HAND TOOL PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
William James
William James
The William James story ..........
The patent on the James mechanism was taken out during 1920, granted 4-6-1920. James is reputed to have assembled his planes at the works of W. H. Blakeley & Co at 115 Lonsdale Street Melbourne. It has been suggested that Coffin Smoother, Jack and German Jacks were made, however there has not been a reported sighting of the German Jack. The few Jack planes seen may be consistent, however of the several Coffin Smoothers to hand all are slightly different, be it the size of base, width of blade, blade marked or otherwise, body stamped PAT APPLIED FOR or PAT 15443, 4-6-20 and various stages of development of the mechanism. James planes are not common and the Jack is somewhat rarer than the smoother. If anyone has a German Jack please make contact.
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William James Coffin Smoother Pat 15443 4-5-(19)20 Has a Blakely Cutter
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William James jack plane Patented 1920 |
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William James Coffin Smoother Patented 1920 |
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William James smoothing plane Earlier style without the knob adjuster |
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Range of James smoothers All different to some degree |
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James Coffin Smoother Pat stamp on toe infront of cutter |
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James Smoother Pat App on toe infront of cutter |
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James jack plane |
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James Coffin Smoother |
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Patent Mark on the heel of a James Smoother |
Notes
Thanks to Rod Thomas & Robert Saint for the above information and pictures
The HTPAA welcomes any additional information, pictures and ephemera relating to this maker or any other Australian makers.
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This Webpage was last updated on 14 May, 2011
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