For those with an engineering background; it's an absolute joy to see these tools made with utmost precision. To me that's where the beauty lies as well as being above all else functional. I hope you can convince this fine gentleman to demonstrate his skill acquired over a lifetime. I am sure it'll be enlightening to all. Keep it up & well done. Kind regards.
Thanks for this great video. I am a Home Shop Machinist and tool collector. I've never worked professionally in the trade but I'm quite good at what I accomplish and am always learning something new from books, videos and personal relationships. I have 65 year old Clausing Lathe and mill that I've rebuilt after purchase at sales. I love making tools for my use or for someone else. I'm amazed at the work old timers have done and am always on the lookout for their tools that are for sale. My tool boxes have the names of many deceased machinists and tool makers. I'm proud to own them and use them to continue the life they were created for.
Hi David, I feel the same way. It makes me happy to use the tools they made. I was lucky enough to get to meet the guy that made all this stuff. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Very cool! I have a friend who is a retired tool and die maker who is also a builder of hot rods, like myself. He often needs pieces welded or machined for his projects and I help him out and he gives me tools in return. He has given me a number of pieces that he made as an apprentice. I am quite honored that he has let me have these things. Thanks for sharing! All the best! Mike
+Junk Mikes World Hi Mike, That is a great arrangement. I'm sure he's happy they are going to somebody that will cherish them and use them. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Nice to hear that there are people and work by them where you talk about yourself as a "mere mortal", because that is exactly how i usually would refer about myself when talking about your work
Please try and get Steve to visit your shop and do an interview as he obviously is an exceptionally skilled machinist that has some stories an techniques to share.
watching this video takes me back to the late 70's when i was an apprentce and making Toolmakers clams, V blocks ans stirrups ,scribe tools and cold chisels all as test pieces thank you for bringing back the fond memories.....................................
Used to love the engineers blue and scraper jobs just removint the high spots on those jobs with minimal tolerances unfortunately afte losing a leg in an accident don't stand any where but hey thats life and i still enjoy it and as one of your mates would say GETTER DONE Nnd maybe you can beat Abomb next year ...................
+Dennis L St Pierre (rev600hods) Hey Dennis, I agree. This kind of stuff should go in a bluecollar museum somewhere. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Clueless here except to appreciate the passing on of exquisite tools created by one master and entrusted to another. Lovely connection story. This vid can become the providence history for these jewels.
I made a few tooling trinkets as an apprentice many years ago, but nothing nearly as cool as this stuff. Brings back memories since I've been retired for 10 years. Very cool stuff!!!
It's rare to meet the maker of hand made tools. Ya got lucky. I have an affinity for tools made by other machinists/toolmakers; they have a soul to them. Have a similar feeling towards brand name tools which have been used for decades, but cared for. Thanks for sharing your find & the story behind them. Old catalogs & books are great for getting ideas/inspiration for projects or modifications.
That is ridiculously flawless work there. I have never seen personally built work holding tools like that. The guy could have made a serious business selling his stuff like that. Not only does it appear to be extremely well made but the stuff is extremely well thought out.
Thank you for sharing the history of the tool, and more importantly the history of the man who mad the tools. The latter is lost all too many times. - Annie
+SuperYtviewer Hi Annie, The personal connection is really nice to have. I have several tools that I can really feel the presence of the person who made them. Its comforting knowing they are watching. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
The work reminds me of my father's. He was an instrument maker and the absolutely best machinist I've ever known, and I've known quite a few world-class fellows. My nephew has the things be made during his down time such as a boring head, sine bar, and the most unique vise I've ever seen. I still intend on making one for myself... one day. :) My dad was one of a handful of instrument makers who were specifically gathered to build the gyros for the Norden bombsites. I miss my dad.
Hi Andrew, I would love to see some pictures of your dads work. Most of the wartime work on the Norden was highly classified. Where did he work out of? Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
oxtoolco Good question. Must have been in Manhattan or Brookln or Queens, I assume, though they lived in the Bronx during the war... I think. I wasn't born until '58, so this was all way before me. My much older sister ('43) would have known, but alas she succumberd to cancer in '09, so all that history is now lost to me. He later worked for Martin Maxon on Long Island. I think they'd been in Queens, probably out in College Point - several defense plants were there with a few remaining into the 80s. My nephew has all of pop's work. I will see if he can shoot a few photos. He did very beautiful work.
+Andrew Vida I think we all would be interested in some of those pictures. Especially the vise. I'm always looking for new Ideas on making tools and learning from the masters. You should at least get pictures of your dad's work for history's sake.
Andrew Vida -Andrew, I want to encourage you to share your memories and photos with the folks like me, who appreciate the craftsmanship and hard work people like your father performed. And I also miss my dad. Great men, from the Greatest Generation.
I have met a few guys like that and I treasure the time I've spent with them and to be able to own some of there work is priceless. Thank you for sharing Guy
i cant imagine the time,skill and dedication that it took to design and fabricate those beautiful fixtures. i'm sure steve was happy to find someone like yourself who appreciates works of toolmakers art. thanks for sharing.
+larry sperling Hey Larry, We could have talked shop for hours. As it was I was there over two hours. He was supposed to go shopping but I totally sidetracked him. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Thanks so much for sharing. Not only do we get to see the craftsmanship, but it provides inspiration to the rest of us 'mortals' so the originals may live on in other pieces.
Dare I say that these tools show not only unique design, great precision work but "art" as well? Great find! As always, thank you for sharing! The tools have found a very good new home. My respects to Mr. Edwards.
