Patina Tools

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PATINA strives to increase the understanding & appreciation of tools, processes & past manufacturing.

09/19/2026

As I transition out of my VP role at PATINA, I am reminded of the many friends that I’ve made in the tool and woodworking community. Many of them have gone on to the eternal woodshop! They passed on knowledge, and even their tool collections to me as an acknowledgment of that friendship and my contributions to the tool community. I hope someone steps up to take over my role and benefits in a similar way.

Through my involvement with PATINA, I was rewarded yesterday with a gift of the most amazing workbench. Here is my “new” workbench! It was custom made, one of a kind, with awesome detail! Best to all, John Davis.

09/13/2026

Today is the day for our Patina Tools meeting.

Head on down to The American Legion McLean Post 270 in McLean, VA.

Our tailgating starts at 9am, followed by our mini auction at 11 and then our speaker.

We have some unique things for you. Member and non-members are welcome to attend!!

09/12/2026

Reminder that we have our next Patina meeting tomorrow, 13 September 2026.

We have an awesome program for you, which we detail further below on our page.

Tailgating starts at 9 at American Legion Post 270.

09/10/2026

It will be a great weekend with the Patina tools 13 September 2026 meeting at the American Legion Post 270 in McLean, VA.

We have already mentioned our tailgating sale between 9-11, we have also mentioned our mini-auction after the tailgating (which includes the wonderful shipwright tool chest) but importantly we will have a keynote speaker and presentation.

Bruce Johnson, is a descendant of the Hermon Chapin family.

Bruce Johnson was raised outside Syracuse, New York, and attended college at Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in mechanical engineering. He has recently retired from a career that has taken him from designing industrial paper, film, and foil converting machines to high-speed automation machine lines. Now retired, he has been able to dedicate more time to his passion for collecting molding planes and other tools manufactured by his ancestors the Chapin family of New England and documenting the shared families genealogies.

During the meeting he will talk about how the connection between his family to Hermon Chapin occurred, the history of Union Factory of Pine Meadow, CT, and the transitioning of Union Factory over the generations until it was acquired by Stanley Rule and Level. He will also have an assortment of tools, documents, and letters from his collection on display.

The Hermon, Nathan, and Philip Chapin businesses were probably the most prolific plane makers and they also made Boxwood and Ivory rules. We encourage anyone with Chapin documents or tools to bring them for show and tell or for sale.

09/06/2026

As if the tools for sale are not enough, in our next meeting on 13 September 2026 we will hold a mini-auction right after the tailgate sale.

Around 11am, we will pivot to our mini-auction, which will include a Shipwrights tool chest with beautiful mahogany panels on the lid interior, twisted rope trim, a painted canvas top cover typical of the use, as well as the contents of molding and smooth planes, saws, chisels, etc. The original owner worked in the Baltimore Shipyards.

So come on down at American Legion Post 270 in McLean, VA on 13 September 2026!

09/01/2026

Welcome to September!

Our next meeting will be 13 September 2026 and what a program we have for everyone.

Our keynote speaker will be Bruce Johnson, a descendant of the Hermon Chapin family.
Bruce Johnson was raised outside Syracuse, New York, and attended college at Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in mechanical engineering. He has recently retired from a career that has taken him from designing industrial paper, film, and foil converting machines to high-speed automation machine lines. Now retired, he has been able to dedicate more time to his passion for collecting molding planes and other tools manufactured by his ancestors the Chapin family of New England and documenting the shared families genealogies.

During the meeting he will talk about how the connection between his family to Hermon Chapin occurred, the history of Union Factory of Pine Meadow, CT, and the transitioning of Union Factory over the generations until it was acquired by Stanley Rule and Level. He will also have an assortment of tools, documents, and letters from his collection on display.

Before our speaker, we will our tailgate sale starting at 9am. We have a surprise for our mini auction starting at 11am: a
Shipwrights tool chest with beautiful mahogany panels on the lid interior, twisted rope trim, a painted canvas top cover typical of the use, as well as the contents of molding and smooth planes, saws, chisels, etc. The original owner worked in the Baltimore Shipyards. Other incoming donations will be added.

Get ready!

07/12/2026

We start our tailgating this morning at 9 for the PATINA Tools Meeting - 12 July 2026. See you at the American Legion Post 270 in McLean, VA.

07/11/2026

Tomorrow is the PATINA Tools Meeting - 12 July 2026! Just a reminder that our events are open to members and non-members alike!

We start at 0900 for some awesome tailgating. Come down for great tools. If you cannot find something you're looking for, ask around!

At 1100 we will have a mini-auction indoors before our speaking program.

Speaking of which, Carl Maples will give a presentation on the research he conducted on a set of twelve late 18th century Virginia upcountry mahogany federal side chairs, originally made for Carter Hall in Clarke County. The research involved examining two of the chairs located in museums and one located at the Clermont Farm Historic Site in Clarke County. A fourth chair currently in a private collection was examined through photographs taken during an earlier museum examination. The inspection of the chairs was to determine if the chairs were from the same set and possibly made by the same chairmaker. After measuring the chairs, a mahogany copy was made with hand tools, and the seat was covered with period correct upholstery. An article on the project was published in the 2025 edition of American Period Furniture, the Journal of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers.

Carl Maples is a retired airline pilot. He has been making or restoring furniture as a hobby since he was a teenager. He is a member of the Society of American Period furniture Makers (SAPFM) and works primarily with hand tools. For 20 years he has volunteered at the Burwell Morgan Mill historic site in Millwood Virginia where he demonstrates hand tool woodworking. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Clermont Farm state historic site in Clarke County Virginia.

07/10/2026

It is almost the weekend and time for the PATINA Tools Meeting - 12 July 2026 at the American Legion Post 270 in McLean Va.

We have a great speaker coming as you have already seen. Before that, tailgating will begin at 9AM. The program will commence at 11:00 with a mini-auction. Bring some good stuff that you no longer need. A minimum opening bid or reserve is permitted so we can improve the quality of items. No fee. Donations accepted.
Please bring visitors, spouses, and any guests!

07/07/2026

Here is the scoop for the PATINA Tools Meeting - 12 July 2026.

For our July program, Carl Maples will give a presentation on the research he conducted on a set of twelve late 18th century Virginia upcountry mahogany federal side chairs, originally made for Carter Hall in Clarke County. The research involved examining two of the chairs located in museums and one located at the Clermont Farm Historic Site in Clarke County. A fourth chair currently in a private collection was examined through photographs taken during an earlier museum examination. The inspection of the chairs was to determine if the chairs were from the same set and possibly made by the same chairmaker. After measuring the chairs, a mahogany copy was made with hand tools, and the seat was covered with period correct upholstery. An article on the project was published in the 2025 edition of American Period Furniture, the Journal of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers.

Carl Maples is a retired airline pilot. He has been making or restoring furniture as a hobby since he was a teenager. He is a member of the Society of American Period furniture Makers (SAPFM) and works primarily with hand tools. For 20 years he has volunteered at the Burwell Morgan Mill historic site in Millwood Virginia where he demonstrates hand tool woodworking. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Clermont Farm state historic site in Clarke County Virginia.

Make sure to attend this meeting. We will have our tools and our unique program.

Event is open to members and non-members.

Address

10211 Lewis Dr
Damascus, MD
20872

Website

http://www.patinatools.org/

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