Progress is fine, but it's gone on for too long.
with apologies to Ogden Nash...
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Rover P5B Coupe
Rather an unusually styled car with 50s styling and a radically lowered roofline, making it a tough-looking ride. The Rover P5 was introduced in 1958. the P5B Coupe variant was produced from 1962 till the end of production in 1973, by which time it was definitely an anachronism.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
One of my vices is vise/anvils, an abused Rock Island Manufacturing anvil/vise
Interesting and very abused Rock Island Manufacturing anvil/vise. It looks like there is a quick adjust feature, in that the screw block slides on the same track that the jaw does, that track appears to have been replaced. The anvil portion has seen a lot of use, and it appears someone has broken and welded the jaw to the anvil. It's for sale in Winnipeg here.
Monday, May 4, 2026
Suzuki with actress
Sunday, May 3, 2026
The cheapest oil filter wrench
Three stamped pieces of maybe .080" or .100" thick steel, a coupla rivets and we have a simple and effective oil filter wrench, the maker didn't even put their name on it.
Second thought, maybe its just a kitchen can opener?
Sidecar Sardine Sunday
An illustration for the artisan sardine cannery La Quiberonnaise, by comic book artist Frank Margerin.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Zubian sealing wax
Sealing wax for sealing lids while canning fruits and vegetables, when that was a normal part of life, not sure where the seemingly exotic name "Zubian" came from.
The Dicks- Pontius company didn't disappear as canning became less popular, they branched out into calks and sealants after WW2, merging with Armstrong and changing their name to a name you might recognize- DAP Global, and are thriving today.
One of my vices is vises, Peter Wright
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| Thanks, Arthur! |
British manufacturer Peter Wright was known for their innovative solid-screwbox post/leg vises for blacksmith use. Up to that point the thread was usually coiled and brazed, a much less strong process. The leg transferred the shock of hammering directly to the ground.
They were introduced in about 1848 and made into the early 20th century and were often stamped with "Peter Wright", "Solid Box" or "Patent" on the back part of the screwbox.
Friday, May 1, 2026
Aluminum!
Fashion Friday, Gypsy Baron hat
Gay as a gypsy, manufactured by Hodson Berg of Fifth Avenue. Probably didn't catch on, no definitive images online that I could find, but would probably suit a man in jodhpurs. The people look like our kinda people...

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