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
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
Monday, October 28, 2024
Monday Mystery; Over-center Clamp
Jhalani wrench
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Sidecar Sunday
Saturday, October 26, 2024
French made Jewelers calipers
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.