Happy Australia Day

**Scribbly Gum** · 25th January 2012, 05:20 PM

January 26 is our national day, and is a day for citizenship ceremonies, and for reflecting on what a wonderful country we have, and are a part of. We have a population from many diverse backgrounds and ethnic origins, and we all do our best to thank and honour the way that these are shaping our national consciousness.
As I look back on the changes that I have seen in my life, I am pleased with some - and yet I have a tinge of regret about some things that we have lost along the way.
If we take woodworking as one simple example - we have almost lost the self sufficiency of manufacturing, that was such a big part of post World War Two re-construction.

I was also thinking that it might be a woodworking way of celebrating Australia Day by showing off some of our Australian made hand tools. It gives me a buzz to use these tools and to feel the link to our past. Feel free to join in.
Here is a sampling of some of mine.
There are more on my Blog

Happy Australia Day
SG

**Vann** · 25th January 2012, 05:56 PM

Interesting

I didn't know Stanley made the #803 eggbeater drill in Australia.

As far as Aussie made tools go, I've got a Mit-a-mit hand drill, Falcon Pope No.F6 foreplane and No.F151 spokeshave, and I once owned (and lost) a Silex sliding bevel.

Most of my hand tools are English, with a sprinkling of US and Canadian models.

Enjoy your day. Us Kiwis have New Zealand day on 6th February (Monday week).

Cheers, Vann.

edit: my hole saws are by Patience & Nicholson (a division of Sutton?) and made across the ditch, although I believe we have (or had) a Patience & Nicholson plant in Kaiapoi. Is it still open Seanz? (he lives in Kaiapoi)

**Scott** · 25th January 2012, 08:53 PM

I have exactly the same set of sockets which was given to me by my Father who had them given to him by my grandfather. Never used them but just looking at them makes me smile.

**haggismuncher** · 25th January 2012, 09:23 PM

Oh come on, Australia Day was invented by the Scots so we could have a day off to recover from Burns Night excesses

.
So have a happy Hangover Day

**Scribbly Gum** · 25th January 2012, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by sjt

I have exactly the same set of sockets which was given to me by my Father who had them given to him by my grandfather. Never used them but just looking at them makes me smile.

They still have the price on them - 60/6 or 3 pounds and sixpence.
There must have been a price rise because under the china pencil price, is a lead pencil price of 56/- or 2 pounds 16 shillings.
My weekly wage in 1964 was 7 pounds and 10 shillings, so this cost just less than half my weeks salary.

Cheers
SG

**brontehls** · 25th January 2012, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by haggismuncher

Oh come on, Australia Day was invented by the Scots so we could have a day off to recover from Burns Night excesses

.
So have a happy Hangover Day

Would the Lord the giftie gee us to see ourselves as others see us

especially after toasting the haggis in malt

I'm , more the "wee timorous beastie" myself

Neil

**wheelinround** · 26th January 2012, 09:36 AM

Nice collection there SG must check the egg beater better.

Unlike the flashy heading with the now US owned Vegemite

**seanz** · 26th January 2012, 11:19 AM

Happy Australia Day, I'll nip out to the shed and sing my Turner #5 a rousing rendition of Under The Southern Cross I Stand.

Vann, P&N are still in business here in the South Island.

**andrewr79** · 27th January 2012, 11:28 PM

Your registered Titan's look too pretty. And they have original handles. You must be doing it wrong

My first ever chisel was a 1/2 Titan mortice chisel that I must have grabbed from my Grandmother's place when she downsized, and I found when I moved. I don't think there's a better chisel in my collection than this piece of Aussie history. Thanks for sharing these with us SG.

**nick_b00** · 28th January 2012, 09:23 AM

SG,

I read this post on Aust Day and couldn't get the pic uploaded that I wanted because I wasn't at the computer.

Andrew I too have a certain affiliation with a Titan that was Dad's, he was no craftsman and nor am I but there is something about a tool you know was made in this country - we can call it our own and be proud. Its even more significant if a family member called it their own as well.

I won't post my Titan collection here ...... but will post this E.Kennedy 22" blackwood jointer. Made only for 1 year as far as I can see in Melbourne in 1928. It has pride of place above the TV in the lounge.

A little known Australian tool maker that was for too short a time as good as any before or since. Its a wonderful tool to hold in the hand has a good weight and balance. I've not used it in anger and part of the reason its a beautiful thing is that nobody ever really did. I've had it 2 years so for at least 80 it was an ornament or long forgotten.

Nick

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