Further information on Tools makers and manufacturers

People collect all sorts of things for all sorts of reasons

Rabone & Chesterman

J Rabone and Sons was established in 1765 in Hockley Abbey Works, Whitmore Street, Hockley, Birmingham as instrument makers. In 1963 they merged with Chestermans of Sheffield (est. 1821). They are still trading today but have since become a division of Stanley Works

Stanley

Stanley was founded in 1843 in New Britain, Conneticut, USA by Frederick Trent Stanley. After many years of successful trading they entered the UK market. Stanley are famous for the manufacturing of saws, rules and most noteably planes and innovations include the Bailey plane and the Stanley Knife

Record

Record was established in 1898 by C & J Hayston in Sheffield. Primarily a maker of planes, Record initially produced eleven patterns, 8 bench planes and 3 block planes. Over the years this increased to 55 patterns alongside the introduction of 12 spoke shaves. Record based many of the planes on other manufacturers designs however they had two unique designs: the No. 044 plough plane and three rebate planes, Nos. 712, 713 & 714. Record are still in production at the current time.

Preston

Preston was a great british tool manufacturer based in The New Works, Cheston Road, Birmingham from 1825 - 1932. It's founder, Edward Preston, initially made planes in beech wood and metal, moving to cast steel during the Victorian era. Preston planes are popular for having a manufacturer stamp on the front of them.

Norris

Established in 1860, Norris were in production in their original factory in Lambeth until 1919 where they moved to new premises in New Malden, Surrey. They were known to have manufactured planes until circa 1944, however no records exist over the post war period. Famous for the production of planes and most noteably the Dovetailed Coffin sided smoother.

Disston

Henry Disston was born in Tewkesbury, England in 1819. He served an apprenticeship with the Philadelphia saw makers William and Charles Johnson. In 1855, Disston became the first saw manufacturer to produce his own steel. He later died in 1878 but Disston's company contined manufacturing saws until ceasing production in 1956, where Disston left Philadelphia.