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

McConnell Plane, Mark 1a, note the riveted sides	McConnell Plane, Mark 1a	McConnell Plane, Mark 1a	McConnell Plane - Patent
Mark 1b, round nose, riveted sides, rivets not prominent	McConnell Vyce - Patent Application	McConnell Nail Bits - Pat App.	McConnell Nail Bits
Mark 2, welded sides, rounded knob	Thought to be McConnell prototype	McConnell Letterhead	Another McConnell prototype
Mark 3, welded sides, bevelled knob, diff. method of fixing knob	Mark 4, folded sides		McConnell Jack Plane

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.

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This Webpage was last updated on 29 November, 2006

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