Rex Krueger
patreon
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
Nick DeFrances
Such an awesome idea for a series. Cant wait for more!
Carlos Alvarado
Tool Stories sounds very interesting and a great learning experience
mike willoughby
More FF and TS occasionally -- but focus on preparing/using the tool as you did here.
Maximilian Harth
Definitely more! FF and TS are fascinating!
Perry Tamte
Yes! Definitely do more. Loved the furniture forensics, and this would be just as great. Love this stuff.
Jason Brown
Fascinating, so interesting to see how different the approach to tools was back then when compared to our current throwaway culture
Sean McGown
Tremendous! 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)?"
David Tripp
I would love to see more tool story videos.
Ted Robbins
Great! 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.
Jason Sharp
Rex, 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
Figuring 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.
Nevin Murtha
Very intersting. Please do more.
Mark Petersen
While 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
cliff whitefoot
Me 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.
Bill Hedge
Bummer, man. I hope you're on the mend soon. Thanks for all of the awesome content!
Rex Krueger
I might have "met" a few when I did this one!
Rex Krueger
Ha! Oddly, this is one of the few tools I have that ISN"T name-stamped.
Rex Krueger
We implemented your suggestions directly.
Rex Krueger
I've done a few of those in the past!
Rex Krueger
Yeah, I'm still pretty sick.
Rex Krueger
These guys were very smart!
Rex Krueger
I bet there's more than a few stories hiding out there!
Rex Krueger
It really is a mystery! Takes me a minute to figure out what the heck is going on with these tools.
Rex Krueger
The loss of the apprentice system is our greatest obstacle.
Rex Krueger
I never dump anything for being old!
Rex Krueger
The story is my favorite part.
Rex Krueger
You'll see the improvement, I promise.
Rex Krueger
I can do that!
Rex Krueger
I'm a mere Watson, but thank you!
Rex Krueger
Wow, I even kept the lads entertained?
Rex Krueger
Most of my series are pretty occasional, so no worries that I'll over-do it.
Rex Krueger
Outstanding!
Rex Krueger
Once you've sharpened it, it will be a totally different tool.
Rex Krueger
Your cutting gauge is probably a little bit better, but any gauge that slices is a good one.
Rex Krueger
I will be your tool detective.
Rex Krueger
I love that you said "joy". I feel that.
Rex Krueger
I bet each one tells a story!
Rex Krueger
I think we all like a little discussion of alloys.
Rex Krueger
The marks tell the story. They're like writing.
Rex Krueger
Your honesty is appreciated!!!
Rex Krueger
You know, that's a good point about debt. I should look into that!
Rex Krueger
I'g glad you think so!
Rex Krueger
I love doing them. It's always a matter of finding pieces to look at.
Rex Krueger
Looking vs seeing really is a useful distinction!
Rex Krueger
You got it!
Rex Krueger
Then I'll do more!
Rex Krueger
Just make some thing!
Rex Krueger
Get it done is really the key!
Rex Krueger
I might have a plane or two around here....
michael J Ezell
We all loved it Rex. Mas, mas, mas!
Iron Regimenti
I love it! More, more, & more!
Patrick McNeal
"Me, too!" -some braindead AOLer
John H Paul
More tool stories. I'm fascinated by the guys who know their craft and can get things done.
Andrew Fish
More tool stories please !!!
Rick Goodwell
To answer your question, “Yes! I’d lone more tool stories.
Michael Lo
Hello 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.
Steve Sousa
Yes 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!
Csongor Halmai
more like this, please. :)
Christopher Moore
Yes please: more Tool Stories!
Stephen Wood
I'd love the Tool Stories vids. I really enjoyed this
Stuart Bland
more tool stories please. loved this one.
Jeff Stauffer
Tool Stories; yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Nerd out, my friend. Nerd out.
Bruce E Harang II
I would definitely like to see more tool stories videos.
ARTHUR REIHL
scratch is what I'll use.
ARTHUR REIHL
Thanks, Rex. I have one not quite as old. the tip of sharpening the
ARTHUR REIHL
tHAN
Jared Leff
love this series, keep it going!!
Kevin Hogg
The forensic skills on display here are impressive. Rex was even able to determine the name of the owner of this 100+ year old tool.
