Woodworking Machinery in Australia - Manufacturers and Merchants

[camoz]

Hi all,

Well for those that may not have noticed, Antique and Vintage Woodworking Machinery now has it's own home on this forum, which I think is pretty cool, so thank you to those responsible for making this happen.

I wanted to get on and post, and I have been thinking of doing this post for a while now. I've been interested in Australian Woodworking Machinery, and have always been surprised by the limited information available. We have seen some great posts on manufacturers and merchants in the past, but I don't think I have seen a post that actually lists all the companies.

Depending on the interest, I would like to try (time permitting) to maintain a running list (index), and perhaps expand on that with some history, and perhaps some links to valuable posts or other resources for research. I am certain their are people on this forum with some great information to share on this topic, and I think we will all be a bit surprised by the extent of history surrounding the manufacture and supply of Woodwork Machinery in Australia. Hopefully with participation, we might be lucky enough to document some piece of information that might otherwise have been lost.

To start the ball rolling, this is a bit of a list off the top of my head (it's 1pm and I was supposed to be somewhere at 11am so I will keep it brief).


Artisan Woodworking Machinery Pty Ltd
Atom Distributing Co.
Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd
L.S. Barker Pty Ltd
Charles & Hunting
Chas. E. Skinner Pty Ltd. (Renicks)
Demco Machinery Co. Pty Ltd
Durden
EasyCut Tool Company Pty Ltd
Gilbro
Goodall & Co. Pty Ltd
Hyco Woodworking Machinery
Macson
Mcpherson's Pty Ltd
Premo Woodworking and Sawmilling Machinery
W. Thornley and Sons Pty Ltd
Waldown (I add this for their drills)
Wolfenden
Woodfast

So this is a small list (please correct me, if something is not right, I don't claim to be an expert on this topic, I do need to go back and enter some of the company names correctly). Having done just this small list, I am thinking perhaps I should separate the merchants from the manufacturers?

Please do add to this list!!

Cheers,

Camo

[Uncle Al]

Vicmarc wood lathes, Tough wood lathes, Leady woodlathes and accessories (Bruce Leadbeater) are a few that spring to mind. Will have to put the thinking cap on, I'm sure there are heaps more. GMF electric motors made some machinery, they were mentioned in a post on here fairly recently. Does Triton saw benches qualify?

Then there are heaps of accessory makers, such as Gifkins dovetail jigs.

Great idea to make a register of manufacturers, the list will get surprisingly long in the coming days.

Alan...

[lightwood]

Camo,
Jeffwood Qld.

Also a merchant plate on my bandsaw. S. Robertson Pty Ltd. 23 Niagara Lane, Melb.
The plate is very similar to the Barker plate picture below, (from Matty)
The buildings in Niagara lane are magnificent, and still have the pulley mounts for lifting machinery.
Have a look at Google maps....look up....
23-25 Niagara Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 (https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/23-25+Niagara+Ln,+Melbourne+VIC+3000/@-37.8130995,144.9614498,3a,90y,281.74h,99.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_W0Dvgb5pOq2UbDUouZOHA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad642b54a862815:0x44a1e4eaa0588004?hl=en)

Cheers,
Peter

http://www.petermcbride.com/owwm/robertson_1.jpg

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/030.jpg

[clear out]

Cam I think the agents/dealers should be seperate from the manufacturers.
Here's a few more manufacturers.

Fidax. Drill Press. Sydney
Parken. DrillPress
Richardson. . Drill.Press. Radial arm saw.
Sterling. Drill Press. Took over from Richardson

Jeffwood

Booth and Blades. Disc Sanders. Melbourne
Saturn. Bobbin sander. Sydney

Ezycut. Combo Machines, sawbenches.
Foster. Case planer
Ripley. 3 wheel bandsaw.
Herbert. Jointer etc. Sydney

I have a few brochures etc on some of these obscure ones.

H.

[Oldbikerider]

Great idea Camo.

Here's one:

H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd.

365942

My 1933 Speedax bandsaw, and Hyco table saw came from here.

Should New Zealand companies be included on this list?

Graham.

[Oldbikerider]

And the brand that dare not speak it's name in these hallowed halls.

365943

[auscab]

A.A.Tyson

Band saws .

Rob

[Uncle Al]

The list grows! Paulcall at Bankstown Sydney made table saws and jointers, may have made combination machines as well. They also made G clamps and other small hand tools.
William Adams in Sydney were a machinery merchant, I don't know if they made any of the gear that they sold.

As Clear Out mentioned, Herbert was actually A.E Herbert & Co. I had one of their jointers, an 8 inch job that resembled an aircraft carrier, and took up nearly as much room in the workshop.

I know the following aren't antique or vintage, but Yas Engineering, manufacturers of the Torque Work Centre, SlabMaster and RouterMaster, there is the Wood Wizz surfacing machine ( About Us (http://www.woodwizz.com/about.html) ) and the Lucas Mill, and a couple of similar machines such as Goodwood portable saw mills (Goodwood Mobile Sawmills - Mobile Sawmill l Portable Sawmill Manufactured in Queensland (http://www.goodwoodmobilesawmills.com.au/) ) and a machine that was demonstrated at the front of the Melbourne WWWS, can't remember the name, but the owner is a forum member.

This is a great thread Camo, it has really got my my thinking cap working.

Alan...

[jcge]

Sterling. Drill Press. Took over from Richardson
H.

These drill presses ended their manufacturing under the label "Pexeme"

John

[Vann]

So, if I put a Forstner bit in my Dawn post drill, and use it to drill a hole in timber (as I do from time to time), does that make it a woodworking machine? http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/mf_wink.gif

http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/no.gifhttp://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/no.gifhttp://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/no.gif

Cheers, Vann

[lightwood]

So, if I put a Forstner bit in my Dawn post drill, and use it to drill a hole in timber (as I do from time to time), does that make it a woodworking machine? http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/mf_wink.gif

http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/no.gifhttp://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/no.gifhttp://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/no.gif

Cheers, Vann


Vann,

I think most folk will understand what a vintage and antique "WOODWORKING MACHINE" is .... and what a "woodworking machine" is....:U

For instance, although it works wood and is a brilliant concept, this probably doesn't qualify...

BBQ LATHE

(http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221967444297?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)Cheers,
Peter

[chambezio]

Reading through this thread has made me recall visiting a shop in Sydney about 40 years or more ago. They sold a benchsaw/jointer combination made with a hardwood frame. You could either buy them complete of assemble yourself.

"H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd. Clarence St Sydney". I don't remember seeing any other machinery on the floor but I know the shop was right "in town"

[camoz]

Have a look at Google maps....look up....
23-25 Niagara Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 (https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/23-25+Niagara+Ln,+Melbourne+VIC+3000/@-37.8130995,144.9614498,3a,90y,281.74h,99.23t/data=%213m6%211e1%213m4%211s_W0Dvgb5pOq2UbDUouZOHA%212e0%217i13312%218i6656%214m2%213m1%211s0x6ad642b54a862815:0x44a1e4eaa0588004?hl=en)

Peter,

That is very interesting, I'm glad that facade has survived development.


"H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd. Clarence St Sydney".

So are we putting them under Manufacturers and also Merchants?





I have a few brochures etc on some of these obscure ones.

H.

Henry,

I'm not sure how this post will evolve (in the limitations of a thread environment), but I would like to expand on things once we start getting a comprehensive list, so if your willing, please keep those catalogues stored somewhere with easy access (perhaps the morgan:;, inside joke)

[camoz]

Thank you everyone!! This is a great start, I am grateful that others share an interest in the topic.

Based on the list so far, and the sub forum we are in, I guess we need to set a few ground rules (this list is going to be long enough as it is), so may I suggest:

* We have two lists, a manufacturers and a Merchants

* Current companies can be included in the list, but I think we need to remember we are under the banner of "Antique and Vintage" (which is often hard in itself to define), but I think unless the company has considerable history in the area of Woodworking Machinery, we should probably keep them out of the list

* I think it would be right to include NZ companies in the list (Vann might not talk to me again otherwise :U). Seriously though I think there was sufficient trade between the two countries and we were isolated enough from the rest of the world that they should be included. Could a moderator please help by changing the thread heading to say "Woodworking Machinery in Australia & NZ - Manufacturers and Merchants"?


* I think we need to stick to manufacturers and merchants of woodworking "machines" on this thread (we now have two great sub forums under "Hand Tools and Machinery", and I don't want to be responsible for muddying the waters). I think those making or selling drill presses (commonly used for woodworking), slide into the group, perhaps even bench grinders (but that's probably a stretch).

I guess the test to see if the company should be in the list, would have to be, if you found an item the company sold or made, would you list that item in this sub forum, or would you list it in a different sub forum. If you would list it in the "Antique and Vintage Machinery" sub forum, then I think the company should be in the list.

