Information is very important whether you collect, use or just appreciate antique and traditional tools. Additionally, learning about how the tools were used and in what industries brings still another perspective.
Even in todays’ world of computers and smart phones, sitting with a book or other publication in an easy chair and relaxing after a long day is a pleasant way to spend some time and learn more about areas we have an interest in. From The Gristmill, our quarterly publication to one of the books written by a member of M-WTCA, you can’t go wrong.
The Astragal Press is a company that specializes in books on antique tools, early trades and early technology. They have an ever increasing number of publications. Many of the books listed below can be found there as well as through Internet searches.
Books and Publications Produced by the Membership of M-WTCA
Listed in alphabetical order by Author
Bachellar, Jr., Milton H.
American Marking Gages Patented & Manufactured, 445pp
Blackburn, Graham
Traditional Woodworking Handtools, A Manual for the Woodworker, A guide for the Enthusiast, 364 pp
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of woodworking Handtools Instruments and Devices, 570pp
Blanchard, Clarence
Antique Trade Tools Price Guide, 302 pp
Cleaning Antique Tools, 15 pp
The Stanley Little Big Book 2006, 292 pp
The Stanley Little Big Book 2007 – 2008, 230 pp
Warman’s Tools Field Guide, 512 pp
See also Larson, Lars and Blanchard, Clarence below
Butler, Carroll
Treasures of the Longleaf Pines Naval Stores, 374pp
Comerford, III, Daniel J. , wl Baird, Ron;
The Hammer, the King of Tools, 352pp
Cope, Kenneth
American Wrench Makers, 290pp
Collectable Tools, Tool Ads, 117pp
Makers of American Machinist Tools, 320
More Makers of American Machinist tools, 165 pp
Kitchen Collectables, An Identification Guide, 208pp
American Foot Power and Hand Power Machinery, 135pp
American Lathe Builders; 1810-1910, 204pp
Index of US Tool Patents 1790-1873 , 96pp (OP)
American Cooperage Machinery and Tools, 213 pp
American Machinist’s Tools: An Illustrated Directory of Patents, 424 pp
Carriage & Wagon Makers Machinery & Tools, 200 pp
American Steam Engine Builders 1800-1900, 280 pp
American Milling Machine Builders 1820-1920, 200 pp
American Planer, Shaper & Slotter Builders, 208 pp
D’Elia, Andrew American Wood & Metal Planes From the collection of the D’Elia Tool Museum, 342pp
Devitt, Jack Indiana Toolmakers & Their Tools, 410pp
Ohio Toolmakers & Their Tools, 388pp
Eaton, Reg The Ultimate Brace, 180pp
Fredrich, Raymond P. Nail Pullers with Patent Reference, 419pp
Friberg, Todd L.American Patented Saw Sets, 306pp
Grismer, Jerome T. Kendrick, Clyde H. Embossed American Axes, A Photographic Guide, 177pp
Hanley, Michael Motorcycles, Planes, & Revolution, 100pp
Heckel, David E. Sargent Planes Identification and Value Guide 2nd Edition, 104pp
The Stanley “Forty-Five” Combination Plane, 136pp
Herrli, Tod Classic Plane Making Hollows and Rounds, 90 minute dvd
Heuring , Jerry & Elaine Collector’s guide to E. C. Simmons KEEN KUTTER Cutlery and Tools, 192pp
Kean, Herbert P. w/ E. Pollak; Collecting Antique Tools, 122pp
Kean, Herbert P.
