The Most Unnecessarily Complicated Antique Tape Dispenser [Restoration]

This restoration is on a pre-1920s Chauncey Wing's Sons mailer/tape dispenser. The tool is one of the most intricate and complex machines I have seen to dispense tape. The modern cost to replicate something like this would be astronomically expensive, but it is beautiful. You can see the original 1894 patent here: patents.google.com/patent/US5...
A viewer sent me this specific tool a few months ago to compliment one that I found which was missing too many parts to be functional. Between the two, I could compile one completely functional tool.
I sandblasted almost every part and wire-wheeled them with a very soft brass wheel, so as to not scratch the brass parts. The handles seemed to be made out of cherry that was heavily varnished. I stripped the old yellowed varnish and applied a thick coating of shellac to the cherry wood. I have to remake the wooden roller that sat in the glue holder, as it was missing.
The original glue holder was repaired and filled with water so I could use some water activated tape that I had lying around.
After the restoration was done and cutters sharpened the tape dispenser worked really well and was surprisingly easy to use. Maybe I'll use it once in a while to tape up special packages that I ship out.
I would like to thank Evapo-Rust for sponsoring this video.
Wrenches are now for sale at www.handtoolrescue.com
Help secure more tools for future videos (if you want):
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Podcast (with Jimmy DiResta and Andrew Alexander) - anchor.fm/fitzall

[@paulpierson2137]

I immediately hit the like button when you took the 20 pound wrench to the one pound tape dispenser.

[@ZReviews]

When it was up and running I understood the whole beauty of this machine. I want one.

[@johnjacop]

I’m not sure if my KZbin app has a bug or what but he posted this video only like 12 minutes ago...but your comment says its from 4 days ago lmao. Unless there is a way you’re able to view content earlier, I’d like to find out!

[@missamo80]

@@johnjacop Patreon early access.

[@abubakrbhyat218]

@@johnjacop mine says the same

[@Infrared73]

@@johnjacop A perk of Patreon. That said, I really enjoy the narrated versions of his videos as the best perk.

[@nolfavrell4244]

woah what a crossover

[@jaleroca1]

I don't why anyone would not like these videos. They are fun, relaxing and just all around wonderful.

[@donparker8246]

I have actually used one of those. When I saw wing mailer, I thought it sounded familiar. I worked at a newspaper and we used plain paper labels printed on a roll and we filled the reservoir with water based glue and did mass out of state mailing labels on the papers. Worked exactly the same as the one I used. Beautiful job once again. 😁👍

[@danielgallagher4322]

Should have read your comment before I "corrected" everyone by stating something similiar. I worked at a newspaper as well. 27yrs

[@mymechanics]

I bet Santa Claus' elves are using the tape dispenser in his workshop. I love the look of the brushed and sandblasted brass with the sanded screws, good job!

[@HandToolRescue]

They are very sexy once cleaned up, and by they, I mean the elves.

[@humanbeing_]

@@HandToolRescue I love the _"The Most Unnecessarily Complicated (insert item name here)"_ videos, lol. Also, we had a TySy & My Mechanics collab, now when's the HTR & My Mechanics collab? IDEA: HTR has about 269 hand planes.... Maybe you could send one of those to my mechanics, and he could send HTR something he has that needs to be restored. Doesn't have to be a hand plane since he you've both done videos on those, but, just an idea to trade pieces to each other; keep things interesting. Maybe the things are Holiday/Christmas (Elves... he heh) related. Great video - Both of you guys are awesome!

[@mercuryrising9174]

@@HandToolRescue maybe I'm the only one that thi is one of the times the camera comes over to the evapo-rust drum you are going to jump out of if with the parts 😂😂😂😂

[@dhgodzilla1]

He sure can Polish a Knob!

[@dahlmasen3084]

@@HandToolRescue Yeah no one likes a stinky elf...

[@chadtesterman456]

I was nearly in tears when there was no sandblast cabinet headbutt. I understand it's new glass but can't we at least still have a slight little boop?

[@HandToolRescue]

Wait until the next video when I drive a truck through the sandblaster window.

[@willclingon2445]

@@HandToolRescue Noooooo!

[@Druzentrop2344]

@@HandToolRescue is this a hint for the next video .

