Community Stories

Old tools

MRC
Posts
3,391
Likes
8,558
Twocats Twocats
This yearly layout was 6 months of college work into which they crammed a full academic year (no vacations for you boys 🙁) and 6 months back at the company doing whatever they had planned for you.

This was the same modus operandi that was applied in my day and a five year apprenticeship into the bargain.

It's interesting that John Thompson Ltd manufactured aerospace parts during both world wars. Did Stewarts and Lloyds get involved in aviation ?[/QUOTE]

Not that I remember, but they did make the piping for the "Operation Pluto" transfer of liquids from England to France after D-Day which would have included aviation fuel. In a mostly abandoned part of the old S&L works at Halesowen in the 1960s were the big obsolete 60Volt DC motors used in making the piping. A few tonnes of copper in each one. We apprentices did wonder how we might manage to get that copper out to sell, but never came up with a practical way. My mum worked at Boulton Paul Aircraft as part of the Aircraft Inspection Directorate of the British Govt, but I think her job was mainly typing.
 
Twocats
Posts
1,060
Likes
5,783
MRC MRC
This was the same modus operandi that was applied in my day and a five year apprenticeship into the bargain.

It's interesting that John Thompson Ltd manufactured aerospace parts during both world wars. Did Stewarts and Lloyds get involved in aviation ?

Not that I remember, but they did make the piping for the "Operation Pluto" transfer of liquids from England to France after D-Day which would have included aviation fuel. In a mostly abandoned part of the old S&L works at Halesowen in the 1960s were the big obsolete 60Volt DC motors used in making the piping. A few tonnes of copper in each one. We apprentices did wonder how we might manage to get that copper out to sell, but never came up with a practical way. My mum worked at Boulton Paul Aircraft as part of the Aircraft Inspection Directorate of the British Govt, but I think her job was mainly typing.[/QUOTE]
Operation Pluto supplied 8% (800,000,000+ Ltrs) of all fuel used in the war effort from England to the Allies in Europe. I love learning new things like this.
 
kgb
Posts
210
Likes
1,216
Twocats Twocats
Operation Pluto supplied 8% (800,000,000+ Ltrs) of all fuel used in the war effort from England to the Allies in Europe. I love learning new things like this.

PLUTO stood for Pipeline Under The Ocean. The miniature steam railway Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch helped transport material for PLUTO during the war.
 
Tony C.
Posts
7,705
Likes
26,731
I don't own many old tools, but this Mühle-Glashütte micrometer is beautifully made, and a pleasure to use.

MuhlMic2.jpg

MuhlMic6.jpg

MuhlMic7.jpg
 
Pvt-Public
Posts
2,510
Likes
3,548
My grand father worked for Continental Can in Chicago from the late 30’s until he died in 1961, his war contributions were keeping the machinery going to make the cans.
 
Pvt-Public
Posts
2,510
Likes
3,548
Tony C. Tony C.
I don't own many old tools, but this Mühle-Glashütte micrometer is beautifully made, and a pleasure to use.

MuhlMic2.jpg

MuhlMic6.jpg

MuhlMic7.jpg
That looks like a work of art.
 
timoss
Posts
970
Likes
1,508
Tony C. Tony C.
I don't own many old tools, but this Mühle-Glashütte micrometer is beautifully made, and a pleasure to use.

MuhlMic2.jpg

MuhlMic6.jpg

MuhlMic7.jpg
Wow that’s a beauty.
 
Tony C.
Posts
7,705
Likes
26,731
Pvt-Public Pvt-Public
That looks like a work of art.

timoss timoss
Wow that’s a beauty.

Thanks! The quality and precision are palpable while manipulating it. And the company began to make such devices in 1869!

MG1869.png MG756g.jpg
Edited:
 
ExpiredWatchdog
Posts
668
Likes
807
p4ul p4ul
...made by “L.S.Starrett - The Worlds Best Tool Maker”...

I had a college professor who would say that, and follow it with "Anybody who can make anything on those tired old machines has to be the greatest".

I liked to call it a Starrett Last Gasp.
 
blubarb
Posts
3,771
Likes
8,552
Hmmmm...I feel enthused to get up early tomorrow morning, being Sunday, and clean the garage and sort the old measuring tools that I know are there and have been unused for decades. And, If I am still motivated, I might take a few pics and post here. 😁
 
p4ul
Posts
1,608
Likes
3,768
blubarb blubarb
Hmmmm...I feel enthused to get up early tomorrow morning, being Sunday, and clean the garage and sort the old measuring tools that I know are there and have been unused for decades. And, If I am still motivated, I might take a few pics and post here. 😁
Better yet, post them to me.
 
blubarb
Posts
3,771
Likes
8,552
p4ul p4ul
Better yet, post them to me.

😁😁
 
p4ul
Posts
1,608
Likes
3,768
New arrival, it’s a number 2 - obviously I am now looking for a 1 & 3.

“Good grief”.

5E5F9E1F-18F4-4F6F-A441-C44F72A93D3E.jpeg
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

AdamVT227

bergeon tools having rust?

AdamVT227 Watchmaking
Fallout Boy
Fallout Boy
Posts
27
Views
2K
manuelcamachom

Help id my old Watch

manuelcamachom Open Discussion
Spruce
Spruce
Posts
13
Views
337
P

Which watch tool would you buy for spring bars? pliers or tweezers

Pikachu Open Discussion
hen
hen
Posts
15
Views
3K
Tony C.

A 73-year-old Japanese Master Craftsman Fabricating Model Trains

Tony C. Open Discussion
Pastorbottle
Pastorbottle
Posts
23
Views
1K
Frenchdude87

Thoughts about Crystal Lift tool

Frenchdude87 Watchmaking
Archer
Archer
Posts
10
Views
3K
bananapeanut

NEW Omega spring bar tool

bananapeanut Watch Parts and Accessories For Sale
bananapeanut
bananapeanut
Posts
0
Views
2K