So here is what we have so far (some of these companies I have limited knowledge on, so please check the list and let me know if there are any corrections to be made):



Manufacturers

Location



Artisan Woodworking Machinery Pty Ltd



Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd



L.S. Barker Pty Ltd



Booth and Blades



Charles & Hunting



Chas. E. Skinner Pty Ltd. (Renicks)



Demco Machinery Co. Pty Ltd



Durden



EasyCut Tool Company Pty Ltd



Fidax



Gilbro



H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd



GMF electric motors



A.E Herbert & Co.



Hyco Woodworking Machinery



Jeffwood



Macson



Parken



Paulcall



Pexeme Thornleigh NSW



Premo Woodworking and Sawmilling Machinery



J.S. Richardson & Co.



Ripley



Saturn



Sterling Machinery Pty Ltd



W. Thornley and Sons Pty Ltd



Tough



A.A.Tyson



Waldown (I add this for their drills)



Wolfenden



Woodfast











Merchants




Atom Distributing Co.



Goodall & Co. Pty Ltd



H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd



Mcpherson's Pty Ltd



S. Robinson Pty Ltd



William Adams











In or out




Hafco Woodmaster
?


Leady woodlathes and accessories
?


Triton
?


Vicmarc
?




As I said originally, I do not claim to be the expert on this topic (just an interested student), so please if you find something not correct, question it, and we can discuss it and change it if needed (no need having something inaccurate in the list).
Cheers,

Camo

[auscab]

Just thought of another , there's probably a lot more ?

Servian

They did the edge sander as well as pedestal drills and bigger engineering stuff like mills and possibly Lathes ?
I'm not sure of any other woodworking gear.

Rob

[auscab]

Of course how could I not think of

Sparrow

It looks like R&EH Sparrow ?

Rob

[AndrewOC]

Cool thread Camoz!
Could I include;
Lampard made a heavy wood lathe and power-hacksaws, at least. Appear in the Trove record 1949 onwards. Company was in Condell Park (Sydney).
L. Goldie & Sons, Leichhardt, heavy wood lathe and horizontal borer known in captivity.
W.D. Valentine, 73 Downshire Rd, Elsternwick (tel; LF2755, so date that!). I have a phone photo of a timber framed bench saw by Valentine, taken at this year's Lost Trades Fair.
regs,
AndrewOC

[lightwood]

Of course how could I not think of

Sparrow

It looks like R&EH Sparrow ?

Rob

Rob .....And your GOLDIE copy lathe!
See the post above.

Peter

[auscab]

Yeah , I was just thinking the same :)

[camoz]

Good job guys, they are coming thick and fast!!

I was toying with the idea of on top of having the list, perhaps putting together a collage (for want of a better word) of badges, something like this:

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r754/woodworkforum/manufacturers%20and%20merchants%20tags_zpsvxlf0naa.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/woodworkforum/media/manufacturers%20and%20merchants%20tags_zpsvxlf0naa.jpg.html)

If you can find tags and post them, I will put them together and post it up (there is a lot of useful detail in some of these badges, so it would probably make for a useful reference once complete). It would be best ,if you find the image online to try as best you can to credit the source. The above as you can see are from this thread (except the Artisan, which is from a post Melbourne Matty did).

Cheers,

Camo

P.S. No I'm not taking up scrap booking as a hobby:p

[keltrader]

Could we add "Morris Machine Tools" to the list of manufactures? I know they manufactured bandsaws.

[Oldbikerider]

Tanner Engineering Ltd. Penrose, Aukland, New Zealand.

Sold in Australia by C.M.C. Cleveland Machinery Co. Pty. Ltd. Redfern N.S.W, Australia.

366030366031

[Oldbikerider]

In or out



Hafco Woodmaster
?







To answer your question Camo. I only put Hafco up as a joke, so yes, I think they do not qualify for the list.
Graham.

[L.S.Barker1970]

Hi Cam. I had a crack at the locations, been searching for hours, had enough ...
Hey Great post BTW !!!

Melbourne Matty.






Manufacturers
Last known Loction


Artisan Woodworking Machinery Pty Ltd
1 Ford Crescent Thornbury Melbourne Vic.


Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd


44 Punt Road Winsor Melbourne Vic.


L.S. Barker Pty Ltd
660 Waterdale Road West Heidleburg Melbourne Vic.


Booth and Blades
Cheltenham


Charles & Hunting
Sydenham Street Highett Melbourne Vic


Chas. E. Skinner Pty Ltd. (Renicks)
117-119 Day street Gladesville Sydney NSW.


Demco Machinery Co. Pty Ltd
355 Wiliams street Melbourne Vic


Durden
3 Provident Avenue Glynde Adelaide SA.


EasyCut Tool Company Pty Ltd
J & G, Wylie Industries
14- 16 Joel Court Moorabbin Melbourne Vic


Fidax




Gilbro Engineering
79 Plenty Road Preston Melbourne Vic


H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd
74 Clarence st Sydney NSW


GMF electric motors
Bonar Street Arncliffe Sydney NSW.


A.E Herbert & Co.
7-9 Birmingham street Alexandria Sydney NSW


Hyco Woodworking Machinery




Jeffwood
Norgate Road Norgate Brisbane Qld.


Macson
546 Collins Street Melbourne


Parken
74 Renver Road Clayton Melbourne Vic


Paulcall




Pexeme Thornleigh NSW




Brackenbury & Austin Pty Ltd. “Premo”
7 Nickson Street Surry Hills Sydney NSW


J.S. Richardson & Co.




Ripley




Saturn




Sterling Machinery Pty Ltd
Boundary Rd Northmead Sydney NSW.


W. Thornley and Sons Pty Ltd
23 Unwins Bridge Road StPeters Sydney NSW.


F & R Tough
24 Faulkner Avenue
Belmont Perth WA


A.A.Tyson
933 High Street Armadale Melbourne Vic


Waldown (I add this for their drills)
8 Fowler Road Dandenong Melbourne Vic


Wolfenden
4-6 Halsey Road Airport west Melbourne Vic


Woodfast
1 Findon Road Woodville Adelaide Vic


Servian Machine tools
284 Albert street Brunswick Melbourne Vic.


E.G.Lacey
106 Sackville Street Collingwood Melbourne Vic.










J.R.Hall
575-579 Collins street Melbourne Vic


E.B.Scott Engineering
Northcote Melbourne Vic.


ACE Woodworking machinery




Nolex
241 Rail way Parade Maylands Perth WA.


Morcraft Machine Tools
Greenway Streett Bulline Melbourne Vic.


R. & E.H. Sparrow
WestGarth Street Fitzroy

[camoz]

[/TD]

[/TR]
[/TABLE]

To answer your question Camo. I only put Hafco up as a joke, so yes, I think they do not qualify for the list.
Graham.

Bit of a joke at my end too, but I do note that Hare & Forbes have been around since 1930, so they should
so they should probably go in under merchants?

Cheers,

Camo

[Uncle Al]

Paulcall was at Canterbury Road Bankstown, NSW.

There was a Chas E Skinner at Botany Road Redfern, this may have been an older address prior to moving to Gladesville? I used to deal with them for used machinery such as industrial gearboxes, and where I bought my GMF 8" pedastal grinder about 31 years ago.

Alan...

[camoz]

Matty,

Well done!! There is a lot of work that has gone into that, I really appreciate it!

Cheers,

Camo

[camoz]

Paulcall was at Canterbury Road Bankstown, NSW.

There was a Chas E Skinner at Botany Road Redfern, this may have been an older address prior to moving to Gladesville? I used to deal with them for used machinery such as industrial gearboxes, and where I bought my GMF 8" pedastal grinder about 31 years ago.

Alan...


Alan,

His son was also operating the business up on the central coast until the last few years (restoration)

[camoz]

I was looking at ACE Woodworking Machinery, and thanks to Trove found this advert published in the Newcastle Sun 24th March 1948:

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r754/woodworkforum/ace%20woodwork_zpsyhrfgg1n.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/woodworkforum/media/ace%20woodwork_zpsyhrfgg1n.jpg.html)

So based on that, this means ACE wasn't making the machines at the time? Premier Engineering Works 80-82 Tudor St Hamilton was making them. We even exported them to China:U.


Cheers,

Camo

[lightwood]

Camo,
what about D Richardson & sons, the dust extraction, cyclone maker.
I was looking into them since I've got one not being used next to the shed.
A very interesting report.....
http://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Files/Heritage_Assessment.pdf


(http://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Files/Heritage_Assessment.pdf)History: Original factory of D. Richardson & Sons and Richardson Gears. The former moved to Ballarat Road
Braybrook in the 1950s where they still operate. David Richardson come from New Zealand in 1887 following a
Glasgow apprenticeship. He purchased the house and workshop in Whitehall Street to expand a business
manufacturing windmills and perforated metals. Pelton wheels and mining batteries were made for a time but
after a company division in 1912 one side settled down to specialise in perforated metals while Richardson
Gears continued gear cutting. David Richardson took up fan making in the 1920s.

http://www.petermcbride.com/temp/dusty/dusty1.jpg

[jcge]

I find this one interesting because it ties Hyco & Woodfast together (taken from a lathe)

366059


and JS Richardson operated from premises at 576 Prince's Highway Sydenham NSW

366060
SMH Friday 7 September 1951

366062
SMH Saturday 21 June 1947 - a brief specification for the ubiquitous 6 speed drill. I've never seen a manual for one of these machines.

