Bøger udgivet af Astragal Press

Storytelling is an ancient art. At their best, stories provide a very personal and engaging way to pass information, experience, insight and imagination from one group to another, from one generation to another. Tool Tales is full of such stories. Its author, Herb Kean, is a noted tool collector, dealer, restorer and author (as well as renowned raconteur). Here, he has culled from magazines, journals, newspapers and encyclopedias 50 of his best stories and "tips" columns, written over the course of his long career. These stories range from whimsical tales of trips taken in search of old tools to more technical pieces detailing the "how-toΓÇÖs" of solving many a knotty tool-related problem. Full of valuable information to help the reader in buying, selling and restoring antique tools, they are also full of wit and good, old-fashioned fun.

Here is the first book to identify American builders of planers, shapers and slotters, who operated throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Written in the style of the author’s previous groundbreaking books on the American machine tool industry, this volume provides the reader with invaluable information on over 300 makers. Some are very well known, but many have previously gone virtually unrecognized by researchers. More than 1000 illustrations, taken from original catalogs and contemporary periodicals, show how these machines developed: starting out in the early 1800s as crude, hand-built copies of English machines and becoming, over the course of a century, monster machines weighing nearly one million pounds, unmatched elsewhere in the world. Numerous machine accessories, such as chucks, dividing heads, milling attachments and keyseating attachments, among others, are identified and illustrated. In addition, the book includes a glossary of terms used in describing the various types of planers, shapers and slotters, and provides illustrations that help identify the individual parts of the machines.

Once more, Astragal Press has rescued an old and rare book from obscurity, allowing for the broad circulation of information previously limited to the select few who could afford access. This book, first published in 1881, was written about the use of the first standard slide rule made in the United States: a Mannheim-type slide rule made by Stephens Co., a mjor rule manufacturer. Included in Riddell’s book, aimed primarily at carpenters and joiners, is a wealth of fascinating instruction on the use of the slide rule in everything from making the calculations necessary for constructing circular porches and spiral stairways, to calculating wages owed or the cost of hauling lumber. Included, as well, are lovely plates illustrating various geometric and trigonometric calculations used in construction. As a source book, it should be of great interest and value to tool collectors, slide rule enthusiasts, and woodworkers.

Here, Ed Fagen, one of the nationΓÇÖs foremost authorities on steam whistles, has provided us with a broadly researched, eloquently written and marvelously witty book, the first and only one on the subject. It includes comprehensive, illustrated chapters on: the history of the steam whistle, the voice of the Industrial Revolution, and how it developed; the various uses of steam whistles on locomotives, ships, factories, firehouse roofs, circuses; the broad range of whistle manufacturers, their histories and their product lines (including how to identify and date whistles, as well as an extensive discussion on the relative rarityof whistle types); how to acquire, organize, and preserve a whistle collection; how to repair and restore steam whistles; how to blow steam whistles on steam or compressed air; how a steam whistle actually works ΓÇô a point that remains somewhat controversial even today. Also included are an illustrated glossary of whistle terms, an illustrated review of the major whistle-related U.S. design patents, and a comprehensive index. A joy to read, this book is a true ΓÇ£must haveΓÇ¥ for the railfan, collector, curator, historian of science, industrial archeologist, and anyone for whom the sound of this icon of connotative richness has ever beckoned to adventures that live in the imagination.

Once again, Ken Cope has produced a major new reference work that broadens our range of understanding of the history of technological innovation. This is the first book to identify American lathe builders operating throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. Written in the style of the author’s previous groundbreaking books on the machine tool industry, this encyclopedic volume provides the collector, user, and researcher with invaluable information on over 330 lathe builders, many of whom have previously gone unrecognized by researchers. More than a thousand illustrations, taken from original catalogs and periodicals, trace the development of the American metal cutting lathe from the crude, handbuilt models of the early 19th century to the fast, powerful models introduced in the early 20th century for use with high speed steel cutting tools. Dozens of early lathe accessories, such as gear-cutting attachments, are also identified and illustrated for the first time. In addition, the book contains a glossary of terms used in describing the various lathes

Here is the book that finally unlocks the secrets that professional restorers have been using for years. It explains critical (and previously closely-held) restoration techniques in a way that even the most uninitiated can understand and follow, giving the reader confidence throughout and making the art of restoration not only extremely remunerative for the collector, but satisfying and fun as well. There are chapters covering all the categories of tools, as well as a general chapter on cleaning and refinishing. The author explains how to make a bow for a bow drill, how to tighten loose heads on Sheffield and Ultimatum braces, how to make wedges for planes, how to replace vials in levels, how to repair chipped or missing threads on a plow plane, and literally hundreds of other such invaluable instructions.

