We have a small batch of these No. 66 Beading Tools in Iron, which we have made a few times over the years. When these are gone, it will be some time before we make them again. We reserve the right to limit one per customer.
This Beading Tool can quickly produce a wide range of decorative profiles without the fuss and fiddle of setting up an electric router.
Derived from an early, generously proportioned Stanley No. 66, it has a Ductile Iron body and Bronze blade clamp. Two Bronze fences are included, one for curved work and one for straight work, and can be adjusted along the slot across the bottom of the tool.
The Beading Tool comes with seven double-ended blades for a total of 14 different profiles for beading, reeding, and fluting. Also included is a double-ended blade blank that can be worked with files to make your own shapes, which makes quick work of reproducing small pieces of molding for repair or restoration.
The blade profiles include:
Blades are 5/8" wide x .060" thick and made from hardened, A2 Tool Steel. Will also fit the antique Stanley No. 66.
View our YouTube video "Beading Tool: Setup, Use and Sharpening" here:
Click here to download a PDF copy of the instructions for this tool.
Although the modern electric router is a universal and useful tool, many woodworkers will find the Beading Tool handy and fun to use for making a wide variety of decorative moldings, beading, reeding, and fluting with a minimum of fuss.
The blades will fit antique Stanleys as well, for those who have or acquire one without blades.
The set of blades consists of 7 double-ended blades with a total of 14 shapes, plus a double-ended blade blank. Each blade is designed to work as a scraping blade — generally while pulling the tool, though at times pushing will seem most comfortable — to remove a small shaving per stroke. In some cases, the larger shapes will work best if you lower them in the clamp as the work progresses for maximum rigidity.
The blades should be sharpened by stoning the flat. Only rarely will work need to be done on the shape itself, with slipstones.
The blade blank is not hardened, and may be worked with files to produce various shapes. The blank is hard enough to last a reasonable amount of time without heat treating.
The Beading Tool comes with a straight fence, which is used for most jobs, and a curved fence which is used when the edges of the work are not straight. Both are adjustable in the slot across the width of the bottom of the tool.
Iron body, Bronze fences, Stainless Steel blade clamp, and Brass thumb screws. The castings are fully stress relieved, a process that removes inherent stresses. The profiled blades are made of A2 tool steel hardened to Rockwell 60-62.
Oil the blades to prevent rust. We recommend Jojoba Oil, a plant based oil product that is non-toxic, odor-free and easy to use.
Materials and workmanship are guaranteed for the life of your tool. Call for repairs or replacement parts. We are available for advice if you ever have a problem using your tool.
Bronze and brass alloys contain lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
