Recent antique store find, I only grabbed it because the handle was odd, looks factory made but no medallion and no etching as far as I can tell, anybody able to identify the maker based off of the tote shape?

In a scrap heap found these 6 planes, couldn't pass up the opportunity see if I could have them. Asked if I could and now there mine.

This pretty much made my day, probably going to try clean them up and find them find them a new home. I hate to to see good tools go to waste.

The photos present different stages of my SOP when restoring auger brace bits. I hope this description will be of use to someone.

Act 1 - Rust

Firstly I inspect the auger bit and here are some questions that you need to ask before spending your time doing work:

Does the snail (threaded point) is intact or is it broken off?

Is it packed with resin and wood dust? Paint or glue?

Are the threads stripped or need a bit of a needle file retouch.

Are the spurs (small wings on sides of bit) grinded off, broken off, filed on outside diameter (Yikes!) or are they in good shape?

Do the tips of spurs reach the bottom of the snail?

Is the bit straight or bend? Do you have means to fix the bend and check concentricity?

Is it badly pitted or the rust is manageable?

What disqualifies the bit: broken or stripped snail, spurs grinded or broken off, filed on outside diameter, badly bent (more than 5°), severe pitting.

Act 2 - Chemical Warfare

I use mostly Backyard Ballistics DIY derusting (chelation) solution for rust removal. I can leave the bits for the time without actively managing the process and even if I forget about them, it does not etch base material. No acids to be used. Good alternative is commercially available chelating agents like Evaporust or electrolysis (don't use salt in water as electrolyte, it off-gasses chlorine gas, baking soda is better)

You need to keep in mind there will be black powdery residue all over the bit you need to clean off mechanically or by ultrasonic bath if you have one.

Act 3 - Elbow grease and shoe polishing

To bring the bit to completion, I mount in the vice (I made a special taper square socket but you could use two pieces of pine to clamp it, it is soft enough to make the negative of the square shank) use ScotchBrite abrasive pads in order: Maroon, Grey and Yellow (corresponding to #320, #600 and #1000 grits) cut into narrow strips to get into nooks and crannies of the bit. I polish it with motion how you would polish a shoe with a rag. When that step is done I sharpen the spurs with auger bit file and touch up snail threads if needed with knife edge needle file. After a bit of research I think the metal rifler file would be better in sense it has closer geometry to snail thread profile. Lastly, I oil the bit with rag soaked in Ballistol (or 3-in-1 Oil or WD-40, whatever you have access to).

And there you go, you can see the progression of each step on the pictures attached. If you have a different approach or methods you use, I would appreciate sharing.

Got extremely lucky last week and purchased a set of chisels that had this rare gem included. You just don't see these very often, so it's always pretty exciting when they surface.

Came across this old beaten piece for 5 euros. Is it worth restoring and using in woodwork, or is it better just to keep it on my shelf as an interior design element?

Made this a couple of years ago, and it has served me well since. I've been wondering about making a bottom half for it to store some of the more awkward tools (plough plane, hollows and rounds). Has anyone seen any interesting designs for that sort of thing, or I might just go with cupboard doors and a shelf.

Hi, I'm looking for options for socket chisels. I've considered Lie Nielsen, but they're out of my budget. While researching, I found some Narex Richter socket chisels, but they don't ship to Mexico, and I'm wondering if that's legitimate since it's the first time I've seen them.

Your comments would be very helpful.

bought this pocket sashigane on Amazon. I'm really interested in structural carpentry from all traditions, but I find the Japanese one particularly fascinating. These squares have \sqrt{2} and \pi scales on the back—those ancient craftsmen were truly ingenious! Does anyone know of a book explaining this technique that isn't in Japanese? For now, I'm just watching whatever I can find on YouTube