didn't necessarily love his tools, but he respected and cared for them because his life depended on them. Mostly likely he went into debt to buy them as a journey man starting out.
Richard C von Brecht
2023-03-10 22:23:49 +0000 UTCI’d be interested in more!
John Pankow
2023-03-10 22:12:21 +0000 UTCI love old tools. I definitely think you should continue with the "Tool Stories". The history is fascinating.
Brendan Langord
2023-03-10 21:57:17 +0000 UTCYes, please more of these. Also, I really enjoyed Furniture Forensics, and would love to see more
Robert Garlinghouse
2023-03-10 21:52:37 +0000 UTCThanks!!! Just the thing to watch on a chilly , rainy Friday. Another life lesson: It's one thing to look at something, and something vastly different to actually see it.
David Cole
2023-03-10 21:44:36 +0000 UTCAwesome video, Rex! Very interesting to learn about old tools. I'm excited to see more of this type of content. More please. Thanks 😉
Jennessa Lynam
2023-03-10 21:40:48 +0000 UTCYes, more please!
Aaron Niskode-Dossett
2023-03-10 21:30:38 +0000 UTCMore!!
Rick Prosser
2023-03-10 21:28:14 +0000 UTCNeat video. Even with just showing and going over how this tool was used, you provided lots of tips and insights for everyone. I think telling the tool's story while give out these insights and tips is a great thing to do.
Bradley Barth
2023-03-10 21:22:10 +0000 UTCGreat video! You're right about not getting bunged up about tools. Just make something.
Kevin S Thomas
2023-03-10 21:15:29 +0000 UTCFun and educational Thanks Rex!
Dan Marcus
2023-03-10 21:06:07 +0000 UTCThis was great. Please do more!
Scott Oliver
2023-03-10 21:05:02 +0000 UTCLove this kind of content! Similar to Furniture Forensics, it’s always tack at it to think of makers and workers that came before us and their get it done approach!
Gerald Eddy
2023-03-10 21:04:38 +0000 UTCI specifically love coffin planes and old wooden Jack planes please don’t stop this series without reviewing some of the one you have! Loved it! (Also, appreciated the patron tip!) Keep ‘em coming!!
Josh G
2023-03-10 21:04:15 +0000 UTC