Wow, just wow! Tom, you are honored to be the curator of those exceptional tools. I cannot think of anyone more suited to the task. They are in good hands...
clonetrooperx39 I make my own tooling all the time. The hours I spend making pieces that aren't half as nice as these examples..... I fully appreciate the time and effort it takes to create.
clonetrooperx39 I make my own tooling all the time. The hours I spend making pieces that aren't half as nice as these examples..... I fully appreciate the time and effort it takes to create.
As you said at the begining, without the internet it would be impossible for a guy like me to learn or watch the miriads of great things toolmakers do, thanks for sharing, best wishes from Mexico
Hi Tom.The worst thing in life is we all have to part with are tools .I have two brothers and they would not know what one thing is that I own and after 40 years as a tradesman I have a ton of stuff . You are a lucky man to carry on his legacy for a few more years. I cant wait for you to put this stuff on your fresh surface plate and just see how good it is. I know you will respect what he gave you and he knows that, and that is why they are yours now. So Cool to see.
Thank you for sharing your visit and your 'find', and a huge thanks for the presentation of the few items of his craft. I'm sure you 'left behind' many, many more that would be nice to own and handle from time to time. You've prompted me to recall some great memories from a long time back (though I never made anything finer or much more elaborate than Steve's parallels!)
What a stunning collection of tools and i am so pleased that you were able to purchase some of them. I can certainly sense your excitement at obtaining these instruments and meeting this gentleman. I do hope you are able to persuade him to visit your shop and get him to talk and show you how to do some of these things so that we might listen and observe such colossal knowledge and skills.
Nice Thx I also have some pocket size handbooks. That set covers steam, electricity,piping, machinery, ect They were printed in 1910. Amazing what they covered. :)
Tom, What a great tool acquisition you made from Steve Edwards. The precision machine work is stellar not many here in the world of tool makers could do this high level of work. The V Block is astounding and what a labor of love to make such an intricate device. Thanks for sharing. Best, Jeff
Some guy sold me a garage full of machinist tools because the previous owner died and the family left it all. I got a south bend lathe, hundreds of tooling pieces, a dozen indicators, a brand new Kurt vise still in the box, a dozen chucks, an electro player, etc.. i filled two trucks full for 1100.00!! I have no idea what some of it is.. I’m just getting started. I wish I had a friend like you to come over and explain what it all does. I found a receipt in a book with the name of a previous owner. Turns out he owned a machine shop for 40 years!
......a rare treat to meet the maker when finding such tooling! Fantastic group of well designed, engineered, and well made tools.......really enjoyed seeing those and hearing the story.....wish there was more..............'74' Berkley........lol.....explains a bit hey Tom.
I'm retired now and make musical instruments, no more steel for me. Wood smells great when being machined. I still have all my tool & Die Makers tools, some I made, a lot I purchased. The companies I worked for were not to keen on doing personal tools, or Government Jobs. However I did a lot of them in my life.
Very beautifully made. A lot of thought has gone into these wonderful tools. There is nothing like designing and making a special tool for a job, no matter how simple or complicated it might be. I love seeing this sort of thing.
Loving the stuff you are making. All of them are incredible. Please keep making more items that are compatible with the accessories you have already made.
Isn't it sad when a craftsman such as Steve finally finishes with his tools. And what tools! I don't believe that many have seen such quality, certainly not me. He would be a most interesting guest to your shop who most of us would love to see and hear. So do your best Tom! Finally, it struck me that whatever you paid for those items you got a bargain. Regards.
Excellent workmanship! Getting the rolls on that sine/v-block on location accurately is quite a feat. I have used the Moore jig grinder and it will do it but it takes time. Very few places will allow you time to do it right but I was able to on holidays, working thru breaks or whenever you could sneak it in. Check it for squareness and accuracy with a 6" magnetic cyclinder square will sometimes drive you crazy but make you happy if you can get a tenth indicator to show no movement in those 6 inches! Never seen one made like it! Beautiful work and as you say "old school"..............! I have made 3 precision vises,several angle plates and v-blocks, sine plates, etc. I can sure appreciate the amount of time he spent making it! Almost too nice to use!
Such fine work and truly amazingly thought through very well. On this level of Craftsmanship it tells me this true pro has many years of paying close attention to detail. Also it is noted that to complete these wonderful precision tools in this top notch way has been done by a very patient and disciplined tradesman. Owning such and sharing the work is a great honor and treasure. I believe this man cared about who would own them also and was very selective and had to go to a person who knew what they bought who would appreciate his work fully. You provide that honor for a job well done. Congrats to you Tom because he honored you.
Until I was recently laid off I was a Tool & Die machinist and I've made my own tools over the years though I never had an apprenticeship. I recognize every detail in these tools and I especially like the double sine bar v block jig. Never saw pins inlaid like that- normally it's just a gage pin set into a v groove, and either bolted or brazed in place. That setup is really nice, because it allows for replacing the rollers easily. I especially liked his maker mark. I ran a ram EDM but I never got permission to make my own stamp electrode or use it for anything on my tooling 😔 I love these kinds of videos, gives me so many new tooling ideas and flourishes I want to add to my work.
Tom,I had to smile when you were reading from the books,That basically the man at the top has to know the why and when.I Wish!.I knew only one man who could operate every machine in the shop,and trouble shoot it.And it was a big shop.The night shift superintendent.Nobody else was close to this mans knowledge.Great Vids As always Tom.Thanks for sharing.Regards, Don.
I’m close to your age Tom. When I was in school, we had shop class. They called it industrial arts. I was always confused as to why they called it that. After seeing Steve’s work, I finally understand.
Wow those tools are amazing. It must have been great to meet Steve as well. You can tell from his early work that the desire to do top notch work was there.
I am kicking myself, at a previous job, they were closing the plant so we had the opportunity to make some tools, I made a massive version of a Herman Schmidt grinding vise and gave it away years later because of the weight, it looked a good companion to your sine v block stand!
Thank you for sharing this. I am jealous that you managed to meet the guy who made these. I have some tools made by a toolmaker but was never able to meet him as he was my Great Grandfather and he died in the early 1900's. He was a toolmaker who worked for the railway here in Queensland and he would make tools to do just one job he needed done. He marked his tools with a simple letter punch J. Cran which is my name too, I was told from as early as I can remember that all the tools marked with my name would one day be mine and after Dad and Mum passed that happened. I now have a number of strange tools in his old wooden toolbox. Again Thank you
Hi John, That was the best part getting to meet the craftsman in person. It really makes you appreciate the tools even more. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
thanks for sharing,it always surprises me of man's ability to improvise and to improve,kids of today rely to much on somebody else's work,never knowing how something is made. nice work
Hey Tom, just wanted to say your videos have been a real learning experience for me. I have a bunch of my grandfather's machinist tools he made and some of them I knew what they were used for and others I scratch my head at. But watching some of your videos you've shown off some stuff that he also made and explained what they were. I litteraly had a moment with one of the items in this video where I was like "wait, I think grandpa had some of those" and I ran out to the garage and looked at what he had and low and behold they're the same thing (albeit simpler versions) so thank you for making these videos. I love learning about this stuff and gives me a greater appreciation for the things my grandfather did as a machinist now that I know what some of this stuff is.
As a Tool\Mold maker who is in his mid 30's what is so impressive about those self-made tools is the kind of machine they where probably made on. I'm guessing a lot of the mill work was done on a Bridgeport! That is not how things are done in very many shops now a days. In fact most guys that are 5 years younger than me don't have a clue of all that can be done on a Bridgeport style mill. The large two piece V-block is amazing,! Besides the skill it took to make that, the vision it took to design it shows he was a great tool maker that had made a wide variety of tools. That V-block is incredibly versatile! A guy would have to buy at least 4 different V-block to get all the options he built into that one setup. Without being able to talk to the man who designed it, it would have taken the new owner a long time to see all the capabilities he designed into it. I think the same of the sine fixture with the 2 V-blocks on it. You definitely got some extremely nice, one of a kind tools.
Hi Makino, It was great to be able to meet Steve in person. I should have bought more stuff from him when I had the chance. You are correct that most of these tools were made on manual or machines you rarely see in modern shops. No WEDM on these tools. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Love to see the thought that went into those tools. As I was making mine I would ask the older toolmakers as to their ideas and would combine those and mine, trying to get the most out of my efforts. Especially liked the ground square block with sine rolls and the V-block attached-very nice. Also appreciate when he said they were within a .0001 as that is not very easy to achieve. Spent time on the Moore Jig grinder myself. Made cylinder squares with magnets to check squareness out to 6 inches. All old school now and not appreciated by the younger generation................... Retired but still love the trade and continue to do work as a hobby mostly, life goes on................
Its amazing the Skill, Talent and abilities (Brains Too) of some individuals, this is a prime example of it in this field of Mechanical Engineering Technology. . Just Beautiful. When you put together the V Block sections you can feel the precision just by watching it.
Thanks for the video Tom!!! Love seeing videos of tools made by people and not machines. I have to say I wish I lived closer to you so I could come by and soak up your years of knowledge. As a fellow book lover I would love it if you please do a video on what books you find of most value for reference and general shop knowledge.
Really nice tools. I could tell you were Uber excited. Steve spent a lot of time making all those tools. I would think that V-block would have taken several days to make just on its own.
That V-Block ..... WOW!!! The amount of hours that went into it....I now want one, of course not as big, yet, I'm haunted by the amount of time I will have in mine, a quarter of the size lol.... absolutely beautiful and the versatility of it matches the beauty of the craftsman's ship.
Tom, thanks for sharing that gentleman's phenominal work, some how in wanting a latge and a mill has led to me owning a taft peirce no.1. seeing your vids on tgus stuff is a phenominal inspiration, and like you said via the power of the internet we all can learn and teach each other together. its crazy to think, but the internet is tge kost powerful thing man has ever made, let alone the ability to have it in our pockets and accessible almost at all times. thanks again Tom.
My father worked for a tool and die company in MO that closed down a good 20+ years ago. I was never interested in machining until he was sadly too sick to remember a good portion of his life. when he passed, I thought it was a shame to have a basement full of tools just sitting there rusting. The more I go through his old stuff, the more awsome things I find. Most of his job was tool fabrication via machining. It was fascinating just to see the different things he had come up with that I never would have thought of. Some of the things I still use in my daily life. My only regret is not being able to talk to him about half the things I found. For all the things I could see what they did, there is still a hand full that I'm figuring out what purpose this strange lump of metal served.
G'day Tom, it's great that people like yourself use U tube to share information. I'll bet a lot of young people today would not even know what a tool maker does. These kind of videos could be good to get people interested in making things again and reviving manufacturing.We have lost a lot of manufacturing here in Australia as well. I used to work in a service department for a dental supply company and most of the repairs were hand pieces with either air turbines or electric motors in them. As you could imagine you need to be able to securely hold these things while undoing various screws at 90 degrees to the drive shafts. To do this we used a V block but no ordinary V block we had a 30 degree V block which was great because it held whatever was in it nice and low and would not topple over as easily as a 45 degree V block. I reckon there would be a good market for them even low precision versions as there as lots of tradespeople like air conditioning mechanics that have to do basic mechanical repairs on site.
