Stuff I should really write down.
For more than a decade, I relied on Matt Cianci as my go-to guy for all things saw sharpening and restoration. I trusted Matt to work on my own saws and recommended him to others without hesitation. When Matt hung up his saw files and retired last year, I was incredibly happy for him. He Continue reading Handsaw Sharpening and Restoration
Update Dec 30, 2025. The Toolchest has been sold. I m happy to say I found a buyer for the entire chest, keeping this awesome piece of history together. General comments I recently found a tool chest containing a large set of molding planes made by James M. Slater, a Detroit, MI planemaker who worked between Continue reading The Slater Tool Chest
The short version: I am making an important change to how I conduct business going forward. As of today (Oct 6, 2023) I am asking that customers pay up-front for tools when they place their order. The longer version..
For some reason I can t explain, I have always been interested in small bit braces. I have found an interesting sub type of six inch bit braces that are not only short sweep, but are also more compact in design, barely 12in long overall. Almost all of these braces I ve come across were marked for Continue reading Bit Braces made for the U.S. Ordnance Department
I enjoy reading tool catalogs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They provide insight into how these tools were marketed to the people who bought them and used them at the time. Aside from the information they convey, they can also be damned entertaining at times. I especially appreciate the acerbic wit of Continue reading Commentary from Period Tool Catalogs
Shipping tools over the past two years has been challenging. We have faced delays, price increases, service disruptions, and lots of general frustration. Here are a few notes of recent changes I am switching to UPS for more of my shipping. On April 3, 2022 the USPS instituted a surcharge on all packages over 24 Continue reading A Few Notes on Shipping Tools
Hi folks. I am starting this blog to replace the one I had previously neglected on my website. There are a few reasons for this: First, I d like a way to communicate with everyone who visits my website beyond the little blurb at the top of the tool list. I m not really into Twitter/Facebook/Instagram and Continue reading Hello World.
I ll admit I ve become a bit of a brace geek. I m a big fan of the Millers Falls Lion brace. It s a heavy-duty brace every bit as well-made as the PEXTO Samson and a more robust design than the North Brothers Yankee. If you need a beefy brace fora big job there s none better. They Continue reading Stealthy Lions
I m Following up on a recent Twitter discussion (you can follow me @HKToolCo ) on making handles for traditional British pigsticker mortise chisels. I promised I would dissect one to see how the handles were attached. Granted, this is just one example, but I think it s good evidence. Here is the subject: a Marples 3/8in Continue reading Mortise Chisel Handles
Hello everyone, Here in Connecticut we re supposed to get hit pretty hard by hurricane Sandy. The coast is at the greatest risk from the predicted huge storm surge. Thankfully we re 500 ft. above sea level up here in the hills so we shouldn t have any flooding. I am worried about something falling on the house, but there s nothing I can do Continue reading Halloween and Hurricanes