[@pauln2661]

No head bonk. *sad trombone*

[@humanbeing_]

​@@HandToolRescue Favorite one thus far (in the new workshop) was the the running start in the football stance, then lunge/jump from the _"1960s ACME Stapler [Restoration]"_ [ HERE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIWQgHVsmpWGnqs ] --> However, the evil look from _"Soviet Chain Mortiser [Restoration] (Part 1 of 2)"_ [ HERE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5imipSgjthkqLs ] is a close second lol Also.... (I'm dying just thinking about this right now) THIS! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZjPd2Z9mpqln8U from those same videos. So much Shenanigans :)

[@specialsquid]

The Antikythera mechanism of tape dispensers, beautiful job my dude!

[@dukem8774]

Literally just came here from clickspring

[@marklammas2465]

Unique Selling Point: "When not dispensing tape, predicts lunar eclipses"...

[@malachiXX]

@@marklammas2465 That's FANTASTIC! I love it!

[@TysyTube]

Gigantenormus Wrench?😂😂😂🤣🤣 i love it🤭❤️

[@gibbeh3737]

Haha

[@aterack833]

Amazing, two of my faves in one place

[@MohGab]

He's a funny guy. Also, I am a big fan of your channel!

[@skotrod]

It can be yours for the low price of $3499.00

[@HandToolRescue]

It weights 22lbs/10kg!

[@andyking894]

Those lathe chips remind me of the old Tom & Jerry cartoons where they'd chop down a whole tree to make one toothpick, or baseball bat.😂

[@JerryGiesler09]

When Tom made a baseball bat out of a log Spike chewed on while barking at him in leash...

[@TheExplosiveGuy]

I've been a machinist for 15 years, that's essentially what we do lol. I've seen a 5 foot long rod of titanium 4 inches in diameter (it cost about a year's worth of my salary) shaved down to 1-1/4 inches along the entire length aside from a 3-1/2" hub on one end, we cut out about 90% of the bar stock's original weight lol. Then we sell the chips and get a few bucks back.

[@johnsrabe]

5:18… So glad the serial numbers match. Back in the day the Mob made a lot of money with their tape dispenser chop shops.

[@thomasneal9291]

underrated.

[@bgdavenport]

You're right, ridiculously complicated, but a stunning piece of mechanical art!

[@misterpatina]

I could never explain by words why I love these old tools. When I see them working and their functions, I just have to smile. Thanks for sharing Bro!

[@nefariousyawn]

You can tell this guy is legit because he has a special glass glue spreader, and a wire wheel for this wire wheel.

[@justinclaiborne1716]

When he wire wheeled the wire wheel... Lol

[@noredine]

@@justinclaiborne1716 6:54

[@NovenoHilo]

I thought he was going to put a slice of ham and make a sandwich.

[@Ba11leFieldAce]

Ahh, but does he have the "wd 40 to help open the wd 40"?

[@PolenarTactical]

*Love the intro!*

[@siberianwolf777]

I don't know why, but this intro took me back to childhood

[@IlNamelessKinglI]

Didn't expect finding a legend like you on this channel

[@PolenarTactical]

@@IlNamelessKinglI need to learn how to restore old guns 😁

[@kurtwatson9039]

Just the right amount of tomfoolery and ballyhoo

[@bobbycummington2642]

@@kurtwatson9039 I don't know what either of those words mean but take my like anyway

[@dpmakestuff]

Gorgeous! this is easily the second-best tape dispenser ever made.

[@BikerTrashWolf]

Well, now I am curious what the best is.

[@clockwork9827]

@@BikerTrashWolf it's in Santa's workshop at the North Pole

[@JesusUruchurtu1]

@@BikerTrashWolf look at dustins channel, he made one.

[@HandToolRescue]

Definitely not the heaviest.

[@InnerSilence123]

@@JesusUruchurtu1 what channel is that??

[@humancattoy7767]

The beauty is in the design. Built long before adhesive tape, it filled the roll (haha) that is now overlooked.

[@MyLittleWalrus]

I love all these unnecessarily complicated tools. They seriously bring me such joy

[@antagonizerr]

This one is a little less unnecessarily complicated as it's an old box sealing paper tape dispenser that dampens a glue strip to make it adhesive. Similar models are still used today in packing plants, tho they're less mechanical and more electro-mechanical

[@spurgear4]

You should try working on helicopters. That will fix your joy.

[@xxlordbelxx1368]

@@antagonizerr wrong. It's a drywall taping mudder. Commonly today refered to as a 'banjo' it's designed to hold a small amount of wet drywall mud and apply it to the seam tape so you can operate without getting your hands covered with mud. It's one of the very first models and I used to use one as a kid learning from my grandpa. It's literally less than a year younger than drywall itself..