And here's a JS Richardson / Sterling link

366061


Regards,
John

[AndrewOC]

May I re-iterate a comment in this old thread; http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/information-industry-manufacturing-england-161123
"Anyone want to put their hand up to start an Australian version??
We have bemoaned the shrinking of Aussie manufacturing many times here on this very forum, after all.
A.
PS, I don't know how, so bags not me."
Of course ALL Australian (+ NZ?) manufacturing and machinery should be considered for inclusion- Brackenbury & Austin didn't care about a metal/wood division!

regs,
AndrewOC

[camoz]

May I re-iterate a comment in this old thread; http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/information-industry-manufacturing-england-161123
"Anyone want to put their hand up to start an Australian version??
We have bemoaned the shrinking of Aussie manufacturing many times here on this very forum, after all.
A.
PS, I don't know how, so bags not me."
Of course ALL Australian (+ NZ?) manufacturing and machinery should be considered for inclusion- Brackenbury & Austin didn't care about a metal/wood division!

regs,
AndrewOC


Andrew,

I hear you. I did stick my toe in the water doing a blog on L.S. Barker L.S. Barker (http://lsbarker.blogspot.com.au/) (basically it was only ever intended as an easy way for me to share information with Melbourne Matty, and to try to combine the information gathered in this thread http://www.woodworkforums.com/f163/real-barker-173140?highlight=real+l.s.+barker ).

I have to say that after doing this small bit, there is a lot that goes into it, and also I don't like that I didn't credit all the sources, but that would have easily doubled the time (like I said it was never intended to be available to anyone other than me and Matty, but then after discussion with a few from the thread, I decided to share it as public).

I have been looking at this thread with frustration (at the limitations that a forum format has), you can imagine how many times this list will appear, with an update to add a company (as once the thread is locked, you can no longer go back and change it). With those limitations aside though, the forum I think is the best place to start gathering the information as the thread "Who is the real L.S. Barker" has had 9,605 views and my little blog has had a total of about 400 views:U.

Don't get me wrong I would love to see something like that, but I think that website surely went through many stages to get to what we see today, and it would certainly take a big undertaking to launch something like that (says someone who has never launched a website before:U).

Cheers,

Camo

[Vann]

Tanner Engineering Ltd. Penrose, Aukland, New Zealand.Aukland? Where do Orcs come from? Orcland of course.

But seriously. Dyco - Auckland; and apparently Louis Eichmann (though the latter may have had woodworking machinery built for them) also of Auckland.

I'm at work ATM and will try to add more infoonce I get hme (thiscomputr is playing up - http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/anoyd.gif)

Chers, Vann.

[camoz]

Updated:

There are still a few gaps to fill. Obviously there may be more than one address for a company.



Manufacturers

Location



ACE Woodworking machinery



Artisan Woodworking Machinery Pty Ltd
1 Ford Crescent Thornbury Melbourne Vic.


Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd
44 Punt Road Winsor Melbourne Vic., 490 Kent St Sydney


L.S. Barker Pty Ltd
660 Waterdale Road West Heidleburg Melbourne Vic.


Booth and Blades
Cheltenham


Charles & Hunting
Sydenham Street Highett Melbourne Vic


Chas. E. Skinner Pty Ltd. (Renicks)
117-119 Day street Gladesville Sydney NSW, Botany Road Redfern


Demco Machinery Co. Pty Ltd
355 Wiliams street Melbourne Vic, 240 Cleveland St Redfern


Durden
3 Provident Avenue Glynde Adelaide SA.


Dyco
Auckland


EasyCut Tool Company Pty Ltd
14- 16 Joel Court Moorabbin Melbourne Vic


Fidax



Gilbro Engineering
79 Plenty Road Preston Melbourne Vic


H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd
74 Clarence st Sydney NSW


GMF electric motors
Bonar Street Arncliffe Sydney NSW.


L. Goldie & Sons
leichhardt


A.E Herbert & Co.
7-9 Birmingham street Alexandria Sydney NSW


J.R.Hall
575-579 Collins street Melbourne Vic


Hyco Woodworking Machinery
Sydney NSW


Jeffwood
Norgate Road Norgate Brisbane Qld.


E.G.Lacey
106 Sackville Street Collingwood Melbourne Vic.


Lampard



Macson
546 Collins Street Melbourne


Morcraft Machine Tools
Greenway Streett Bulline Melbourne Vic.


Morris Machine Tools



Nolex
241 Rail way Parade Maylands Perth WA.


Parken
74 Renver Road Clayton Melbourne Vic


Paulcall
Canterbury Road Bankstown, NSW


Pexeme Thornleigh NSW
Thornleigh NSW


“Premo” Brackenbury & Austin Pty Ltd.
7 Nickson Street Surry Hills Sydney NSW


J.S. Richardson & Co.
576 Princess Hwy St. Peters


D Richardson & sons
Melbourne Australia (Branches in every Capital City)


Ripley
576 Princess Hwy St. Peters


Saturn



E.B.Scott Engineering
Northcote Melbourne Vic.


Servian Machine tools
284 Albert street Brunswick Melbourne Vic.


R. & E.H. Sparrow
WestGarth Street Fitzroy


Sterling Machinery Pty Ltd
Boundary Rd Northmead Sydney NSW.


Tanner Engineering Ltd
Penrose, Aukland, New Zealand


W. Thornley and Sons Pty Ltd
23 Unwins Bridge Road StPeters Sydney NSW.


F & R Tough
24 Faulkner Avenue Belmont Perth WA


A.A.Tyson
933 High Street Armadale Melbourne Vic


W.D. Valentine
73 Downshire Rd, Elsternwick


Waldown (I add this for their drills)
8 Fowler Road Dandenong Melbourne Vic


Wolfenden Bros. Pty Ltd
4-6 Halsey Road Airport west Melbourne Vic


Woodfast
1 Findon Road Woodville Adelaide Vic


J & G, Wylie Industries







Merchants




Atom Distributing Co.
1 Loudon Rd Burwood Melbourne


Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd
44 Punt Road Winsor Melbourne Vic., 490 Kent St Sydney


Cleveland Machinery Co Pty
195 Cleveland St Redfern


Goodall's & Co. Pty Ltd
301 Kent St Sydney


Hare & Forbes
116 Walker St Redfern


H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd
74 Clarence st Sydney NSW


Louis Eichmann
Auckland (May have been a manufacturer)


Mcpherson's Pty Ltd
51-65 Bathurst St Sydney


S. Robinson Pty Ltd
23 Niagra Lane Melbourne


William Adams











In or out




Leady woodlathes and accessories
?


Triton
?


Vicmarc
?

[camoz]

A couple of companies still requiring address information (in the list):



ACE Woodworking machinery (see post 29 needs clarification)


Fidax


Lampard


Morris Machine Tools


Saturn


J & G, Wylie Industries


William Adams

[lightwood]

Camo,

Is this the William Adams, in WA
http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/mn/mn2501_3000/mn2738.pdf

(http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/mn/mn2501_3000/mn2738.pdf)Peter

[camoz]

Camo,

Is this the William Adams, in WA
http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/mn/mn2501_3000/mn2738.pdf

(http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/pdf/mn/mn2501_3000/mn2738.pdf)Peter


Peter,

Not sure, "Keltrader" asked me to add them to the list http://www.woodworkforums.com/f299/woodworking-machinery-australia-manufacturers-merchants-201093/2#post1915705

Perhaps he can chime in and confirm?

Cheers,

Camo

[camoz]

A collection of adverts from Trove

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r754/woodworkforum/Adverts_zps1bxyetfi.jpg (http://s1365.photobucket.com/user/woodworkforum/media/Adverts_zps1bxyetfi.jpg.html)

Cheers,

Camo

[hiroller]

Fidax Engineering. Courtesy of the Power Farming and Better Farming Digest, June 1971
366086

There was also a Fidax Foundry until recently.
Fidax Case Story - DISA (http://www.disagroup.com/en/sites/disa/content/downloads/case_stories/parts_and_services/fidax_case_story.aspx)
http://www.graysonline.com/sale/5002736/manufacturing/insolvency-sale-extended-by-24hrs-fidax-foundry-plant?view=gallery

[clear out]

Fidax Engineering. Courtesy of the Power Farming and Better Farming Digest, June 1971
366086

There was also a Fidax Foundry until recently.
Fidax Case Story - DISA (http://www.disagroup.com/en/sites/disa/content/downloads/case_stories/parts_and_services/fidax_case_story.aspx)
http://www.graysonline.com/sale/5002736/manufacturing/insolvency-sale-extended-by-24hrs-fidax-foundry-plant?view=gallery

I went to the auction preview.
They captured a large ongoing order from Eurorail and tooled up for it.
Our dollar went up and they lost the orders.
They'd neglected their local market and went kaput.
H.
there was a clapped out drill at the auction but I didn't buy it for some reason:no:

[clear out]

H.R.Cousins was the local manufacturer for the Wadkin Bursgreen AGS saw bench.
The difference 'tween it and the Pom built ones are that the riving knife does not rise and fall with the blade. The Al insert is machined not die cast. The handles are cast iron not Al.
They are known for their radial arm Supersaw and had at least 2 Northern Sydney addresses.
H

[clear out]

Richardson also made a radial arm saw.
the Foster case planer was made by C M Foster. 690 sandy Bay Rd. Hobart.
The Saturn bobbin sander was made by Peter Milne Patternmakers.
They have 2 Sydney addresses 14 Charles St, St Marys.
and 507 Vincent Rd Cranbrook.
Scruttons was also an agent although I can't find my cattle dog atm.
H.

[clear out]

Alan,

His son was also operating the business up on the central coast until the last few years (restoration)

Chas on the Central Coast was the grandson of Chas E Skinner.
I'm vague on this but my understanding is there were 2 sons and they didn't get on.
I remember 2 addresses the one on Botany Rd. they were next to the Rupes mob.
The Gladesville address where I bought a ute load of paper for $30 at the auction.
We have a copy of the Rennicks cattle dog in the TTTG library Cam and a lot of other goodies.
The main Austral address should be Sydney I feel as in the Wadkin info it is the constant. The other states changed over the years but Austral was the constant NSW distributor until Wadkin Australia was set up in the late 70s.
H.

[clear out]

The Leady lathe was an Indian made adaptation of the English Viceroy.
I worked at Sydney Teachers College and the Viceroys where there in the wood shop.
I remember Bruce complaining about the quality problems specifically about a lathes being transported on rail cars in the rain.
Similar story with the Carbatec mini lathe.
Geoff got it prototyped by a pattern maker up the Queensland coast and when the local foundry had produced a few samples shifted production to Tiawan.
He eventually gave up on it as on every shipment the Tiawanese made changes to it and he'd have to flyover and sort it out.
H.

[AndrewOC]

Lampard Engineering Company, Ilma Street Bankstown, ph UY9695 (1952 on).
The above from Trove.
I'll get the street number next time I visit the lathe- is 200km away!
regs,
AndrewOC

[keltrader]

Peter,

Not sure, "Keltrader" asked me to add them to the list http://www.woodworkforums.com/f299/woodworking-machinery-australia-manufacturers-merchants-201093/2#post1915705

Perhaps he can chime in and confirm?

Cheers,

Camo

Enclosed pic of badge on 18" cast iron bandsaw. Hope this helps the list. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/17/c4d7783a19dd8bc6a71769ca656f309e.jpg

[woodlogic]

Hi Camo,

I have a lathe made by Jarman Bros, Shepherd St Sydney. Below are a few photos for reference. It would be good if anyone has any information on this maker.

Raymond.

366191

366192366193

[Vann]

...Dyco - Auckland; and apparently Louis Eichmann (though the latter may have had woodworking machinery built for them) also of Auckland.

I'm at work ATM and will try to add more infoonce I get hme (thiscomputr is playing up - http://d1r5wj36adg1sk.cloudfront.net/images/smilies/anoyd.gif)

Chers, Vann.Okay, so Louis Eichmann appear to have been machinery agents (they were the agents for the Chaco guides on my bandsaw).

366195 366197

However it seems they may have also manufactured some machinery, or had it manufactured for them.

366196

A google search suggests they were in business between 1956 and 1992. First in Hobson St, then 169 Great North Road, and finally at 39 Huia St, Otahuhu - all in Auckland, NZ.

Cheers, Vann.

[hiroller]

Jarman Bros article from the Daily Commercial News and Shipping List (Sydney, NSW : 1891 - 1954), Wednesday 21 July 1920, page 9
366205

[hiroller]

It's just interesting browsing through the classifieds in Trove.
Check out the Machinery section from 1946.
There is a lot of choice. Certainly a lot more than today.
21 Sep 1946 - The Sydney Morning Herald - p17 (http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/996751?zoomLevel=3)
Some rich research material there!

[L.S.Barker1970]

I find this one interesting because it ties Hyco & Woodfast together (taken from a lathe)

366059


and JS Richardson operated from premises at 576 Prince's Highway Sydenham NSW

366060
SMH Friday 7 September 1951

366062
SMH Saturday 21 June 1947 - a brief specification for the ubiquitous 6 speed drill. I've never seen a manual for one of these machines.

And here's a JS Richardson / Sterling link

366061


Regards,
John

Thanks John, I was hoping you would jump in on this one as we have spoken about J.S.Richardson before.
I can say that with out a doubt that the firm is no relation to D. Richardson who made those nice big cast iron blowers that you and I like so much.

Melbourne Matty.

[L.S.Barker1970]

Cam, just thought I would add a little more to the merchants...

Melbourne Matty.



Merchants






Last known Location.


Atom Distributing Co.

A & F Mitchell
1 Loudon Rd Burwood Melbourne Vic.

20 Rustle Street East Hawthorn Melbourne Vic.


Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd


Australian Trade Equipment Co Pty Ltd

Brown & Dureau Ltd

Bevan & Edwards

Burns Philip & Co

Cameron & Suthreland Pty Ltd.
44 Punt Road Winsor Melbourne Vic.,
490 Kent St Sydney NSW.

882 Glenhuntly Road South Caulfield Melbourne Vic.

422 Collins Street Melbourne Vic.

547-580 Latrobe street Melbourne Vic.

340 Collins Street Melbourne Vic.

192 Nepean highway Gardenvale Melbourne Vic.


Cleveland Machinery Co Pty

Frank Vial & Son

Gibson & Battle & Co
195 Cleveland St Redfern

369-375 Queen Street Melbourne Vic.

236 Adderley street West Melbourne Vic


Goodall's & Co. Pty Ltd
301 Kent St Sydney NSW.
63 Jeffcott Street West Melbourne Vic


Hare & Forbes
116 Walker St Redfern NSW.


H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd
74 Clarence st Sydney NSW


Louis Eichmann
Auckland (May have been a manufacturer)


Mcpherson's Pty Ltd
51-65 Bathurst St Sydney
546 Collins St Melbourne Vic.


S. Robinson Pty Ltd

William Adams
23 Niagra Lane Melbourne Vic.

691 Geelong Road Brooklyn
Murry Street Perth WA.

[L.S.Barker1970]

Good job guys, they are coming thick and fast!!

I was toying with the idea of on top of having the list, perhaps putting together a collage (for want of a better word) of badges, something like this:
If you can find tags and post them, I will put them together and post it up (there is a lot of useful detail in some of these badges, so it would probably make for a useful reference once complete). It would be best ,if you find the image online to try as best you can to credit the source. The above as you can see are from this thread (except the Artisan, which is from a post Melbourne Matty did).

Cheers,

Camo

P.S. No I'm not taking up scrap booking as a hobby:p

Here's a few then ....

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355183/DSC_0328_zpsfm7atfpv.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/188868-medium_zpswp2k9o55.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/image-205_zpsltihdy9l.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/_57_zpsjw4dwz0x.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/_57_zpsnsdim3tb.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/DSCN5666_zpsyl6sbyyx.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/image-86_zpsawaj1pph.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/DSC_0285_zpsfcppsuau.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/DSC_0252_zps89yc66f4.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/DSC_0036-1_zpsqrunt2aj.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355182/08933l4_20_zpsntw0s3mu.jpeg
Melbourne Matty.

[lightwood]

Camo,
what about including the guard makers?
J T Peat Pty Ltd
Sydney

Peter

http://www.petermcbride.com/owwm/jointer_guard.jpg

http://www.petermcbride.com/owwm/jointer_1.jpg

[Chris Parks]

I contacted Servian for some information on my drill in the early 1980's and at that time they had a branch or their headquarters in Belfield NSW. He explianed they imported and re-badged machinery from all over the world. My gear head drill for instance was made in Sweden.

As an apprentice I used to work for a company that did all A.E. Herbert's printing in the 1960's.

[clear out]

Here's a couple more tags.
My father served his time at Buzacotts before the war.
They sold all manner of farming gear, drag saws etc and of course stationary engines and Wolsley shearing hand pieces.
We had a lot of these tags but they got used as soft jaws over the years.:D
H.

[Vann]

I was trying to find more info on Dyco, for this thread. Google brings up many Dycos' in NZ. Some were reincarnations of the woodworking machine manufacturer, others in different lines of business. Dyco Manfacturing Ltd; Dyco Industries Ltd; Dyco International Ltd; Dyco Machinery Ltd...
So I searched Trademe, hoping to find a good clear manufacturer's tag...

366353
This one is not exactly clear. It says "DYCO, Dyco Industries Ltd" and gives an address in Great South Road, Auckland. Dyco Industries Ltd was incorporated 22nd May, 1987. It is not longer trading ("struck off")

366354
I can't read this one, but it's interesting that Louis Eichmann were the agents.

Then I remembered :doh: the 4 1/2" buzzer I was given a year ago (and have never used), is a Dyco :doh::B

It's tag says "DYCO, Manufactured by HJB Engineering Co. Ltd., 178 Station Rd, Penrose, Auckland, NZ". I can't find any reference to HJB Engineering Co. Ltd on google.

Cheers, Vann.

[greggyboy]

Here's a Thornley badge with MBT on it from my chain mortiser.

[erlexpavlis]

Camo,
Jeffwood Qld.

Also a merchant plate on my bandsaw. S. Robertson Pty Ltd. 23 Niagara Lane, Melb.
The plate is very similar to the Barker plate picture below, (from Matty)
The buildings in Niagara lane are magnificent, and still have the pulley mounts for lifting machinery.
Have a look at Google maps....look up....
23-25 Niagara Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 (https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/23-25+Niagara+Ln,+Melbourne+VIC+3000/@-37.8130995,144.9614498,3a,90y,281.74h,99.23t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_W0Dvgb5pOq2UbDUouZOHA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x6ad642b54a862815:0x44a1e4eaa0588004?hl=en)

Cheers,
Peter

http://www.petermcbride.com/owwm/robertson_1.jpg

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/030.jpgF
I was on niagara lane last night looking at those exact buildings wondering what would have been made in there! They are beautiful old buildings.

[jcge]

Thanks John, I was hoping you would jump in on this one as we have spoken about J.S.Richardson before.
I can say that with out a doubt that the firm is no relation to D. Richardson who made those nice big cast iron blowers that you and I like so much.

Melbourne Matty.

Matty - thanks for the clarification on the two separate companies.
Dawn also made similar blowers to D Richardson...I picked up one a while back that I've yet to re-commission. I saw an entry for them in an old Scruttons catalogue in a second hand bookshop...not sure what year.

It's great to see so many people contributing to this thread !!!

John

[L.S.Barker1970]

Matty - thanks for the clarification on the two separate companies.
Dawn also made similar blowers to D Richardson...I picked up one a while back that I've yet to re-commission. I saw an entry for them in an old Scruttons catalogue in a second hand bookshop...not sure what year.

It's great to see so many people contributing to this thread !!!

John

Hi John, I do recall the Dawn blowers as I also have one in the very corner of my work shop, haven't seen it for a while as its buried under a heap of stuff.
Its only a little one with a 2 hp motor, set up for my docking saw, didn't get around piping it in.


Melbourne Matty.

[Ausannie]

Of course how could I not think of Sparrow It looks like R&EH Sparrow ?RobNot sure if you're interested but as you appear to be looking into a history of woodworking machinery manufacturers in Victoria? Australia? you may be interested to know a bit more about R & EH Sparrow. They were Reuben and Edward Henry Sparrow. Edward Henry was my great grandfather. I have copies of a couple of flyers that they distributed to advertise to pieces of their machinery. If you're interested I can provide images of these. I have one of their manufacturers plates as well, which appears to be in better condition than the image that was posted. I have noted that there are a few pieces of their equipment still around and in use, some advertised on Gumtree.Hope this is of some interest.

[L.S.Barker1970]

Hi Ausannie
That is just amazing !!
I have so many questions and would love to hear more !
Yes, a look at some sales brochures would be a thrill !!
Thank you so much for posting.

Melbourne Matty.

[auscab]

Not sure if you're interested but as you appear to be looking into a history of woodworking machinery manufacturers in Victoria? Australia? you may be interested to know a bit more about R & EH Sparrow. They were Reuben and Edward Henry Sparrow. Edward Henry was my great grandfather. I have copies of a couple of flyers that they distributed to advertise to pieces of their machinery. If you're interested I can provide images of these. I have one of their manufacturers plates as well, which appears to be in better condition than the image that was posted. I have noted that there are a few pieces of their equipment still around and in use, some advertised on Gumtree. Hope this is of some interest.



That's Great Ausannie , Like Matty says , we'd love to see more and see any info you have .

I have a sparrow piece that was a sanding wheel that I turned into a lathe . when I bought it we did a bit of research and looked up the address on google earth to see the old factory which still has the walls but is now a house.

I did a thread on the rebuild here, http://www.woodworkforums.com/f163/faceplate-lathe-193334

We have noticed plenty of what appears to be early and later Sparrow machinery turning up , the base on my sander / lathe appears to have been used for a number of different machines . Ive seen the same base in a Sparrow spindle moulder ,and a table saw , the saw looked original , Im not sure the moulder was ? We keep spotting Buzzers and over head drum sanders as well . We saw a ripper of and old early looking drum sander with Brass bearing oilers, on a block in Montrose a while back.

Regards Rob

[L.S.Barker1970]

I have noted that there are a few pieces of their equipment still around and in use, some advertised on Gumtree.Hope this is of some interest.

Rob (Auscab), myself and Peter (lightwood) spotted this big sparrow drum sander a while back, R & EH Sparrow was rumored to of merged with firm of L.S.Barker in the late 1950's early 1960's ?

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355186/DSC_0259_zpsl53yl3wy.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355186/DSC_0252_zpssa1ajv4t.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355186/DSC_0254_zps7nexvqrm.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355186/DSC_0255_zpsaxx5o8fp.jpg

Melbourne Matty.

[elanjacobs]

We used to have one of those sanders, it was running on V-belts instead of flat belts to a 10hp motor. No star-delta switch either, the lights would always dim when we turned it on. I remember one of my first jobs as an apprentice was to locate and top up the grease nipples...all 31 of them :doh: Changing the paper was a 2-3 hour ordeal and a killer on the hands (wearing gloves made it nearly impossible, the boss or I would put up with raw hands for a day after), so it only got done when it blew up :rolleyes:

We ran 120 on the front and 180 on the back, the finish was good enough to polish.

I do miss it, but certainly don't regret the swap to a 1350mm wide-belt; paper changes are done in about 30 seconds and stuff actually comes out flat :p

[Ausannie]

Hi Melbourne Matty,

Have just moved house, so can't lay my hands on the flyers at the minute as they are still packed somewhere. Still working at getting my PC set up too (fairly certain I've scanned them), so will post these as soon as I can. I can tell you a bit about Reuben and more about Edward Henry. Have photos of Edward. Let me know what you'd like to know and I'll provide it if I have the info. My grandfather, Lyndsay Sparrow, continued in the business, then later designed woodworking machinery in another partnership (will look that up).
Cheers,
Ausannie

[L.S.Barker1970]

Hi Melbourne Matty,

Have just moved house, so can't lay my hands on the flyers at the minute as they are still packed somewhere. Still working at getting my PC set up too (fairly certain I've scanned them), so will post these as soon as I can. I can tell you a bit about Reuben and more about Edward Henry. Have photos of Edward. Let me know what you'd like to know and I'll provide it if I have the info. My grandfather, Lyndsay Sparrow, continued in the business, then later designed woodworking machinery in another partnership (will look that up).
Cheers,
Ausannie

Hi Ausannie,
Where to start ?!?..

I suppose firstly do you know of a start date of the firm, did the two brothers start of the business as general engineers ?
How old were they both when they started, were they young men ?
Do you know when the firm closed, wondering if Lyndasy had something to do with L.S.Barker in Heidleburg ?
What was the range of machines produced by Sparrow ?..ie, sanders, Planers etc..

Ausannie, I'll leave it at that, I just didn't want to bombard you with a heap of questions.
Please, take your time, there's no pressure here, I'm just very grateful to talk to someone like yourself who has this wonderful knowledge !

Melbourne Matty.

[camoz]

Hi Melbourne Matty,

Have just moved house, so can't lay my hands on the flyers at the minute as they are still packed somewhere. Still working at getting my PC set up too (fairly certain I've scanned them), so will post these as soon as I can. I can tell you a bit about Reuben and more about Edward Henry. Have photos of Edward. Let me know what you'd like to know and I'll provide it if I have the info. My grandfather, Lyndsay Sparrow, continued in the business, then later designed woodworking machinery in another partnership (will look that up).
Cheers,
Ausannie

How exciting!!!

I have been a bit slack for a few weeks at checking on this thread (family visiting and holidays), so it's a thrill to see someone with such a close connection to a business we are discussing has chimed in (this is exactly the type of connection I might have dreamed of when starting this thread)!!

Thank you for taking the time to come here, and welcome to the forum.

As Matty said, there is no pressure, but we certainly look forward to any information you may have.

