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Show your Millers Falls tools!

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Mintgrun

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Kingston, Wa.
I'm guessing you're right, RTM. It'd be the first aluminum one I've seen. It does look like aluminum where the plating remains, but the bare spots look more like pot-metal.
 
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d42jeep

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RTM said:
Are you sure aluminum and not that die cast zinc or pot metal?

Does the square part match any of your Stanley or Union heads? That pattern with the loops makes me think Union, but I thought someone found a Stanley reference too.
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I thought that it would be Union when I picked it up and was surprised to see the MF markings on the rule. I did the magnet test on the square part but I wouldn’t swear to it being aluminum. It seems slightly heavier than expected. It’s definitely not magnetic though.IMG_3755.jpeg
As found.IMG_8340.jpeg
-Don
 
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RTM

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d42jeep said:
I thought that it would be Union when I picked it up and was surprised to see the MF markings on the rule.
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Yeah, unfortunately with *85% of rules being interchangeable, and only about *20% of heads being marked, the chances of swapped pairs is huge. In shops where more than one square exists, and they are different brands, ……

*numbers purely made up.

I found an Empire scale on a Union looking head yesterday, left it behind due to the quantity of rust on both.
 
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INSP380

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Figure I’d post these here in the right topic….Got this beautiful pair of No. 701’s a few weeks ago. I don’t believe they were ever used. The spindle was a little dry, but I added a few drops of Starrett oil and backed them out smoothly and pulled the spindle for a clean and oil job. They are as smooth as butter and right on the money. Very happy to care for and add to my box.

Steve IMG_2630.jpegIMG_2631.jpegIMG_2632.jpeg
 
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INSP380

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four.cycle said:
^ I only bought that thing because it was crazy cheap. I am definitely not a machinist. I suppose at some point I might actually have a need to use it.
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Exactly! I’ve spent 30+ years in QC/ Inspection. My pockets feel empty in the land of “What If’s?” :)

Steve
 
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WisJim

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Menomonie, WI
Catalog 35 was dated 1915, catalog 24 was around 1884, and No 42 was 1938. So they were probably numbered in sequence and there weren't new ones every year. I'll have to look at others that I have too, but these were handy on the shelf.
Catalog 42 (1938) say it is the 70th anniversary issue.
 
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J

JustVicingIt

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May 6, 2025
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Yeah, the print year is 1981 so a definite reprint but still worthwhile for reference. No planes are in it which is kind of a bummer. A couple of spokeshaves though.
 
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RTM

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Here is another one in the “not buying it, just taking a picture of it”

Millers Falls No 22 CBG Jointer plane in a box with a
FSN code5110-243-1525 and
contract number GS-00S-59998

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1758083648235.png
 
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INSP380

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Ok Gang, I need to defer to the experts here. I got these two identical items in a lot of sockets over the weekend. Millers Falls No. 8381’s . Looks like some type of drive coupler as both male & female ends have three sides. The set screw locks the mating part in the female side. Any ideas?

Steve IMG_3061.jpegIMG_3062.jpegIMG_3063.jpegIMG_3064.jpegIMG_3065.jpeg
 
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Ayrhead

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Feb 23, 2020
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Ontario
Miller Falls #188A Push Drill with 3 fluted shank drill bits. My drill bits are not all the same drilling diameter size. Also my drill bits are the drill point style.
 

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Old tool guy

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Looks to be in good condition. I think they are called points, not drill bits. Drill bits have a spiral flute, the points just have a hollow along one side. Probably a better name for it. They drill surprisingly well.
 
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Ayrhead

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Ontario
Old tool guy said:
Looks to be in good condition. I think they are called points, not drill bits. Drill bits have a spiral flute, the points just have a hollow along one side. Probably a better name for it. They drill surprisingly well.
Click to expand...
Yes, I believe you’re correct. Thanks for the reminder.
 
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WisJim

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Menomonie, WI
Back in the early 1900s, when these push drills were a recent invention, the catalogs called the bits being discussed "drill points". and the early push drills were called "automatic drills". Drill points were sold with either a shank to fit the chuck of the automatic or push drill, or a straight shank to fit drills with three jaw chucks. (Goodell Pratt and Millers Falls used one style in early years, and North Bros used a different style of shank in Yankee tools.)
 
