Saturday, November 30, 2024

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Honda toolkits


         

Honda tool kit, this one seems to be missing the screwdriver handle and possibly a smaller crosshead screwdriver bit. Over the years we see different manufacturers, different zinc plating treatments, different logos, some with "passed" stickers, etc. I've not bothered to sort them out yet but I'll collect them here in this post to try to document them.  So far we've identified two manufacturers, the "circular logo A" is RK. Previous post here. Previous post on Kowa here.



Thanks, Dennis!

Double edged wood plane


This looks interesting, almost two 3/4" chisel blades in a plane configuration. I can't quite figure out what it would be used for. 
 

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Studebaker in 1950


No Studebakers seem to have been entered in the Carrera Panamericana but they're pretty proud of the fuel economy!
 

Adjustable wrench multitool


Online, things with jaws like this seem to be considered to be adjustable wrenches but when the other end is a nail puller, I'm not sure what they are. No name on it but it could date back to the 19th century.
 

Monday, November 25, 2024

Unlikely racer, Nash Ambassador

 

Nash Ambasador. Finished 30th  in the 1950 Carrera Panamericana Mexico. More here

Modelcarsmag.com


Monday Mystery, I can't read this!


 Looks like a farm implement wrench of some sort, but although I can pick out a few letters, I have no idea what it says.  In fact, maybe it's upside down!


Originally based in East Farnham, W.F. Vilas moved its facilities to Cowansville in 1893 to facilitate the transportation of its goods by rail. Once established, the company added school desks to its production of agricultural implements. Within a few decades, Vilas’ school desks met the needs of 50% of schools in Canada. During the 1  930s, when the population was fascinated by objects from the past, Vilas began manufacturing colonial-style solid maple furniture. The company’s reputation reached its peak in 1967 when a dining room set from its Le Moyne collection, inspired by the 18th century, was presented in the “Man and His Wortld” pavilion at the World’s Fair Terres des Hommes in Montreal. The factory ceased operations in 1980.  Translated from the City of Cowanville website.

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Taylor floating dairy thermometer



Absolutely necessary for the big milk tank on the old family dairy farm...


Sidecar Sunday


 Graham Milton and Mary Wakefield working hard in a section at the 1961 Vic Brittain Trial. Must have been a good team, the pair later married...

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Knox Radio Lightning arrester



No one makes anything like this anymore,  lightning must have been a bgger problem back then.






 

Whaleback cargo ships

Jacques Lessstrang, Lake Carriers, Salisbury Press, 1977

   The whaleback was a lake boat design by James McDougal, designed as bulk cargo carriers on the Great Lakes. The design had a rounded deck that blended in from the sides and ends of the boat, intended to slip through the water more easily, carrying larger loads with less draft. The hatches were sealed in order to allow heavy seas to pass over the boat with minimal effect. The first were launched in 1887 as towed barges and powered versions were built starting in 1890.  A total of 43 were built and a number left the lakes for a salt water career.  One example remains, the SS Meteor (bottom) which was in service until 1969 and has been preseved as a museum ship in Superior Wisconsin.
 



Friday, November 22, 2024

Ring wrench


At first glance this dull metal-coloured tool looked like it might be some special cast aluminum something. The serrated hole was maybe 2 1/2 inches diameter...but no. Disappointingly, it was a false alarm, just a cheapo pressed steel oil filter wrench... using the rough edges of the pressed edge to advantage.. Probably quite effective.
 Compare to this wrench.

 





Let 'em eat steak... 1976

As a young man just out of highschool in 1976, I was making $4 an hour...

 

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Cars in the 'hood, Karman Ghia



 

Hope it has a nice warm garage for the winter!


photos by Kate...

Victory Glass Co. Glass Dreadnaught

About four inches long, this apparently was a candy container from the early 20th century. It was sold as a novelty, filled with candy with a piece of cardboard glued to the bottom as a lid.

 There are a number of styles of these containers, all sorts of objects to appeal to a wide range of interests.


 

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Bridgeport Boyscout hatchet


Nice tool with one piece head and handle with a riveted wooden handle. I found a complete history here

Car-Skin autocare

This seems to be a auto care product company around in the fifties and sixties. Not much more online...



 

Monday, November 18, 2024

Monday Mystery 2. Grille

I don't recognize the logo, a 8 pointed star above a running dog, wolf? horse? The grill is long and narrow, probably 2 1/2 feet long. Wonder what it is from?


 And... solved! Apparently a 1940 Cadillac Lasalle. Quite an impressive front end. (Thanks! to the guys in the comments)



Monday Mystery leatherworking tool?


Might be a leatherworking tool to mark out parallel lines of stitches? I don't know. Thoughts?

 


Sunday, November 17, 2024

We used to make things in this country; #368 Londontoy



 Londontoy was a part of Webster Air Products of London Ontario. Previous post here. The company was started to build air compressors, spray guns and associated equipment, but during WW2, they opened a subsidiary to make diecast toy cars, trucks etc. Another site attributed this to the restrictions on imports of non-essential items during the war which included children's toys. Webster was doing a lot of zinc die casting and the toys were a good use for the scrap. Londontoy lasted till 1949.
 This airplane No 11 is identified as a Hawker Hurricane which is clearly not. Any guesses to what it actually is? 
 A bit of regret... I found this today at an antique fair and did not buy it but now I feel as though I have to collect the whole set! But it was $30....


Sidecar Sunday


We found this 1913 catalog for the Compeer Motor Carriage Co. on the LiveAuctioneers website. I'm not familiar with the company but it looks like a must-have for any sidecar history fan.