Cheers,

Camo

[Ausannie]

Not sure if you're interested but as you appear to be looking into a history of woodworking machinery manufacturers in Victoria? Australia? you may be interested to know a bit more about R & EH Sparrow. They were Reuben and Edward Henry Sparrow. Edward Henry was my great grandfather. I have copies of a couple of flyers that they distributed to advertise to pieces of their machinery. If you're interested I can provide images of these. I have one of their manufacturers plates as well, which appears to be in better condition than the image that was posted. I have noted that there are a few pieces of their equipment still around and in use, some advertised on Gumtree.Hope this is of some interest.

Hi all, I'm very pleased to find that the family business is of some interest to so many people. Reuben was born 25th November 1854 in Hobart, Tasmania & Edward Henry was born 15th Nov 1854 in Fitzroy. Their parents were Francis Sparrow, a native of Kilmanagh, Kilkenny, Ireland who arrived in Sydney in April 1844, and Peggy Caroline Lewin, a native of London, England, who arrived in Hobart, Tasmania with her parents sometime between the 1841 census for England and the 1843 census for Tasmania.

Francis Sparrow is listed as a labourer on the ship's passenger list, and tried his hand at a number of different occupations during his early years in Australia, being listed as dealer, butcher, & draper. He was a timber merchant in Hobart in 1854, and opened a general store in Melbourne after the family moved to Victoria in 1859. By 1867 he owned a sawmill & timber yard in A'Becket St. Melbourne. This was situated on the north side between Colgin Place & Stewart St. The Government Gazette records a fire at the timber yard in 1868 that was found to have been deliberately lit (don't know if they ever found the culprit), and there was also an explosion at the mill in October 1872 which caused the death of a young employee, due to a faulty "gauge glass" (what passed for a meter) on a boiler. The accident led to a recommendation to review how these types of equipment were constructed, and that inspections of machinery be introduced.

I don't know exactly when R & EH Sparrow started, but it would have been around the turn of the last century as Reuben was a Pattern Maker and also a Draper of 110 Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy until 1898. He moved to Brighton and went into partnership with his brother Edward Henry Sparrow. However there is a listing in the Government Gazette of 3rd Feb 1873 for an application for "patents for inventions" by Francis and his son Reuben "both of Melbourne, chair manufacturers, for 'an improved method for and apparatus for providing an improved Motive Power'. Edward Henry was a qualified steam boiler operator when he married in 1898. Edward's hobby wasto build miniature working models of steam trains. He worked at Brooks Robinsons Timber Mills in Melbourne and later began a business in his back yard making engineering machinery. His wife Martha helped in the business by attending to the book work. It was after his marriage that he went into business with his brother Reuben.

Edward's sons, Vic, Eric and Lyndsay went into the business also. Vic died, Eric left the business and Lyndsay carried it on (in partnership with one Rex Walker for many years). It then amalgamated with Barkers and moved to the corner of Waterdale Road and Northern Road, West Heidelberg where Lyndsay worked as a draftsman until his retirement at the age of 65. Lyndsay said that when he was young, his brother Vic and his father were very engrossed in the business and would talk about jobs at the factory in Fitzroy after tea and that sometimes they would make chalk sketches for new machines on the oilcloth tablecloth on the kitchen table at his home at 7 Kitchener Street, Ivanhoe, much to the disgust of wife (Martha Jane Henderson) "May" as she was known.

That's about all I can tell you at present. I talked to my aunt (Lyndsay's daughter) the other day to see if she could tell me more. She remembered that the companies had amalgamated, but couldn't give me a date. My father and uncle, as well as other family members, had an R & EH Sparrow Craftmaster in their workshops for many years. I was very surprised to find that some of their equipment is still in use and being advertised on Gumtree!!

I'm attaching copies of the leaflets that I have for you. If there's anything else you want to know, please ask & I'll try to find out for you.

Cheers,
Ausannie

[auscab]

Great info , thanks !

Look at that , A nice Sparrow Buzzer on ebay now near Ballarat .


There, is probably some of Reuben's handy work with the pattern making ?

Rob

[chambezio]

What a great story!!! I think we all have a duty (in varying degrees) to collate this information so it is there for anybody in the future to reflect on. They seemed to be "simple folk" who could see a need for home grown machines. That "can do" Aussie approach right at the early time of settlement.

The stance of the Jointer above resembles closely my Barker/Macson one.

[chambezio]

Is there any story for Jeffwood Machines that were based in Brissy?
It seems that me thinking mine was an auphne was definitely wrong because more and more seem to come to the surface.

[camoz]

Ausannie,

Great information, thank you so much for taking the time to post this:2tsup:.


If there's anything else you want to know, please ask & I'll try to find out for you.

Cheers,
Ausannie

This may be a hard one to answer, but I am wondering if any of the family members may be able to shed some light onto any connection between Barker and McPherson's Pty Ltd. McPherson's were a supplier of lots of things, nuts and bolts, plumbing, to woodwork and metal work machines (they actually still exist and you will find them on your shampoo and toiletries to name a few items).

McPherson's were definitely a distributor for Barker, but when you look through the catalogues, some Macson (Mcpherson's branded machines) are later labelled Barker/Macson, and then later still Barker.

There is clearly a connection, but no exact detail what the connection was. Perhaps Sparrow were making for McPherson's, and then after the merger, Barker produced for McPherson's before McPherson's deciding to brand metalwork machines Macson and distribute Barker machines for woodworking.

Like I said, perhaps a question that may not be able to be answered, but if it's possible to ask, I would really appreciate any insight that your family may have.

Cheers,

Camo

[powderpost]

This label is on a small bandsaw sharpening machine. If anyone has any information would be appreciated.

368815

This is a familiar one... It is on my band saw.
368816

Jim

[clear out]

What a great story!!!
The stance of the Jointer above resembles closely my Barker/Macson one.

The rack and pinion adjustment for the fence is similar to a Barker.
It would be interesting to know the date of this machine as Wadkin had a very crude adjustment system on their earlier jointer fences. On a 1920s Wadkin I had the bed had a dovetail slot in it, spanner adjusted from memory.
H.

[L.S.Barker1970]

I'm attaching copies of the leaflets that I have for you. If there's anything else you want to know, please ask & I'll try to find out for you.

Cheers,
Ausannie

Hi Ausannie,
That is just an amazing body of information right there, thank you so much for sharing.
The fact that the history is up on the forum for everyone to view is just amazing, folk that own sparrow machines can now look at where and who build their machine.
For me this is so important as it is part of our heritage when manufacturing was at its peak in Australia, and an wonderful tool for researchers looking into the past.
Ausannie, we can't thank you enough for this, people like you are rare, we are very lucky to hear from you !



Ausannie,

Great information, thank you so much for taking the time to post this:2tsup:.



This may be a hard one to answer, but I am wondering if any of the family members may be able to shed some light onto any connection between Barker and McPherson's Pty Ltd. McPherson's were a supplier of lots of things, nuts and bolts, plumbing, to woodwork and metal work machines (they actually still exist and you will find them on your shampoo and toiletries to name a few items).

McPherson's were definitely a distributor for Barker, but when you look through the catalogues, some Macson (Mcpherson's branded machines) are later labelled Barker/Macson, and then later still Barker.

There is clearly a connection, but no exact detail what the connection was. Perhaps Sparrow were making for McPherson's, and then after the merger, Barker produced for McPherson's before McPherson's deciding to brand metalwork machines Macson and distribute Barker machines for woodworking.

Like I said, perhaps a question that may not be able to be answered, but if it's possible to ask, I would really appreciate any insight that your family may have.

Cheers,

Camo

Cam, I'm curious also about the connection, especially since the 1960 Mcphersons anniversary edition has this in their machinery range.

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355193/Barker%20-%20Sparrow310_zpstmh0smfj.jpg
Melbourne Matty.

[Ausannie]

Hi Melbourne Matty,

I don't know of any connection between Sparrows & Macson/McPherson, and unfortunately anyone that I know who could have told me has passed on. If I do find anything else out I'll surely let you know. In the interim, since there has been so much interest in the people behind the R & EH Sparrow business, I'm attaching a few more photos:
- Photo of the front of the Westgarth St premises, taken when it was still in operation,
- Photo of Edward Henry Sparrow in his workshop.
- Photo of a gold battery at scarsdale built & owned by the Sparrow family (not really related to the thread, but it was made of wood!! ;-) )
- Photo of some of the workers at smoko. My grandfather Lyndsay Arthur Sparrow at left (so photo taken around mid 1920s). Second from left another of EH Sparrow's sons, Eric Dane Sparrow.
- Photo of Victor Edward Sparrow (eldest son of Edward Henry)
- Photo of Lyndsay Sparrow (right) at Barkers. Not sure who the person on the left is, but assume it is one of the Barkers.

Unfortunately I don't have any photos of Francis Sparrow as he was a Christian Israelite (religion) and any sort of photo/image was forbidden by the religion.

