Monday, March 18, 2024

Monday Mystery; Apex wrench, made in England



 Another odd little wrench, the opening marked 4 is 6.5mm or a loose 1/4", 6 is 5 mm or .200". No indication what the sizes actually correspond to. As for the Apex name, I doubt its the Apex Tool Group and I'd say the quality was mediocre at best.  Reassuringly, I gather it is made of "steel".

Union Utility drawer, no 210


 Just a simple steel cabinet by the Union Chest Corporation of Le Roy, New York. The Companion name seemed an anomaly but apparently the company did supply to the Sears Roebuck company.

 The Union Chest company was founded in 1914 working out of Rochester NY where they built both wooden and steel chests. In 1933 apparently some employees of the company acquired the rights to the name and relocated to Le Roy near Batavia where they remained till the company closed down in 1953.

Company history at Practical Machinist and remember, "Buy another cabinet"



Sunday, March 17, 2024

Cars in the 'hood... Mustang


 Mildly customized...'66 I think?  Probably looks much like it would have in the early seventies with the second or third owner...



Sidecar Sunday

Classic Motor Cycle July 1985

 Here we have Mr. and Mrs. Cavell of Hull out for a ride in June of 1905. They certainly seem to be enjoying themselves, don't they? The motorcycle is a Mohawk, in business till 1925, the sidecar is an Albatross.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Heigel Wegvelin


 and... that's about all we need to know about the famed Heigel Wegvelin motorcycle.

English Wheel project?


 Idle musings... A giant C clap I picked up decades ago, because; well... you can never have enough clamps... and an orphan caster... is this the beginnings of an English wheel?  The caster could be replaced with a large ball bearing (must have one around somewhere...) I'd need an acme thread nut to lock the lead screw... make a bottom yoke, buy some rollers... 

Common sense says look in the classifieds for a complete unit that someone needs gone:-).... but.

Friday, March 15, 2024

Hycoe brake band rounding tool


thanks Terry!
Hycoe brake linings was a part of the Manhattan Rubber Company and seems to be a relatively short term venture for the company (apparently 1907-1923, though there some booklets produced in 1928). 
The Manhattan Rubber name seems to appear today only through its rubber bowling balls which turn up on eBay regularly. Another company that came and went...




Scott fuel tank, late twenties...




I found this mid to late twenties tank on display on a shelf at a local antique market. No price tag, it was not for sale, just part of the project in the warehouse which belonged to the business owner who "is going to restore it".  The guy I was talking to had dibs on it. I'm third in line:-)






 

Thanks, Jon!

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Stationary steam engine model

I've wanted one of these since I was a kid, they're still too expensive. Can't quite make out the manufacturer name on the label, possibly Wayne?




 

Double deck trolley at Oakland, California 1894

Chas. Dunbar, Buses, Trolleys and trams, Hamlyn, 1969

 You guys up there, keep your heads down, and you- you with the hat!