The THUMB MOULD.
By: Dr Joseph Hemingway
Today we have the spindle molder, and electric hand router, to assist us, to mould timber.
. Note: In the early days, this job would only done by human hands
One question from then? Is the same today? How have to achieve, The Perfect Finnish.
The Device.
This devise has derived its name, from the side view-shape a human thumb. (Ether hand).
Note: Place the second finger on the palm side of the hand. i.e.: The Thumb.
Straight opposite its nail base, is the image, (the side view) is what we call today.The Scratch Stock.
: The Thumb Mould.
How I found out this information.
My apprentiship with: Taylor & Hobson Ltd (1851-1991)
Who incident, went back further than: 1851?
Albert Taylor & Son. Are trading at the Beast Market, Ordusfield, (Huddersfield) in1840.
FB Hobson. & Son. Are trading at: 26.Manchester Street, Ordusfield,(Huddersfield)in 1851
F B Hobson came to Ordusfield, in 1865? From, London.
Note: Manchester Street had a name change in 1865, into New Street.
Note: The Name change in 1899, when the 2 firms above Amalgamated into: Taylor & Hobson Ltd.
How the Scratch Stock was replaced.
By The wooden Jack Plane.
The Scratch Stock.
The Scratch Stock was the most frequently used tool in any Cabinet shop, to put mould on timber.
HOW WAS THE WOOD FINNISHED
Before the Hand Plane came into use.
The cabinet scraper was the only tool available to finishing all work.
So a Scratch Stock would be used for all kinds of work in every workshop.
For No sand paper was around until: after: 1800
HOW IT MAKE.
To make a Scratch Stock is quite easy. For it only consists of utalising scap wood only.
Note: a slot is first made in the body of the tool parelel to its thickness of the timber,
to take a steel blade, held on place by 2 wood screws, (one eather side).
Note:A profile is then made to the disired shape,from a thin piece of steel.
To shape it we require a file, for the steel.
Note: a shape hook is made on both edges Which is turned over with a hard steel.
The Scratch Stock works best on wood which has a dense grain, but it will work,on any wood surface
Note: One reason why Cuban Mahogany was used by: Thomas Chippendale, and his associates,around 1750.
The Scratch stock, used a scraping action, which gradually cuts away fibers from the wood surface, into the mould.
The Scratch Stock is now drawn along the item several times, repeatedly until the desired shape is formed.
The Stock.may be used on the face. or maybe? to apply decorative element to edge too.
A Scratch Stock.
The L shape produning downwards, is named the fence,
this is then pushed against the edge of the piece being mouldedn, Then drown backwoods & forwards,
to mould the timber. To the desired mould.
The Scratch Blade.
The cutter is located any where along the edge, from the 90% fence.
and held in place by 2 wood screws. One ether side.
It is made from an old disused Saw Blade, (The Cheapest Way).
it is then easily shaped with a saw file.
Note:Quite deep cuts can be achieved with this tool..
Note: A shooting block is applied to the Opposite side to the scraping action,
Which os held by, the Gee Clamp,To prevent breakout at the opposite end of the cut.
The End.