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Thomas B. Rayl, Dealer

The spelling Rayleis also found, sometimes in the same article.


Description of Wooden Clamps

The information below is provided by examining the only known example, photographed through the courtesy of John Adams, the owner; it is a pleasure to work with him.

The specimen is 18 inches long. The pictures include a quarter inch grid background, so that dimensions can be estimated.

Marks

Mark of dealer T. B. RaylThe mark is incused in a rectangle. It does not closely match the mark given in Guide to American Wooden Planesby Pollak.

Jaws

At the moment, I have no graphics of the chamfering on the jaws.

Spindles

The spindles are distinct.

ends of handles, showing traces of turningsThe ends of the handles bear the traces of their turning. Oddly enough, these traces differ.

Through Spindle

handle of through spindle, T. B. RaylThe handle of the through spindle is cylindrical, not waisted, with a taper at some 45 degrees to the flat end. The taper detail can be seen plainly in the earlier picture of the handle ends.

At the moment, I have no graphics of the end of the through spindle.

Stopped Spindle

handle of stopped spindle, T. B. RaylThe handle of the stopped spindle is also cylindrical, with a taper at some 45 degrees to the flat end. The transition to the threads has a uniform taper.

end of the stopped spindleThe end of the stopped spindle shows the roots of the threads quite plainly.

Description of Composite Clamps

Reno Vise

On page 98 of the 1880s catalog is a cross-section of "The Reno Hand Screw", almost as if it were taken from the patent application. Clearly visible is the maker's mark "Reno Vise Co., Detroit, Mich."

The accompanying text:

This Hand Screw is constructed with iron screws working through iron nuts inserted in the upper jaw [the through jaw], The screw ends being squared in the handle to prevent turning. Screws do not strip nor swell in damp weather. More pressure can be obtained with less power and no danger of twisting off handles.

The same illustration appears in the 1905 catalog, even though the Reno Vise Company had been out of existence for several years.

Sources

1880s Catalog

The EAIA reprinted in 1973 a catalog, presumed to date from the late 1880s, from an original in their library.

1905 catalog

I have not had an opportunity to examine this in detail.


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