Erector Set

  The Erector line of metal girder construction sets was introduced in 1913, quite a bit later than the similar Meccano made in Britain. The sets were popular and after a redesign in 1924 made the kits more versatile , also electric motors, wheels etc. were all added to make more complex toys. In this 1958 starter kit it is implied that you could make a 3 foot tall robot, probably piggybacking off Robbie the Robot in the movie Forbidden Planet. Sorry, kids, you'll have to buy a bigger kit!

We had Meccano sets as kids, the Erector sets seemed cheap in comparison. The interest in this sort of building set declined in the seventies, and we know where kid's interests are today. The line was discontinued in the eighties. Meccano bought the rights in 1990.

 

Norton 850 Commando

 

One of the prettier Nortons I've seen lately, Just parked on the street like a real bike...

Promotional sparkplug gapper

Nice little promotional item from AC Sparkplugs. Model number GG10.

 

Flagstaff holder

 Here we have two different flagstaff holders based on patent US661643 of Nov 13, 1900. I've never given much thought to flagstaff holders, I'm not a yachtsman and I never considered a motorcycle to be a flag displaying-type of vehicle. But it looks well thought out, no-tool angle adjustment, rope retention with a good solid base. 

 I think I'd maybe add a setscrew to retain the actual flagstaff, though.

I'll take the thrilling Bel Air Sport Coupe please...

 

One of my vices is vises...

 (Even the little clamp-on ones that the manufacturer couldn't be bothered to put their name on.)

Gulflube Single

 

 Gulf making a fancy presentation for a single grade oil in a multigrade world. It was introduced in about 1960, the SB classification says for engines before 1951. It disappeared when Gulflube merged with Chevron in 1985.

Monday Mystery, Ken Tool S17

     Apologies for the poor images, I see Ken Tools (formerly Kennedy Tools) has been in business since about 1920 making tire changing tools, but I can't find any reference to this one.  Basically just a bar with 4 different-sized square knobs on both ends. Any ideas what it could have been used for?

Solved! a multi-tool for removing recessed square head drain plugs.

Kennedy catalog 187. Thanks, Dave!

 

Lenk No. 222 Alcohol Blotorch

  A very cool looking alcohol burning torch from Lenk, out of Boston, Massachusetts. Pretty sure it was part of Buck Rogers' collection of weapons. It was apparently capable of making enough heat for silver soldering or light brazing.

  I'm not really sure how it works and, as a face-saving measure, I'm not inclined to try it without more information.  For an earlier sample of their offerings, see Unusual Tools:  Lenk Improved Automatic Torch.

Below, an ad for a very similar tool from the American Products Corporation:

Popular Mechanics, February 1951

1955 Pontiac