Cheers,
Andrea

[lightwood]

Hi Andrea,
I'd like to add my thanks for this look into the history of your family.
Those are magnificent pictures.


I've been lucky enough to get family histories when I've purchased collections of hand tools, and been allowed to publish them to the net.

Recently a couple of Maling family members came to visit and inspect some tools in my collection. It was thrill to have them visit.
Tools of John Butler Maling (http://www.petermcbride.com/Maling/)
Mods ..?? What about putting this Sparrow history in it's own separate topic?

Cheers,
Peter

[auscab]

Andrea , Thanks SO much for the effort you have gone to showing us your family history. Its just fantastic to see those pictures:2tsup:.

Ive just spent an hour looking closely at the Guys sitting out the front at smoko , the detail is great , the shoes ! and what they are holding in their hands and the expressions on the faces . " Its smoko time in Fitzroy " Hurry up Im doing my crossword " ?? Or writing a note ?

And Edward Henry on the lathe !!! Just great .

When I first bought the Sparrow machine I have , Pete (Lightwood) and myself sat at a computer and searched for Sparrow in Westgarth st Fitzroy.We found a lead and came up with the address of 121 Westgarth st Fitzroy , we then did a google earth search and looked at the building as it is today . On the corner of Westgarth and Young .That's the best we could come up with until you showed up . Thanks.

The Sparrow Face plate lathe, which is what I converted it to, has been working turning radius dishes for me , which have been sold onto acoustic guitar makers . So your relatives hand work is helping some guys build wooden acoustic guitars now.

You cant beat Babbitt bearings for simplicity and strength .

That shows that quality lasts doesn't it !

Rob

[lightwood]

Ive just spent an hour looking closely at the Guys sitting out the front at smoko , the detail is great , the shoes ! and what they are holding in their hands and the expressions on the faces . " Its smoko time in Fitzroy " Hurry up Im doing my crossword " ?? Or writing a note ?


Rob,
and the apprentices sit on the footpath, and the senior men get to sit on the step.
The way it's meant to be.
Hehehehe
I LOVE it!
Cheers,
Peter

[elanjacobs]

You never fail to deliver, Matty. That Barker-Sparrow sander is the exact one we had in a 24". I always thought the cover on the right hand side and the sheet metal covers under the table were add ons.

I think we let it go for $1000

[Ausannie]

Andrea , Thanks SO much for the effort you have gone to showing us your family history. Its just fantastic to see those pictures:2tsup:.

Ive just spent an hour looking closely at the Guys sitting out the front at smoko , the detail is great , the shoes ! and what they are holding in their hands and the expressions on the faces . " Its smoko time in Fitzroy " Hurry up Im doing my crossword " ?? Or writing a note ?

And Edward Henry on the lathe !!! Just great .

When I first bought the Sparrow machine I have , Pete (Lightwood) and myself sat at a computer and searched for Sparrow in Westgarth st Fitzroy.We found a lead and came up with the address of 121 Westgarth st Fitzroy , we then did a google earth search and looked at the building as it is today . On the corner of Westgarth and Young .That's the best we could come up with until you showed up . Thanks.

The Sparrow Face plate lathe, which is what I converted it to, has been working turning radius dishes for me , which have been sold onto acoustic guitar makers . So your relatives hand work is helping some guys build wooden acoustic guitars now.

You cant beat Babbitt bearings for simplicity and strength .

That shows that quality lasts doesn't it !

Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks for those photos. The building has been modified since it was used by my family as it now appears to have a skylight.

I am also wondering if one of those guys sitting on the step might be Reuben, as the one on the left, with the dark hair, looks like a Sparrow. Reuben was apparently very tall, just over 6 foot in height, and the guy on the left looks pretty lanky to me, although it is hard to be sure, and my grandfather said he had curly hair, which also fits. The photo would have to have been taken by 1925 as Reuben died in October of 1925. Neither of Reuben's sons followed him into the engineering trade, and it is interesting that Reuben's shares in the business were left to his daughters after his death.

It's been a very pleasant surprise to learn that equipment built by the family is still in use. Quite a few family members had Sparrow Craftmasters at home, including my Dad.

If I come across anything else on the business I'll certainly post it, since there is so much interest.

Cheers,
Ausannie

[L.S.Barker1970]

You never fail to deliver, Matty. That Barker-Sparrow sander is the exact one we had in a 24". I always thought the cover on the right hand side and the sheet metal covers under the table were add ons.

I think we let it go for $1000

Thanks Elan, the machine it self is essentially a Sparrow, very similar features to the early Sparrow sander pictured previously.
I remember seeing a few of these around during my apprenticeship as well.

Melbourne Matty.

[L.S.Barker1970]

Hi Rob,


It's been a very pleasant surprise to learn that equipment built by the family is still in use. Quite a few family members had Sparrow Craftmasters at home, including my Dad.

If I come across anything else on the business I'll certainly post it, since there is so much interest.

Cheers,
Ausannie

Hi Ausannie, thank you so much for putting up the beautiful photos of your relatives at work and play, what an absolute treat !
To see old black and white photos like that is such a step back in time, it's just such a great insight into early life, I actually like the battery quartz crusher, it demonstrates how versatile the sparrow engineering company was !
Thank you again Ausannie for so much great information here, you have really made this post.

Oh, speaking of Sparrow machines still in use here is a Sparrow 16 inch Jointer that I saw the other day as well.

http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355199/IMG_20160120_124258_936_zpsmu0timkv.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355199/IMG_20160120_124109_584_zps8yo0cvqi.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355197/IMG_20160120_123950_181_zpsomyeuxf9.jpg
http://i982.photobucket.com/albums/ae301/matty355/matty355199/IMG_20160120_124006_120_zpsgraqa7y4.jpg
Melbourne Matty.

[AndrewOC]

A few little additions,

Updated:

There are still a few gaps to fill.


Manufacturers
Location


ACE Woodworking machinery



Artisan Woodworking Machinery Pty Ltd
1 Ford Crescent Thornbury Melbourne Vic.


Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd
44 Punt Road Winsor Melbourne Vic., 490 Kent St Sydney


L.S. Barker Pty Ltd
660 Waterdale Road West Heidleburg Melbourne Vic.


Booth and Blades
Cheltenham


Charles & Hunting
Sydenham Street Highett Melbourne Vic


Chas. E. Skinner Pty Ltd. (Renicks)
117-119 Day street Gladesville Sydney NSW, Botany Road Redfern


Demco Machinery Co. Pty Ltd
355 Wiliams street Melbourne Vic, 240 Cleveland St Redfern


Durden
3 Provident Avenue Glynde Adelaide SA.


Dyco
Auckland


'EzyCut Power Tools' by J & G Wylie Industries Pty Ltd/
14- 16 Joel Court Moorabbin Melbourne Vic


Fidax
NSW


Gilbro Engineering
79 Plenty Road Preston Melbourne Vic


H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd
74 Clarence st Sydney NSW


GMF electric motors
Bonar Street Arncliffe Sydney NSW.


L. Goldie & Sons
Leichhardt NSW


A.E Herbert & Co.
7-9 Birmingham street Alexandria Sydney NSW


J.R.Hall
575-579 Collins street Melbourne Vic


Hyco Woodworking Machinery
Sydney NSW


Jeffwood
Norgate Road Norgate Brisbane Qld.


E.G.Lacey
106 Sackville Street Collingwood Melbourne Vic.


Lampard
Ilma Street, Condell Park NSW


Macson
546 Collins Street Melbourne


Morcraft Machine Tools
Greenway Street Bulline Melbourne Vic.


Morris Machine Tools



Nolex
241 Rail way Parade Maylands Perth WA.


Parken
74 Renver Road Clayton Melbourne Vic


Paulcall
Canterbury Road Bankstown, NSW


Pexeme Thornleigh NSW
Thornleigh NSW


'Premo' & 'Gregco' by Brackenbury & Austin Pty Ltd.
7 Nickson Street, Surry Hills Sydney NSW


J.S. Richardson & Co.
576 Princess Hwy St. Peters


D Richardson & sons
Melbourne Australia (Branches in every Capital City)


Ripley
576 Princess Hwy St. Peters


Saturn



E.B.Scott Engineering
Northcote Melbourne Vic.


Servian Machine tools
284 Albert street Brunswick Melbourne Vic.


R. & E.H. Sparrow
WestGarth Street Fitzroy


Sterling Machinery Pty Ltd
Boundary Rd Northmead Sydney NSW.


