Originally Posted by hasslefactor

sniffle

tragic, isn't it?

Originally Posted by JayKnoll

Oh, here we go; Laurie is on a rehab jag and now we're going to see these things tarted up and fettled to perfection. She'll probably show off the result by shaving blocks of chocolate (a quick light stroke so it doesn't melt)

And just to get the ball rolling

The Ramblings of a Crazy Man. Refurbishing Old Hand Planes Part 1: Flattening the Sole.

Originally Posted by Poto

Just send them to Philip. He loves refurbishing those old things!

Are you sure they're not just dusted in cocoa?

Originally Posted by Poto

I didn't hear that. But Michael (who apparently does most of the design after John's conceptualized the tool) seems keen to be innovating. So I'm pretty sure something will change. I know that the CS-2 is getting a new color scheme, closer to the DJ-1.

By the way, the new commemorative tool from BCT is a really slick, black chrome hand brace. (You have to say "black chrome" the right way: it's "black chroooommmme"!). Since they had one (a prototype) there, I don't think that this is secret information.

And I have to echo Michael's kudos to Fred. The guy's amazing. He had a terrible list to port because of his neck (the consequence of walking 350 lbs of dog at once), but his garrulous nature and natural good humor kept everyone smiling. He was an amazing host. As were his dogs. Coal (the 150 lbs Rottwelier) is like a walking rock. If he bumps into you, you're going flying, regardless of how big you are (John and Scott - who are somewhat larger than me - will attest to that).

Got lots of pesto, pasta and lasagna left over. Go visit Fred!

Originally Posted by MichaelKellough

The new brace is very compact in keeping with the marking gauge. They managed to make it small by limiting the chuck to 1/4" hex shank bits. This means it's also a fast high torque screwdriver as well as a drill. BCT has found a supplier of good quality hex shank drill bits so we won't have to make do with those sloppy shank things from the Despot.

Chrome is great stuff if you want your tool to stay shiny, rust free, and dent resistant. And black chrome is cool. I just wish it was blacker.

Originally Posted by RogerSavatteri

Ok, time for the big question.(s) (since John's Blog isn't yet updated)

How much(ish) & when(ish)?

What would the range be for the hex bits?

.

Originally Posted by hasslefactor

OMG, they can be FIXED??!!??!? In that case, I guess I'll go rescue the chisels, too - and those rusty old punches!!!!!

The Skipper has all these old hand tools that he inherited from his Dad and doesn't use (we agree it's fortunate that at least ONE of us has a framer's sensibility). Anyway, I think they're really cool, and I'd LOVE to restore them!

If it's worth it. Is it?
Just for the record (at the risk of getting Jay started again), there actually IS a shop in the garage. But it's the Skipper's territory - we pretty much agree on that, too. I just hunt for screwdrivers out there once in a while and occasionally excavate something of interest.

Originally Posted by MichaelKellough

Did you ask about this Peter?