In this section I will try to outline the tools that MARPLES manufactured that were associated with Picture Framing.
Below are the listings that I can find in the catalogues. There are no entries to show that the production of a picture frame was an issue that was beyond the capabilities of the average craftsman before 1888 but then we find this:
By 1897 the range has expanded a little:
1909 sees the inevitable change of numbering system:
Next is the 1921 Catalogue, truncated due to the past war:
The next large catalogue, 1928, is shown below:
We then jump to the next full sized catalogue of 1938:
After the war the next full catalogue is published 13 years later in 1959!!:
We then come to the 1965 Catalogue:
By the time that the slim 1971-2 catalogue came around:
The table below was constructed from all the information gleaned from the 1909 onwards catalogues. The information on these products prior to 1909 is available for you on the pages above.
It is curious that item #6826 in the 1921 Catalogue appears to have been swifly re-numbered to #6836 in the 1928 Catalogue. I do not know whether the initial insertion of 1921 was a numbering error or whether this is a true re-numbering.
Shamrock Mitre Planer:
This heavy duty double sided mitre planer #6798 is first seen in the 1909 Catalogue and was available into the 1928 Catalogue but not shown in 1938.
Marples must have bought out the Patent on ‘Hutchens Patent Mitre Shooter, [which was available before 1909] in order to continue production.
It had 2 opposing cutters which were actuated by a side lever as shown below:
Mitre Cutting Machine:
First seen in the 1897 Catalog as Item #2163 and in 1909 as Item #6800. This machine was overtaken by the ‘Imperial Mitre Cutting Machine, which was slightly bigger and therefore #6800 is not seen in the 1921 Catalogue:
M1; M2; M3 and M4 Mitre Block and Mitre Box:
In the September 1989 Price List we see that Marples Ridgway introduced 2 new Mitre Boxes and 2 new Mitre Blocks:
Here are pictures of a rare MW3 Mitre Box. [Note that it has a ‘Square Cut’ position…the 6820 did not:
These were short lived in that by early 1991 they no longer appear for sale.
#6806 Marvel Mitre Cutter was the best Mitre Cutter jig that Marples produced. It had reversible jaws and was only made 1959-73.
#6807 Mitre Cutting Clamp. was first produced by Marples Ridgway in Feb 1984. It was to replace the #6808 but with no saw guide adjusters and was basically a cheapened product. It was available until 1996
#6808 Junior Mitre Cutter. This aid was produced from 1959 to 1983:
#6809 Combination Square and Mitre Cutter:
Actually the number 6809 was originally ascribed to ‘Amateur Corner Cramps in 1909 but this tool was swiftly replaced by #6810 ‘Improved Corner Cramps’. The number 6809 was then taken up in 1965 by the ‘Combination Square and Mitre Cutter‘ as shown below and this tool was eventually de-listed in 1983.
#6814 Brass Mitre Templets are first to be found in 1897 {#2157G} in sizes 3.1/2″; 4.1/2″ and 6″.[Actually there was a Brass Mitre Templet shown in the 1888 catalogue, but of a more solid design than later] . Re-numbered #6814 in 1909, the line continued but after WWII the 3.1/2″ size was dropped, the tools being eventually dis-continued around November 1963. Shown below are 2 sizes of Templets.
#6815 Iron Mitre Templets, were only ever available in a 6″ size and between 1909 and August 1973. Nickel plated:
#6816 Mitre Blocks :
I can trace the exact same Mitre Block back to 1897 and forward to its’ possible demise in 1993. Unfortunately you will not find too many of these tools because they have been sawn into extinction by the owners NOT inserting a thin strip of wood on the base to prevent the oversawing of the manufactured slots. This is most prevalent in the Mitre Boxes….too many have been destroyed by not accurately adjusting the saw guides and NOT putting a strip of wood on the base portion.
You will see that there were a number of Item# changes with time, as well as a change in length. In 1897 they are listed as ‘Beech Mitre Blocks‘ #2150E and with 10″; 12″; and 16″ lengths.
In 1909 although the picture ‘number’ is wrong [8616] the text is correct with a new number of 6816 and this number endured until the product was discontinued[but see October 1990]. But it is still available in the 3 lengths as before.
As with many other tools, after WWI this product is not listed as being available, but it re-appears in 1928, but now only as 10″ and 12 “ lengths.
The Catalogue entries for 1938 and 1959 are the same, having the same item number and both 10 and 12 inch lengths. 1959 is shown here:
In 1965 the entry has been reduced to just a 10 inch size:
Catalogue #16 shows a similar entry of #6816 which persisted to September 1972 when the number was changed to M6816, still with only a 10 inch length being available. This state of affairs lasted until at least November 1980, but in the February 1984 list the number has been changed to MR6816 and the length is indicated as 10.1/2″ [Marples/Ridgway]. Curiously the listing of March 1986 states the length as being again 10″, but this must be an error as in August 1987 it is again listed as being 10.1/2″.
This persisted until the July 1989 listing which indicates that the number is now MW2 [10.1/2″]. There is an MW1 shown at 9″.
By May 1991 the number has reverted to MR6816 and this number lasted until the de-listing of this tool around 1992.
Below are shown 2 photos of a 6816 10″ c.1972
#6820 Beechwood Mitre Boxes were available 1909-1982 and they came in two sizes ‘To take Mouldings up to’ 3″x2″ and 4″x 2″. As of catalogue 1928 these were called No. 1 and No.2. These were the basic no nonsense box with no metal saw guides [#6821] and no provision for ‘Square cuts. See below:
#6821 Improved Mitre Box. Improved in that it was the same as #6820 but was fitted with metal saw guides. To saw ‘square’, one end was used having a projecting base piece… 1928 Catalogue image below:
As with #6820 there were 2 sizes [No.1 and No.2] which could hold mouldings 3×2 inches and 4×2 inches respectively. Below is the information leaflet that appeared in many of these Mitre Boxes.
I believe that when the firm was renamed Marples Ridgway the metal guides were replaced by plastic:
When Marples Ridgway introduced their cheap MW series [7/89] [see above] the MR6821 was dropped but re-appeared in May 1991. BUT although named MR6821 this iteration did not have any saw guides! [So in essence was a #6820!!] It also had no base extension to enable ‘Square’ cuts.
Around mid 1992 this Mitre Box was no longer offered for sale.
#6844 Mount Cutting Knife. These knives were only available 1928-1938