Tanner Engineering Ltd
Penrose, Aukland, New Zealand


W. Thornley and Sons Pty Ltd
23 Unwins Bridge Road StPeters Sydney NSW.


F & R Tough
24 Faulkner Avenue Belmont Perth WA


A.A.Tyson
933 High Street Armadale Melbourne Vic


W.D. Valentine
73 Downshire Rd, Elsternwick


Waldown (I add this for their drills)
8 Fowler Road Dandenong Melbourne Vic


Wolfenden Bros. Pty Ltd
4-6 Halsey Road Airport west Melbourne Vic


Woodfast
1 Findon Road Woodville Adelaide Vic


ADD; 'Lightburn' Industries
Camden Park, Adelaide SA


Texenco (bandsaw)
East Maitland, NSW


Merchants



Atom Distributing Co.
1 Loudon Rd Burwood Melbourne


Austral Engineering Supplies Pty Ltd
44 Punt Road Winsor Melbourne Vic., 490 Kent St Sydney


Cleveland Machinery Co Pty
195 Cleveland St Redfern


Goodall's & Co. Pty Ltd
301 Kent St Sydney


Hare & Forbes
116 Walker St Redfern


H.P. Gregory & Co. Ltd
74 Clarence st Sydney NSW


Louis Eichmann
Auckland (May have been a manufacturer)


Mcpherson's Pty Ltd
51-65 Bathurst St Sydney


S. Robinson Pty Ltd
23 Niagra Lane Melbourne


William Adams







cheers all,
AndrewOC

[AndrewOC]

And pictures to support;
Ezycut bandsaw
372336

Texenco bandsaw tag
372337
A.

[chambezio]

I read the impressive list of home grown manufacturers and couldn't help but wonder did any of them get "drafted" into war service making armament or something other than their usual array of machines

[Vann]

...and couldn't help but wonder did any of them get "drafted" into war service making armament or something other than their usual array of machinesI don' know the extent of "drafting", but I'd be surprised if every single one of them didn't get into war production.

When I started at the Otahuhu Railway Workshops (Auckland, NZ) in 1973, there were plenty of stories of making parts for gun carriages, etc. (admittedly a government owned organisation).

Cheers, Vann.

[chambezio]

GMH at Pagewood (Sydney) made a small cannon as well as the Australian version of a Jeep Trailer. The genuine American trailers had arched mudguards while the Australian version had folded mudguards.
The whole wartime manufacturing story would be a very interesting read!!

[clear out]

They cast the hulls for the Australian designed Cruiser tanks at Bankstown foundry.
Usual story the septics wouldn't supply motors and gear bags so we abandoned it and bought their tanks.
At least we didn't buy the Pom crap until they finally came out with the Centurion (just years too late).
As a matter of interest the neighbours say they had about 70 in my 40 x 60 ft shed making aircraft instruments.
H.

[lightwood]

Here you go......and thanks for the push to go looking!

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RCDIG1070217/

especially in this chapter....

https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070166--1-.pdf


(https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070166--1-.pdf)pages 28 on through 34

A quick glance shows some of our makers doing the work.
eg.
F. Tough Perth - Optical Munitions
and of particular interest to me Handley (http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/handley-tilley-j-w-handley-watch-case-info-1056809.html), the Watch case maker (https://www.google.com.au/search?q=handley+watch+case&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjk0ZLQmY3LAhUBm5QKHesTBDUQ_AUIBygB&biw=1536&bih=704)also, since I have a set of proportional dividers made during that time with the "Handley " mark.

Cheers,
Peter

http://www.petermcbride.com/temp/images/handley.jpg

http://www.petermcbride.com/temp/images/handley1.jpg

[lightwood]

They cast the hulls for the Australian designed Cruiser tanks at Bankstown foundry.
Usual story the septics wouldn't supply motors and gear bags so we abandoned it and bought their tanks.
At least we didn't buy the Pom crap until they finally came out with the Centurion (just years too late).
As a matter of interest the neighbours say they had about 70 in my 40 x 60 ft shed making aircraft instruments.
H.


Henry,
The full story....and some pictures!!

https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070361--1-.pdf

(https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070361--1-.pdf)Cheers,
Peter

[camoz]

Peter,

Great links there. Reading through, this was another interesting chapter, showing some names we are familiar with:

https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1070355--1-.pdf

Cheers,

Camo

[clear out]

Thanks for that Peter,we should possibly start a new thread.
I hadn't seen that info before.
One of our students at UNSW did his honours thesis on these tanks back in the 70s.
He had pics and info re testing the turret ring by firing simultaneously 25 pounders installed in same. There were two tanks and a spare hull auctioned in April 2006 at the Narre Warren disposal of the tank museum. I'd gone down to get the 40mm Bofors for the front garden.:D
The missus thought it might scare the neighbours.:no:
I have the cattle dog from the auction they estimated $25000 for the Sentinel and $20000 for the Thunderbolt. The Bofors $4k:rolleyes:
H.

[Stewie D]

On page 4 there is a post by greggyboy regarding a Thornley badge on his chain mortiser that also has MBT on it. Were they local manufacturers or distributors? I have a small MBT 6" jointer and have always wondered what the MBT stood for or who they were. I assumed it would be for something like McMillan Bros. Tools or something similar. I know they also made a combo machine as seen in this thread here
http://www.woodworkforums.com/f221/combination-table-planer-136645 and the jointer part pictured is exactly the same as mine.

Stewie

[chambezio]

I have an MBT Radial Arm Saw that I have had for 40 years or so. 12" blade running on a hexagonal bar. It would be from the 50s. I also Have a Sawmaster. The Sawmaster was always THE radial to have in that era.

I would be interested to know who MBT were.

[Stewie D]

Yep, got a Sawmaster RAS too.:2tsup:

Stewie

[bueller]

Hi all, I'm very pleased to find that the family business is of some interest to so many people. Reuben was born 25th November 1854 in Hobart, Tasmania & Edward Henry was born 15th Nov 1854 in Fitzroy. Their parents were Francis Sparrow, a native of Kilmanagh, Kilkenny, Ireland who arrived in Sydney in April 1844, and Peggy Caroline Lewin, a native of London, England, who arrived in Hobart, Tasmania with her parents sometime between the 1841 census for England and the 1843 census for Tasmania.

Francis Sparrow is listed as a labourer on the ship's passenger list, and tried his hand at a number of different occupations during his early years in Australia, being listed as dealer, butcher, & draper. He was a timber merchant in Hobart in 1854, and opened a general store in Melbourne after the family moved to Victoria in 1859. By 1867 he owned a sawmill & timber yard in A'Becket St. Melbourne. This was situated on the north side between Colgin Place & Stewart St. The Government Gazette records a fire at the timber yard in 1868 that was found to have been deliberately lit (don't know if they ever found the culprit), and there was also an explosion at the mill in October 1872 which caused the death of a young employee, due to a faulty "gauge glass" (what passed for a meter) on a boiler. The accident led to a recommendation to review how these types of equipment were constructed, and that inspections of machinery be introduced.

I don't know exactly when R & EH Sparrow started, but it would have been around the turn of the last century as Reuben was a Pattern Maker and also a Draper of 110 Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy until 1898. He moved to Brighton and went into partnership with his brother Edward Henry Sparrow. However there is a listing in the Government Gazette of 3rd Feb 1873 for an application for "patents for inventions" by Francis and his son Reuben "both of Melbourne, chair manufacturers, for 'an improved method for and apparatus for providing an improved Motive Power'. Edward Henry was a qualified steam boiler operator when he married in 1898. Edward's hobby wasto build miniature working models of steam trains. He worked at Brooks Robinsons Timber Mills in Melbourne and later began a business in his back yard making engineering machinery. His wife Martha helped in the business by attending to the book work. It was after his marriage that he went into business with his brother Reuben.

Edward's sons, Vic, Eric and Lyndsay went into the business also. Vic died, Eric left the business and Lyndsay carried it on (in partnership with one Rex Walker for many years). It then amalgamated with Barkers and moved to the corner of Waterdale Road and Northern Road, West Heidelberg where Lyndsay worked as a draftsman until his retirement at the age of 65. Lyndsay said that when he was young, his brother Vic and his father were very engrossed in the business and would talk about jobs at the factory in Fitzroy after tea and that sometimes they would make chalk sketches for new machines on the oilcloth tablecloth on the kitchen table at his home at 7 Kitchener Street, Ivanhoe, much to the disgust of wife (Martha Jane Henderson) "May" as she was known.

That's about all I can tell you at present. I talked to my aunt (Lyndsay's daughter) the other day to see if she could tell me more. She remembered that the companies had amalgamated, but couldn't give me a date. My father and uncle, as well as other family members, had an R & EH Sparrow Craftmaster in their workshops for many years. I was very surprised to find that some of their equipment is still in use and being advertised on Gumtree!!

I'm attaching copies of the leaflets that I have for you. If there's anything else you want to know, please ask & I'll try to find out for you.

Cheers,
Ausannie
That 24" thicknesser is gorgeous! Thanks for all the fascinating info on your family, it is greatly appreciated.

Here's my addition to the badges, off the Woodfast 10" Bandsaw that I'm fixing up. Was actually off a combination machine, the 10" that was sold individually was branded the Woodfast Junior.

http://i.imgur.com/mFG7mdl.jpg