April 10, 201610 yr They look like unfinished files, but the inside is actually concave and the edges are sharp. They appear completely unused, with some oil still protecting them.
April 10, 201610 yr Good Morning, They are a set of Babbit Bearing Scrapers. A necessary Tool set for working on old Machinery/Equipment. Can, Is a question of Ability. I have no knowledge of your Ability. Neil
April 10, 201610 yr Yep, scrapers. Since you have a nice set there I would not make knives out of them. Anyone doing work with babbit bearings for power hammers and such could use them for final fit up. The Cincinnati centerless grinder which is still the standard of the industry uses babbit bearings. They can also be used for scraping in ways on milling machines. Those are the tools that make the little feathery marks on machine ways, and tables. Nice find.
April 10, 201610 yr Author Cool, thank you guys. So what should I do with them, sell em? Anyone here have any use for them?
April 10, 201610 yr Greetings Theo, Backup the truck, . The value of them as a set far exceeds that of new steel for knife making.. If you do not want to keep them just put them on EB . It's like taking a new Snap On wrench to make a leaf. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
April 10, 201610 yr I got some of those strait ones. They are instant knives. Minimal work and you'll have a good old fashoined pig sticker. The curved ones are a little more of a challenge, but workable.
April 10, 201610 yr I would like to put those back to work as scrapers. Whatever you do, please don't turn them into "knives", because they are already the Ultimate Knives, in a fitted case, no less. Robert Taylor Edited April 10, 201610 yr by Anachronist58 addition
April 10, 201610 yr If nothing else you could contact Sid Sudmeier, I'll bet he knows dozens of guys rebuilding Little Giants and dressing babbit bearings. Frosty The Lucky.
April 10, 201610 yr 1 minute ago, Anachronist58 said: My 1934 Southbend lathe runs on babbits. And Elmer Fudd runs after Wabbits. Sorry I just couldn't resist. I'm bad I know. Frosty The Lucky.
April 10, 201610 yr 1 minute ago, Anachronist58 said: That's OK Frosty - my locusts have chatoyancy. Oooh! OhPal, post pics please. Frosty The Lucky.
April 10, 201610 yr Oh Frosty, alright already! These have darkened up quite a bit, since I put this coat rack up 15 years ago. These locust pegs were turned on the '34 Southbend, aforementioned (duh wuns wit duh wabbits). I was making the pegs from dowel rod, but ran out, three pegs short. So, I went to the wood stove, grabbed a 1-1/2" dia piece of locust, and turned the last three pegs. The back plate is re-milled pallet oak. I am now growing locusts for shade and lumber (hammer handles), they grow like weeds here. Robert Taylor Edited April 10, 201610 yr by Anachronist58 spelling
April 10, 201610 yr When we closed our Auto Dealership I knew there was a full set of King Pin bushing Reamers for model; T's & A's and many other early cars in the tool room in big wooden box they are now in my shop. I'm sure I could have ruined then by now doing something they weren't made for, but know I'll find a home for them one day. just like your box don't spoil something that unique find them a home. There are plenty of worn out files around to make knifes out of.
April 10, 201610 yr I'll never understand this fascination with making knives out of mystery metal when good alloy is so incredibly cheap. A complete boxed set of scrapers.... that's money! Even if you don't want them, find them a good home where they'll be appreciated and used for their intended purpose.
April 10, 201610 yr Author 1 hour ago, VaughnT said: I'll never understand this fascination with making knives out of mystery metal when good alloy is so incredibly cheap. A complete boxed set of scrapers.... that's money! Even if you don't want them, find them a good home where they'll be appreciated and used for their intended purpose. For the most part, it's because "reclaimed metal" adds value for a lot of people; I can sell a file knife easily when I inform the buyer that it's a reforged Nicholson
April 10, 201610 yr It's a perception thing. Anybody can make a thing out of store bought materials but using reclaimed materials as panache. What sells is what the customer wants, not what's best. How about this for perception, I'll bet a bladesmith could make babbit scrapers from reclaimed knives and sell them for a mint, talk about REcycling for fun and profit! About the chatoyant locust, I thought you were talking about bugs that go well with milk and honey. Frosty The Lucky.
April 10, 201610 yr That's what I wanted you to think, Mr Lucky. In another recent thread, I was sure you mentioned going on a quest for chatoyant wood, though I have not been able to find it. Dose wascowy wocusts! Aso for why anyone would convert unfamiliar objects - well, I could show a thousand people that box of scrapers, and I would be delighted if even ONE person knew what they were good for. Like Mr. TheoRockNazz, I only need to be informed of what a truly magnificent score these mysterious things are, and then I will be able properly venerate them <wink> Robert Taylor
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