Treadle metal lathe

This device was on display at Brooklands. The idea of using a foot powered lathe to cut metal doesn't seem practical but they were common before shops became electrified. The pedal mechanism is not a lot different than a treadle sewing machine, though the belt is a lot heavier of course. I also would have expected more of a flywheel-type pulley for more momentum to assist the operator.  Up top, that's a normal metal lathe with probably an 8 or 9" throw and a 3 and a half foot bed so capable of serious sized jobs. No manufacturer's name apparent. It looks like they've set up a shaft 2 feet long and 1 1/2" diameter as a demo piece. Someday I'd like to try one out.

 

8" Adjustable wrench Mfg 1708

Ok, it's made in the USA, marked Mfg 1708 and the logo seems to be P& something? Any guesses who made this one?

 

Big Red miniature jackstands

These were fun, They looked like real jackstands, but tiny. I should have bought a couple...

 

Pathfinder Special

 

Brooklands Museum

Pathfinder Special pedal cars were made in the Austin Motor Company Ltd Junior Car Factory in Bargoed, South Wales and were based on the prewar twin cam Austin 7 racer. About 3000 were produced in 1949-50 before being replaced by a model based on the A40. They bring big money these days.

Sidecar Sunday

Mid Ohio Vintage Days...

 

Checker Car Company 1961

The Checker Marathon was the last model from the company, in production from 1960 to 1982 when the company ceased to sell cars. After that they continued to be a contractor of stamped metal parts to GM and others. The company went bankrupt in 2009.

Burgess Dunne

 Burgess Dunne flying over North Island in San Diego in 1914. This is the only picture I've seen of the tailess pusher biplane in flight. Canada purchased one as the military's first aircraft, it didn't have much of a career.

Update from the Aircraft Yearbook 1919.

Precooling truck

Refrigerated train cars were still cooled with blocks of ice before the war, this device appears to be nothing more than a mobile hopper of ice with a v8 powered fan.

As seen in London...

Cars in England aren't as small as they used to be but this one is still in a class of its own...

The Modern Motor-Driven Woodworking shop, 1930

This 125 page book by Woodworkers Educational Department (a division of Delta Manufacturing) dates to 1930 and introduces the reader to the world of woodworking with power tools. It's the forerunner of a million woodworking books and seems very advanced for the time, there were still factories running machines with belts and shafts. Many techniques and tips are described along with instructions for operating the various tools. I wonder how many regular guys could afford these sophisticated tools, or even a workshop, 1930 was into the Depression.