Replies

1. 
   ErnieConover | Jun 02, 2006 09:02pm | #1

   What you have is a specialized float for some specific purpose. What that purpose is, I cannot say? A float is a VERY coarse single cut file principally for filing soft metals such as lead and pewter. Before Bondo they were standard kit for the body repairman. They were used also in the working of bone, tortoise shell and even wood. In fact plane makers used specialized floats to form the mouth of a wood plane.

   Floats could be made by striking a metal blank repeatedly with a cold chisel (although your was probably turned in a metalworking lathe.). They could also be made by filing across an appropriate blank with a triangular file.

   Your example was for cutting perfectly half round channels in something. Perhaps another reader can give us a clue.

   With best regards,
   Ernie Conover

2. 
   chuckh | Jun 03, 2006 04:22pm | #2

   Hey DT,

   Even more curious, what is the picture of the wood framed chopper?  Is that OCC's latest creation for Home Depot? :)

   -Chuck

    

1. 
   ErnieConover | Jun 05, 2006 04:10pm | #3

   This photo has been floating around the internet for a long time. It is a "Rat Bike" which is a type of strange home brew ride poplar in Europe for the most part. It has a 22 hp Honda engine and the front end sports a Earls Fork first used by BMW starting in the 50s. For more information go to: http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/04/wood_motorcycle.html.