Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Brooklands Vincent Comet
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
We used to make things in this country #371; David Maxwell & Sons
Here is a hub or similar cast cover from some unknown piece of machinery or equipment but I had to go looking for more info on the company. I've never run across any Maxwell equipment that I can remember.
Maxwell's Limited was a foundry first established in Paris, Ontario which moved to St. Mary's, Ontario in 1888, where it became known as David Maxwell & Sons or simply Maxwell & Sons.
In its heyday when cast iron was king, it employed over 100 people and was the largest factory in Perth County. The two-storey building was 250 feet long, with another wing 200 feet long. The first floor was for machine work with storage in the wing and basement. Painting and finishing were done on the second floor. Three shorter wings, each 150 feet long, contained a wood shop, blacksmith shop and moulding shop. Initially, farm equipment was the main focus, but eventually it produced all sorts of horsedrawn equipment and farm tools down to wheelbarrows and butter churns.
During World War II, production was devoted to the manufacture of hand grenades. Following the war, it was unable to compete in the farm equipment field and ceased operation in 1964. The factory was demolished in 1987.
Catalogues of farm implements, washing machines, lawn mowers, butter churns, price listings, advertisement, history for the David Maxwell & Sons, St. Mary’s, Ontario. Dates 1875-1978
Info from an ebay ad!




Studebaker Packard for 1958
Monday, June 30, 2025
The joys of working with junk... Update
15/32 socket
I've never seen a socket of this measurement. 15/32 metric-ates out to 11.9 mm so it probably isn't just a standardized12 mm. It's an older Taiwanese make, no name.
More oddness, I actually needed this today for nuts on an 8" rim I'm rejuvenating.
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Abrafile rod saw
A tungsten carbide rod saw blade to fit to a junior hacksaw frame and used to cut tiles. Made by the Abrasive Tool Co. of Twickenham, England, which no longer seems to exist, little info online.
Saturday, June 28, 2025
1930 Vincent HRD
Tugboats at work
Friday, June 27, 2025
Goso Delivery scooter wind up toy
1958 Cadillac
A Philadelphia flavor to this 1958 ad. The car is pulled up to the front entrance of the the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel at 200 S. Broad Street where seemingly, the passengers in the rear seat are too preoccupied to get out, despite the classy, well dressed crowds waiting on the steps. Maybe it's New Years Eve? But please, dear, get out of the car!
The hotel was at its height during this point of history, it began a slow decline in the 1960s and was the site of the Legionnaire's disease outbreak while hosting an American Legion convention in 1976. The hotel never really recovered and was converted to a mixed-use development after 1988.
Because this is a Cadillac ad in the fifties, the women's gowns are mentioned, this time supplied by Nan Duskin of Philadelphia.
Nan Duskin was an internationally known boutique that dressed Philadelphia’s high society. They carried merchandise from major designers such as Chanel, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, and Yves Saint Laurent. It opened in 1927, expanded to three locations, the main branch being a couple of blocks from the hotel. The store filed for bankruptcy in 1994.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Education
Above, Central Toronto Academy, formerly the Central Commerce Collegiate Institute, built in 1911. Below, Central Technical School, built 1915. Looking at these buildings, I can't help but to think education was thought of differently then than it is today.
Rabone Chesterman Easiflex Rule measuring tape

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Ebay |
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Dunkley Pra-motor
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Monday, June 23, 2025
Millers Falls micrometer
Although I can't find the model number on the device a quick Google seems to indicate that it's a 940S, produced in a simplified form during World War II. Apparently it's a rebranded Goodell Pratt unit, as Millers Falls had acquired the company in 1931. (Below)