Author Topic: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer  (Read 3180 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline lptools

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3065
A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« on: May 18, 2017, 05:05:26 PM »
Hello, I picked this up today, just thought it was a complex mechanism I couldn't live without.  Turns out it is missing one of the base feet, and the tray that catches the shavings. I have another post in the By Sell Trade Forum. Regards, Lou
Member of PHARTS-  Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society

Offline Plyerman

  • CONTRIBUTOR
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1649
  • Northern Michigan
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2017, 02:40:15 PM »
That thing is fantastic! I definitely would have bought it, just for the old/complex/cool factor. Even the name is awesome!

Soooo, have you tried it out yet? :-)
My friends call me Bob. My wife calls me a lot worse.

Offline turnnut

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1861
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2017, 08:37:17 PM »
 Lou, in your last picture, that bracket sticking out to the left,  if you swung it 90 degrees left, would
 it line up with the bottom hole ??

  to me, it looks like it may have been mounted on a wall,  if you rotated it, it looks like you could mount it on a desk or board.

  just a thought.  Frank

Offline lptools

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3065
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2017, 05:05:12 AM »
Hello, Frank. Former owner maay have done that (mounted it to a wall), but in the process, the original second leg/foot was lost. Regards, Lou
Member of PHARTS-  Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society

Offline lptools

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3065
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2017, 03:55:41 PM »
Hello, Bob. I put it to the test, and my efforts were pointless:-) I used a modern hexagon pencil, and the pointer struggled. I took out my pocket knife, whittled the pencil down, and got better results, but still not sharp. I will try to find an older, thinner, round pencil. Regards, Lou      P.S., Frank, the holes line up in both directions.
Member of PHARTS-  Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society

Offline turnnut

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1861
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2017, 04:09:34 PM »
 if this is the right patent, as I believe it is, it was patented in Canada.

 patent number 52038  (Canadian )  issued to George Frederick Ballou from New York and assigned to the A.B. Dick Co.

 patent issued on April 21st, 1896
   

Offline lptools

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3065
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2017, 06:14:33 PM »
Hello, Here is an update on the repair of the sharpener. I bought another one for parts to get the leg set. To my dismay, one of the legs on the U-shaped base was broken. So, my welder friend cut off the top of the single good leg, and welded it on the the broken U-shaped leg set. Who says you can't weld cast metal????? The photo shows a West System epoxy fill, there was a little metal loss after the repair. Also am in the process of having the chip drawer fabricated by our tin knocker. A lot of help from some good friends/mechanics. Regards, Lou
Member of PHARTS-  Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society

Offline Plyerman

  • CONTRIBUTOR
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1649
  • Northern Michigan
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2017, 07:57:23 PM »
Looking good Lou! Kudos on your efforts to restore this old treasure.
My friends call me Bob. My wife calls me a lot worse.

Offline lptools

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3065
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2017, 10:22:18 PM »
Hello, Bob. Thanks for the support. I now have the chip drawer, time for some grinding, sanding, and paint. Regards, Lou
Member of PHARTS-  Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society

Offline Plyerman

  • CONTRIBUTOR
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1649
  • Northern Michigan
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #9 on: July 26, 2017, 10:04:30 PM »
Sweet! I'm looking forward to the finished pics :wink:
My friends call me Bob. My wife calls me a lot worse.

Offline Chillylulu

  • CONTRIBUTOR
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1533
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2017, 07:18:39 PM »
I think that type may have been used by draftsmen.  Prior to CAD, we used pencils and drew on vellum.
Until the mechanical pencils of today we used bigger leads in holders. They needed sharpening / pointing.   The leads were about 5" long, a bit over 1/8" in diameter. A pointer was kept nearby.

Chilly.

Offline lptools

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3065
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2017, 07:32:58 PM »
Hello, Chilly. Thanks for the info. Now to find one those holders, & the lead. I know they're around here somewhere!!!! Regards, Lou
Member of PHARTS-  Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society

Offline J.A.F.E.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 409
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2017, 11:00:34 PM »
I see the holders from time to time at the tool swaps and no doubt antique swaps would offer a selection. They are still made but not as many brands or selections available as in the day. Staples had some last time I was in. Leads are still available new and usually I can buy them cheaper new than the vendors want for the vintage stuff. The leads used to come in a wide variety of hardness and at one time colors.
All my taste is in my tools.

Offline lptools

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3065
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #13 on: September 04, 2017, 02:25:37 PM »
Hello, Sharpener base repair & chip drawer update. Holes, cracks, and voids filled, sanding & filing done!!!!!!!  Ready for paint. Regards, Lou
Member of PHARTS-  Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society

Offline lptools

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3065
Re: A B Dick Planetary Pencil Pointer
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2017, 04:02:27 PM »
Hello, Here are photos of the repaired legs and chip drawer. I wasn't too fussy about the finish or paint job, I didn't want it to look too new!!!!!   Thanks for looking, Lou
Member of PHARTS-  Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society