Progress is fine, but it's gone on for too long.
with apologies to Ogden Nash...
Friday, August 7, 2026
Chrysler Master Technician Service Conference tools
In the sixties and seventies Chrysler ran the Master Technician Service Conference (MTSC) program for technicians. Awards consisted of gold plated tools from various tool manufacturers including this ratchet set from Bonney. I wonder how many of the award sets saw usage. If I only owned a Chrysler or Dodge...
Thursday, August 6, 2026
One of my vices is vises, Stanley #702 corner vise
Introduced in 1957, the Stanley 702 was a development of the #700 clamp-on vise (patent 1,765,321 of 1930) which utilized a screw mounted below the bench surface level and L shaped jaws allowing work to be clamped on the bench as well as vertically. Instead of iron, the #702 was aluminum, helping with portability and probably kinder if a chisel or blade slipped.
Steam engine
Someone thought I should have this and I'm grateful! It is purportedly a pre 1900 Locomobile steam car engine, but I haven't had time to confirm that. Can't wait to put a little air pressure to it.
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Gray 212C Ball Pein hammer
Garrard Speke Sociable
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| Vintage Car Poster book by Colour Library Books Ltd. 1983 |
Charles Garrard started his bicycle company in 1900, They started adding small 143cc engines from the French company Clément in 1902 but because they didn't have the capacity they contracted James Lansdowne Norton to manufacture the frames. A V twin was introduced the next year and they added a forecar to the line which in 1911 became this front engine 2 seater three wheeler.
Coincidently 1911 was also the first year for the Morgan 3 wheeler. Garrard was out of business before the start of WW1, and very few of these sociables remain.





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