In this companion to American Levels and Their Makers, Vol. I, the author presents that great rarity a book on patents that both illustrates the patents (in a size large enough to be useful) and explains them. Two hundred and ten level patents are pictured and explained here, with explanations keyed to the patent drawings. They illustrate the major and continuing contributions by L.L. Davis, Justus Traut, the Stratton Bros., and L.S. Starrett, among others. To aid in identification, each patent is triply indexed: by date, patentee, and category (e.g., inclinometer, sighting level, adjustment mechanism, etc.). In addition, the book provides a brief history of the men who obtained the patents, information on whether, when, and how the patents were used, the progression of improvements in patent concepts over time, and information that may be useful in identifying mystery levels. This volume, relating patents to real tools, will prove an invaluable reference for tool collectors and dealers, as well as for students of industrial technology.

A wonderful book that covers the vast range of axes used throughout time and throughout the world, starting with the early stone hand-axes of the paleolithic period through the flint, copper, and bronze axes of early civilizations, the early iron axes of the medieval ages, and the production of steel axes made possible by the Industrial Revolution. Included are discussions of all axe types from celts to hand axes, tomahawks to hatchets, pebble tools to broad axes, plus a chapter on special axes. The author gives detailed descriptions of the axes, how they were made and the materials used, and the evolution of their design over time. Accompanying the descriptions are over 100 photographs of the axes, many seen only in museums. The axe was one of man''s earliest tools, and remained one of his most important almost until the present day. Yet over the tens of thousands of years of its use, the changes in its design have been surprisingly small. What have changed dramatically are its methods and materials of fabrication, reflecting the advances in man''s technological skills. Students of the history of technology and tool collectors alike will find this a fascinating boo

Here, for the first time, is a guide to four of the major woodworking machinery manufacturers: Fay & Egan, Yates-American, Defiance, and Oliver. Leaders in their field throughout the world, their products were used in all walks of life from lumber mills to furniture factories, from schools to arsenals, from shipyards to bakeries. The author''s extensive original research has provided us with a history of each manufacturer, as well as a description of the evolution of its product lines over the years. Accompanying these fascinating histories are numerous beautiful illustrations reflecting each company''s range of products, along with specifications and descriptions, taken from the catalogs of the period. In addition, the book provides invaluable information to collectors and users on buying and restoring old machines. These chapters cover everything from establishing the age and value of an old machine to how to move a piece of heavy woodworking equipment. Special attention is paid to the issues involved in repairing specific kinds of machines. Not only will collectors and users of vintage woodworking machinery prize this book but, as well, those who are simply interested in industrial history and who don''t want this marvelous technology to be lost.

In Colonial America, silversmiths produced objects of great merit, crafting everyday articles with care and skill. The products of the colonial period are well known, but there is little authoritative research on the actual techniques of the silversmith. Henry J. Kauffman fills the gap with this study. He describes the tools and the methods used by these colonial artisans in fashioning the wide variety of silver objects that today are so highly prized. Photographs of the finished products, together with detailed illustrations of the step-by-step fabrication of individual objects, supplement the text.

This compendium of ingenious mechanisms employs simple drawings to explain 507 of the small components that constitute complex machinery. Left-hand pages feature illustrations, and facing pages offer brief descriptions of use and operation. Ranging from simple to complex, the mechanisms include cranks, pulleys, drills, wheels, and screws.

This is the fascinating story of how these important early products were made and used, ranging from the simple tin pot to an elaborate brass chandelier. The book covers items used in the kitchen, living room, and bedroom: sconces, lanterns, trays, candle molds, candlesticks, andirons, ladles, bed warmers, braziers, stills, kettles, pans, and a multitude of other objects

This is the classic work on coach building in all its branches, reprinted from the 1875 second edition. Included are sections on: drafting, designing, and the construction of the frame and all the wooden parts; smithing of the metal, the springs, platforms, axles, wheel hoops, etc., complete with detailed diagrams; painting, applying designs and ornaments, varnishing, gilding, lettering, trimming; other miscellaneous interesting and valuable information. The reader will find this a wonderful reference on an early trade that is now enjoying a strong revival.

This book is as useful today as it was over 100 years ago. It was written then to give machinists practical instruction on how to design and construct patterns; in doing so it describes the actual pattern shop practice of the late 19th century, using the terms and methods of that period. Joshua Rose explains the various types of patterns, how they are constructed, and the tools that are used. This is a reprint of the sixth edition, which gives some indication of the popularity of the book among late 19th century practitioners.

