Item R5 - Panel Slitting Gage. Beautiful and “Different” Tool
Here is a slitting gage made in a panel gage
form with a plane tote-like body handle and a beam that holds the fence at
distances of up to 12 inches from the edge. The tool is made of a dark tropical
wood that is probably some species of rosewood.that has a beautiful dark color
and finish, with a fairly straight grain. The gage has a fence that has a
torpedo shape (in cross section and a fully brass plated face that runs along
the edge of the work piece. The fence locks against the front of the square arm
with a brass fixing screw the tightens from the front of the fence. The fence is
7 ¾ inches long, 1” deep, and is fully faced with a thick brass plate. The body
is 5” long with a brass plated sole. It is contiguous with a carved tote having
an ovoid hand hold and long, graceful horn above the hand hold. Made of the same
wood as the fence and beam it is in top condition, with perfect finish, and no
chips or cracks. The slitter on this gage is not knife-like, but is a relatively
large, freely rotating “pizza” wheel that is 2” diameter, and is fixed with a
large central slotted screw that allows easy removal for sharpening. Outside of
the slitting wheel is a brass depth gage that allows the slitter to cut from
about 3/16” depth to as deep as 3/4”. The depth gage rests on the stock and has
its ends formed to avoid snagging on the stock. This can only be described as a
beautiful tool, probably made by a master craftsman. Uses that come to mind
include work in book binding, cutting multiple layers of paper; but more likely
it was made as a veneer cutter, probably associated with the manufacture of fine
musical instruments. Not marked by maker or patent, this is, in fact, and
example of the slitting gage patented by Thomas Rice (Boston) on Sept. 9, 1873
(No.
142,584}. about it, DATAMP says, "This
is the most famous of the patented slitters. Production pieces were very
high-quality, made of solid rosewood, with a large steel rotary cutter held in
place by a brass fence". The patent describes uses including splitting
wood, cloth, and pasteboard. It clearly deserves an owner who appreciates fine tools.
Fine
Price - $250.00
RETURN to forsale list.