J.T. PUGH Auger bits

[stanley62]

I saw a canvas tool roll with approx. 50% of the auger bits inside labeled Pugh this weekend.  The canvas roll was in great condition, the strap intact and teh buckle still in place.  I hadn't heard of Pugh, so I passed.  Anyone know anything about this company and their auger bits?  I found a little on Google and it looks like a very old company dating back to late 1700's.  The bits with canvas roll were $30.  Maybe I should go back and get them??? The other bits in the roll were Russell Jennings.  I know they are a good brand.
Jim

[BruceS]

Original Russell Jennings or Stanley version ?    I love my Boxed Stanley version of the Russ Jennings augers.   Have never tried the Pugh augers.

[stanley62]

Not sure what version of Russell Jennings and there were only a few.  I was only looking to see if they were Pugh.
Jim

[rusty]

What an interesting fellow, started before the decleration of independence was signed. Invented the twist auger for all practical purposes. Puch augers were used to drill the yoke holes in the liberty bell....

http://books.google.com/books?id=zq8pAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA59#v=onepage&q&f=false

Puch is listed (later) as a maker of "Jennings pattern' auger bits....
Which may be why both were mixed in the same roll....

[Branson]

Maybe I should go back and get them???
Jim

Unh, yeah.  This represents one of the great developments of wood working tools -- right up there with the invention of the cap iron for planes, a contemporary development, and the post 1800 Maydole adze eye hammer.  Biggest things to happen to carpentry for a thousand years.

If you don't go get them, let me know where to send my money order, 'cause I *will* buy them.

[OilyRascal]

Maybe you could get them to come down to .25 cents each :-)

[stanley62]

OK Branson...I knew i would kick myself. I just wasn't sure what I was looking at until I came home and did some research.  I'll go back tomorrow and see if it is still there.  If I decide to sell them, I'll be looking for your money order.

  Jim

[jimwrench]

 Donnelly had a full set;new condition with paper label in wood box in 1997 catalog for $165. thats his description. 13 bits in box.

[Branson]

OK Branson...I knew i would kick myself. I just wasn't sure what I was looking at until I came home and did some research.  I'll go back tomorrow and see if it is still there.  If I decide to sell them, I'll be looking for your money order.

  Jim

You're on!

[stanley62]

Well, I snuck out at lunch and the Pugh Auger bits are mine.  8 of the bits look correct (4,6,7,9,13,14,15,16) The 10 and 12 are too long for the roll. The 5, 8 and 11 are Russell Jennings.

  Does anyone know how to put a date on this set? 

  Jim

[stanley62]

A couple more pictures.  The mark on the Russell Jennings bits in the set and the roll all rolled up.

Jim

[jimwrench]

 Wasn't able to trace ancestory of this particular Job T Pugh with quick search but did find some Job Pugh's which may be related.
Evidently worked in West Philadelphia in Pugh Alley and stayed there a long time. He was one of two American bit makers who used English steel rather than American steel. An interesting man indeed as Rusty said. Worth some more research.

[rusty]

Job is the second or third generation...
I could not find any information about when the company was incorporated :(
(The roll says Job t Pugh [Inc])....

I did find this kewl thing tho...

[stanley62]

Looks like Job T Pugh was a popular name in the Pugh family.  I found a excerpt from "Association of centenary firms ...blah blah blah"..  thru Google and is says that Benjamin Brooke and his son in law Job T. Pugh began manufacture of augers in 1774.  The firm was known as Brooke and Pugh.  Augers were flat at this time.  In 1790 they made the first double twist auger invented by Pugh.  In 1818 Benjamin Pugh, son of Job T Pugh took over the business and ran it until he died in 1857.  Job T Pugh II then took over. He died in 1885 and the business passed to Job T. Pugh III and A.M. Pugh.  A.M died in 1913 and in 1915 Job T pugh III was in charge.

  The book must be an old one, because it stops talking about the company in 1915.

  Jim

[Branson]

Augers were flat at this time.  In 1790 they made the first double twist auger invented by Pugh.
  Jim

I've never seen a flat auger bit.  What I have seen are spoon bits, tap bits, quill bits,  center bits, and nose auger bits.  Of these, the center bits are more or less flat, but none of the others are flat.