The aim in preparing this little manual has been to make it a guide for the apprentice, journeyman and master sheet metal worker. To this end the author collected everything of value on the subject and then boiled it down to a well arranged series of simple problems on the different phases of pattern drafting which the mechanic has to puzzle over daily. The section on Mensuration will be found both accurate and complete and the rules and examples are reduced to the plainest language so that any one may understand them. Realizing the value of reliable data, he included all the tables of weights of materials, measures of area, capacity, etc., to which the sheet metal worker has occasion to refer, together with many excellent recipes, formulas and rules, which will be found of great service. The present edition has been carefully edited and revised by William Neubecker, expert pattern cutter and instructor at the New York Trade School. While the greater portion of the work remains intact, quite a number of important changes have been made, to insure greater accuracy, and many simpler methods have been included.

The slide rule, with its many variations, has been vital to mathematics and engineering since its invention in the 17th century. Interest in this field has grown dramatically and collectors can still find much material at affordable prices. Unfortunately there has been little information available except for manufacturers manuals and catalogs, making this reprint of Cajori''s classic particularly valuable. Also included with this reprint of the 1910 edition is Cajori''s extensive article On the History of Gunter''s Scale and the Slide Rule during the 17th Century, published by the University of California in 1920, which sets forth his subsequent findings. There is also a helpful explanatory introduction by Dr. Robert K. Otnes, editor of the Journal of the Oughtred Society

This is a vastly expanded successor to Dr. Pearson s earlier Guide to American Brace Patents 1829 1910. Not only are many newly discovered patents included, but these are now cross-indexed and illustrated and, for the first time, the author provides an indication of their rarity. Over 500 brace patents are listed alphabetically by patentee name and chronologically by date and patent number. There is a third index that lists patents by type of brace in four major categories: brace ratchet patents, corner brace patents, brace wrench patents, and brace combination tool patents. An invaluable reference for anyone having an interest in these fascinating examples of American ingenuity.

Art of Coppersmithing: A Practical Treatise On Working Sheet Copper Into All Forms is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This publication is professionally scanned from an original edition of the book, and of the best possible quality. This popular classic work by John Fuller is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of John Fuller then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection.

A unique reference that lists and details over 2,000 transactions occurring at public auctions and private sales from 1979-1992, with the majority of the reported transactions occurring since 1987. Information is arranged alphabetically by planemaker (over 600 are covered) and then by imprint type (619 imprints are illustrated). Each transaction is listed by date (most recent transactions first), source (auction or private sale), a description of the plane, its condition and the price it sold for.

Evans, like his contemporaries, the Holtzapffels, was a manufacturer of high quality lathes; but he was also an accomplished turner and, for 33 years, the author of many articles for English Mechanic, a leading journal of the time. His broad combination of engineering and practical experience, along with his literary skills, makes Ornamental Turning one of the most useful books in the field. Clearly written and richly illustrated, with over 190 detailed line drawings and 19 plates, it provides a complete coverage of the subject. Included is information available nowhere else: a chapter on DawsonUs geometric slide rest, details on the design of many types of apparatus, and a brief chapter on electrotyping. This is a complete reprint of the original 1886 edition.

The manuals published by W. & L.E. Gurley, one of America s leading producers of mathematical and scientific instruments, have been used by generations of engineers and surveyors. In this manual Gurley describes all of its various instruments: how they are calibrated, used and maintained, and includes a catalog of its complete instrument line. This 1874 edition is especially valuable since it is one of the earliest and is rarely found. With an introduction by David C. Garcelon.

Lang:- English, Pages 142. Reprinted in 2015 with the help of original edition published long back[1884]. This book is in black & white, Hardcover, sewing binding for longer life with Matt laminated multi-Colour Dust Cover, Printed on high quality Paper, re-sized as per Current standards, professionally processed without changing its contents. As these are old books, there may be some pages which are blur or missing or black spots. If it is multi volume set, then it is only single volume. We expect that you will understand our compulsion in these books. We found this book important for the readers who want to know more about our old treasure so we brought it back to the shelves. (Customisation is possible). Hope you will like it and give your comments and suggestions.Original Title:- Handbook and Illustrated Catalogue of the Engineers'' and Surveyors'' Instruments 1884

For 75 years Millers Falls was a leading tool manufacturer, particularly noted for its hand and breast drills. This fully illustrated early catalog contains these drills and many other items, including boring machines, levels, saws, treadle lathes & mitre boxes.

The last catalog issued by this important wooden plane manufacturer, containing its complete line, including weatherstrip planes, coopers tools and other interesting items. Many illustrations and molding profiles.

One of the most important of the 19th century wooden plane manufacturers. This catalog includes the rosewood and ebony classic centerwheel plow and the Morris patent, among others. Many illustrations and molding profiles.

Buck, founded by immigrants from Sheffield, England, became world-renowned for its chisels: turning, firmer, paring, carving, millwrights, framing, corner and just about any other type imaginable.

The chest was found in Mastrmyr on the the island of Gotland, Sweden in 1936. More than 200 objects were found in and around it. Most are tools that were used by blacksmiths and carpenters, many of them amazingly modern in appearance.