Historically, lasts were typically made from cast iron because this material retains its shape, even when in contact with wet materials (like leather) and subjected to the stresses of stretching and shaping shoes on them. They were for home mending of shoes. This item is an example of the self-reliance shown by rural families when household necessities were not readily available.A black cast iron boot last which can be used for three different sized sole placements boots / shoes. domestic shoe-last boot-last cast-iron

A rim splitter was used on the outer rims of older vehicles to facilitate removal and replacement of tires. The tool was used to remove a tyre and replace it onto a split wheel rim. After the air was let out, the safety rim key was pulled. The swing arms were spread out and the three arms evenly spaced around the rim. The single arm with the screw gear needed to be close to the split so that the hooks fit on the rim and the rim was then pulled inward and the tyre could be be removed from the rim. After the tire was repaired or a new one was ready to be put on the collapsed rim the tool was used to push the rim back together and the safety key could be reinserted. A rim splitter were a universal type tool used for many cars of the 1920's and 1930's.A cast iron rim splitter which has two hinged side arms with hooked ends. The middle shaft has a hooked end and an inner bolt that can be screwed up or down.St Joseph Michigan Hercules Product Co Made in U.S.A. L 7motoring rim-splitter tyres tool

A ball-peen ) hammer, also known as a machinist's hammer, is a type of peening hammer used in metal-working. Its steel head is harder than that of a claw hammer, so is less likely to chip on impact. Ball peen hammers are commonly used to drive cold chisels, set rivets, and bend and shape metal. Before the advent of pneumatic rivet guns, ball peen hammers were commonly used for riveting. First the flat head drove the nail through, then the round ball was used to "peen over" the other side of the rivet. Before the advent of pneumatic rivet guns, ball peen hammers were commonly used for riveting. First the flat head drove the nail through, then the round ball was used to "peen over" the other side of the rivet. These hammers were made to last.Wooden handled ball peen pein) hammer. The handle has been nailed in and may not be the original. The metal head has one end shaped into a sphere and the other flat.hammer-ball-peen tool metal-work

This is an example of a once common motoring accessory no longer used.A hand-operated car tyre pump with brass fittings. It has a steel tube, a wooden handle and a metal foot rest.pump tyre-pump car-accessories

This was probably for a light buggy. Heavy farm, and lumber wagons had wider tires. It would have been made by a blacksmith. The blacksmith fitted steel rims onto wooden wagon wheels. The red hot metal rim expands when hot, so it can be fitted to the wagon wheel. Then it contracts to create a tight fit as it cools after being dropped into a tank of water.Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Orbost’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A large iron rim for a wagon wheel.wheel-rim wagon transport agriculture

Many of the early sewing machines were powered by a treadle mechanism. The treadle was operated by pressing down on it with a foot, or both feet, to cause a rocking movement. This movement spins a large wheel on the treadle frame, connected by a thin leather belt to a smaller driving wheels on the sewing machine.A treadle sewing machine flywheel mad of cast iron. It is three tangent circles within a larger circle.3treadle sewing-machine flywheel

Sprockets are used in machinery either to transmit rotary motion between two shafts where gears are unsuitable or to impart linear motion. This one was probably used on farm machinery.A black painted steel chain drive sprocket. It has six triangular shaped holes around a circular centre hole. The rim has teeth / cogs that mesh with a chain.machinery chain-drive-sprocket

Adzes are used for smoothing or carving wood in hand woodworking. It is similar to an axe but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle. It is used chiefly for shaping wood.A square ended adze that has a thin arched blade set at right angles to the wooden handle. The handle is not original.wood-working-tool adze carpentry

Glass washboards were popular during World War II due to a shortage of metal. The body was made of wood, but the scrubbing area was glass. Washboards were normally two-sided with one side having more refined ridges and also came in a variety of sizes. The smaller washboards were used for delicates such as undergarments and petticoats, while larger washboards were used for such items of clothing as shirts and pants. They were used over the laundry tubs. (ref. Antique Traders)This glass scrubbing board is an example of the typical laundry equipment used by families in the Orbost district in the early 20th century.A rectangular glass washboard with a wooden frame. The glass insert is corrugated glass and the backing at the top is original. Frame is new (original had borer damage).On backing at top - Possum trademarklaundry-equipment washing scrubbing-board

A bit is a type of horse tack used in equestrian activities, usually made of metal or a synthetic material, and is placed in the mouth of a horse to assist a rider in communicating with the animal. It rests in the mouth where there are no teeth.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.An iron horse bit. It has a small piece of leather at one end - possibly from the bridle. It has a piece of wire attached as a hook for hanging.equestrian horse-bit transport

These were used on a horse-drawn wagons, carriages, stagecoaches, and carts. A wheelwright would use this tool to make or repair the wheels. All sizes of buggy spanners, or wagon wrenches, were needed as wagon wheels were of many different sizes. Horse-drawn wagons are an important part of Australia’s agricultural history. Light buggies were popular with farmers for trips into town before the common use of motorised vehicles.A collection of thirteen iron wheel spanners on an iron hook. One spanner has a wooden handle and is an adjustable spanner.tool wagon-wrench-spanner transport

A sledge hammer is generally wielded with both hands and is used for driving wedges and posts and for other heavy work. It can be used to remove concrete slabs, to drive heavy steel bolts into concrete, to hammer large stakes as well as for demolition.This item was a common tool used by farmers or blacksmiths.A large flat hammer with a wooden handle.Underneath hammer - 10hammer sledge-hammer tool

