Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Agril Engine wrench


 Missing the wooden handle, but this wrench resembles the Bemis and Coll pipe wrench. The patent is issued to Bernard Donohue for an improved pipe jaw and mentions several manufacturers but not the name Abril.
 




Whatcha' goin' to do now, mister?


 On the foggy morning of July 13 1936 The 400 foot SS Iroquois set sail from Bar Harbor bound for New York City.  Not more than a few hundred yards from shore, the ship ran aground on Bald Porcupine Island. It didn't seem too serious but then the tide went out, sticking it fast. The ship was eventually pulled off by the minesweeper US Owl.

Monday, November 4, 2024

Michigan Wheel Co.


 Get your boat propellers here!

Monday Mystery, Late 19th C Locomotive patent model


 I thought I'd run this by everyone once again, maybe we've picked up a steam engine fan or two since I posted this two years ago. 
 I got a request from the owner of this model to see if we can find out more about this model. It reputedly dates to the mid 1890s but to what aspect of the design is new or novel isn't clear. The model is impressive, 43" inches long or approximately 1 to 12 scale. 

The Atlantic 4-4-2 wheel arrangement was introduced in 1895 by Baldwin as a highspeed passenger locomotive for the Atlantic Coast Line but comparing the wheel locations and details in the frame with the locomotive shows differences. Perhaps the model illustrates some not very obvious details of the suspension system or mounting arrangement of the leading or trailing trucks, but guesses are welcome!

History of Baldwin
First Atlantic Coast Line 4-4-2

Kalmbach Steam Locomotive Cyclopedia

This Santa Fe Atlantic has a longer wheelbase but once again details are different- and it was a 1910 design. 


Sunday, November 3, 2024

Thompson aircraft service center

 


Amelia Earhart's Atlantic-crossing Lockheed Vega getting serviced at Thompson Aeronautical Corporation, located in Cleveland. 

 The company sponsored the Thompson Trophy race at the National Air Races and also supported many record setting attempts. The company had started making automotive fasteners at the turn of the century but became a major supplier to the aircraft industry between the wars. They thrived through WW2 and beyond, becoming involved in jet engine research. In 1958 they merged with Ramo-Wooldridge Corporation to become TRW.

Below, another logo that should be on a T shirt.



Sidecar Sunday

Pitcher Warren Spahn gets a ride on a Harley Topper scooter.

 

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Schroeder Ratchet Spanner

 

Schroeder Ratchet Spanner; England. Each end of the spanner has a hole which is not threaded - I assume it was a seat for a nipple on the socket.  There is a spring loaded mechanism that holds in the various size sockets. Kind of a unique Spanner. Canadian patent here.

thanks, Sean!

Spanner and Wrench Collector




E. C. Stearns Dowel cutter







 

Friday, November 1, 2024

Outers gun cleaning kit

The Outers company was started in Onalaska, WI  by Vern Dale and his wife, Maritain in 1919. From an automobile service garage, Vern and his wife, a chemist, came up with a gun lubricant they called Gunslick. In 1934, they opened Outers Laboratories, Not sure how old this kit is but the company is still in business today still providing products for gun care.


Streetcars for export


PCC Streetcars of the Toronto Transit Commission being loaded onto ships heading for use in Alexandria, Egypt in 1966. I wonder if they're still being used. Previous post.

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Bicknell stoneworking supplies


 Bicknell was located in Rockland Maine from 1893 and supplied all sorts of tools to the coastal granite industry. Here hammers and anvils are sold by the pound. (Handles not included)

 Bicknell left Maine in 1996 and consolidated at their Elberton Georgia location. Company history here.

Granite Museum of Maine


CB350F working retail

This motorcycle confused me when it arrived on the scene, it did nothing better than the twin except look fancy with its attractive tank and four pipes- it wasn't even as fast as the twin. All these years later, they still look best completely stock. I do recognize that if the pipes are rusted (and they all did) they are impossible to find.

 

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

One of my vices is vises,; First US patent vice?

 It appears that first "real" vise, one with adjustable locking parallel jaws, one of which slid along a slot or track to provide work-holding is considered to have been invented in England in 1750, and apparently the first cast iron vice was made in England in 1830. (Brockhouse Heuer). 

The US patent office was established in 1802, with a complete makeover in 1836 when a new numbering system with new verification rules were introduced. Under the new numbering system, we have a contender for the first US vise patent; patent #127 granted to Linus Dean on Feb16 1837 for a vise with a spiral locking wheel which engages a rack to provide a locking action. Not the familiar screw type with the handle on the end, but pretty close.




Hydraulic upgrade...

Haberman and sons... Tumblr


No information... the maker must have had his reasons...
 

Monday, October 28, 2024

Monday Mystery; Over-center Clamp


I guess this is some sort of clamp for jigs or similar, no name on them that I can see, but I'm sure someone known exactly what they are.


 

Jhalani wrench


The name apparently means a flash of light or brilliance and is generally a girl's name in the country of origin, India. I can't imagine they were ever exported here, but...






 

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Saturday, October 26, 2024

French made Jewelers calipers


The internet says these are used to measure the weight of a gemstone. I would think they take a linear measurement (the scale is probably millimeters) which would then be translated into weight using a chart. 



 

Gloster Meteor


 This new jet-powered Meteor flew its first mission on July 27, 1944. It was one of twenty F1's built and is part of 616 Squadron, the first in the RAF to fly jet fighters. the Meteor was the only allied jet in service during WW2.

Friday, October 25, 2024

Another job you may not want to do, Stonemason


 Late 19th century. Someone designed this Ionic column and its capital, a team carved it out of granite, it was shipped by boat or by train, then these men installed it. (before safety was invented). 

We don't build things like this anymore.

Cars in a different 'hood, Camden, Maine, Bentley R Type Continental

Outta my league....


 

Yamaha tool kit


 This kit is probably from the 1980s and looks complete.
Thanks, Dennis!

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Spark plug, cylinder stud wrench


One wrench for all! Spark plug, battery nuts, generator nut, even cylinder studs. All can be removed with this handy wrench. The large box end is 1" hex, I expect this is an aftermarket wrench for the do-it-yourself Model T owner. 



 

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Lucas Silver King Kerosene Bicycle lamp

Nice object and a beautiful name plate. I wondered if it was an acetylene lamp, but internet says kerosene. I can't imagine it producing more than a warm glow.

Thanks, Kevan!

 

Athletic young men wanted!


$60 per hour! 

No mention online about Page's combined shows, and I'll assume Bolivar, New York. 

 

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Duro-chrome #98 11/32 wrench

Or maybe it's 86. Part of the Duro/ Indestro operation. Anyways, despite its name, this nice little ignition wrench is not chrome plated, possibly made during WW2?