You have some nice stuff there, but I find it interesting as I am a fully qualified tool and die maker, and I spent the first 2 years of my apprenticeship making parallels, v block, small vice, sine bar etc etc. I was lucky enough to work for a company that was able to afford such a good training. The difference here, we all made set (tried and tested) pieces that we would then go on to use on the shop floor. Another slight difference...all the stuff I made started out as a milling or shaping exercise that allowed the steel to stress relieve as after the excise was done we left it to rust and weather before moving on to the next exercise. Happy times in fact, I learnt an immense amount making this stuff unlike other companies that put people on a capstan lathe from day 1 and allowed them to call themselves engineers.
That was really neat Tom. I sincerely hope that this Master craftsman Toolmaker, had the opportunity during his career to pass along his knowledge and work ethic, to a younger upcoming, future machinist/toolmaker. Looking forward to a surface plate, tool measurement video on Steve's incredible, personal work tools.
Wow! This is my life story! Started Tool And Diemaker apprenticeship 1971, made the same things the same way, and years later got better and better! That would be an awesome episode Tom!!!! Was sorry to see you are not in the magazine anymore.
+Stephen Hodge Hi Stephen, Let see some of your treasure. Hopefully you still have it tucked away in that Gerstener of yours. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
One of the neat things about our post digital culture is the way we've carried forward old vocabulary: Industrial Light and Magic (is it?) George Lucas's Hollywood movie shop; Digital Tool and Die was one of the early Boston AI software shops. Tools are culture! And this fine video is one sign of it. -dlj.
What caught my eye in the sine dresser was the slot between the anvil surfaces... Looks like you could fit a gage block stack between there and dress really weeny teeny angles - which would really make sense for a tool maker.
That was a great video Tom, Steve's tools were beautiful, that was a good suggestion of inviting him to your workshop and making a video together. The books were interesting artefacts, I've just discovered your videos, they're very entertaining and you're quite a cool character. I look forward to watching the rest of the videos. There are so manythey will keep me entertained for ages.
AWESOME!!!!!! Thanks for sharing! It would have been an interesting add to have info on how long each item took to build, that always interest me when you look at someone's craft and realize their time spent.
+outsidescrewball Yeah, that would be great to know, and if you get a chance to talk to Tom, could you try to find out what material was used as well? Thanks Chuck...and please have a nice mellow finish to 2015, and I wish you and your family a Happy New Year...Aloha
+outsidescrewball Hey Chuck, Hoping to get Steve out for a shop visit and on camera interview. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
+Knolltop Farms Hey Chuck, I think there is a variety of materials he used in these tools. Some is carburized lower carbon steels and there is some 8620 and some tool steels. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Tom
Fantastic Tom. That gentleman was a super craftsman. My father was a job set-up man and production machinist during WWII. You mentioned "Stellite" tooling, & I still have some large "Stellite" lathe tool bits he used. He also made a set of handles for the hex-keys he used for set-up work, where he may have to loosen/tighten bolts many times for a set-up. They were very similar to those on that chuck wrench. I like your work, keep em' coming. Thanks.................Dick
I managed to get a guy to demo one of his two Moore jig grinders (and stuck a picture of it on the otherwise empty Wikipedia page!) Those machines are absolutely gorgeous.
![เจ็บที่ยังฮัก - ม่อน วรวิทย์ [ Official Mv ] จอนนี่มิวสิค](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KALIGSRSjFs/mqdefault.jpg)
THANKYOU, I WORKED IN L.A. IN 1963-64. I WAS A TOOOLMAKER FROM THE U.K. GREAT TIMES AND GREAT AMERICAN TOOLMAKERS.MANY THANKS
For those with an engineering background; it's an absolute joy to see these tools made with utmost precision. To me that's where the beauty lies as well as being above all else functional. I hope you can convince this fine gentleman to demonstrate his skill acquired over a lifetime. I am sure it'll be enlightening to all. Keep it up & well done. Kind regards.
Love seeing this sorta of stuff. I’m in my 30’s and I’m still amazed at some of the stuff old school toolmakers make.
Thanks for this great video. I am a Home Shop Machinist and tool collector. I've never worked professionally in the trade but I'm quite good at what I accomplish and am always learning something new from books, videos and personal relationships. I have 65 year old Clausing Lathe and mill that I've rebuilt after purchase at sales. I love making tools for my use or for someone else. I'm amazed at the work old timers have done and am always on the lookout for their tools that are for sale. My tool boxes have the names of many deceased machinists and tool makers. I'm proud to own them and use them to continue the life they were created for.
Hi David,
I feel the same way. It makes me happy to use the tools they made. I was lucky enough to get to meet the guy that made all this stuff. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Very cool! I have a friend who is a retired tool and die maker who is also a builder of hot rods, like myself. He often needs pieces welded or machined for his projects and I help him out and he gives me tools in return. He has given me a number of pieces that he made as an apprentice. I am quite honored that he has let me have these things.
Thanks for sharing!
All the best!
Mike
+Junk Mikes World Hi Mike,
That is a great arrangement. I'm sure he's happy they are going to somebody that will cherish them and use them. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
That v-block blew me away! There was skilful thought into that design. A credit to Steve.
Nice to hear that there are people and work by them where you talk about yourself as a "mere mortal", because that is exactly how i usually would refer about myself when talking about your work
Please try and get Steve to visit your shop and do an interview as he obviously is an exceptionally skilled machinist that has some stories an techniques to share.
+semidemiurge. I second that request, it would be a great show.
+semidemiurge That would be an awesome interview. Tom could ask him about this apprenticeship and how he got the ideas for these unique tools.
+semidemiurge Hi Miurge,
Keep your fingers crossed. I'm hoping to get Steve out for a shop visit. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
@@oxtoolco Trick him, and tell him it's a fish fry.
watching this video takes me back to the late 70's when i was an apprentce and making Toolmakers clams, V blocks ans stirrups ,scribe tools and cold chisels all as test pieces thank you for bringing back the fond memories.....................................
