William Ridgway and Sons company of Sheffield, manufacturers of augers, bits, wood-boring, and motorising tools, was founded in 1878 and became a Private company in 1909, their factory was founded in the 1930s. William Ridgway Tools merged first with Record Tools in 1974 to form Record Ridgway Tools Ltd. Record was another Sheffield company that was renowned for the quality of their vices and industrial clamps. Following the merger Record, Ridgway Tools Ltd was made up of fourteen UK Companies and five overseas companies. A later merger with a woodwork tools company called Marple (which was part-owned by Record and Ridgway respectively before their original merger) led to the company becoming known as Record Marples Tools. Record Marples was taken over by the Swedish hardware manufacturer AB Bahco in 1982. Despite a management buyout leading to the company reverting to British ownership in 1985 the company struggled financially and the following administration was acquired by U.S.-based Irwin Tools in 1998 who has since moved production to China in recent years. A vintage tool made in the 1930s when Ridgway began mass producing augers and other tools for export and sale. This item would have probably been used in Australia on a farm for drilling fence posts for wire to pass through or other tasks where a hole was required to be bored in timber. Ring Auger, Double Twist with Lead Screw, square shaft (which has had a welded repair), socket set at right angle. Broad arrow mark Ridgway Sheffield and DO stamped. warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, wood boring tool, scotch auger, carpenters tools, shipwrights tools, coopers tools, ridgway & sons, auger bits

Pittock collection: timber carpenter's level * level made of hardwood, with brass trims and two glass level bubbles * level 505 mm L x 80 mm W x 32 mm D * P incised on both sides of the level * no manufacturer's details visible Item stored in Pittock coach builder's box, reference 13000.1.

Pittock collection: two metal carpenter's squares for set out * green painted adjustable set out square, with imperial and metric scales, and level bubble, 305 mm L x 120 mm W. Marked Pittock with marker * adjustable set out for full range of angle set out. steel wood and brass construction. Marked Stanley, patented 9-6-04. Tool 204-325 mm L x 25 mm W x 20 mm D Items stored in Pittock box coach builder's box, reference 13000.1.

Thought to have been made and used by one of the two Struss brothers who were both carpenters in Scotland before coming to Victoria in 1848 and 1854. They dealt in hardware, living and selling in Walhalla, Woods Point and Matlock. It finally became the property of Elsa Struss of South Yarra, the sister-in-law of the donor. Many tradesmen had chests such as this to carry and store tools.Large wooden box/trunk, painted Mission Brown. Three tin braces support each corner joint. Four hinges, two at the back and two inoperational at the front. Lid corners and edges braced with tin strips and shaped corners. Loop and hasp at front. Metal handles on the side. Pink paint on base.trades

This type of wrench or spanner was used as a service tool for H. V. McKay Pty. Ltd. manufactured agricultural machinery. This specific tool belonged to Albert (Bert) Montgomery of 11 Kamarooka St, Albion. Bert Montgomery was born in Sunshine and in 1910 was apprenticed as a carpenter with Sunshine Harvester Works, where he worked as a wood machinist. On 19 August 1914, while still an apprentice, he enlisted in the First AIF. He left McKay's and started business as a builder probably just prior to WW2. After the war he joined the Shire of Braybrook as Assistant Building Surveyor until he retired. In 1962 Bert and his friend Jack Causon (proprietor of an Anderson Road second hand store that previously was Les James grocery) were on a fishing trip to Lake Tooliorook (aka Ettrick) near Lismore, Victoria. Their boat capsized and both fishermen were drowned. Bert was a Past President of Sunshine RSL and at that time it was reported that his funeral was the largest that Sunshine had seen. The information about Bert Montgomery was supplied by a Committee member of the Sunshine & District Historical Society Inc. who spoke to Montgomery's daughter, who also donated the tool. This tool serves as a reminder of the large H. V. McKay agricultural manufacturing works that once existed in Sunshine. The tool is associated with the works, and the design is significant enough for images of the tool to be used in an artistic mural, which is painted on the Eastern Pillar of the new H. V. McKay Footbridge in Sunshine, Victoria 3020.Curved double ended rusty cast iron wrench with 4 open slots plus 2 closed slots'H V McKAY' on one side and 'D324' on the reverse sideh. v. mckay pty. ltd, d324, d324 wrench, d324 spanner, agricultural spanner, antique wrench, agricultural tool, albert montgomery, jack causon, lake tooliorook

