Monday, November 2, 2026

Tailoring shears



  Now that's a pair of scissors! Heavy and about a foot long, the handles are beautifully formed to fit the operators right hand.

 On the brass medallion is cast, "R. Heinisch Inventor - Newark, N.J." and "Latest Patent 1859".  These scissors were manufactured by Rochius/Reuben Heinisch in Newark, New Jersey. The 1859 patent (X8680) describes a refined iteration of his earlier innovative handle designs (pioneered in 1835 and 1839), specifically shaped to prevent hand cramping during heavy-duty tailoring or sail-making work.


Crafts of New Jersey




1950 Buick hood ornament


 

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Bahco adjustable pipe wrench


 A bit of an unusual action on this old pipe wrench from Swedish manufacturer Bahco. Wind in the nut to tighten the jaws onto a pipe or a fitting, then squeeze the handles together to apply more force. How effective it is is open to discussion but I don't think anyone else used this arrangement.

Sidecar Sunday


 Terror at Brooklands...

Buck Bros chisel

  Buck Brothers of Millbury, Massachusetts made high-quality, durable cast steel and laminated chisels and other edge tools through the 19th and 20th centuries.  The three Buck brothers, Charles, John, and Richard grew up in Sheffield England and emigrated to the US in 1849 or 1850 setting up the company to make edge tools. The Buck’s Head Logo was copyrighted in June 1875. Two of the brothers left the partnership, Charles starting the Charles Buck Edge Tool Co. and Richard ran the company till his death in 1893, when the sons in law took it over. They acquired the Charles Buck company along the way. The family connection was lost when the business was sold in 1948, passing to Great Neck Tools in 1951.

More history here.


 

Friday, October 30, 2026

Auburn Rubber sports car


One of the many rubber toys Auburn made in the 1950s, this one is about 4 or 5" long. Not sure what car this shape was modelled from, maybe a Ferrari? Guesses welcomed... 


 

Spitfire Instrument panel

This would be nice to own. But it's expensive, far out of my budget.

 For sale on Marketplace.




Thursday, October 29, 2026

Alcoa promotes aluminum, 1936


 

One of my vices is vises, Tiger

  Just another solid modern vise made in China, not to be confused with vintage Emmert Tiger Vise made by the Emmert Mfg. Co. in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania...