About Union Hill Antique Tools

I created my first antique tool web site in 1995. This makes it the first tool-related web site on the internet! Over time it has also proved very popular, getting about 3000 hits per day as of early 2000.

 

It is dedicated to the use, preservation, and extension of wood turning and antique tool knowledge, Human-powered tools, invented and used before the advent of electric motors, made possible all subsequent advances in mechanical and electronic machinery.

 

The history of these tools, the ideas of the men who invented them, and the skills required for their use are all areas I feel it is important to preserve. Tools are an extension of the human mind - the capabilities of the tool not only extend and shape the ways we think of things, but limit our thoughts as well. Factories cannot produce without tools, and neither can any artist.

 

I believe that a knowledge of tools and their use is a foundation upon which you can build anything - understand the tools involved, and you can create whatever you can imagine. The scope, variety, and ingeniousness of tools is virtually mind-boggling. People have invented tools to do practically everything, and it would be impossible to try and present the entire breadth.

 

This site will present information on some of my favorite tools, those basic tools used in the wood and metal industries to create works of art, practical necessities, or other, more complex tools. In general, I categorize these as woodworking and metalworking tools.

 

Note: One question I often get in email is "How much is my widget worth?" See my tool appraisals page for more information.

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                                                                         Steve