[@xxlordbelxx1368]

@@ralphgesler5110 It doesn't. Lol. It was originally invented for packaging before the 'post it' and 'scotch' brand companies came out with better solvents; but was almost exclusively used for drywalling because it saved hours of time and tons of mess for coating drywall paper tape. I'm not arguing it's name or invention; I'm arguing the useless and unnecessarily complicated comments because this invention revolutionized finish work construction.

[@jimmydiresta]

This when steampunk wasn’t cool yet.

[@stu3775]

yeaop, baby steam before it's punk years, lol.

[@thany3]

Back when it was steam without punk.

[@patprop74]

hahaha Right, this was more like an accidental steampunk in the making.

[@chrisgedrim]

But he didn’t even mirror polish anything... worst restoration channel on KZbin 😭

[@chrisis9030]

AFAIK it still isn't cool.

[@zippy-zappa-zeppo-zorba-etc]

This takes me way back. When I was a lad I worked in a warehouse and we had a tape dispenser like this for sealing and shipping small boxes of parts.

[@Raven-fu1zz]

That wrench deserves a spot in the intro

[@InTheDead]

This guys sense of humour absolutely kills me!

[@Flying0Dismount]

You realize that now that you have this working, we expect all our merchandise purchases to be sealed with this tape dispenser from now on 😁

[@stephenanderle5422]

Thanks for speeding up the video. It makes it so much easier to watch. Much appreciated.

[@annetteolivier721]

That's awesome, complicated but such a work of craftsmanship it's almost steampunk artistic. Wonderful restoration as usual.

[@rangernomad4564]

"His tool was far too large to rightfully be called a 'wrench.' It was larger, thicker, heavier, and cruder than any normal tool."

[@gamera1962]

More

[@EricMadWolf]

After slaying 100 bolts his wrench had become dull.

[@Kharon46]

@@EricMadWolf ah, i see you're a man of culture as well

[@dimitar4y]

i see what you're doing there.... it was more like a large hunk of iron

[@russellmckay8896]

Ok I have to know what this is from

[@aserta]

Eric slaps properly sized wrench on the work bench: Adam Booth has entered the chat.

[@Givulinovich]

I never before wanted an oversized industrial packing tool. 💕♥️💕

[@hder8740]

No gentleman can live without one. Smashing stuff old bean.

[@StanislavG.]

0:32 - The wrench of the guy she told you not to worry about

[@akcdiversified5633]

love the wire wheel on wire wheel action...made me laugh out loud!!!!

[@danb9312]

WOW... just because someone invents it, doesn't mean you should build it!!!! Great Job as always

[@VeradonaRestoration]

Amazing toy. The result is worth it!

[@TreyCook21]

"Found a missing piece from a spare tape dispenser." Because they made more than one, and you own both of them. Your dedication is astounding. Also love the glue spreader. The one I have is so opaque.

[@fablesguykol3025]

I'm 100% certain that was a remnant from the original Sand Blaster window.

[@valdeck553]

I would like to see that inventor's house. I'm very curious what else he had over-engineered.

[@Briggsby]

"world's most complicated toaster" I imagine it uses concentrated moonlight to power a laser that slowly tracks across the slices of bread using the most complicated clockwork setup they could manage.

[@johnboats9075]

The commode in that house would put even japanese toilets to shame.

[@loverlei79]

21 years ago I volunteered at the mall to gift wrap Christmas presents because I was bored, but mostly because I wanted to learn how to gift wrap pretty. They had a tape dispenser identical to this one and it made life easier.

[@clockwork9827]

cool

[@OcelotTheGreat]

Man ... when I feel shit, I watch your video and I feel much better instantly! And those subtle jokes, LOVE IT!

[@flydaddy55]

I used one of these is the 70's working in a newspaper mailroom, addressing individual papers with labels that were preprinted and the glue was like wall paper paste. It was an art to use one and faster than you might imagine..

[@bigdmister]

Your restoration projects are my absolute favourite always interesting as well. Thank you.

[@shad0wrealms116]

My grandmother used to have a tape dispenser very similar to that. The reservoir where you poured the water in usually held a wet sponge so you didn't have any spillage. Great vid.

[@cooders71]

I freaking love your channel. It's such a pleasure to watch a down to earth dude, fix"junk" back to us glory(and usually better). Makes me wanna start hitting up yard sales and take a crack at it myself.

[@UniqueRestorations]

These tools you find and the work you do are amazing, Looking forward to your next video.

[@ThoughtfulBiped]

Wow. What a beautiful piece of gadgetry. Never could I have imagined such a thing. You really seem to have a knack for finding unusual machines. Always a pleasure to watch your videos, thank you for all of your meticulous efforts.

