An early Ford Jack sold on ebay last eve. It, like many others, showed signs of silver paint.
The full ebay listing with other photos:
www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Ford-Jack-Model-A-Buckeye-Jack-Co-/280959578350?nma=true&si=mVgGfcpicaPxUnpjnUniz%2BQx0sM%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557#ht_500wt_1327
I think this is further evidence that these were not painted black as stated in the new judging standards.
Prior discussion:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/242806.html?1319645831
Any comments?
So they were silver painted originally. Anybody found a handle together with his Buckeye jack? I've never seen a picture of what the handle should look like?
Think this is the handle, all metal, sorta like a club!
Attached are 2 photos of the handle that goes with this type jack. The rusty one is an original-it is hollow. The painted one is a reproduction-it is solid.
Dan snuck his post in while I was trying to load 3 photos. here is the third:
THANKS DAN!
I have an original handle and it shows no signs of a silver - I have seen both here on the forum, but I am not convinced that they were original or redone using radiator paint. I'd think that to keep up with Ford Production they too were going to the black paints which were faster drying - and I can't see them having two coating lines. My $.02 if it's worth anything...
But Ford didn't make them, they were supplied by Buckeye, the same as the tire pumps were supplied by Bridgeport--and they were trimmed with a orangeish-red (many have traces) as shown in Peter Ratledge's tool display for his 1911.
Thanks for the handle pictures ;)
Mark, the faster drying theory seems to be a myth - from Trent Bogges research: "Authorities on paint in the 1920's noted that black paint tended to last longer than paints with lighter colored pigments. Second, as mentioned above, the addition of Gilsonite improved the damp resisting properties and the final gloss of the paint, but also resulted in a very dark colored paint. The range of colors that asphaltum paints can have is quite limited. The dark color of the Gilsonite limits the color of the final paint to dark shades of maroon, blue, green or black. Cost may also have been a factor. The carbon black pigment used in these paints is probably the least expensive pigment available; almost any other pigment is more expensive than carbon black. One often cited reason for the use of Japan black on the Model T was that it allegedly dried faster than any other paint. However, there is no evidence in either the Ford engineering records or the contemporary literature on paint, to indicate that that was the case. The drying time of oven baking Japan black is no different from the drying time of other colored oven baking paints of the period. In short, Model T's were not painted black because black dried faster. Black was chosen because it was cheap and it was very durable."
Here's an ad for Buckeye jacks showing replacement wood handles.
I don't remember which number of Buckeye jack was used, but I read it once in a Ford Times magazine from about 1911-1913.
: ^ )
Keith
I could be mistaken but I don't think metallic paints even existed until the late 40s. I could see parts being plated zinc, nickel or terne-plate but certainly not painted silver during the Model T era. The silver paint color would have been done at a later date.
Here is the ad for Buckeye Jacks that was run in early Ford Times. (pre 1913).
Looks dark colored in the advertisement. For sure not silver.
The Jack used is the No. 3.
Here is the adv from the Feb 1912 Ford Times:
: ^ )
Keith
OK - Black drying faster is a myth, but it is more durable. If I were producing tools as opposed to modern snow plows, I'd want the tool to have a durable finish like said plow...
Still works - most tools in that time period are painted black just like the original handle above and the one I have.
I don't think those No.3 jacks would be carried around under the seat of Model T. Cripes, that thing weighs 85 pounds! 12 Ton capacity? Must be for a Ford tractor or dozer. Or better yet, a Ford rail car.
Careful comparison of the pictures in the catalog and the Times ad reveals differences. The catalog jack has a ring and a flat upper surface, the Times jack has a curved top and no ring. Must be a different series No 3.