Steel hand reamer without handle

Made:
1758-1769 in Glasgow
maker:
James Watt

1 flute tool

James Watt eventually employed 16 people to run a shop in Glasgow making numerous items. In spite of saying that music was ‘the source of idleness’, he built instruments for sale, including flutes, an organ and a guitar for the wife of one of his early business partners, John Roebuck. This tool forms part of the suite of flute-making tools which survives in Watt's workshop. It is a steel hand reamer, inscribed with a capital 'A', by James Watt, Glasgow, Scotland, 1758-1769. Without handle. Used for reaming out flute bodies.

Details

Category:
James Watt's Garret Workshop
Object Number:
1924-792/1148/2
Materials:
steel (metal)
Measurements:
overall: 10 mm x 340 mm x 18 mm,
type:
reamer
credit:
Major J.M. Gibson-Watt