Internet Horology Club 185
Would you like to identify these tools?
October 06, 2004, 23:44
Stephanie O'NeilWould you like to identify these tools?
By now, most members have received as well as read their October Bulletin. I thoroughly enjoyed the article "Watch and Clock Collector - Henry Ford, b. 1863-d.1947 by Jack Linahan of Michigan.
Figure 1 shows Mr. Henry Ford at his workbench in the Magill jewelry store in 1937. Would you like to identify the tools on his workbench as well as explain use of each tool (if not obvious)? This may be easy for most but not for some of us. Carlos Flores was kind enough to alphabetize tools. Thanks Carlos!
Maybe you would also like to discuss modern tools vs. antique tools on his bench as well. Pictures are welcomed.
Stephanie O'Neil
October 07, 2004, 10:04
Wayne C. AndersonItem j appears to be a jewelery saw - used to cut metal.
Item m appears to be a Jacot Tool
Item g appears to be the bow for the Jacot tool
Used to for burnishing pivots.
Item K appears to be the case for the Jacot tool
October 07, 2004, 12:32
Wayne C. AndersonItem P - Mr Fords coffee cup?

October 07, 2004, 17:21
Ed UeberallMy opinions (guesses??) on some of the tools:
C A pair of truing calipers. Used to true a balance wheel both in the round and in the flat.
D A bench knife. Used to open case backs.
F Looks like a jeweler's screwdriver.
Ed Ueberall
IHC Member 34
The Escapement
October 07, 2004, 18:16
Scott CerulloSurely A. is a lathe. My best guess on E is another truing caliper, and O is a gas valve.
October 08, 2004, 20:47
Stephanie O'NeilWayne, would you tell us the use of a Jacot tool? and "p"- Mr. Ford's coffee cup?"

, hey, maybe beer stein?

Thanks for your participation.
Ed,
Thanks for your guesses as well!
Scott,
Thanks. "o", gas valve, use please?
Let's see, not identified as yet are b, h, i, l, n, p (still in question).
Others who care to participate?
How similar are Mr. Ford's tools as compared to their modern day counterparts?
Stephanie O'Neil
October 09, 2004, 10:02
Wayne C. AndersonStephanie
A Jacot tool is used to burnish pivots:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/f...&reqWords=jacot+toolItem i could be a K&D Balance Staff Remover Tool No. 50
October 09, 2004, 10:24
Scott CerulloStephanie,
The gas would be used for soldering, etc.
October 10, 2004, 17:08
Stephanie O'NeilWayne,
Thanks for the live link.
Scott,
ok, soldering, hmmm.
Would anyone like to take a guess at remaining tools, i.e., B, H, L, N, and P? Curious about N and P. Have today's watch tools changed very much in comparison to antique watch tools? Do we have any members who collect antique watch tools?
Stephanie O'Neil
October 13, 2004, 19:58
John D. DuvallSteph,
Mr. Ford would have had severe neck and back problems if he did any serious watch repair on this bench using the stool he's setting on!

October 13, 2004, 20:49
Stephanie O'NeilHi John D.,

, too bad ergonomic designs were not invented back then right?

Do you know what the remaining tools are as well as use? N - egg holder?

Stephanie O'Neil
October 13, 2004, 23:45
Larry BuchanStephanie:
My guess is that "N" is a gas burner may be used for goldsmithing. Above it you can see a Bunsen burner with the serrated nipple to connect the rubber tubing from the gas valve. "N" has the same type of connector. It appears that "P" is connected to the gas supply so it may be some kind of heating device.
October 14, 2004, 23:40
Larry BuchanStephanie:
I was looking through an old catalog from Otto & Young Wholesalers from Chicago 1925 in the watchmakers Tool Section it had the following burners for sale, the middle one illustrated looks the same as the one on Henry Ford's bench.
Larry Buchan
October 31, 2004, 14:28
Stephanie O'NeilHi Larry Buchan,
Thanks so much for posting a pic from your Wholesalers of Chicago 1925 catalog. Wow!
You guys really know ya stuff!

Thanks to all who participated. Hope everyone learned something here!

Has anyone toured Henry Form Museum and viewed Mr. Ford's watches? I'd like to hear more about them! Members?
Stephanie O'Neil
October 31, 2004, 17:04
Wayne C. AndersonStephanie,
Did you receive any identification on items B, H, L?
November 01, 2004, 11:22
Stephanie O'NeilHi Wayne,
Nope.
Stephanie O'Neil
November 01, 2004, 11:41
Wayne C. AndersonStephanie,
"B" is a tough one because there are several tools there, but I would guess that they are lathe associated tools.
November 01, 2004, 17:27
Stephanie O'NeilThanks Wayne,
I'm curious about what "L" is. Anyone care to guess?

Stephanie O'Neil
November 01, 2004, 18:26
Wayne C. AndersonItem may just be some parts stacked there - such as a wheel, pipe, etc.
November 15, 2004, 12:37
Wayne C. AndersonItem B appears to be a hour/minute hand broaching tool. The Community Watchmaker Tools Album, Item 20 appears to be a similar tool.
November 16, 2004, 01:04
Stephanie O'NeilThanks Wayne. It looks like we are down to "H". A guess? There are several tools at the H alphabet. Wondering about the circular tool. Looks like a pocket watch!

Stephanie O'Neil
November 16, 2004, 11:18
Wayne C. AndersonStephanie,
To me it looks like the two items that the letter h is on are two screws:
November 16, 2004, 20:46
Stephanie O'NeilWayne,
What do you think is the tool or object directly to the left of the screws near H? The round device.
Stephanie O'Neil
November 17, 2004, 09:52
Wayne C. AndersonPerhaps a bow drill?
November 17, 2004, 09:52
Wayne C. AndersonMy drill
November 17, 2004, 12:31
Stephanie O'NeilWayne,
I was referring to the item just below the H.
Maybe its a pocket watch. Looks like one.
Stephanie O'Neil
November 17, 2004, 12:56
Wayne C. AndersonStephanie
It sure looks like a pocket watch case - even the hinges are visible. But I will not be able to identify the manufacture of the watch -

- sorry.
November 18, 2004, 12:25
Stephanie O'NeilWhat Wayne, no magical powers?

November 18, 2004, 13:41
Wayne C. AndersonStephanie
No magical powers and poor eye sight.