Hi dually,
Glad you like the video. Bet you don't miss standing at the grinder for hours. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Used to love the engineers blue and scraper jobs just removint the high spots on those jobs with minimal tolerances unfortunately afte losing a leg in an accident don't stand any where but hey thats life and i still enjoy it and as one of your mates would say GETTER DONE Nnd maybe you can beat Abomb next year ...................
I'm a retired Machinist, and its nice to see tooling made by other craftsmen.
+Dennis L St Pierre (rev600hods) Hey Dennis,
I agree. This kind of stuff should go in a bluecollar museum somewhere. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
WOW! Those tools are just awesome! Glad to see a master machinist get them and hope to see them used in your future videos!
Hi Tom.
It's so cool to see the work of someone who thinks just a little differently.
Thanks for showing us these tools.
Thanks,
John
Clueless here except to appreciate the passing on of exquisite tools created by one master and entrusted to another. Lovely connection story. This vid can become the providence history for these jewels.
I made a few tooling trinkets as an apprentice many years ago, but nothing nearly as cool as this stuff. Brings back memories since I've been retired for 10 years. Very cool stuff!!!
Hi Ken,
Congratulations on your retirement. Enjoy your rest as you earned it. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
It's rare to meet the maker of hand made tools. Ya got lucky.
I have an affinity for tools made by other machinists/toolmakers; they have a soul to them.
Have a similar feeling towards brand name tools which have been used for decades, but cared for.
Thanks for sharing your find & the story behind them.
Old catalogs & books are great for getting ideas/inspiration for projects or modifications.
I canot imagine kids leaving school these days and learning ANY of this.. I served my time tool making and never looked back.. nice vid fella..
Hi Ace,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
That is ridiculously flawless work there. I have never seen personally built work holding tools like that. The guy could have made a serious business selling his stuff like that. Not only does it appear to be extremely well made but the stuff is extremely well thought out.
Thank you for sharing the history of the tool, and more importantly the history of the man who mad the tools. The latter is lost all too many times. - Annie
+SuperYtviewer Hi Annie,
The personal connection is really nice to have. I have several tools that I can really feel the presence of the person who made them. Its comforting knowing they are watching. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
The work reminds me of my father's. He was an instrument maker and the absolutely best machinist I've ever known, and I've known quite a few world-class fellows. My nephew has the things be made during his down time such as a boring head, sine bar, and the most unique vise I've ever seen. I still intend on making one for myself... one day. :)
My dad was one of a handful of instrument makers who were specifically gathered to build the gyros for the Norden bombsites.
I miss my dad.
Hi Andrew,
I would love to see some pictures of your dads work. Most of the wartime work on the Norden was highly classified. Where did he work out of? Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
oxtoolco Good question. Must have been in Manhattan or Brookln or Queens, I assume, though they lived in the Bronx during the war... I think. I wasn't born until '58, so this was all way before me. My much older sister ('43) would have known, but alas she succumberd to cancer in '09, so all that history is now lost to me.
He later worked for Martin Maxon on Long Island. I think they'd been in Queens, probably out in College Point - several defense plants were there with a few remaining into the 80s.
My nephew has all of pop's work. I will see if he can shoot a few photos. He did very beautiful work.
+Andrew Vida I think we all would be interested in some of those pictures. Especially the vise. I'm always looking for new Ideas on making tools and learning from the masters. You should at least get pictures of your dad's work for history's sake.
Andrew Vida -Andrew, I want to encourage you to share your memories and photos with the folks like me, who appreciate the craftsmanship and hard work people like your father performed. And I also miss my dad. Great men, from the Greatest Generation.
Hi Andrew,
Cherish the thing he has left behind. This is our connection to the past. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
I have met a few guys like that and I treasure the time I've spent with them and to be able to own some of there work is priceless. Thank you for sharing Guy
i cant imagine the time,skill and dedication that it took to design and fabricate those beautiful fixtures. i'm sure steve was happy to find someone like yourself who appreciates works of toolmakers art. thanks for sharing.
+larry sperling Hey Larry,
We could have talked shop for hours. As it was I was there over two hours. He was supposed to go shopping but I totally sidetracked him. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Thanks so much for sharing. Not only do we get to see the craftsmanship, but it provides inspiration to the rest of us 'mortals' so the originals may live on in other pieces.
Dare I say that these tools show not only unique design, great precision work but "art" as well? Great find! As always, thank you for sharing! The tools have found a very good new home. My respects to Mr. Edwards.
Wow, just wow! Tom, you are honored to be the curator of those exceptional tools. I cannot think of anyone more suited to the task. They are in good hands...
These are really neat! Very very few people appreciate the amount of time and thinking that went into making these.
+clonetrooperx39 I do. ;-)
clonetrooperx39 I make my own tooling all the time. The hours I spend making pieces that aren't half as nice as these examples.....
I fully appreciate the time and effort it takes to create.
clonetrooperx39 I make my own tooling all the time. The hours I spend making pieces that aren't half as nice as these examples.....
I fully appreciate the time and effort it takes to create.
clonetrooperx39 hygiene
As you said at the begining, without the internet it would be impossible for a guy like me to learn or watch the miriads of great things toolmakers do, thanks for sharing, best wishes from Mexico
+Carlos Avila Hi Carlos,
I meet all kinds of really neat people on the internet. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Hi Tom.The worst thing in life is we all have to part with are tools .I have two brothers and they would not know what one thing is that I own and after 40 years as a tradesman I have a ton of stuff . You are a lucky man to carry on his legacy for a few more years. I cant wait for you to put this stuff on your fresh surface plate and just see how good it is.
I know you will respect what he gave you and he knows that, and that is why they are yours now. So Cool to see.
