September 2003 Newsletter

Coopers Tools, Stanley Planes, and a Woman Tool Collector.

A perspective on old tools and tool collecting

by three members of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association.

 

Norm Heckman, Jim Pate, and Nan Schulte will present on tool collecting and using old tools.  The presentation will include many examples from their collections plus tips on buying and using old tools in your workshop.

Norm Heckman specializes in collecting coopers tools though he has a fondness for all tools that are made of wood.  Norm will bring many pieces from his extensive collection with the emphasis being on his favorite, coopers tools.  He will also talk about their use and history and show examples of reference materials used by tool collectors. 

Jim Pate’s collection centers around the hand plane.  Jim is an expert in the restoration and use of the various metal planes manufactured through the years by the Stanley Company.  He will present examples from his collection and discuss how to select a user quality older metal plane for your shop. 

Nan Schulte has the distinction of being a member of an unusual minority - a female tool collector.  She will bring selected pieces from her eclectic collection and talk on trying to figure out just what some of those old tools were used for – in club language, a ‘Whats-It.’

For more information about The Mid-West Tool Collectors Association, please visit their website at www.mwtca.org.