[@cecilgore495]

When I watch you at work I am amazed at your recall where ever nut,bolt, screw, etc goes back to its original position you are a master of your craft . THANK YOU BUDDY.

[@xMrsmileyfacex]

Love it! The complication is what makes it beautiful. I'm glad you decided to restore it.

[@ScrewsAndTools]

I've never seen such a thing, very interesting. I liked the moment when the lathe was working. As always, interest + humor = Great Like!

[@TheOnlyPsycho]

Is this the tape dispenser you get, when you achieve Master Level at the packing department?!?!?!

[@peggypalmer4177]

I've got nothing clever to say but just know, you crack me up and I love your show!

[@kippert1987]

To speak no words, and to convey such humour and wit is a scarce and rare skill. Love this channel!

[@Ba11leFieldAce]

So this what happens when an over qualified engineer is given a simple task, and a blank check.

[@Techsus1]

It’s almost as if the gadget was invented first and then they determined, through trial and error, what it could be used for.

[@michaeljones8877]

@@xxlordbelxx1368 Actually it's function is to apply address labels to magazines. It's called a wing mailer. I've used them in a print shop.

[@daviddaddy]

@@michaeljones8877 Cool info! Thanks for sharing! I knew it wasnt for drywall tape! I dont think drywall tape or drywall was around back then lol pretty sure they used straight Plaster on houses lol or just Bare wood. Have a Nice day.

[@jeroldstockdale]

It came to me in a dream, and I forgot it in another dream.

[@1992jamo]

@@xxlordbelxx1368 It's not, it's for applying labels. This is the patent: patents.google.com/patent/US519185

[@trimule]

@@xxlordbelxx1368 You are too young to be watching this stuff! When this was made there was no such thing as drywall. Walls were made of 1000's of thin rough wood lathe strips nailed to the studs and smeared with plaster.

[@lucasb1324]

A beautiful work of art over a bygone era. Thank you Carsten Sweden

[@shanepowers7566]

HTR, you’re a man of few words. I like that. Yeah, that wood dust is supposed to mess the gibs up on them metal lathes.

[@2strokepower803]

The feeling When your tape dispenser has matching numbers 😂

[@davidwostrel]

It is worth more now too!

[@brucejones4538]

"priceless"

[@2strokepower803]

David Wostrel exactly

[@marciobadin8832]

Cool another video, I love your restorations!

[@walteasy4sheasy]

I like the "drill press/vertical lathe" technique.

[@jakebrakejunky10-4]

That was built to last forever in the hands of hard workers unlike the cheap disposable environment killing plastic one of today. As always thanks for bring history back to life.

[@BrisketChef]

Completed my thanksgiving weekend!

[@kynetx]

Without a single doubt, that is the most ridiculous and lovely tape dispenser I have ever seen.

[@kenyoder8014]

In my parents day they would have called that a Rube Goldberg device.

[@bgdavenport]

I see you have not lost your sense of humor amidst the Covid crisis. Good on you, mate!

[@allencribb7472]

I love antiques and love learning about the past. So just by watching this video I now understand tape is yesterday day needed to be moistened to work like a stamp cool, makes me appreciate self adhesive tape a little more while wrapping Christmas presants

[@verenkaraatish6572]

That wrench 😍😍

[@sgt8070]

Просто незаменимая в хозяйстве вещь :)!

[@user-fc3sp7lb9h]

Это для почты. Для заклейки посылок. 1920 г.

[@michaelcsiti3476]

seen quite a few of your other vids, lost it when you grabbed that ginormous wrench for that tiny nut, hilarious! well done!

[@travcool1991]

This is the best intro on KZbin.

[@DavidPlass]

9:04 is that a piece of former blast cabinet glass being employed as a glue spreader? Sure, why not.

[@markphillips6154]

I think he’s been watching vice grip garage too much

[@ulfhenarpolymathmilitant6258]

I liked the SOCIALLY DISTANT GARBAGE on the floor intro ; )

[@skoalonguys6788]

Wonderful! you use these videos to remind yourself how everything you take apart goes back together. absolutely fabulous this restoration Congratulations! 🤟

[@AncientMantis]

lol the intro alone deserves a like. hahaha the way this guy was cowboying through the rust removal and wire brush I would have thought he wouldnt bother with gloves for the sand blasting. Crack pot. love it.

[@Mishn0]

I couldn't find anything in Machinery's Handbook for feeds and speed using carbide inserts on wood....

[@germx1488]

Now it's a good day!

[@buckbundy8642]

Sweet. That wood color contrasts so beautifully with alll that wonderful brass.,

[@jamesfield5346]

Your sense of humor is great and so is your work.