Wow! Super workmanship! Nice useful features. 3-4-5 triangle on the sine v-block fixture is cool.
(40 year toolmaker from Ontario Canada)
Thank you for sharing your visit and your 'find', and a huge thanks for the presentation of the few items of his craft. I'm sure you 'left behind' many, many more that would be nice to own and handle from time to time. You've prompted me to recall some great memories from a long time back (though I never made anything finer or much more elaborate than Steve's parallels!)
What a stunning collection of tools and i am so pleased that you were able to purchase some of them. I can certainly sense your excitement at obtaining these instruments and meeting this gentleman.
I do hope you are able to persuade him to visit your shop and get him to talk and show you how to do some of these things so that we might listen and observe such colossal knowledge and skills.
Nice Thx I also have some pocket size handbooks. That set covers steam, electricity,piping, machinery, ect They were printed in 1910. Amazing what they covered. :)
Tom,
What a great tool acquisition you made from Steve Edwards.
The precision machine work is stellar not many here in the world of tool makers could do this high level of work.
The V Block is astounding and what a labor of love to make such an intricate device.
Thanks for sharing.
Best,
Jeff
Amazing find. You don't see that kind of craftsmanship very often anymore. I would also love to see an interview with the maker.
Some guy sold me a garage full of machinist tools because the previous owner died and the family left it all. I got a south bend lathe, hundreds of tooling pieces, a dozen indicators, a brand new Kurt vise still in the box, a dozen chucks, an electro player, etc.. i filled two trucks full for 1100.00!! I have no idea what some of it is.. I’m just getting started. I wish I had a friend like you to come over and explain what it all does. I found a receipt in a book with the name of a previous owner. Turns out he owned a machine shop for 40 years!
......a rare treat to meet the maker when finding such tooling! Fantastic group of well designed, engineered, and well made tools.......really enjoyed seeing those and hearing the story.....wish there was more..............'74' Berkley........lol.....explains a bit hey Tom.
I'm retired now and make musical instruments, no more steel for me. Wood smells great when being machined. I still have all my tool & Die Makers tools, some I made, a lot I purchased. The companies I worked for were not to keen on doing personal tools, or Government Jobs. However I did a lot of them in my life.
I noticed that the three sided blocks have three nice inside radii that all meet to make a perfect inside corner. Beautiful!
I don't do metal work, but I now realise I need these tools ;) Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm for them.
One of your most interesting videos to date, IMO, Tom! Just as an aside, I was just finishing my tool and die maker apprenticeship in 1974! Tree Top.
Very beautifully made. A lot of thought has gone into these wonderful tools. There is nothing like designing and making a special tool for a job, no matter how simple or complicated it might be. I love seeing this sort of thing.
great stuff here! Relatively few can really appreciate that tool maker's skill and dedication. Your enthusiasm shows you are one of the few! Thanks.
Awesome tools. Steve obviously had alot of pride for his work.
Loving the stuff you are making. All of them are incredible. Please keep making more items that are compatible with the accessories you have already made.
Isn't it sad when a craftsman such as Steve finally finishes with his tools. And what tools! I don't believe that many have seen such quality, certainly not me. He would be a most interesting guest to your shop who most of us would love to see and hear. So do your best Tom! Finally, it struck me that whatever you paid for those items you got a bargain. Regards.
Excellent workmanship! Getting the rolls on that sine/v-block on location accurately is quite a feat. I have used the Moore jig grinder and it will do it but it takes time. Very few places will allow you time to do it right but I was able to on holidays, working thru breaks or whenever you could sneak it in. Check it for squareness and accuracy with a 6" magnetic cyclinder square will sometimes drive you crazy but make you happy if you can get a tenth indicator to show no movement in those 6 inches! Never seen one made like it! Beautiful work and as you say "old school"..............! I have made 3 precision vises,several angle plates and v-blocks, sine plates, etc. I can sure appreciate the amount of time he spent making it! Almost too nice to use!
Thanks for shopping Tom. Incredible craftsmanship!
Hi Ben,
Yeah it was really difficult. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Very interesting! Especially cool that you got to meet the guy who created those beautiful tools.
Such fine work and truly amazingly thought through very well. On this level of Craftsmanship it tells me this true pro has many years of paying close attention to detail. Also it is noted that to complete these wonderful precision tools in this top notch way has been done by a very patient and disciplined tradesman. Owning such and sharing the work is a great honor and treasure. I believe this man cared about who would own them also and was very selective and had to go to a person who knew what they bought who would appreciate his work fully. You provide that honor for a job well done. Congrats to you Tom because he honored you.
Until I was recently laid off I was a Tool & Die machinist and I've made my own tools over the years though I never had an apprenticeship. I recognize every detail in these tools and I especially like the double sine bar v block jig. Never saw pins inlaid like that- normally it's just a gage pin set into a v groove, and either bolted or brazed in place. That setup is really nice, because it allows for replacing the rollers easily.
I especially liked his maker mark. I ran a ram EDM but I never got permission to make my own stamp electrode or use it for anything on my tooling 😔
I love these kinds of videos, gives me so many new tooling ideas and flourishes I want to add to my work.
Tom,I had to smile when you were reading from the books,That basically the man at the top has to know the why and when.I Wish!.I knew only one man who could operate every machine in the shop,and trouble shoot it.And it was a big shop.The night shift superintendent.Nobody else was close to this mans knowledge.Great Vids As always Tom.Thanks for sharing.Regards, Don.
Hey Don,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
I’m close to your age Tom. When I was in school, we had shop class. They called it industrial arts. I was always confused as to why they called it that. After seeing Steve’s work, I finally understand.
That four inch tall two piece v block is really neat. You find some of the coolest tools.