Stephen Dellelo
very interesting. More tool stories please
Patrick Howie
Yes please do more of these
Robert
Tool Stories sounds like a great idea Rex!
Dean Wight
Would love to see more tool stories. There are so many lessons to be learned, and so much history at the craftperson level to hear.
LiraNuna
I 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.
Boyce Rensberger
Yes, 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.
Bill Hedge
Con crud is just the extra bonus you get to take home with you after the con is over!
John Griswold
Using 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";)
Kirk von der Heydt
Makes me want to run out to the shop and see what cool stories I can find with my older tools
Dick Wright
More please...great job Rex. A bit like watching an old mystery movie unfold when at the end all the pieces come together.
John Hiemstra
Would love to see more.
JKlarinet
That 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.
Rob Kirkpatrick
Great video! Keep 'em coming.
cliff whitefoot
I 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.
Jim Dalton
Fascinating and useful. I'd love to have more of these.
Jonathan
I 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.
Robert Storey
That was great. I'd love to see more of these.
Rob Weir
Really enjoyed the Patreon Tip - I have a modern one of this style of gauge, I now know how to make it work much better!
joseph severson
great information
Todd Maurer
Mr. Anderson beat me to the appropriate reference.
Jason Anderson
Please sir can I have some more.
Brian Taylor
Love it. Keep them coming.
Wouter Engels
Absolutely interested, but maybe a video with the tool in action, making something in between?
Dan Delie
Great explanation of the marking gages life so far. I want to make one this summer.
Bruce Langman
I have always been interested in making tools
Laura Reutter
This is a great idea for a series. Sherlock Holmes becomes a tool collector and woodworker!
Koen de Boeve
I like this deduction work. It feeds right into my interest in history. So yeah ‘more of this’ also gets my vote
Bob Goettle
Agreed, this is really interesting!
Scott Forsyth
I 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!!
Jon Linna
Yes. More, more, more (how do I like it?).
Michael Bennett
I'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.
Shane Thomas
Loved 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.
Gareth McMahon
Deffo......
Matt Evans-Koch
I'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.
john howard
I 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?
Zac Murray
What a delightful bit of detective work. More like this please!
Steve Levine
great 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
Richard Schultschik
Definitely would like to see more. Thank you.
Scott Burleigh
I love the history of how and why the tool was used.
ROBERT MCCLENNING
Please continue the Tool Stories series
Leroy Barker
This is very useful, I would like to see a series about old tools.
Richard Appleton
I would like more tool stories.
Christopher Petrich
yep...
Curtis Lee Zeitelhack
Rex, 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.
Marcel Lapierre
Yup, excellent presentation on a great topic. Go for it Rex. More content about old tools!
Kenneth Carlile
Worth it just for the sharpening tip! Very enjoyable, even if I do also kinda like thinking about alloys... :D
Wayne
Positive from me, please continue Tool Stories thank you Rex 👍🏻
PhDamned
I 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.
Tom Moeller
I really do like your in depth forensic reviews. Whether it's furniture or tools you make it intriguing and compelling. Thx!
EVAN FRY
Very interesting and helpful. Please do more.
Blake Webber
Rex, 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.
Scott Johnston
Great story Rex more of this type of content would be great. This is the kind of information I think many of us really appreciate
Richard C von Brecht
Good 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.
John Pankow
I’d be interested in more!
Brendan Langord
I love old tools. I definitely think you should continue with the "Tool Stories". The history is fascinating.
Robert Garlinghouse
Yes, please more of these. Also, I really enjoyed Furniture Forensics, and would love to see more
David Cole
Thanks!!! 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.
Jennessa Lynam
Awesome video, Rex! Very interesting to learn about old tools. I'm excited to see more of this type of content. More please. Thanks 😉
Aaron Niskode-Dossett
Yes, more please!
Rick Prosser
More!!
Bradley Barth
Neat 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.
Kevin S Thomas
Great video! You're right about not getting bunged up about tools. Just make something.
Dan Marcus
Fun and educational Thanks Rex!
Scott Oliver
This was great. Please do more!
Gerald Eddy
Love 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!
Josh G
I 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!!
