HAND TOOL PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA
McConnell Tools
Robert McConnell
Robert McConnell was a prolific inventor, who lived in Brisbane. A letter Head of his proclaims him as "Inventor and Manufacturer of: McConnell Roller Skates, McConnell Automatic Gramophone, Sundowner Tent, Maxable, Max Rubber Heels, The Ammunitionless Gun, McConnell Nail Bits, McConnell Gold Cleaner, McConnell Tin Concentrator, McConnell Scrub Planes, McConnell Mitre Box, McConnell Frictionless Pump, McConnell Stringer Cutter, McConnell Coat and Vest Combination, McConnell Cistern, etc, etc". Presumably the Vyce shown below falls into the 'etc' category as it never made it to the letterhead.
McConnell's patents span the years 1927 to 1951. The Planes and nail bits were patented in 1942, in the middle of WWII when imports of quality tools was impossible.
Click on any image to see a larger picture
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McConnell Plane, Mark 1a, note the riveted sides
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McConnell Plane, Mark 1a
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McConnell Plane, Mark 1a
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McConnell Plane - Patent
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Mark 1b, round nose, riveted sides, rivets not prominent
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McConnell Vyce - Patent Application
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McConnell Nail Bits - Pat App.
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McConnell Nail Bits
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Mark 2, welded sides, rounded knob
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Thought to be McConnell prototype |
McConnell Letterhead
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Another McConnell prototype
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Mark 3, welded sides, bevelled knob, diff. method of
fixing knob
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Mark 4, folded sides
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McConnell Jack Plane
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Thanks to Rod Thomas, Gordon Chenery and Terry Butcher for information
and most of the pictures shown here.
The HTPAA welcomes any additional information, pictures and ephemera relating to Robert McConnell or any other Australian Makers.
Contact the Australian Curator by email 
This Webpage was last updated on 29 November, 2006
Copyright © HTPAA 2002 - 2005