[@randomfish42]

HTR: "You call that a wrench? This is a wrench!"

[@mopslap]

I need that giant wrench in my life

[@gabidimitrescu]

I always let restoration videos play while I'm ready to fall asleep. Gotta say this intro has startled me more than just a few times lol love this channel. Restoration is some relaxing stuff to watch

[@christophermiller4327]

I love your videos! Your sense of humor is so subtle that if you're not watching you might miss it. Rolling on the floor every time. Keep up the awesome work!

[@Mr.Unacceptable]

I love this thing. It's so over built t deserves scroll work and some semiprecious stones.

[@robertthezaaaa]

We need Adam to build a really big wrench that takes a forklift to move

[@crystalsoulslayer]

A Rube-Goldberg machine for taping things up. How delightful!

[@elciocabral8753]

Extraordinary item! I wish I was born in that time!

[@davidrice7414]

I think I may be a little slow, but I think I just figured it out. You use the videos to remember how to put things back together.

[@haagar]

In his Q&A he mentions that is actually how all this started.

[@kimsmoke17]

9:37 Good think he’s using carbide inserts on the metal lathe… That looks like some hard wood!

[@ddssdickday]

It amazes me that his videos ever get thumbs down. Never vulgar, always informative and entertaining.

[@maggs131]

What's it like having *the* best restoration channel on KZbin? I really wish I had friends like you

[@unpluglvfree9507]

The "Golden Age" of tape dispensary when one would take pride in boxing a package, not like today where we slash away at our taping like wild animals.

[@magic-gps186]

slash your taping? speak for yourself. I stab my tape with a ballpoint pen

[@timstaps704]

“This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.”

[@elijahaitaok8624]

You use tools? I just push into the side of the box the tape is adhered to and push it in to get under it and rip it off like a tepid bandaid

[@johnboats9075]

Tools shmools. God himself gave me teeth and im gonna use em.

[@maxpla1035]

0:35 Is it a monkey wrench or a sledgehammer for driving piles into the ground? 😁 I love both your videos and your keys, it's a pity I didn't manage to win it when there was a draw! 😔

[@ollieb9875]

Yes 😅

[@vernabink2865]

Always so glad to see Hand Tool Rescue new restoration. Beautiful job on that. Thanks.

[@sofiatgarcia3970]

Top score for "best use of a utility knife blade" :)

[@chrismsmalley2626]

If someone doesn't name a garage band ; Chauncey Wings & Sons immediately, im pouring Evapo-rust in their stockings for Xmas !!

[@Theremoore]

Then they call their band "The not rusty socks" instead! :)

[@AL6S00740]

comically huge wrench :D

[@sebastianemilianohernandez6983]

Oh how gorgeous the occasion when you post a new video. Always brings a smile to my face watching them

[@alexhale6582]

the 'over' craftmanship of this device speaks so much about the time it was made

[@Cervontais]

hey i need a tune up on my tape dispenser said no one for 80 years till today

[@cncgeneral]

Anyone get upset when he started applying filler to the brass casing? Solder or braze next time please!

[@logantc.1353]

I think just using filler was the safest bet. The filler can be removed, but if the piece was melted bad during brazing its gone.

[@irwinthedj]

How many awesome things were created those days!

[@gayle525]

Well I can tell you right now that tape gun works better than a lot of ones I had to work with did. Great job.

[@2tommyrad]

My Grandpa had a couple of those in his shop. That water-soluble-glue paper tape works 1000x better than that shitty clear tape,

[@TitoRigatoni]

Yep. And even the most basic simple dispensers are surprisingly expensive. This one would cost a fortune if it were available today.

[@Azguella]

0:35 wait wait wait are you trying to compensate for something? or just make everyone else jealous?

[@roberternest7289]

Yes

[@HandToolRescue]

Yes.

[@JerryGiesler09]

Overcompensating...

[@daviddaddy]

@Azgueila Yeah, but see he made the really tiny wrench first, soooo im thinking hes packing where you're lacking lmfao.😂😂😂

[@daviddaddy]

@@HandToolRescue Dont lie we know you're packing a 20 incher lmao

[@metalbob3335]

From your channel I have seen a lot , but one thing stands out to me is none of these tool designers had to make the wooden handles so beautiful as they did , they could have just made a plain wooden handle but they didn't , I love their bravado to keep beauty in mind with their designs. Thank you for keeping their artistic cues intact.

[@steveearnshaw1917]

Excellent job, nice that you didn't edit out the forgotten handle mistake: we all do it. Keep up the good work.