my brilliant Chalco stamp

[condeesteso]

I am now the proud owner of a fine Chalco stamp, which Jim (Sputnik Jim these days) kindly got as a gift for me.
I'll try and stick to the stamp, but a bit of background may be handy.
Here's the stamp, stunningly made:

It was actually a kind of thank you. Deep in the winter, snow all over the place... Jim finds an observatory on eBay, near Canterbury. He got the seller to measure it (big things, observatories) and I did a rough drawing to check it would sit on my trailer. So one Sunday off we go. But the seller mis-measured a bit (a lot then).
So, a few days later, down to Paddock Wood to rent the biggest pick-up we could find in Kent, and off we go again.
Anyway, got it back all safe and sound - I think Jim calls it the Oh-2, or No 2 (something like that).

Back to the stamp - the script is very old-style and looks really good - brilliant workmanship from Ian. I am a very proud owner and need to go round stamping everything.

Many thanks to Jim, and many thanks to Ian at Chalco too.

p.s. and wife Annie probably calls it the Go 2

 

[MickCheese]

Douglas

That looks fantastic. Do you know how it is made?

Mick

 

[AndyT]

Very nice. Knowing how big Jim's green igloo is, I'd say that you'd earned it!

However, now that you've got it, how are you going to use it? I can imagine that you'll want to mark any nice boxes or Roubo-style clamps you make, but what about old tools that you own? Will you be adding your name to the previous owners?

I think I remember reading somewhere that marking tools with your name used to be a condition of trade insurance cover, but it's not a necessity in the same way for the modern day collector. But then, maybe in the future, anything with a provenance of 'from the collection of D Coates' will attract a premium?!

 

[bugbear]

For the benefit of those of you (like me!) twisting your head round to try to get to grips with the stamp:

BugBear

 

[marcros]

i do wonder whether we are one of the first generations to think that it is a shame not to add our name stamp to "antique" tools, for fear of devaluing them. I guess 50 years ago they were not valued as collectors items- they were just used.

 

[condeesteso]

Hello all, and thanks BB for doing the smart thing and flipping the image!
Yes Andy, I do plan to mark a few of my older tools (planes mainly). I'm not a collector as we all know. I also have used it on a couple of items recently, always hidden away to be discovered or not in later years. Whether that adds or subtracts value is outside of my knowledge :lol:
I would like to see just how Ian cuts these stamps - it must be a real skill especially on a fine script like this one.
A real gem anyway - we should all have them!

 

[jimi43]

Glad you like it Douglas...and as Andy says...definitely earned and then some!

I fail to see how anyone can invent something like this and not make it in kit form...well...it wouldn't be such a good story then now would it...

It will be in place soon...now the pillar is in place and the base should be arriving this weekend..in the meantime...ALFIE has been put on guard duty with orders to "leap and lick on sight"...I think you know that attack method Andy/Douglas!!! :mrgreen:

I too would be interested to know how Ian makes these stamps so beautifully....they are stunning pieces of work indeed!

If anyone is interested in getting one...this is their website

True craftsman...not many of those left I'm sad to say!

Cheers

Jimi

p.s. It's been renamed the "Humble Base Telescope" :mrgreen: And before you say anything BB...yes...that's another new scope right there! (from Russia with Love!)

 

[Nick Gibbs]

I was really fortunate to spend a couple of hours at Chalco last year, having a go at hand engraving. They are great guys and their stamps are beautiful. Thoroughly recommend them.

Nick

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Ooo - that's unusual - a stamp with joined up writing!

Rather a fine bit of work, though.

(I don't mean to imply that mark-makers can't do joined up writing, it's just that they don't seem to do it much when making stamps.)

P.S. Nice to see Alfie and Jimi back again, too. That's quite a smart new kennel you've got there, Alfie!

 

[Gary Morris]

Hi, a fine looking stamp, I used to make similar when I was younger, using a 3d pantograph. Some of the guys I worked with used to make them by hand, as it looks like yours was.

Gary

 

[condeesteso]

I have started marking things. Just happened to be using an old woodie block plane converted into a mini-scrub today and it crossed my mind to name it.
(if the use of a mini-scrub is of any interest, please see my thread 'another box'.

The plane was a gift from Sputnik Jim, and is much appreciated. I just did the cedar (of Lebanon) drawer base undersides with it - I like to leave makers marks in obscure places.

A really fine piece of work Ian (Chalco), much respect from me.

 

[jimi43]

WOW Douglas...that's the BIZ!!!

The dark wood shows it off a treat...glad it worked out...now your name will go down in history and at a bootfair near you in 2050.....a toolie will say to another toolie on the virtual forum...."Hey...you remember...the VISE MAN" :mrgreen:

Jim