Antique Woodworking Tools

Collectors of antique woodworking tools are growing in numbers as more people discover the fun of searching for these work implements from years past.

View an interesting slideshow of antique tools

For many collectors the hobby of antique tool collecting begins when they see a tool they remember from their childhood at a garage sale or flea market. They may remember watching a parent or grandparent transforming a piece of wood into a special toy or living room side table, seemingly working magic with the old woodworking tool. Others remember using the tool themselves when they were young.

However, there is another group of antique tool collectors that are intrigued by the unique design, details and workmanship of the old tools. Some of these collectors are the craftspeople of today. Many prefer using a particular antique tool for certain jobs as they feel the older tools are better suited for the task than a modern day version of the same type of tool.

One of the most sought after brands of antique tools is Stanley. The Stanley Company began in 1843 and grew to be one of the most well known tool companies of the time. Although many collectors add all types of antique Stanley tools to their collections, there are a large number that limit their collections to antique woodworking tools by Stanley.

Naturally, antique tools by other manufacturers are also highly collectible including those by the following companies.

• Belknap
• Miller Falls
• L. Bailey Victor
• Disston Saws
• Chelor
• Seneca Falls Tool Company
• Delta
• Sears Craftsman
• Walker Turner
• Keen Kutter

Antique tools used for woodworking fall into two categories, antique woodworking hand tools and vintage woodworking machines.

When you think of antique hand tools used for woodworking, the ones that most likely come to mind are the more common tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, wood planes and saws. Other woodworking tools from years past include:

• Chisels
• Rules
• Levels
• Adjustable clamps
• Vises
• Braces
• Knives
• Inclinometers
• Plumb Bobs
• Calipers

A great resource stocked with information on old machines used in woodworking such as sanders, drill presses and band saws is Old Woodworking Machines, known as OWWM. Included on this website are reprints of old manuals and catalogs, information on different machines with restoration information and a forum.

Resources for collectors of old woodworking tools include price guides, identification manuals and websites.

Price guides and identification manuals for antique tools are available at most bookstores and local libraries. Online they can be purchased at websites such as Amazon, eBay and many websites that sell antique tools.

The following are examples of antique woodworking price and identification guides.

• Antique Woodworking Tools: A Guide to Purchase, Restoration and Use of Old Tools for Today's Shop by Michael Dunbar
• A Price Guide to Antique Tools by Herbert P. Kean and Emil S. Pollak
• Antique Trader Tools Price Guide by Clarence Blanchard
• Early 20th (Twentieth) Century Stanley Tools - A Price Guide With 1909 & 1926 Catalog by Jack Wood
• Antique Tool Collectors Guide to Value by Ronald S. Barlow

• Offering antique tools for sale, Rose Antiques also provides several antique tool catalogs that are free to download.
• Museum of Woodworking Tools
• Specializing in Stanley planes, Super Tool provides information, pictures and current values.
• Union Hill Antique Tools provides helpful articles, charts and tables that include:
  • A Beginner’s Guide to Tool Collecting with a table to help classify the collectability of antique tools
  • A section for want ads
  • A free database tool for collectors
• Falcon Wood
• The Best Things
• Old Woodworking Tools
• Old Tool Collector’s Network
• Antique Buyer

Collecting antique tools is a hobby that can be enjoyed by the whole family as you search garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets looking for the perfect tool to add to your collection.

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