Tool Tuesday; Levels

[Tony Z]

I'm an MWTCA Area Director. My wife calls Stephen Sedor of Vintage Vials one of my "drug dealers" and we won't speak of her reference to Jim Bode as she calls his website my "tool ****." I actually buy very few tools on the net, preferring to buy only after I've handled something. Most of my purchases have come from MWTCA shows and lucky antique shop finds.

If you attend any shows, let me know (MWTC, Brown, Martin Donelly, etc.)! Pre-pandemic, I rarely missed any and if I did, I would absentee bid.

 

[johan_steele]

If you attend any shows, let me know (MWTC, Brown, Martin Donelly, etc.)! Pre-pandemic, I rarely missed any and if I did, I would absentee bid.

Unless I'm sick I'm at every Area A show, if you were at Nationals in Middleton in June we passed each other and likely saw me doing a happy dance. I only broke my budget by $100 and my wife didn't even get too angry. My wife hears the name Donnelly and just gives me a dirty look. I was at Humbolt in the spring and did rather well with the Brown Auction but didn't even try to bid on the A Plumb Bob level. I wanted to as the plumb was a .69 cal musket ball. But when they started I had sticker shock and if my wife had even heard I MIGHT have bid on that I would be a dead man.

If you're a read of the Gristmill you've likely read some of my articles... Ramblings of an Amateur Tool Nut is my fault.

Oh... if you come across a Disston try square with a level and scratch awl in the handle please pas it my way. I need one.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I need one.

We ALL need whatever the one is!

 

[johan_steele]

We ALL need whatever the one is!

Can you tell my wife that? I don't think she believes me...

 

[Tony Z]

Can you tell my wife that? I don't think she believes me...

I don't ask my wife about her shoes and she doesn't ask me about my various interests!

 

[johan_steele]

Civil War Era Levels | Relic Hunting & Collecting

As some of you know I am a bit of a tool collector. A couple of years ago I decided to concentrate on Civil war Era levels and I have amassed a few very nice ones. I thought it might be enjoyable to share them. All I intend to share are pre 1870. I find the wood and brass to be particularly...

civilwartalk.com

A thread a couple years old with more pictures.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Excellent thread!

More excellent to me as I was literally thinking about period levels last week. I was on a western movie shoot at a historic village, with buildings dating back to the 1830's, (BIG deal here in Texas). Unfortunately, the building have been very neglected, not to mention most folks never hearing of the place including myself and I grew up not 40 miles away. We were having to work on the foundation and floor of one circa-1842 cabin as we were filming in it. Leveling and so forth I couldn't help but think how I needed a period level.

But I'll have to hunt for one, I've already spoke to the powers that be there and will probably be active out there off and on in the future trying to help save it all. Way too much Republic of Texas and Antebellum history rotting away. Wish I could get one old friend to part with his 1890's level.

 

[johan_steele]

Excellent thread!

More excellent to me as I was literally thinking about period levels last week. I was on a western movie shoot at a historic village, with buildings dating back to the 1830's, (BIG deal here in Texas). Unfortunately, the building have been very neglected, not to mention most folks never hearing of the place including myself and I grew up not 40 miles away. We were having to work on the foundation and floor of one circa-1842 cabin as we were filming in it. Leveling and so forth I couldn't help but think how I needed a period level.

But I'll have to hunt for one, I've already spoke to the powers that be there and will probably be active out there off and on in the future trying to help save it all. Way too much Republic of Texas and Antebellum history rotting away. Wish I could get one old friend to part with his 1890's level.

Take a look at Vintage Vials or the excellent site run by Jim Bode. It would be worth sending a note to either and explain what you are doing. I have no doubt they would be able to assist in the acquisition of any period tools. Both men are absolute gents.

Vintage Vials - Antique Tools

No description.

shop.vintagevials.com

Jim Bode Antique Tools

We travel the world sourcing great antique tools so you don’t have to! We list fresh tools EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. * WE BUY TOOL COLLECTIONS!

www.jimbodetools.com

If that doesn't work send me a PM... I do have one 1850's period level I'd be willing to part with but it has one vial in need of replacement. That said 1830's construction would most likely have used plumb boards and such for construction instead of expensive spirit levels.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

Take a look at Vintage Vials or the excellent site run by Jim Bode. It would be worth sending a note to either and explain what you are doing. I have no doubt they would be able to assist in the acquisition of any period tools. Both men are absolute gents.

Vintage Vials - Antique Tools

No description.

shop.vintagevials.com

Jim Bode Antique Tools

We travel the world sourcing great antique tools so you don’t have to! We list fresh tools EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. * WE BUY TOOL COLLECTIONS!

www.jimbodetools.com

If that doesn't work send me a PM... I do have one 1850's period level I'd be willing to part with but it has one vial in need of replacement. That said 1830's construction would most likely have used plumb boards and such for construction instead of expensive spirit levels.

I appreciate it, and I never knew there were dedicated dealers in period tools, though I shouldn't be surprised.

Its gonna be awhile, but between trying to get help and such down yonder.

As for plumb bobs, your probably right. Especially in a backwater like East Texas back then. I'll probably have to start a thread after another visit. Pictures I got contain too many Hollywood cameras, trailers, lights, and big name actors.

 

[johan_steele]

I appreciate it, and I never knew there were dedicated dealers in period tools, though I shouldn't be surprised.

Its gonna be awhile, but between trying to get help and such down yonder.

As for plumb bobs, your probably right. Especially in a backwater like East Texas back then. I'll probably have to start a thread after another visit. Pictures I got contain too many Hollywood cameras, trailers, lights, and big name actors.

Below are some plumb board style tools that would certainly be appropriate to the 1830's and they are such that you could manufacture them yourself. Interestingly enough one that I chased at an auction last spring had a .64 musket ball (buck & ball sans the buck) as a plumb bob and it was clearly marked 1837.

Period style plumb bobs can regularly be found for $20-30 at tool shows and the woods can be had from Menards. In short with the right know how and some time you could put something like one below for under $50.