The planes were made and used by local people in the Diamond Creek areaCarpenter Plane wooden pair, 7.5 inch and 6 inch with blades and wedges. No markings#carpentertools, #woodentools

An example of a wooden ruler with a timeless design used by generations of carpentersFolding carpenter's rule, graduated in inches and 1/8th inches, 24 inch total length#woodenruler, #carpentertools, #foldingruler

Example of early carpentry toolsWooden clamp operated with two wooden screws; for cabinet making. #cabinetmaker, #carpenter, #clamp, #woodenscrews

Example of early carpentry toolsWooden with wooden wedge#cabinetmaker, #carpenter, wooden wedge, guage

Hand brace for tapered shaft drills. 'U' shaped with wooden rotatable handle. Wooden breast pad and ratchet to reverse action.trades, carpentry, tools

Hand brace - 'U' shaped with split end to take a tapered end drill. Drill is secured by a bolt to tighten split end. Metal breast plate.trades, carpentry, tools

Tools used by Mrs Duncan's grandfather, when he was a carpenter on the clipper ship of the 1870's between England and Australia.Metal chisel London' pattern with wooden handletrades, carpentry

Wooden carpenter's marking gauge - wooden shaft with square wooden block three quarters down shaft which is movable.trades, carpentry

Brace is a U shaped frame with a wooden handle in centre, a round metal wheel at one end and a metal handle at the other end. Bits are corkscrew shaped and sharpened to make a hole in wood.trades, carpentry

Tools used by Mrs Duncan's grandfather, when he was a carpenter on the clipper ship of the 1870's between England and Australia.Large wooden plane.WBDtrades, carpentry

Tools used by Mrs Duncan's grandfather, when he was a carpenter on the clipper ship of the 1870's between England and Australia.Latge wooden handle with small metal saw.trades, carpentry

Wooden carpenters' plane - without blade. Rectangular with handles.tools, woodworking, carpentry

Wooden carpenters' plane - without blade. Rectangular with handles.tools, woodworking, carpentry

Wooden carpenters' plane - with blades & wedge. Rectangular with handles.tools, woodworking, carpentry

Used in carpenteringSpokeshaves. 3 large and 2 small blades with wooden handlesOn Largest: "Isaac Greaves"

These carpentry items were owned and used by Archibald (Mick) Blackley, a local long-time resident of Numurkah. Born 1912 in Numurkah, Mick was the son of Archibald (Senior) and Grace Blackley, also residents of Numurkah. Archie Senior was a carter, horse-breaker, conducted a livery stable and worked at Brown Corke & Co for a number of years. Archie also served in the Veterinary Corps in WW1. Some of the tools donated belonged to Archie Senior eg wooden hand planes. Mick Blackley used his dad’s tools (and also added some of his own) when he worked in various carpentry jobs during the 1930’s and 1940’s. One particular carpentry job was during the depression when Mick relocated to the Wonthaggi State Coal Mines building stables for the horses, and also completing some building works inside the mines. Returning to Numurkah, Mick joined a Mr Murray as carpenter and painter to build and repair houses. He then joined another builder for 4 years (We think this was Jim Tuttle). Mick then went on to work at the Butter Factory (originally called Holdenson & Nielsen) where some of his carpentry skills were still used. Item list: • Wooden box for carpentry tools • 1 x steel pliers • 2 x wooden hand planes • 1 x tin snips • 1 x wooden spirit level in canvas bag • 1 x small wooden spirit level • 5 x wooden handled hand-saws • 1 x wooden handled right- angle square • 1 x wooden handled tenon-saw • 1 x steel plumbers wrench • 1 x wooden handled hedge-clippers • 1 x cloth & leather measuring tape • 1 x wooden mallet • 1 x narrow wooden plane • 1 x plastic handled hand-saw • 1 x plane blade sharpening stone • 1 x brace hand drill • 1 x compass for marking wood • 1 x cold chisel • 1 x set of various chisels and hand drill bits in a canvas bag • 1 x steel sike • Various other drill bits, chisels, files • 1 x wooden handled trowel • • 2 x steel garden secateurs • carpentry, building, wood, tools, planes, levels, chisels, hammers, saws, drills, drill bits