Wow those tools are amazing. It must have been great to meet Steve as well. You can tell from his early work that the desire to do top notch work was there.
+Bill De La Vega Hey Bill,
You should have seen the 55 Chevy in his garage that he restored. Total toolmaker job. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
I am kicking myself, at a previous job, they were closing the plant so we had the opportunity to make some tools, I made a massive version of a Herman Schmidt grinding vise and gave it away years later because of the weight, it looked a good companion to your sine v block stand!
Thank you for sharing this. I am jealous that you managed to meet the guy who made these. I have some tools made by a toolmaker but was never able to meet him as he was my Great Grandfather and he died in the early 1900's. He was a toolmaker who worked for the railway here in Queensland and he would make tools to do just one job he needed done.
He marked his tools with a simple letter punch J. Cran which is my name too, I was told from as early as I can remember that all the tools marked with my name would one day be mine and after Dad and Mum passed that happened. I now have a number of strange tools in his old wooden toolbox.
Again Thank you
Hi John,
That was the best part getting to meet the craftsman in person. It really makes you appreciate the tools even more. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
I would love to see you interview him, anyone who can make tools like that is an artist. Thanks for sharing Tom.
Would really like that Steve come by your shop and talk about machining then and now. Thanks for the video.
WOW!!! What a score!!! Now those are some great tools. I will definitely have to use some of those unique ideas. Thanks for sharing!
thanks for sharing,it always surprises me of man's ability to improvise and to improve,kids of today rely to much on somebody else's work,never knowing how something is made. nice work
Appreciate you taking the time to talk in millimetres
Great stuff, Tom. Thanks for sharing and explaining. It's nice to see
things like that going to a good home.
It's all about the fine details. His work is inspiring.
+Chip Wright Hi Chip,
It is that indeed. His sense of style is wonderful. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Hey Tom, just wanted to say your videos have been a real learning experience for me. I have a bunch of my grandfather's machinist tools he made and some of them I knew what they were used for and others I scratch my head at. But watching some of your videos you've shown off some stuff that he also made and explained what they were. I litteraly had a moment with one of the items in this video where I was like "wait, I think grandpa had some of those" and I ran out to the garage and looked at what he had and low and behold they're the same thing (albeit simpler versions) so thank you for making these videos. I love learning about this stuff and gives me a greater appreciation for the things my grandfather did as a machinist now that I know what some of this stuff is.
Super tool score and an interesting story to boot! Those tools are in good hands.
Thanks Tom.
As a Tool\Mold maker who is in his mid 30's what is so impressive about those self-made tools is the kind of machine they where probably made on. I'm guessing a lot of the mill work was done on a Bridgeport! That is not how things are done in very many shops now a days. In fact most guys that are 5 years younger than me don't have a clue of all that can be done on a Bridgeport style mill. The large two piece V-block is amazing,! Besides the skill it took to make that, the vision it took to design it shows he was a great tool maker that had made a wide variety of tools. That V-block is incredibly versatile! A guy would have to buy at least 4 different V-block to get all the options he built into that one setup. Without being able to talk to the man who designed it, it would have taken the new owner a long time to see all the capabilities he designed into it. I think the same of the sine fixture with the 2 V-blocks on it. You definitely got some extremely nice, one of a kind tools.
Hi Makino,
It was great to be able to meet Steve in person. I should have bought more stuff from him when I had the chance. You are correct that most of these tools were made on manual or machines you rarely see in modern shops. No WEDM on these tools. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Love to see the thought that went into those tools. As I was making mine I would ask the older toolmakers as to their ideas and would combine those and mine, trying to get the most out of my efforts. Especially liked the ground square block with sine rolls and the V-block attached-very nice. Also appreciate when he said they were within a .0001 as that is not very easy to achieve. Spent time on the Moore Jig grinder myself. Made cylinder squares with magnets to check squareness out to 6 inches. All old school now and not appreciated by the younger generation................... Retired but still love the trade and continue to do work as a hobby mostly, life goes on................
Hi James,
Nowdays its push the green button then wonder why things don't fit together properly. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Its amazing the Skill, Talent and abilities (Brains Too) of some individuals, this is a prime example of it in this field of Mechanical Engineering Technology. . Just Beautiful. When you put together the V Block sections you can feel the precision just by watching it.
Thanks for the video Tom!!! Love seeing videos of tools made by people and not machines. I have to say I wish I lived closer to you so I could come by and soak up your years of knowledge. As a fellow book lover I would love it if you please do a video on what books you find of most value for reference and general shop knowledge.
Really nice tools. I could tell you were Uber excited. Steve spent a lot of time making all those tools. I would think that V-block would have taken several days to make just on its own.
That V-Block ..... WOW!!! The amount of hours that went into it....I now want one, of course not as big, yet, I'm haunted by the amount of time I will have in mine, a quarter of the size lol.... absolutely beautiful and the versatility of it matches the beauty of the craftsman's ship.
Tom, thanks for sharing that gentleman's phenominal work, some how in wanting a latge and a mill has led to me owning a taft peirce no.1.
seeing your vids on tgus stuff is a phenominal inspiration, and like you said via the power of the internet we all can learn and teach each other together.
its crazy to think, but the internet is tge kost powerful thing man has ever made, let alone the ability to have it in our pockets and accessible almost at all times.
thanks again Tom.
Very cool, and a very talented individual. Thank you for sharing Tom.
My father worked for a tool and die company in MO that closed down a good 20+ years ago. I was never interested in machining until he was sadly too sick to remember a good portion of his life. when he passed, I thought it was a shame to have a basement full of tools just sitting there rusting. The more I go through his old stuff, the more awsome things I find. Most of his job was tool fabrication via machining. It was fascinating just to see the different things he had come up with that I never would have thought of. Some of the things I still use in my daily life. My only regret is not being able to talk to him about half the things I found. For all the things I could see what they did, there is still a hand full that I'm figuring out what purpose this strange lump of metal served.
