Blue Point snap ring pliers

At about 16" long, this is truly a man-size tool for removing snap rings.

 

Radio comes to the CN Railway

Sandy Stewart, From Coast to Coast,  a Personal Account of Radio in Canada, CBC Enterprises, 1985

 After the formation of the Canadian National Railway as a crown corporation in 1919, the president, Sir Henry Thornton saw the possibilities of radio in promoting travel on the railway. The company set up a chain of radio broadcasting stations across the country and then produced content to fill the airwaves so passengers on the train would be kept entertained all across the country. 

This radio project ended in 1932 for two reasons, the government instituted cost cutting for the railway during the depression and had also decided there should be a national radio system. The stage was set for the formation of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, still with us today.

What do ya think, Joe?

A Google Lens search insists that it's the opening day of the new Save Way Service Station at Bay Street and Willow Avenue in Clifton on August 13 1971. I don't think it is. 

I think we could make up better stories than that.

Frction adjustable wrench

Another interesting design for an adjustable wrench. The lower jaw slides against the handle along a textured surface. The sleeve then slides down to lock them together. No name on this anywhere and a quick search by Google lens finds it being described as German or British in various ads. I have the idea that I've done a post on this or something very similar but how do I find it?

 

We used to make things in this country, Rawhide or metal?

Were there actually rawhide gears? 

Robert Gardner set his company up in 1850 as Robert Gardner, Novelty Iron Works to make machinery for candy and biscuit making. In 1934 the company was sold to John Braidwood.  Braidwood Industries is still in business as a gear maker. 

More history at vintagemachinery.org.

One of my vices is vises, another unknown. updated

No idea where this one came from, no markings on this handy device, perhaps there were decals on the flat areas at one time? The cast lugs seem like they're on the wrong side of the jaw but perhaps there are missing parts too.

Update, Thanks, Dave for the info below.

Patent 1425446

 

83rd anniversary of the Dieppe raid

Brigadier General Denis Whittaker, Dieppe,Tragedy to Triumph, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Press, 1992

  On Aug 19 1942, an Allied amphibious force conducted the first large scale raid on Europe landing at Dieppe. It was a disaster, It seemed as if the Germans knew they were coming, The Luftwaffe was ready and as the landing craft hit the beach, the defending guns were intact. The Allied tanks got stuck on the beach- actually small stones, despite the chespaling mentioned above. 

 The force barely got past the sea wall and inside of 10 hours, of the 6000 men who landed,  3600 had been killed, wounded or captured. Most of the force was Canadian, the 5000-strong force suffered a 68% casualty rate.

  The whole disastrous experience was justified as a learning experience and on D-Day these lessons contributed to the success of the invasion. 

 

Bugatti Type57SC

 

Gone fishing.....

 Heddon Lures was established in 1898 and is still producing fishing equipment.

Dodge Outboard Power Wagon

 

Monday Mystery, old wrench

Definitely from the around the turn of the last century but I can't make out the text; "Geo. Planet" maybe? Guesses welcomed.
 

Sidecar Sunday

 More leaning sidecar

Wilson Brothers Little Giant razor blade plane

 

Suzuki TS250 Savage

 The groundbreaking Yamaha DT-1 was introduced in 1968, Suzuki didn't wait to see how it sold, this is their offering in 1969.

Johnson Motors for Ariel in 1959

 

Acme No 2 stapler

   Probably more sculptural than necessary and certainly that cast base is fancier than it needs to be but I'd put it on my desk.

  Acme Staple is still around, and can supply the staples you need when you run out.

Special Safety Matches

 The "Safety Match" replaced the very self-igniting white phosphorus with the calmer red phosphorus, an 1844 innovation from Swedish chemistry professor Gustav Erik Pasch.

Swedish match history

Automobile body patent USD286865S

Big hit for Chrysler. 

Nicest thing here are the super-styled "Fig" titles.

 

Matchless 1950

 "Predominate" Wasn't that a British Dreadnaught?

 I'll guess that that word has never been used in advertising copy in the last 50 years.

Identifying steel types by their sparks

 

Packards

 I remember these hood ornaments being nicknamed "Lady pushing donut", these days it's apparently just "Donut pusher".

One of my vises is vises, A homemade fabrication?

 This looks like another homemade vise, with parts welded together instead of being cast. No name or markings on it. Nicely done.

Monday Mystery, sailboat logo wrench

Here is a basic-looking 3/4" wrench. Other than the fact that it is "drop forged alloy steel" we have no information. I've never seen a logo like that, it might be Chinese, thoughts?

thanks, Inno!

 

Model T truck chassis

 

Sidecar Sunday

Planes in formation, B-25s

 Image from the filming of the 1970 movie Catch 22.

1957 Lincoln

As far as the late 50s could be called restrained, it is much better than the year after...
 

Fat little wrench

Just a fat little combination wrench 8 mm (or 5/16") and 13 mm (a loose 1/2") with no markings except the little blobs shown above. Mister V H liked it enough to put his name in it, though, who knows...