John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, the son of Mathew Robson and Hannah Sproat. Hesailed to Australia on the "Arabian", landing at Port Phillip in 1854. Obituary DEATH OF MR. JOHN ROBSON ANOTHER PIONEER GONE. AN EXTREMELY VERSATILE MAN. General regret was expressed at the death yesterday morning at Miss Garnett's private hospital, of Mr John Robson, musician and and elocutonist and one of Ballarat's oldest, best known and most respected citizens. Mr Robson had been sitting for a few weeks, and his medical adviser, diagnosed his complaint as appendicitis, which afflicted, him in such a severe form that an operation was deemed to be absolutely necessary. He was removed to Miss Garnett's private hospital, and about a week ago he was operated upon. Mr Robson, being a man of robust constitution, stood the shock of the operation well, and he was making good headway towards recovery when the spell of hot weather set in, and caused exhaustion. Heart failure followed, and exhaustion the attention of his medical adviser, and the careful nursing he received, the end came peacefully at the time stated above. Mr John Robson was born at Newcastle, Northumberland, England, in , and he was therefore 72 years of age. Mr Robson's father, who was a contractor, had much to do with the building of the City of Newcastle. After passing through minor schools, Mr John Robson entered the academy of Professor Ross, and soon rose to a foremost position in the classes. When his studies were completed he was apprenticed to an architect and for a time studied the technique of this important branch of his father's calling. His adaptability for the work was great, and hopes were entertained that he would rise to a high position in the profession. Then came glowing reports of the wonderful Australian gold discoveries. Mr Robson’s father decided to migrate to these parts, and he sent a son to prepare the way. Believing that tools and timber might not be procured in Australia. Mr Robson, senr, constructed a portable wooden residence, which was shipped in pieces on the White Star liner Arabian which brought the family over. In 1854 Mr John Robson, who was then nearly 17 years of age, landed at Port Phillip, and with the other members of the family came on to Ballarat, which place he made his home to the end. When he first reached Ballarat, Mr Robson joined in the search for gold, but not being strong enough for this rough work, he turned his attention to carpentering. This he did not care much about, and in 1858 he was appointed a teacher in St. Paul's Day School, Ballarat, but in the following year he relinquished this position and became exchange clerk in the local branch of the National Bank. Being adapted to this quickly made himself acquainted with the details of a banker’s profession, and his rise was rapid. In the year 1871, about 12 years after he joined the bank, he was appointed manager, and for four years occupied that position with conspicuous success. He was connected with the National Bank for eighteen years, and in 1875 he entered business on his own account. With his brother, Mr Wm. Robson, he erected red-gum sawmills at Gunbower, on the River Murray. Subsequently he was offered the management of the Australian and European Bank in mills. In 1886, he accepted the position and held it until the bank was absorbed by the Commercial Bank of Australia. For a time he lived privately, still, how ever, holding his interest in the saw mills. In 1886, he accepted, the position of manager of the Ballarat branch of the Mercantile Bank of Australia. This bank was closed in 1892, and Mr Robson retired, altogether from commercial circles. In the meantime his brother died, and the saw-mills were sold. Mr Robson held a very important position in music, in fact he for many years was looked upon as the leading musician in Ballarat, he being master of quite a variety of instruments. In 1864. he was appointed conductor of the old Harmonic Society in this city, and subsequently conductor of the Ballarat Liedertafel. Under his leadership this society attained a high state of efficiency, which has since been well-maintained. Many years ago Mr Robson formed an operatic company from amongst Ballarat residents, and such beautiful operas as “Lucrezia Borgia' "Lucia di Lammermoor," “Ernani,' La Sonnambula,” and others were successfully rendered. As an elocutionist, Mr Robson attained much prominence, he being recognised as one of the most capable teachers in Ballarat. He was president of the one-time Ballarat Shakespearian Dramatic Club, which under his direction, from time to time produced Shakespeare’s masterpieces. In this, too, he took the chief characters, the roles of Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, and Shylock, all being powerfully represented by him. For some years prior to his demise Mr Robson, acted as a teacher of music, and elocution, and many of his pupils, competed with great success at the Ballarat and other competitions. Some years ago he acted as adjudicator at the South street competitions, when he gave every satisfaction, and his services were frequently secured to judge at competitions in other parts of the State and in other states of the Commonwealth. At the Ballarat band contests every year, he was a conspicuous figure, and he always acted as leader of the massed bands, by whom his appearance was always enthusiastically greeted. In his younger days he took a keen interest in several forms of sport, was a successful oarsman, one of the best amateur boxers of his weight and as a billiard player was able to hold his own with professionals. 