Thread: Silex Tool Co

Hi Eljay,
Thats a bench stop. You raise it and rest your piece of timber against it when planing etc. If you go to page 2 of this thread, post No 23, Heavensabove has provided us with a link to a 1955 Goodell catalogue. scroll down through the pages and there's your No 13 bench stop.
Are you able to raise your stop or is it siezed up? If its not too much trouble, could you post a photo of it in the raised position, and a photo of the whole bench would be nice too.
Thanks for posting that,

Regards,
Geoff.

Morning all.
Back at post #12 on 3rd August I posted some photos illustrating the similarities between Silex and Mit A Mit braces.
I recently became aware that Metalcraft Engineering Company of Woolloomooloo, NSW made Mit A Mit tools. Considering the similarities of the two brands of braces, it is my opinion that Metalcraft also made Silex braces, and probably other tools as well.
If you google Mit A Mit there are a series of photos of a Mit A Mit shaper which is quite informative. The name plate shown there says that Metalcraft is a division of Lober (?) service. It also shows a plate saying War Finish. I would attach it here but don't know how to.
Does anybody have any infomation about the Metalcraft Engineering Co, or Lober Service?

Regards,
Geoff.

I just picked up a pair of Silex branded marking gauges at the markets this morning - a single gauge with a round head and a square headed mortice gauge. Both with that lovely red paint on the heads.

There was plenty of other stuff there with the same branding on it and it all looked to be semi-decent at least so it appears to have sold well in it's time.

I'm actually rather pleased with both gauges - a lot cheaper than a new one would be and 5 minutes with the steel wool has made them shine like new.

A manufacturer of tools for Silex has come to notice of the HTPSWA. This is James B Clarence of Belmont NSW. Here is the article as it appeared in the July edition of "The Benchmark".

A major manufacturer and supplier to Howard F Hudson of product carrying the Silex brand was James B Clarence Co.
James B Clarence Co. was located at 73 Evans Street, Belmont, NSW 2280 which is about 15 km from Newcastle. The very successful business founded by James Brasnett Clarence in the early 1920’s was purchased from him in the late 60’s by his son James (Jim) Frederick Clarence.
The number of employees peaked at about 35 but with continued introduction of automated machinery dropped to about 15 in latter years. The company operated a zinc die cast foundry, machine and paint shops, where tools were finished. Chrome and nickel plating was contracted to a firm in Sydney and shipped back to Belmont for final assembly, painting and packaging.
Tools made included:
Dowling Jig, Butt Gauges, Bevel Gauges, Mortise and Marking Gauges, 6,8,10 and 12inch Try Squares, G Clamps, Pulley Blocks, National Sprinklers and a Breast Drill was made in the early days.
The business closed soon after the death of Jim Clarence in 1984.

Does anyone remember this company or have anything to add?
Cheers,
Geoff.