Price Guide To Antique Tools, 3rd Ed., ?pp
Restoring Woodworking Tolls, 122pp
Lamond, Thomas C. Manufactured and Patented Spokeshaves & Similar Tools, 452pp
Larson, Lars and Blanchard, Clarence Patented American Planes for Wood, Leather and the Allied Trades, 1795-1934, Vol. 1 1795 to 1875, 192pp;
Vol. 2 1876 to 1900, 225pp;
Vol. 3 1900 to 1934, 225pp
Leach, Patrick Stanley Planes by the Numbers, 90 minute video
McConnell, DonTraditional Molding Techniques: Cornice Moldings,71 min. dvd
Traditional Molding Techniques: The Basics,80 minute dvd
See also Schaffer, Erwin L. and McConnell, Don below
Moffet, Jim The Hand Held Corn Sheller &, 300pp
Moody, John The American Cabinetmaker’s Plow Plane, 248pp (OP)
Pearson, Ronald W. The American Patented Brace, 1829-1924: An Illustrated Directory of Patents, 185pp
Pollack, Emil & Martyl Makers of American Wooden Planes 4th Edition , 477pp
Price, James A Sourcebook of United States Patents For Bitstock Tools and The Machines That Made Them, 174pp
Prine, Jr., Charles Planemakers of Western Pennsylvania and Environs, 118pp
Rathbone, P.T. History of Oldtime Farm Implement Companies and the Wrenches They Issued, 520pp
Rees, Jane & Mark Tools, A Guide For Collectors, 256pp
Rees, Jane & Mark – and Others
The Tool Chest of Benjamin Seaton, 72pp
Roberts, KennethWooden Planes In 19th Century America, Vol. 1, 314pp (OP)
Wooden Planes In 19th Century America, Vol. 2, 452pp
Some 19th Century English Woodworking Tools, 482pp
Tools For the Trades & Crafts, 22pp
Roberts, Kenneth D. & Jane W.
Planemakers and Other Edge Tool Enterprises in New York State in the 19th Century, 230pp
Rosebrook, Donald American Level Patents Illustrated and Explained, Vo. 1, New England, 256pp
American Levels and Their Makers, Vol. 1, New England, 318pp
Rumpf, John Plane Makers of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: Jacob Siegley, Edwin Hahn, Keystone Tool Works. , 121 pp
Schaffer, Erwin L. Hand-Saw Makers of North America, 163pp
Schaffer, Erwin L. and McConnell, Don Hand-Saw Makers of Britain, 105pp
Schwarz, ChristopherThe Art of Joinery. By Joseph Moxon with commentary by M-WTCA member Christopher Schwarz, 93pp
Workbenches: From Design & Theory to Construction & Use , 144pp
Handplane Essentials, 312pp
Forgotten Hand Tools ,87 minute dvd
Coarse, Medium and Fine: Fundamental Woodworking Techniques ,65 minute dvd
Building Furniture with Hand Planes ,60 minute dvd
Handscraper: Understanding, Preparing and Using the Ultimate Finishing Tool ,30 minute dvd
The Workbench: How to Design or Modify a Bench for Efficient Use ,40 minute dvd
Sellens, AlvinThe Stanley Plane, 216pp (OP)
Stanley Folding Rules, 169pp (OP)
Woodworking Planes, 232pp (OP)
Dictionary of American Hand Tools, 546pp
Keen Kutter & Simmons Padlocks Guide, 59pp (OP)
Keen Kutter Pocket Knives, 224pp
Keen Kutter Planes, 160pp
Smith, Roger K. Patented & Transitional American Planes, Vol. 1, 336pp (OP)
Patented & Transitional American Planes, Vol. 2, 396pp
Index & Location Guide for Cope’s Directory of Machinist Tool Patents, 27pp
Stanley, Phillip E. Boxwood & Ivory Stanley Traditional Rules 1855-1975, 188pp
Searching for 18th and 19th Century Patents on the Patent Office Web Site, 113pp
A Source Book for Rule Collectors, 361pp
Underhill, Roy The Woodwright’s Shop, 202pp
The Woodwright’s Companion, 203pp
The Woodwright’s Workbook, 248 pp
The Woodwright’s Eclectic Workshop, 238pp
The Woodwright’s Apprentice, 196 pp
The Woodwright’s Guide, 182pp
Van Pernis, Paul & Wells, John, Leonard Bailey and His Woodworking Planes, 236pp
Walter, John Antique & Collectable Stanley Tools, Guide to Identity and Value, 882pp
Wanamaker, George Stanley Tape Measures, the First 40 Years, pp
Ward, Joe North Brother’s Manufacturing Company Product Guide, Yankee, 231pp
Whelan, John M. The Wooden Plane, 509pp
Making Traditional Wooden Planes, 128pp
White, Ronald & Virginia A Researcher’s Guide to Patents and Dates, 216pp
Williams, Donald C. Virtuoso: The Tool Cabinet and Workbench of Henry O. Studley, 216pp
Williams, Larry Making Traditional Side Escapement Planes, dvd 180 minutes
Note: This list is not all inclusive.