These are a rare Australian-made plane. Only 4 examples are known to exist. If you have information about another, please contact us.
The Association thanks members and friends who have allowed the use of these images for this webpage.
Regarding the images - plane 1 and 2 are black, plane 3 is green. Plane 3 has patent info in the casting, so is considered a production model, compared to the black ones which were probably prototypes.
Patent information for Watkinson covers the two related to a smoothing plane and another to a large adjustable spokeshave-like plane. Examples of the smoother with front adjusters and the spokeshave have not been sighted. The original patent applications can be viewed:
Watkinson
This is considered to be an early model, as it has adjustment holes in the base - seen here in the scraping position
Note the cutter is a replacement.
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/watkinson-old-front-sm.jpg
Similar early plane, in the smoothing position
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/watkinson-old-old-setlow-sm.jpg
Rear view of the adjustment mechanism
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/watkinson-old-top-sm.jpg
Underside reveals adjustment holes in base
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/watkinson-old-base-sm.jpg
Model 2 - painted green. Plane with frog in the lower position - set for smoothing
This second model has Pat App marking on the side plus the maker's name cast into the bed, two lines on each side of the handle: PATS APPLIED FOR (line 1) and H.E.WATKINSON (line 2).
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/new-watkinson-12-sm.jpg
Plane with frog in the upmost position - set for scraping
Note the Patent Application pop stencilled on the side and different replacement cutter.
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/new-watkinson-8-sm.jpg
Rear view of the frog and adjustment mechanism
Frog in the upmost position - set for scraping.
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/new-watkinson-2-sm.jpg
PAT. APP. 3114/31 (1931) pop-stencilled in the side.
The two black and the green planes above conform to the patent drawing immediately below
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/new-watkinson-5-sm.jpg
The base of this later model, does not have holes in it for adjusting the frog position
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/new-watkinson-11-sm.jpg
The picture above shows the adjustment mechanism on its own for greater clarity
http://webwerks.com.au/htpaa/images/oztools/watkinson/watkinson-adj.jpg
Watkinson Spokeshave Patent No. 3113-31 (year 1931)
Watkinson Plane Adjustment Patent No. 3114-31 (year 1931)
Watkinson Cutting Blade Patent No. 13879-33 (year 1933)
Further information on Watkinson and his planes can be found at www.handplane.com/169/the-watkinson-patent-plane/. This excellent article notes in finishing that "Mr. Watkinson's sister stated, in October 1988, that the three inventions by Mr. Watkinson were never commercially manufactured." - this would explain the scarcity of these tools.
The HTPAA welcomes any additional information, pictures and ephemera relating to these tools or any other Australian Makers.
Contact the Australian Collection Curator.