G'day Tom, it's great that people like yourself use U tube to share information. I'll bet a lot of young people today would not even know what a tool maker does. These kind of videos could be good to get people interested in making things again and reviving manufacturing.We have lost a lot of manufacturing here in Australia as well. I used to work in a service department for a dental supply company and most of the repairs were hand pieces with either air turbines or electric motors in them. As you could imagine you need to be able to securely hold these things while undoing various screws at 90 degrees to the drive shafts. To do this we used a V block but no ordinary V block we had a 30 degree V block which was great because it held whatever was in it nice and low and would not topple over as easily as a 45 degree V block. I reckon there would be a good market for them even low precision versions as there as lots of tradespeople like air conditioning mechanics that have to do basic mechanical repairs on site.
that sine dresser is really impressive! great design and construction
Outstanding pieces, what an inspiration to be better. Thanks for showing these.
What a special mind to envision the means to build these.
GV
You have some nice stuff there, but I find it interesting as I am a fully qualified tool and die maker, and I spent the first 2 years of my apprenticeship making parallels, v block, small vice, sine bar etc etc. I was lucky enough to work for a company that was able to afford such a good training.
The difference here, we all made set (tried and tested) pieces that we would then go on to use on the shop floor.
Another slight difference...all the stuff I made started out as a milling or shaping exercise that allowed the steel to stress relieve as after the excise was done we left it to rust and weather before moving on to the next exercise.
Happy times in fact, I learnt an immense amount making this stuff unlike other companies that put people on a capstan lathe from day 1 and allowed them to call themselves engineers.
Yep, I ran a Moore jig grinder for a major gun company machine shop for several years and it was deadly accurate, even without a dro.
That was really neat Tom. I sincerely hope that this Master craftsman Toolmaker, had the opportunity during his career to pass along his knowledge and work ethic, to a younger upcoming, future machinist/toolmaker. Looking forward to a surface plate, tool measurement video on Steve's incredible, personal work tools.
+Rain Coast Well hopefully we can get Steve on camera and save a little of his experience on You Tube. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Wow! This is my life story! Started Tool And Diemaker apprenticeship 1971, made the same things the same way, and years later got better and better! That would be an awesome episode Tom!!!! Was sorry to see you are not in the magazine anymore.
+Stephen Hodge Hi Stephen,
Let see some of your treasure. Hopefully you still have it tucked away in that Gerstener of yours. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Wow, Steve's work is really inspiring, thanks for a great video Tom.
Exceptional work on the snow plate / tool!
One of the neat things about our post digital culture is the way we've carried forward old vocabulary: Industrial Light and Magic (is it?) George Lucas's Hollywood movie shop; Digital Tool and Die was one of the early Boston AI software shops.
Tools are culture! And this fine video is one sign of it.
-dlj.
Hi David,
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Nice vid Tom, slipping into your own element, it is always nice to meet a master in one's chosen field. Happy New Year.
You came across a treasure trove my friend. I'm new to this game, and am enjoying everything I've seen today.🍻
Cool sine block: could ese that upside down if you had a need. Love the channel - I always learn something or get ideas.
The coolest v block i ever saw imagine the work behind it..😃
What caught my eye in the sine dresser was the slot between the anvil surfaces... Looks like you could fit a gage block stack between there and dress really weeny teeny angles - which would really make sense for a tool maker.
+mikey_d Hi Mikey,
I have not measured that step yet but it sure looks like that was the intent there. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Just fantastic workmanship in these! (and now I really want a custom logo EDM electrode, too!)
I would like try to see an interview with thou this machinist as well. Stunning work.
Spectacular craftsmanship. I would love to see those tools in use. Wow!
That was a great video Tom, Steve's tools were beautiful, that was a good suggestion of inviting him to your workshop and making a video together. The books were interesting artefacts, I've just discovered your videos, they're very entertaining and you're quite a cool character. I look forward to watching the rest of the videos. There are so manythey will keep me entertained for ages.
If only there was a blueprint for that v block! That piece of work is amazing !
AWESOME!!!!!! Thanks for sharing! It would have been an interesting add to have info on how long each item took to build, that always interest me when you look at someone's craft and realize their time spent.
+outsidescrewball Yeah, that would be great to know, and if you get a chance to talk to Tom, could you try to find out what material was used as well? Thanks Chuck...and please have a nice mellow finish to 2015, and I wish you and your family a Happy New Year...Aloha
+outsidescrewball Hey Chuck,
Hoping to get Steve out for a shop visit and on camera interview. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
+Knolltop Farms Hey Chuck,
I think there is a variety of materials he used in these tools. Some is carburized lower carbon steels and there is some 8620 and some tool steels. Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Tom
Awesome pieces. Great find Tom.
Neat stuff Tom. Can't wait until you QC those bocks!
wow, just wow.., i'm speechless. get this man on the show one day!
Fantastic Tom. That gentleman was a super craftsman. My father was a job set-up man and production machinist during WWII. You mentioned "Stellite" tooling, & I still have some large "Stellite" lathe tool bits he used. He also made a set of handles for the hex-keys he used for set-up work, where he may have to loosen/tighten bolts many times for a set-up. They were very similar to those on that chuck wrench. I like your work, keep em' coming. Thanks.................Dick
That's what you call functional art. Thanks for sharing.
I managed to get a guy to demo one of his two Moore jig grinders (and stuck a picture of it on the otherwise empty Wikipedia page!) Those machines are absolutely gorgeous.