Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Aug 31, 2008 03:04am | #1

   Definitely cute, but not so much so at that price.

2. 
   bones | Aug 31, 2008 03:24pm | #2

   would be great in a museum, but not very practical.  Nice to see something from the past though. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
3. 
   joinerswork | Aug 31, 2008 04:23pm | #3

   David,

   Apparently they are a little more common in the east.  As far as practicality is concerned, I've seen people using these on the craft show circuit, sawing out personalised knick-knacks, (keychains, placques for houses or cabins, with the owners' name sawn out of half inch pine or redwood) about as fast as the electric powered ones could do.

   Ray

1. 
   daviddodd | Aug 31, 2008 05:01pm | #4

   More in common in east? I might have known. I grew up in New England and miss the history. Here in California anything older than 10 years is antique. Interesting to hear those contraptions are still used.

2. 
   dgreen | Aug 31, 2008 09:04pm | #5

   Here's a catalog page from 1885 of one with the optional boring attachment. The dollar doe not appear to be worth much today! 

    

   ................................................

   You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. Jack London

1. 
   dgreen | Aug 31, 2008 09:15pm | #6

   Here's some more interesting Barnes machines. 

    

   ................................................

   You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. Jack London

1. 
   joinerswork | Sep 01, 2008 04:03pm | #9

   don,

   The Chronicle of the EAIA had an article some time ago on the Barnes co.  It focussed mainly on the mortisers, as I recall,.  I'd like to see that tenon cutter up close.

   Ray

1. 
   dgreen | Sep 01, 2008 07:49pm | #10

   This site has a closer view of the tenoner. 

    

   ................................................

   You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. Jack London

2. 
   joinerswork | Sep 02, 2008 04:00pm | #11

   Thanks Don,

   Fascinating tool.  I have a portable gizmo that works similarly to cut hinge seats in stiles and doors.  It works pretty well, in a factory setting it would be handy for repetitive cuts.

   Ray 

2. 
   DonfromUtah | Sep 01, 2008 02:06am | #7

   Inflation puts that $23 saw at $524.45 in 2007.

3. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 05, 2008 03:55am | #13

   $23!

   That WAS EXPENSIVE at the time!

   A link that you may like?

   http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1986/winter/civil-war-tax-records.html

1. 
   dgreen | Sep 05, 2008 04:27am | #14

   It was expensive considering that for $20 you could rent a six room house for two months! 

    

   ................................................

   You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. Jack London

4. 
   flairwoodworks | Sep 01, 2008 06:47am | #8

   David,

   That gives me an idea!  I can combine my two favourite past-times - mountain biking and woodworking!  I can scroll during the long uphill climbs and focus on hitting my line on the downhill.  I can see it now...  The Chris' Patent Scrolling-Mountain Bike

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

5. 
   labolle | Sep 04, 2008 08:42pm | #12

   Based on the info here it seems to be missing a piece:

   http://www.tooltimer.com/barnes2.html

   More info on the company here:

   http://www.tooltimer.com/barnes.html