Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc.

Hand Tool Preservation

Association of Australia Inc

Herbert Edward Watkinson Patented Woodworking Planes

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:

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.

Next Antique & Collectable Hand Tool Market

The next Antique & Collectable Hand Tool Market is on Sunday 21^st May 2023 9.00 am to 12.30 pm at St. Anthony's School Hall, 164 Neerim Rd, Corner Neerim & Grange Rds, Caulfield East, Melway Ref. 68 F4. For more information see the Tool Market page.