Hi -

I finally got one of these here computer things at home and am now at
liberty to do more than lurk (which I've been doing for some time).

I'm truly an entry level galoot trying my best to learn hand tool ways and
creating firewood in the process. I've been gathering momentum on the way
down this hill for about three years. I've amassed some planes and other
tools, mostly old, learned some sharpening skills and I've become harder
and harder on brakes since I've developed this fetish.

I'm currently unemployed after being downsized after seventeen years with
the great state of Ohio. I've yet to experience boredom and I'm limping
along okay except for the lack of tool money. Have to do something about
that.

I've learned a lot just following what you all have discussed over the
past two years or so since discovering old Tools. I hope to learn a lot
more and contribute what I can.

I do have two tool questions that I've been sitting on for some time. My
Dad gave me a 24" folding rule that had belonged to his father. It's
boxwood and brass. It's marked "The C-S Co., Pine Meadow, Conn.,U.S.A,
No.84". I've figured out that this is Chapin and Stephens, but this rule
is odd. If you look at it on either side with the scale right side up it
reads right to left instead of left to right. On one side there is a
second scale that I can't figure out. Starting at the mid-point and
running left (mid-point) to the right end, there is a scale below the inch
scale that reads 3, 2, and one (aligned with the 11, 10, and 9" marks on
the inch scale, then 1/16s are marked below the 8" to 7" range. Between 5"
and 4" are marked 14 and 12, between 4" and 3" are 10 and 8, between 3"
and 2" 6 and 4, and from 2" to 1" 2 and 1. The numbers on this bottom
scale left of the midpoint are upside down.

Turn the whole thing over and the numbers that were upside down are now
legible and read from the midpoint going to the right 4, 3, 2, 1, then in
the last segment 6, 4, 2, and 1.

I probably didn't describe this very well, but I'd appreciate hearing from
anyone who might have a clue.

The second item is a Stanley piece that I can't find in Walter's book.
It's a sort of 9" combination square, all steel, with a Sweetheart logo.
It's stamped "No.21" with a patent date of 1/23/17. The rule piece is
slotted down it's center for only six inches of its length, so that's the
extent of head travel. The head itself has 90 and 45 degree faces and the
flat plate section is machined like a knurled knob would be to a sort of
pebbled texture. There's no provision for a scratch awl.

Maybe this should have been two or three postings. I didn't mean to get so
wordy and I'll try not to do it again. Thanks for your insights past and
future.

Joe Grittani in gloomy Dayton, Ohio  

Fellow Buckeye, Joe Grittani wrote:

>I do have two tool questions that I've been sitting on for some time. My
>Dad gave me a 24" folding rule that had belonged to his father. It's
>boxwood and brass. It's marked "The C-S Co., Pine Meadow, Conn.,U.S.A,
>No.84". I've figured out that this is Chapin and Stephens, but this rule
>is odd. If you look at it on either side with the scale right side up it
>reads right to left instead of left to right. On one side there is a
>second scale that I can't figure out. Starting at the mid-point and
>running left (mid-point) to the right end, there is a scale below the inch
>scale that reads 3, 2, and one (aligned with the 11, 10, and 9" marks on
>the inch scale, then 1/16s are marked below the 8" to 7" range. Between 5"
>and 4" are marked 14 and 12, between 4" and 3" are 10 and 8, between 3"
>and 2" 6 and 4, and from 2" to 1" 2 and 1. The numbers on this bottom
>scale left of the midpoint are upside down.
>
>Turn the whole thing over and the numbers that were upside down are now
>legible and read from the midpoint going to the right 4, 3, 2, 1, then in
>the last segment 6, 4, 2, and 1.

I'm certainly no expert on rule markings, but my understanding is that
rules which read right-to-left are considered as having "American
Markings," while those which read left-to-right are considered to have
"English Markings."

Your rule is briefly described in the 1914 Chapin-Stephens Co. Catalog:

84.   Square Joint, Half Bound, 8ths, 10ths, 12ths, and
           16ths of inches, Drafting Scales,   .  .  .  . 1 in. wide

I don't have an example of a Chapin-Stephens rule with drafting scales,
but I'm guessing that the 3, 2, 1 markings which correspond to the 11",
10" and 9" markings are part of an "Inch Scale." In other words, each
inch represents one foot. *If* this is the case, I think you will find
that there are twelve divisions in the 8" to 7" range, rather than
sixteen. I.e., each division representing one inch, in scale.

The 14, 12, 10 ... 1 markings which you describe, are part of a "1/4"
Scale, I believe. In other words, there should be four divisions per
inch of the main scale, each (1/4") division representing one foot,
in scale.

I have a Stanley Rule (# 62) which has drafting scales very similar to
those in your description. The primary difference being you don't need
to turn the rule over to read the drafting scale markings. On the other
hand, it has additional drafting scales ("1/2" and "3/4") on the other
end of the rule, and those are "upside down" from the main markings.

Hope this helps.

Don McConnell
Knox County, Ohio

Joe & Don & All,

Yeah - what Don said. The scales are drafting ones. The C-S 84 compares
to the Stanley 84 which Phil Stanley's "Boxwood & Ivory" says has
Drafting scales. Trying to compare Joe's description of his rule with
Stanley's description of drafting scales gave me a headache, so I hope
Joe will be satisfied with just a general explanation. If not, get back
to me and I'll try again.

Best Wishes,
Bob

The combination square you describe is in Walters on page 595. (Stanley
No. 21) Sounds like yours is the same vintage as mine, only I have the
12". Walters says the came in 6", 9", and 12" sizes. 

When you say "all steel" not sure what you mean. Most of the frames are
cast iron, japanned black, but mine (and maybe yours?) is nickel plated.
Walters doesn't mention this (unless it is a typo and it means to say
"Finish: Japanned, polished or nickeled FRAME" -instead of BLADE. Has
anybody seen a nickeled blade???) Someone told me that the nickel frame
was found in only one Stanley catalog of the period (I forget what year,
but seem to recall it was in the 20's). I don't collect paper at all, so
couldn't say for sure.

The slotted ruler is an interesting design. I don't know much about other
combination squares (my user is a nice old Starrett) but the slotted
ruler does seem to give one the option to use it as a bevel gauge, in
addition to the usual 45 degree/ 90 degree orientation. 

Darren Addy
Kearney, Nebraska

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