Latest bench vise saved… The rust was really stubborn and getting it all off would have finished what little original paint was left. I could repaint it but then I’d have a vise with chips, dents, drill holes, saw cuts and a brand new paint job. That just wouldn’t look right. Anyway Further counter is […]

Looking at this building, the first thing to come to your mind probably wouldn’t be machine shop. But thats what it originally was. This is what was made there… By 1896 Nicholson had 4 factories so I don’t know if the files above were made in the original Providence factory but they certainly could have […]

Below is a scan from the back of my 1893 Brown & Sharpe Catalog. It’s the beginning of a catalog within a catalog. “Darling” refers to Samuel Darling, who had a partnership with Brown & Sharpe from 1866 until 1896 or so. Here’s a screw & wire gauge made during that time. … You stick […]