Yesterday, I picked up this 24" rule at an estate sale.  As evidenced from the photos, the rusting was significant.  I bought it on a lark (I only paid $1.50) in hopes that I could restore it - if not for use, at least to determine its manufacturer (hoping for a Starrett, or perhaps a Lufkin).  After a 6-hour soak in Evaporust, a gentle scour with a fine-grade aluminum oxide pad, and then a scrub clean with Dawn, I gave it a buff with 3-in-One oil and 4/0 steel wool and finally with some Johnson Paste Wax.

Resulting revelation:  a clean, clear, functionally-readable L.S.S. Starrett No. 607 Spring-Tempered Steel Rule with No. 7 graduation (16ths, 32nds, 64ths, and 100ths), dating to as early as 1938 (according to available catalogs) when, for the first time the No. 607 was offered in 24-inch length.  Starrett discontinued the No. 607 in October 2025.

Length:  24"
Depth:  3/64"
Width:  1-1/4"
Weight:  5.6 oz

Yesterday, I picked up this 24" rule at an estate sale.  As evidenced from the photos, the rusting was significant.  I bought it on a lark (I only paid $1.50) in hopes that I could restore it - if not for use, at least to determine its manufacturer (hoping for a Starrett, or perhaps a Lufkin).  After a 6-hour soak in Evaporust, a gentle scour with a fine-grade aluminum oxide pad, and then a scrub clean with Dawn, I gave it a buff with 3-in-One oil and 4/0 steel wool and finally with some Johnson Paste Wax.

Resulting revelation:  a clean, clear, functionally-readable L.S.S. Starrett No. 607 Spring-Tempered Steel Rule with No. 7 graduation (16ths, 32nds, 64ths, and 100ths), dating to as early as 1938 (according to available catalogs) when, for the first time the No. 607 was offered in 24-inch length.  Starrett discontinued the No. 607 in October 2025.

Length:  24"
Depth:  3/64"
Width:  1-1/4"
Weight:  5.6 oz

I’m glad that a few years back I didn’t overlook this quite old and dirty carpenter’s framing square at a local estate sale.  I brought it home and gave it a simple day-long soak in the electrolysis tank, a scrubbing of Dawn, a light spritz of Rem Oil with a final protective buff of Johnson Paste Wax.  

Since then, I’ve learned the square dates from around 1830.  It appears blacksmith made, with the evident forge weld seam on the back heel.  I’ve been told it is most likely from England (probably from the Birmingham region) based, at least in part, on: 1) the 24 x 12 construction; and 2) the body’s markings are read from the outside (English) rather than the inside (American).

The body length measures precisely 23-7/8", and the tongue 11-15/16".  The body is 1-1/2" in width, and the tongue 1".  For both body and tongue, the graduations are 4ths.  Its thickness is consistent throughout, at 1/16".  The square weighs 1 lb 1.2 oz.

Picked up a really nice Rabone Chesterman triple pin combination (mortise) gauge. It appears to only be missing its pin adjustment locking nut, but the pins are impeccable. I understand that it may be possible to date the gauge based on the company logo (I don't expect it to be that old), so I'd appreciate any info or guidance one may be willing to share. 

The stem length is 8-3/8", and the stock/fence is 2" x 2-1/2" x 1".

Thanks!

Picked up this wonderful Lufkin No. 7125 Beveled Yard Stick, with brass tipped ends. I snagged it from a barrel full of old yard sticks (many of them advertising promotionals, with pre-1958 two-letter prefix phone numbers).  This one, however, was the best of the bunch.  From available copies of Lufkin catalogs it appears this was sold from 1920 to at least 1955.

Just restored a 19th Century, hand-stamped J.F. Brown $3.00 framing square. The rust and pitting were extensive, but I was able to clear most of it so that the original stamping is easier to read.  There’s very little out there for ol’ J.F. Brown, but I’ve been able to confirm (at least) that other J.F.B. framing squares are out there so mine’s not simply a one-off. 

The body length measures 24", and the tongue 17" (which is unusual as most are 16").  The body is 1-15/16" in width, and the tongue 1-7/16".  For both body and tongue, the outside graduations are 8ths, and the inside are 4ths.  The two blades also taper in thickness, from 3/16" thick at the heel, to 1/16" at the ends.  The square weighs 2 lb 8.4 oz.

Also, the hand stamping appears to be both the numbers (for example, the “9” is crudely an inverted “6”) as well as the incremental graduation lines (which vary in length).  This would appear to place the square in age around 1849 to 1857.

If anyone’s a framing square collector or expert, or knows someone who is, and could provide more information about J.F. Brown and/or this square, I’m all ears.

Just restored a 19th Century, hand-stamped J.F. Brown $3.00 framing square. The rust and pitting were extensive, but I was able to clear most of it so that the original stamping is easier to read.  There’s very little out there for ol’ J.F. Brown, but I’ve been able to confirm (at least) that other J.F.B. framing squares are out there so mine’s not simply a one-off. 