'Mr Robson was an earnest adherent of the Church of England, and in social and other organisations he from time to time held important positions. As a Anglican churchman, he was widely respected, being the official principal and lay Canon of the Cathedral, a member of the Bishops Council, and a prominent member of St. Paul's Church, Ballarat East. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic order. and was a Past Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Victoria, an office which he filled with the greatest credit. He was also a member of the Old Colonists' Association and the Mechanics' Institute, was at one time vice-president of the Art Gallery was once a member of the School of Mines Council, and was many years ago made a Justice of the Pence. On many occasions he was asked to stand for Parliament, as a representative of Ballarat and on one occasion he consented to do so, but subsequently retired without going to the poll in favor of the late Mr Daniel Brophy. He was also often pressed to stand for both the Ballarat East and City Councils, but he declined to allow himself to be nominated. Mr Robson was an active gentleman, and a brilliant conversationalist. His courtesy, high mental and moral endowments, and warm open-heartedness, made him a most interesting and congenial companion. During his long residence in Ballarat, which city he declined to sever his connected with, he was well known and much courted, and was looked up on as one of the most prominent citizens, and his loss will be very severely felt. Some years ago a portrait of Mr Robson, in full Masonic regalia, was painted by he late Mr Stanton Bowman, and was presented by Mr Robson to the citizens, and it was hung in the City Hall, where it is always admired by visitors. The late Mr John Robson never married, and with his brother, James, lived for many years in Eureka street, Ballarat. The two brothers were nearly always together, and as they walked the streets with arms linked, they were frequently referred to as the Siamese twins. The only Australian relative of the late Mr John Robson is his brother. Mr James Robson, who hardly left the bedside during John's illness, and to him the blow has been a very severe one. In his bereavement he will have the heartfelt sympathy not only of the whole of the residents of Ballarat, but of people in all parts of the State. When the news of Mr Robson’s death became known the flags were flown at half-mast at the City and Town Halls, and the Old Colonists’ Hall, out of respect to the memory of the deceased. The interment will take place at the Old Cemetery this afternoon. The cortege will leave “Rothbury," Eureka street, Mr Robson’s late residence, at 3 o'clock, for St. Paul’s Church, where there will be a short service conducted by the vicar, the Rev T. A. Colebrook. (Ballarat Star, January 1910)Photographic portrait of John Robson, member of the Old Colonists' Association of Ballarat.john robson, old colonists' association of ballarat, old colonists' club

Bertie Greenwood was born c. 1880/81 and died aged 82 in Hawthorn in 1963. His father and possibly his grandfather were also carpenters. Bertie’s work as a cabinetmaker required precise planing to give lovely edges and other elaborate decorations. The major item in the tool collection is Bertie’s wooden box, which houses 45 different moulding planes. Later in his life, he used these skills extensively when he worked as a patternmaker for a plastering company. Bertie worked through his seventies, retiring when he lost a finger. The tool collection was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Bertie’s granddaughter, Pamela Webster Bloom, a former resident of Kew.The blackened wood toolbox contains 45 wooden moulding planes, many made in England. In woodworking, a moulding plane is a specialised plane used for making the complex shapes found in wooden mouldings. Traditionally, moulding planes were blocks of wear resistant hardwood, often beech or maple, which were worked to the shape of the intended moulding. The blade, or iron was likewise formed to the intended moulding profile and secured in the body of the plane with a wooden wedge. A traditional cabinetmakers shop might have many, perhaps hundreds, of moulding planes for the full range of work to be performed.Toolbox engraved with the initials ‘BG’ on the lidmoulding plane, bertie greenwood, woodworking tools