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December 2005 - The More Things Change... |
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Hand tool evolution: 19th century vs. 21st century |
New tools come along every year, but it’s hard to improve
on a classic, because the fundamentals of craftsmanship have
remained the same over time. Some modern hand tools have changed
little from their counterparts of a century ago, and they’re
just as popular with woodworkers today. —George Gouldburn
See
below, left:
1. This prelateral No. 5 Stanley jack plane was
manufactured between 1869 and 1885. Later models added
a lateral adjustment lever
2. Originally made with lead,
graphite has been used in carpenter’s pencils since
the 19th century
3. Made by Stanley and based
on a design patented by Nicholson in 1860, this cast-steel
level features blown glass bulbs filled with alcohol to
prevent freezing—hence the term “spirit”
level
4. Handsaws haven’t changed
much in the 150 years since this steel and wood saw was
made between 1852 and 1858 by J. Taylor Sheffield
5. This Stanley No. 78 duplex
rabbet/fillister plane was manufactured from 1884 and
1984. It’s still available today without any major
changes, made in England by Stanley and more recently
by Record Plane Co.
6. Since woodworking chisels
were developed, they have changed little, but there have
been variations in how the handle and blade are attached—this
1" carpenter’s chisel is of the socket type,
made in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
7. The framing hammer shown
was made in Oshawa, Ont., by a local blacksmith circa
1865, and it doesn’t have a split claw for pulling
out nails—as most now do
8. This early plumb bob is simply
made from lead sheet wrapped around a length of string. |
See
below, right:
1. Modern versions of old Stanley planes are now
being made by other companies, and the shape and workings
have changed little over the years. Shown is Lie-Nielsen’s
No. 5 Jack Plane ($354)
2. For 200 years, carpenter’s
pencils have retained their flat, wide shape, although
the graphite is now encased in plastic and it advances
with the click of a button (Mastercraft, $3)
3. This new German-made Stabila
level is a lot lighter than its old steel counterpart.
The modern aluminum level is hollow inside, with rubber
hand grips and Lexan bubble vials ($70)
4. Handsaws have been used in
one form or other since early civilization. This 19"
Superior 2600 handsaw by Bahco comes with a blade covered
in a low-friction, rust-protective coating; it’s
quite a contrast to the wood-handled steel version of
days gone by ($49)
5. Stanley still makes its No.
78 rabbet plane pretty much the same as before. It’s
a prime example of a woodworking tool that remains popular
with woodworkers after more than 100 years without any
major changes ($112).
6. What’s the difference
between the old and new chisels? The blade of this Mastercraft
Maximum chisel is now made from high-carbon steel to stay
sharp longer, and the handle is made of resilient rubber
($28)
7. Minor adjustments aside,
hammer design hasn’t changed over the past centuries.
Unlike its predecessor on the opposite page, most contemporary
hammers have claws, like this 16-oz. steel and leather-handled
model made by Estwing ($30)
8. Although the first plumb
bob was probably just a stone hung on a string, which
evolved to models in lead, cast iron and turned brass,
Irwin’s Strait-Line 8-oz. plumb bob is machined
from steel and nickel-plated ($7). |
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| text
by Susan Peters, photos by Luis Albuquerque |
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