Halloween Tool Buys

Last night, through my local woodworking club, I got word of a gentleman selling off all of his woodworking tools.  I went over there this morning and was able to pick out a few good items.

Here’s what followed me home:

My haul from this mornings tool sale.

My haul from this mornings tool sale.

The tools I picked out were:

  • A Delta variable speed bench grinder.
  • A Porter-Cable 23 Ga. pin nailer.
  • An A-Line-It basic kit (dial gauge and jig for machine set-up).
  • A Stanley 2101A 8 inch “Bell” brace.
  • A large Shark brand Japanese pull saw.
  • A very nice awl.
  • Two dividers, one six inch, one eight.
  • A Starrett combination square.
  • A set of three mini lathe tools
  • 2 – 36″ aluminum bar clamps

Here’s the pin nailer, I’ve wanted one of these for a while now, but they’re kind of pricey new.

A Porter Cable 23ga Pin Nailer.

A Porter Cable 23ga Pin Nailer.

I figured that a second grinder would be a good idea.  I have a smaller 6 inch grinder, but I keep a buffing wheel and wire wheel on that one and all the guards are removed.  This one can be left set up for grinding.  Also this one can be turned down to 1750 rpm.

The Delta bench grinder and the A-Line-It basic kit.

The Delta bench grinder and the A-Line-It basic kit.

A couple more pairs of dividers can’t hurt, and this awl looks amazing.

An awl, six inch dividers, and eight inch dividers.

An awl, six inch dividers, and eight inch dividers.

I have a Jet mini lathe, but haven’t used it much yet.  I thought that these small turning tools might be handy.

Mini lathe tools.

Mini lathe tools.

This is interesting.  The rule is clearly marked The “L.S.S. Co., Athol, Mass, U.S.A.”  The combination head is unmarked, at least as far as I can see, but appears to be good quality.  There is no scriber, but neither is there a hole for one to be inserted.  I don’t think this head ever came with a scriber.  If you are aware if the head is Starrett or not, please let me know in the comments below.

L.S. Starrett Combination Square

L.S. Starrett Combination Square

All in all, I think  that this was $140 well spent.  Trick or treat….  Candy for the kids and tools for Daddy.

I also agreed to buy his Grizzly 19″ bandsaw and Grizzly air filtration unit, but I have to go back for that with my trailer when it is not pouring down rain like it was this morning.  I’ll post more about those soon.

 

Please chime in below if you have any info on the Starrett square.

 

– Jonathan White

About Jonathan

I am a woodworker and hand tool restorer / collector. I buy too many tools and don't build enough - I need help!
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11 Responses to Halloween Tool Buys

  1. Nice haul. More so if the Grizzly stuff is included for $140.

    • Jonathan says:

      Hey Ralph,

      That would be something wouldn’t it? I’m buying a G0514X Bandsaw and a G9956 Air filtration system. I’m paying a little more than $140 for them… but it’s a great deal.

      Jonathan

  2. Madtek580 says:

    About a year ago I picked up an old rusty combo square at an estate sale for $1, after getting it home and lightly cleaning it I found the same “L.S.S. Co., Athol, Mass, U.S.A.” marking on the ruler that you have, the head of mine is identical as yours with no sign of makers mark so I’m sure yours is original starrett

  3. Robert Demers says:

    Look to me like the classic Starrett head design, not sure if a genuine Starrett ruler would fit other heads? If it locks dead one square then ill say its a Starrett thru and thru 🙂

    Bob

    • Jonathan says:

      Hi Bob,

      I just went and checked it, and it locks tight. I held it against a fixed blade machinist’s square and the Starrett square is dead on. I’m starting think that this might a Starrett head. At first, I thought that someone had put a different head on a Starrett rule. My other Starrett (protractor head) has a different lock nut. Just about all the others I have seen, have that same nut and it is rather distinctive. Perhaps this one pre-dates those. Thanks for your help.

      All the best,

      Jonathan

  4. alfred kraemer says:

    The head looks like an older Starrett cast iron head. Those usually weren’t marked. The clamping nut is probably not original. It seems it is too long and some of the head is ground away to make room. The vial portion of the head should have a slot for a screw driver.

    Alfred

    • Jonathan says:

      Hi Alfred,

      Thanks for the input. I just went and checked, and there is indeed a screw slot at the end of the vial. I hadn’t even noticed it until you mentioned it.

      All the best,

      Jonathan

  5. Pingback: Halloween Tool Buys - Part 2 | The Bench Blog

  6. Eric Commarato says:

    Yes its a Starrett head, it looks like the locking knob isn’t a Starrett style. Enjoyed you blog.

    Eric

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