Progress is fine, but it's gone on for too long.
with apologies to Ogden Nash...
Friday, September 25, 2026
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Fairalloy wrench
Here's a wrench made by Fairmount just about the time that the use of chrome molybdenum and vanadium was becoming popular among toolmakers. The nonspecific term allowed them to source different steels when steel was scarce in WW2.
The company started in a blacksmith's shop in Cleveland in 1917, they focused on automotive tools from the beginning. During WW2 they supplied the US military with tool kits. After the war they were bought by Frontier Industries which became part of Houdaille Industries which closed up in the 1980s. Eastwood has taken up the name for their line of automotive restoration tools.
CB900F Resto-mod
Resto mod looking good.
The style looked good on the 400 twin too, but no one is resto-modding them...
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Spring tension gauges
These gauges were used to measure and set spring tension on contacts touching another contact in a electro-mechanical relay.
These gauges were part of a tool kit belonging to reader Arthur's father, who was an electrical engineer for Ohio Power, a subsidiary of AEP American Electrical Power. Below are some tools in the kit.
Monday, September 21, 2026
Lark Finalwrench
AI is suggesting this was a Whitworth wrench made by Thomas Smith & Sons in Birmingham. but it's actually a standard 1/2- 9/16" wrench. The company forged the "Snail Brand" tools but would apparently also do other brand names to order.
I can't find any reference to the name. Ideas?
Monday Mystery, big hook thingy
This comes out of rural Maine, looks like blacksmith-made it so it could be part of any sort of old farm or logging machine but the 4 bolt flange might have been mounted to a wooden beam. Another clue might be the hole halfways up the shaft, maybe for a pivot or actuating arm? Anyways, just guesses, any ideas?
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026
The times are a'changin...
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