Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Thayer Combination Tack hammer
This is a nice looking little brass and wood handled tool, about 9 1/2 inches long, a combination of hammer, puller, flat screwdriver and rule. Patented in June 24 1862, Thayer described it as a “shank or bar graduated to form a scale” with a “screwdriver and a claw on the ends of said shank or bar,” with an adjustable “handle or sleeve” and an adjustable “hammer-head.”
The idea is to slide the handle/sleeve and the hammer head away from their respective ends to use this as a screwdriver and claw, and back down into their end positions to use it as a tack hammer and tack puller. I'd just hang it on the wall.
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Datamp.org |
Monday, February 10, 2025
Another job you may not want to do, taping ribs
A crew of women workers installing the wing fabric for deHavilland Tiger Moths during WW2. Smell that dope!
Packard Twin Six race car
Packard introduced the automotive world's first production V12 in 1915, the engine powered the firm's luxury cars till 1923.
The company also built at least two race cars using the "Twin 6" motor, one of which is shown here with Ralph De Palma at the wheel and Douglas Fairbanks leaning in for the photo opp. The cars had successful seasons during 1917-1919.
The success of the "Twin 6" racers was said to have inspired Enzo Ferrari to develop engines of that configuration for his own cars.
Previous post of engine cross section here.
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Mechanic's school
Learning to fix Triumph engines at US Triumph in Baltimore, Maryland, year unknown but look at those lovely Craftsman vises!
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Studebaker for 1956
Front and rear cover of a lovely brochure in a format that is too big to scan. This will have to do till I can figure something out.
Best Wrench Co Multitool, 1897
Adjustable wrench, alligator wrench and flat screw driver. That's an interesting locking system. More here.
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Thanks, Ski! |
Friday, February 7, 2025
Thursday, February 6, 2025
RCA Model TT-5 television, 1939
Just a normal evening at Mr. G's house, a couple of the local girls have casually dropped by to admire his new tabletop RCA Model TT-5 television... Hey! It's 1939, any television screen is a big screen...
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Hello, Ladies!
Disco King!
Sparkomatic started out in the auto accessory business, in 1968 they introduced a line of FM car radios and speakers, making a name for themselves in the automotive sound business. In the late eighties they bought Altec Lansing (another audio company) and in 2000 the companies merged. The Sparkomatic name soon disappeared.
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Bardic Ferry cross section
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Artwork by Laurence Dunn |
This rear-loading ferry was the world's first roll on, roll off cargo ferry, built by Wm. Denny of Dunbarton, Scotland for the Atlantic Steam Navigation Co. as part of their program to replace their original fleet of LSTs. Bardic Ferry was launched in 1957 for service between Larne, Ireland and Preston, UK. It served till 1976 when it was sold to an Italian company and scrapped in 1983.
Monday, February 3, 2025
Multipurpose Automotive tool kit
Monday Mystery, Vaco RT-14
Ok, we're overstating the mystery aspect here, but we have a question from Russ about when this Vaco RT-14 set of interchangeable screw and nut drivers might have been manufactured. He has just finished the fine detailing of the set and pouch that once belonged to his late uncle John. Keep those old tools working...
Multitool, Wilkinson Plough Co.
By the spread out wrench jaws and flattened hammerhead, this multitool looks like it was very well used. No markings anywhere on this one, but it seems to have been made by Wilkinson Plough of Toronto who were in business making farm implements between 1868 and approximately 1930.
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Bcum a Ham
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Popular Electronics, Nov 1955 |
More on William Harrison.
I suspect he is no longer at this address (below).
Know your Schermuly products...
Schermuly rockets, surely a familiar name to most of us. I mean, the name Schermuly is almost synonymous with rescue rockets, right?
Kidding aside, William Schermuly retired from the British Navy in 1880, and set about designing a line throwing rocket to aid in life saving situations. By the time his products reached the market, the devices could send a 1/2 inch line 3/4 of mile and became mandatory equipment on all ships. More of the story here.
Friday, January 31, 2025
Clear the track!
Not sure what's going on here or the year, but that is a Peter Witt streetcar, (introduced in 1921) being held up by a 1905 Ford Model B stalled on the tracks?
Fisher Pierce Bearcat 85
Monaco 1956 illustration design by Jean Ramel.
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Gray #307 4 way Lug wench
Here's a small old cross lug wrench, about 13" wide and the largest socket 5/8", made by Gray. Finish is dull, likely zinc, so I expect its old, what car has 5/8" wheel nuts?
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Track inspection
Track Inspection 1889. Can't beat the immediacy of the arrangement...
Below, we can't see the interior but I expect the seating arrangements are better, a windshield and piped-in steam heat replace the buffalo robes, but the ungainly thing will never win a beauty contest.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Russell Auto Girl