A food safe was a piece of domestic equipment widely used in Australia before refrigeration to preserve perishable food in summer. A food safe was a common domestic item widely used in rural Victoria before cheap refrigeration was available.A rectangular tin food safe. It is painted green and has thin wire bent into a triangular shape for hanging.Inside is a cream coloured painted shelf. It has six circular air vents on three sides and four on the door.domestic food-preservation food-safe

This hook was probably used in lift sacks of corn / maize to the lofts in the barns using a pulley beam system sometimes driven by a small tractor or a horse.This item is connected to the agricultural history of the Snowy River flats of the Orbost district. Intensive farming for maize was an integral part of the history of Orbost.A double bag hook consisting of two double metal hooks on a metal ring.bag-hook rural

This vice is used to secure an object to allow work to be performed on it. It would have been attached to a workbench.A large metal bench vice. It has two parallel jaws, one fixed and the other movable, threaded in and out by a screw and lever.Dawn 3 1/2bench-vice

Scythes were used to manually mow wheat or grass. Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. On farms scythes were sharpened on a sandstone wheel mounted on an axle with a crank handle on one side. This was hand powered and used with water. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district. An iron scythe blade, curved and tapered. There is no handle and the blade is rusted and pitted."ROSE"scythe tool agriculture rural

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of horse winkers made of dark brown leather with a metal chain bit. The strap which goes behind the ears is green hide - possibly not original. winkers horse-equipment equestrian agriculture

Scythes were used with a long sweeping movement which made them much less tiring for labourers to use than reaping hooks or sickles though they still involved great physical labour and considerable skill to perfect. Both hands were in use and the operator did not have to bend his back to reach down to the crop. Scythes were not used as often on farms after the mechanisation of harvesting. They were still used for cutting awkward shaped small plots and for opening a path for the tractors. This item is an example of a tool used by the early settlers of the Orbost district.A curved iron blade with one sharp edge. It is attached to a curved hollow handle with two extensions on one side where the scythe can be held by two hands.scythe agriculture tool

Hand operated water pumps were used to supply water prior to the widespread use of windmill pumps, electric pumps and city water systems. Usually an old pump was made from cast iron, wood or tin. Pumps were very important to people up through the 19th century as farm houses seldom had indoor plumbing with running water. These pumps were also used for outdoor irrigation or laundry purposes.Hand operated water pumps were important before indoor plumbing was adequate. An iron water pump - hand-operated by a lever to the side. A plunger moves up and down (missing). It has a spout and has been painted brown.pump-water irrigation rural

Possibly used for sieving bean seeds or corn seeds. Could have been a sand sieve.A round wooden framed sieve. It has a double frame with 1/4 " wire mesh held in through two frames. It has a galvanised iron inset.sieve agriculture tool

Probably used in the local bean growing industry. The Orbost area was once a large bean growing area as the fertile snowy River flats produced good quality beans. It was exported to other states of Australia. Green beans were sent to Melbourne by train and later to Sydney, either via Bombala where they were railed, or to Eden to continue the journey on fish trucks. One pound per bag was considered a good price in the early 1920's and pickers were paid one shilling and sixpence. (Ref: Newmerella Valley of Plenty)A round wooden framed sieve. The frame holds the wire mesh sieve. It is braced with seven thin wire strips.sieve agriculture tool

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of horse winkers made of dark brown leather with a metal chain bit. There are two leather cups that are placed on either side of the eyes. agriculture winkers blinkers horse farming

This set of winkers was probably used on draught horses in farming.Horses played a vital role in the agricultural history of Orbost. This item is connected to that role.A set of dark leather horse winkers. There is a metal chain bit and a leather strap to go around the top part of the horse's head.winkers blinkers farming agriculture horse

A cast iron wheel. The rim is ridged with fine teeth. In the centre is a fixed axle - bent and snapped off. It has six circular holes.wheel cast-iron machinery

Crosscut saws are used to cut down trees and to saw the trunks to length. This is a two man cross cut saw. The two-man crosscut saw has wooden handles that fit into a steel socket at each end. The teeth are designed to enable both users to have equal strength.Orbost has historically been based on the timber industry and it remains an important but diminishing economic activity. Timber cutting tools are reminders of this history.A steel bladed cross cut saw with wooden handles that fit into a steel socket at each end. The blade has one straight edge and a toothed curved edge. saw timber cross-cut-saw tool

The spider harness was specifically designed for fall protection at heights and in any hanging direction.It can be used in rescue situations. It is a fully adjustable harness.A leather harness with chains (called a spider). A round piece with leather straps threaded through and chains attached to both sides. It has metal (brass?) rivets. On each end is a large hook.harness-spider

Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.Part of leather harness. Brown leather straps with buckles.equestrian harness rural farming

Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A brown leather harness (spider) with a chain on one side and a heavy hook at the end.harness equestrian rural farming horse

Built by the Buffalo Forge Company in New York, USA. It is of a typical hand operated design used in workshops. This item was probably used in an engineering shop locally.A cast iron workshop drill. It has two spanner holes.On wheel at top - BUFFALO FORGE Co. and on frame BUFFALO N.Y.drill press workshop hand-operated

A leather plaited stock whip with a roughly carved wooden handlewhip-stock woodworking leather