The body length measures 24", and the tongue 17" (which is unusual as most are 16").  The body is 1-15/16" in width, and the tongue 1-7/16".  For both body and tongue, the outside graduations are 8ths, and the inside are 4ths.  The two blades also taper in thickness, from 3/16" thick at the heel, to 1/16" at the ends.  The square weighs 2 lb 8.4 oz.

Also, the hand stamping appears to be both the numbers (for example, the “9” is crudely an inverted “6”) as well as the incremental graduation lines (which vary in length).  This would appear to place the square in age around 1849 to 1857.

If anyone’s a framing square collector or expert, or knows someone who is, and could provide more information about J.F. Brown and/or this square, I’m all ears.

First time I've seen a rule like this. A Lufkin tri-folding steel 12" rule advertising for Briggs-Weaver Machinery Co. here in Dallas, Texas (still in business, since 1896). Closest thing I could find in a Lufkin catalog is from 1935. If anyone has more or better info on this one, I'm all ears.

At a recent garage sale, I picked up:

• Full, unopened Craftsman 4 oz oiler can of Light Duty Household Oil (that was originally purchased at Sears for .39¢)
• Nearly full (~80%) 8 oz tin oiler of 3-in-One Household Oil

Quite often I reach for one of these oilers while in the garage, so I’m always happy to find full(ish) ones in the wild for a good price (these two - $1.50/piece).

Picked up a ca. 1934 to early 1940s Sherman-Klove Co. (S-K Diamond) 40970, 1/4"-Drive Reversible Ratchet with the early patent date No. 1,981,526.

I thought to post it as it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a prior owner modify the end of the handle to create a 1/4 male drive. Cleaned (CLR) and oiled the innards, then hit the outside with the wire wheel and a rub down with 4/0 steel wool and paste wax.

It also came with a 1956 (per date code) Snap-On TM-2 1/4"-drive 2-inch extension.

Picked up a clean, straight Keuffel & Esser (K&E) No. S2030 24-inch stainless steel precision straightedge. From available catalogs, it appears they sold their metal straightedges (nickel plated) since as early as 1890, and stainless steel since at least 1936. K&E, founded in 1867, manufactured drafting, drawing, surveying, and other scientific instruments and equipment. K&E filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982 and ceased operations in 1987.

Picked up a rough(!) Tiffany & Co. T-Clip Sterling Silver Ballpoint Pen today.  I knew it was sterling from the weight, but not that it was a Tiffany (although I had my suspicions from the T in the clip and the Tiffany Blue band around the middle).  Brought it home and cleaned it up - a very nice pen!  Runs with a standard Cross refill.

 

As I was putting away a few of my ratchets, I was struck by the size difference of the heads of two of my 1/2"-drives:
> New Britain ‘Sparta’ CS-45 (1-19/32" head diameter)
> Bonney A-702K (2-1/8" head diameter)

Not sure these photos do them justice.

In the last couple weeks I’ve been fortunate enough to pick up two (2) really clean ratchets:
> Bonney A-702K, 1/2"-drive double-pawl ratchet
> Thorsen 77JC, 3/8"-drive single-pawl (3x3 tooth) ratchet
Both were in great shape with little wear inside, so simply cleaned innards and oiled.

Albeit a little staining, still a very nice Union Tool Co. No. 405 Tempered Rule with #7 Graduations (16ths, 32nds, 64ths, and 100ths).

This Lufkin Rule Co.’s No. 62 straight steel rule is 24" long, 1-1/4" wide, and made of 16-gauge tempered steel.  Both sides have identical, prominent graduation lines (8^(ths) upper, 16^(ths) lower), with opposite sides measuring from reverse ends.

The rule was soaked in EvapoRust for about an hour, rubbed down with 4/0 steel wool, cleaned with Dawn, and finally dried and waxed.

Two recent acquisitions (both 1949-56 Los Angeles): 9702 Standard; and 9782 Philips). Proto/Plomb octagonal wood handle screwdrivers are my favorites!

Cleaned up a pair of 1944-56 Utica Tool Co. No. 1950-6 U.S. Army Signal Corps Electricians’ No. TL-13-A heavy-duty Lineman’s side cutting pliers with wire stripping grooves.  In addition to carving his initials (“JT”) on the center pivot, the original owner also drilled a hole in one of the handles.  While Utica tools are generally not marked with a date code, this pair does have an interesting marking of three hashes (III) inside the end of the handles. 

The pliers were cleaned via electrolysis (~ 8 hrs), a clean-up on the wire wheel, and a final coating and buff of flaxseed oil/bees wax paste.  The pliers measure 6-5/16" in length, and weigh 6.6 oz. 

Definitely a shop-made hammer of some sort. Measures 6” in length, with the head 2-1/8” end-to-end. As for the head, it's a combination ball peen and a cone of some kind. My guess as to the handle is that it’s a repurposed 1/4-drive ratchet handle. Any guesses – particularly with regard to the cone side of the head.

Clean up was a simple introduction to the wire wheel, a little TLC to the tip of the cone, and a final buff with Johnson Paste Wax.

Picked up three rules: Starrett No. 300 6"; General No. 310 6" with B&S Gauge; and Cleveland Twist Drill Co./CLE-Forge Multi Point Gauge 4". Never pass up a good, ol’ rule!