Floating Handles.

[swagman]

Hi members.

You may remember previously I showed images of a set of tools that were later identified as not being Gunmaker, but Cabinet Maker Floats.

They required new handles to be fitted, as well as resharpening.

Well here they are.!

Sometimes, there's nothing worse than looking at an old tool, with a new looking handle. I have included in these images, a view of the raw handle stock, used. The timber is Padauk. An aging process was then applied to these handles, prior to sealing. The look between the raw stock, and the finished handles is quite noticeable.

This image shows the sharpening set up I used for the floats. Watch ya fingers. These are now razor sharp. The taper file is a 5" slim taper.

swagman.
:lol:

 

[zeb]

how are these used ??? like one of those rasp u get which are like a plan ???(if that made sence)i can see them lifting at the front ?? oh and what are they for ?

 

[Philly]

Excellent work, Stewie!
How did you age the Paduak?
Philly

 

[Harbo]

Great looking tools - have you used them or are they just for show?

Nice to know how they perform?

Rod

 

[swagman]

Great looking tools - have you used them or are they just for show?

Nice to know how they perform?

Rod

Hi members.

Details on what use these floats served to a cabinet maker, are difficult to quantify, as historical data on this subject is scarce.


My personal opinion to their use is as follows; most likely they were used for final cleanup of dado's, rebate, and mortise and tenon joints.


The set I have, are most likely were manufactured early 19th century.


There shape has a relevance to there intended use.

The difference in the width, of these cutter heads, could be due to the variation in width of dado's.

The depth of the cutter heads is not overly important to there intended use, as this would naturally reduce over extended periods of resharpening.

The sole to side relationship is important. If cleaning out the bottom of the mentioned wood joints, it would be ideal to keep the side of the float tight against the shoulder of the joint. In doing so, the bottom being cleaned out would remain at 90 degrees to the sides.

The finish left by these floats is quite smooth. Very similar to a short toothed rasp.

The teeth on these floats are aligned at right angles to the sides, classifying them as type of rasp. (floats fall into this classification).



Members, I would appreciate your thoughts on this subject.


swagman.

 

[Philly]

Stewie
I use floats in my planemaking - the main reason for their use is they excel at cutting in places you couldn't get at with a regular tool.
I really don't know exactly what your set would have been used for but guess that they were for a specific job. Do they all have flat soles?
Cheers
Philly

 

[swagman]

Stewie
I use floats in my planemaking - the main reason for their use is they excel at cutting in places you couldn't get at with a regular tool.
I really don't know exactly what your set would have been used for but guess that they were for a specific job. Do they all have flat soles?
Cheers
Philly

Hi Phil. Thanks for the feedback. Yes they do have flat soles. I would agree with your assessment on them being used in area's you couldn't get too with a regular tool. This theory would be supported by the the use of the stepped down handle in their design.
Makes me wonder whether their use was more relevant to furniture making.

Thanks again.

swagman.

 

[swagman]

Stewie
I use floats in my planemaking - the main reason for their use is they excel at cutting in places you couldn't get at with a regular tool.
I really don't know exactly what your set would have been used for but guess that they were for a specific job. Do they all have flat soles?
Cheers
Philly

Hi Phil.

Received some additional feedback from another source. As follows:

I would guess flattening any type of ways like a dado bottom or drawer glide groove,I think they were also used to flatten surfaces like dust frames inside cabinets so doors and drawers would fit an opening.I think they were used to fit pieces to pieces so to speak where something either needed more room to move or a surface wasn't exactly flat to another. That's what my old timer friend tells me anyways and he's 97 so he was probably around when they used them. I get the impression they were used after something was together or nearly together and other tools wouldn't fit properly so they resorted to floats to adjust any imperfections,Len

 

[Philly]

Makes a lot of sense, Stewie!
Best regards
Philly