A

Ayrhead

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Ontario
WisJim said:
Back in the early 1900s, when these push drills were a recent invention, the catalogs called the bits being discussed "drill points". and the early push drills were called "automatic drills". Drill points were sold with either a shank to fit the chuck of the automatic or push drill, or a straight shank to fit drills with three jaw chucks. (Goodell Pratt and Millers Falls used one style in early years, and North Bros used a different style of shank in Yankee tools.)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the explanation. That would definitely make my tool has drill points as the shank is designed to fit the chuck of the push drill.
 
O

Old tool guy

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And now they are called drill bits. The drill is the tool you hold in your hand, the point or bit is the piece that makes the hole.
 
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Ayrhead

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Old tool guy said:
And now they are called drill bits. The drill is the tool you hold in your hand, the point or bit is the piece that makes the hole.
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Well guys, whatever is the correct terminology for this tool, I have one. I’m calling it a Miller Falls 188A Push Drill. Mine also comes with 3 Fluted Shank Drill Bits. They are all different sizes. I believe my drill bits are a drill point style.
 
J

Jeff590

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May 20, 2015
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162
Location
Fairfax, Va
Does anyone know any details about this hanging tool cabinet? It has "Millers Falls" in raised letters on the front door. Has some original tools, and some missing. I have scanned through a number of old Millers Falls tool catalogs, but can't find it in any.

Thanks!

mfCabinetOpen.jpg
 
M

Mintgrun

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Oct 7, 2015
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Location
Kingston, Wa.
I don't have much to offer, but here's a similar looking box with more tools remaining. Unfortunately, they're spilling out of it and there's only one photo.

1760122157755.png

Miller Falls tool cabinet with complete set of | Proxibid

Bid in a Proxibid online auction to acquire a Miller Falls tool cabinet with complete set of tools from Airworks Consignment Auction, LTD.
www.proxibid.com


Here's another from a completed auction, with the tools still hanging up, but you have to submit information to see more and I don't want to do that.

1760122223525.png

www.liveauctioneers.com

Millers Falls Metal Tool Case With Tools

Millers Falls metal Tool Case with large amount of various tools, case measures 16"x20"x4".
www.liveauctioneers.com www.liveauctioneers.com
 
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INSP380

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Dec 17, 2012
Messages
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Cleveland, Ohio
Cleaned up my Grandfathers No.2 tonight. I remember my father using this while growing up by his side. Always fascinated by it as a kid, and it still moves smooth as butter today. I degreased, hit with some 0000 steel wool and finished with some Wenol & Paste Wax. Add a few drops of Starrett oil and she’s good for another 70 years… :)

SteveIMG_4098.jpegIMG_4092.jpegIMG_4094.jpegIMG_4097.jpeg
 
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MAD

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Western MA
C

crguy

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Jan 24, 2016
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SW Washington
INSP380 said:
Cleaned up my Grandfathers No.2 tonight. I remember my father using this while growing up by his side. Always fascinated by it as a kid, and it still moves smooth as butter today. I degreased, hit with some 0000 steel wool and finished with some Wenol & Paste Wax. Add a few drops of Starrett oil and she’s good for another 70 years… :)

SteveIMG_4098.jpegIMG_4092.jpegIMG_4094.jpegIMG_4097.jpeg
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It's missing the side handle, I'd find one and make it complete and easier to use.
 
E

Eric Brown

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Jun 14, 2024
Messages
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RTM said:
I've never found the love of the side handle. I find I have better control with the main handle. How do you use it (hold it) that you feel the side handle helps?
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If you can use your chest to push on the handle then the side handle is in a good location to steady while the other hand cranks.
 
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INSP380

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crguy said:
It's missing the side handle, I'd find one and make it complete and easier to use.
Click to expand...
That explains the screw hole in the rear ! I have never seen one with it & this one has been A.W.O.L for at least 60 years. Was it Std. on the No. 2’s? Thank you for the info, guess I need to get busy looking!

Steve
 
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