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Thread: Silex Tool Co

  1. #1
    Boringgeoff is offline Try not to be late, but never be early.
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    Default Silex Tool Co

    Hi all,
    Does anyone have any info on the Silex Tool Co? I believe they were based in NSW.
    I've got a couple of their braces and a No 30 doweling jig.
    What other tools did they make? When were they in operation?
    I've also got a couple of mit a mit braces which look very similar to the Silex, and have been told the two are related.
    Any assistance will be appreciated.

    Geoff.

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  3. #2
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    Default

    Their sliding bevels (no. 78 ?) are fairly common.

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    Default The Silex Co.

    Hi Geoff,
    If you Google " The Hand Tool Preservation Assoc. of West Aust." they can most likely help you.
    Regards,
    issatree.
    Have Lathe, Wood Travel.

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    I have a Silex 6" square that I use practically every day. I don't recall where I got it, but it is accurate and tough. I have a Colen Clenton one that I use when I am being very fastidious and careful, but the Silex is perfect for knockabout jobs.

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    Silex Tools was a trademark of Howard F Hudson Pty Ltd. (company registered 1928, but Hudson operating a long while before that) from 1946. HFH were manufacturers representatives and indentors, representing US steel companies, Footprint Tools for a period pre-WW2.

    After WW2 they sold a range of hand tools under the Silex Tools brand. Note that they did not own the word Silex, and there were/are a number of trademarks using that word. Company still exists, owned by Davcor Group Pty Ltd., distributing door hardware. Silex Tools died out probably in the 1980s.

    No evidence they made anything; the interesting question is - Who actually made the tools in Australia?

    Cheers
    Peter

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    Boringgeoff is offline Try not to be late, but never be early.
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    Peter, yes very interesting question. One of my Silex braces bears a passing resemblance to Tough (WA) in the shape of the chuck and the wrist handle. So if Silex didn't make their own tools ther's nothing to say they were made for them by any one particular company?
    Tools so far are brace, doweling jig, sliding bevel, and a 6" square.
    I'll do a bit of googling and see what turns up.
    Thanks, Geoff.

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    I have a Silex NO.34 Butt gauge used for setting out butt hinges on doors with the correct clearances.
    Mark

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    Dear Geoff,

    Here are a couple of pics of the Silex No 78 sliding bevel mentioned by Sam (above).

    I bought this bevel in the middle 1970's, and I recollect seeing them with mid blue paint where mine is orange-red. The bevel is fixed in any position by tightening the "sardine tin" bent wire key at the end. The only identification is No 78 SILEX on one side of the handle, and MADE IN AUSTRALIA on the other. I think the handle is chrome plated cast iron, and the bevel blade looks as though it was stamped from surface ground steel (stainless???) sheet - the shear marks are stlll visible.

    All in all, a simple but very tough tool.

    I hope this is of some interest,

    Cheerio

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    Quote Originally Posted by Boringgeoff View Post
    Hi all,
    Does anyone have any info on the Silex Tool Co? I believe they were based in NSW.
    I've got a couple of their braces and a No 30 doweling jig.
    What other tools did they make? When were they in operation?
    I've also got a couple of mit a mit braces which look very similar to the Silex, and have been told the two are related.
    Any assistance will be appreciated.

    Geoff.
    Geoff,
    I have a few Silex tools.
    A pump drill that is the only one I've seen made by Silex. (and it has a great label)
    And a little 6 inch vice I bolted to a short board to use in my bench vice.
    Regards,
    Peter

    Attachment 177934Attachment 177935Attachment 177936

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    My square is marked 'Silex' on the handle and the blade. The blade carries two further marks, 'Stainlesssteel' and in smaller letters, 'Japan'. I have further realised that I have a No 78 Silex sliding bevel, which has 'No 78 Silex' on one side of the handle, but unlike the one shown by Woodie One, it has no country of origin on the other. Photos attached.

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    The Silex copy of the Stanley doweling jig is very common; there were a few makers in Australia.

    Peter, that push drill is a beauty! Whilst other Silex tools could have been made by one or more Oz makers, have you seen a push drill made by another Oz maker.

    Peter, I have wonder if Dawn made the Silex vices, can you see any differences on the ones you have?

    Keep the products coming fellas, we might get together a reasonable product list. Has anyone seen a catalogue?

    Cheers
    Peter

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    Boringgeoff is offline Try not to be late, but never be early.
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    Morning all, Very good to see the response we're getting. Interesting to see the Japan Silex square mspil, I wonder what other countries they sourced tools from?

    Some brace photos, starting with the MIT A MIT brand.

    2 is (L to R) pair of mit a mit 10' and Silex 12" identical chucks, but ratchet quite different.

    3, same three chucks in detail, different finish on one.

    4, jaw is similar style to Leland 1909 patent "holdall jaw"

    5, (L to R) Silex and MAM 10" ratchetless models

    6, Silex 10" and 12".

    As Peter says keep them coming, and yes a catalogue would be nice.

    Regards, Geoff.

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    Here is my addition to the list of Silex tools - a No. 93 Mortise gauge bizzo. I also have a sliding bevel gauge floating 'round in the shed somewhere. I am sure it is a Silex, but it has a knurled screw instead of the"sardine tin key' to tighten the blade.
    Mick C
    mañana

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    Boringgeoff is offline Try not to be late, but never be early.
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    Hi Mick, how do you use the butt guage? Are the dark bits on the end of the rods a hardened rotating scriber? You must be able to scribe two lines at the same time.
    Peter I noticed on the sticker on your push drill there are the letters HFH inside a diamond. One of my braces has the remains of two stickers on the handle both very poor condition, but I can see the corner of the diamond on one.
    You referred to your drill as a pump drill, Peter (Heavensabove) called it a push drill. When I was a kid we had one similar, which dad and his brother called a press drill. I used to get confused with breast drill and would often come back with the wrong one.
    Regards,
    Geoff.

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    G'day Geoff
    You are spot on with the rotating wheel thingos, and on the other end of the gauge there are steel pins.
    mick c
    mañana

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