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  1. #76
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    This label is on a small bandsaw sharpening machine. If anyone has any information would be appreciated.

    DSCN1462S.jpg

    This is a familiar one... It is on my band saw.
    DSCN1459S.jpg

    Jim
    Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important...

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  3. #77
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    Dec 2007
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    Sydney
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    Quote Originally Posted by chambezio View Post
    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.
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  4. #78
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia.
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    825

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ausannie View Post

    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 !


    Quote Originally Posted by camoz View Post
    Ausannie,

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



    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.



    Melbourne Matty.

  5. #79
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    Metung
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    64
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    5

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    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

  6. #80
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    Melbourne
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    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
    Mods ..?? What about putting this Sparrow history in it's own separate topic?

    Cheers,
    Peter
    <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <woNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->

  7. #81
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    May 2007
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    Sth Gippsland Vic
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    Andrea , Thanks SO much for the effort you have gone to showing us your family history. Its just fantastic to see those pictures.

    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
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #82
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    Nov 2007
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Quote Originally Posted by auscab View Post
    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
    <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <woNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]-->

  9. #83
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    Aug 2008
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    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

  10. #84
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    Jan 2016
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    Metung
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    64
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    Quote Originally Posted by auscab View Post
    Andrea , Thanks SO much for the effort you have gone to showing us your family history. Its just fantastic to see those pictures.

    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

  11. #85
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia.
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    825

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    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    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.

  12. #86
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    Dec 2010
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    Melbourne, Australia.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ausannie View Post
    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.





    Melbourne Matty.

  13. #87
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    275

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    A few little additions,
    Quote Originally Posted by camoz View Post
    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
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

  14. #88
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    Dec 2009
    Location
    Sydney
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    And pictures to support;
    Ezycut bandsaw
    Ezycut bandsaw label.docx

    Texenco bandsaw tag
    Texenco bandsaw tag.docx
    A.
    'Waratah' spring hammer by Hands & Scott c.1911- 20, 'Duffy, Todd & Williams' spring hammer c.1920, Premo lathe- 1953, Premo filing machine.

  15. #89
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    moonbi nsw Aus
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    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
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  16. #90
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    Sep 2008
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    Petone, NZ
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    Quote Originally Posted by chambezio View Post
    ...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
    I 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.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

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