An ERSIN Multicore Solder Dispenser

The solder dispenser pictured dates from the early 1970s, when I was attending DeVry. The 'ERSIN' name appears to be no longer with us. The 'Multicore' brand now belongs to Henkel. Originally, there was a Multicore Solders Ltd. of Hemel Hempstead, England.

I'll put this with the rest of my small stash of electronic solder.

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My Dad's Kennedy Model 520 Tool Chest

It's a little the worse for wear, but then it must be at least sixty years old. The chest's maker, Kennedy Manufacturing, is still in business, and the Model 520 seven-drawer tool chest is still in their catalogue.

I wish it still contained all that it did when it was a working tool chest, going out on generator service calls to remote places in Ontario, but that's long gone ancient history. At least I still have the chest -- I consider it a family heirloom.

I'm not sure what I'll do with it. It was in a flooded basement for a spell, and the bottom drawer is in rough condition inside. A full-blown restoration would be a huge, difficult project, and I'm not sure I want to restore it, and erase all the evidence of it having earned its living.

I'll find someplace to stash it for now. If I can make room for it in my workshop, I may put it to use just as it is.

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Possibly The Ugliest Camp Stove In The Known Universe

This Canadian Tire propane camp stove dates from the early 1960s, as far as I know.

I don't think it ever saw much campsite use; I recall it being the first stove we had in the kitchen of the Haliburton cottage my dad acquired when I was a boy.

The stove is as tall as it is because of the way the propane bottles reside in it.

That arrangement has the dubious virtue of making the stove as bulky as possible.

The air/fuel mixture is not factory calibrated -- the user has to adjust it by turning a split, knurled brass ring-nut on the fuel supply tube.

The stove does work.

But I think I'd prefer my old liquid-fueled Coleman stove any day.

I'm not sure what to do with it. My son has tried to unload it at a garage sale, with no takers.

I may salvage the brass fuel supply parts, and scrap the rest.

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A Spin Hygrometer (Psychrometer)

I suppose these things are pretty much obsolete.

Pictured is an instrument for measuring relative humidity. To use it, the thermometer bulb with the 'sock' on it is wetted with water, then the instrument is spun rapidly in the air until the wet bulb temperature stabilizes. With the aid of a chart, the difference in temperature readings between the wet bulb and the dry bulb tells relative humidity.

The manufacturer, Weksler, is still a going concern. I've emailed them to ask if they can supply the chart.

Meanwhile, I'll stash this in the cabinet where I keep measuring instruments.

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Update -- FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014

Weksler kindly got back to me. It seems that the instrument is very old indeed, and no support exists for it.

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A Supply Of 1/4" Staples

This will keep me in 1/4" staples for awhile -- I already have a supply of 1/4" staples.

I'll have to install a longer nail in the joist where I hang 1/4" staples, to accommodate this new supply.

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A Rabone No. 1176 Folding Carpenter's Rule

The firm of John Rabone & Sons is no longer with us. There's a bit of information on it here.

This rule is not in great condition -- it's a bit warped, and doesn't fully close properly.

I'll stash this in my spare tools drawer. I'm unlikely to ever use it.

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A 3 TPI, 5" Long Jigsaw Blade

I'm not even going to try this out. This is way more blade than a jigsaw was ever meant to power.

To the scrap metal bin with it.

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A Knife Blade For A Jigsaw

Something tells me that this was not one of the world's great innovations.

I doubt that it's very useful. I'll hang it up with my jigsaw blades. Perhaps a good application will come to mind some day.

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A Strombecker Razor Saw

The saw is pretty much a ruin.

Strombecker was a huge player in the slot car business way back in the '60s. They appear to be no longer with us. There's a brief history of the firm here.

I may as well toss this in my scrap metal bin -- its useful days are behind it.

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A Bicycle Inner Tube Repair Kit

Let's see what's inside.

The usual stuff, along with three automotive tubeless tire plugs. Hmmm.

I'll sort this out, and stash it with my tire repair things -- automotive with automotive; bicycle with bicycle.

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A Virgin Package Of Thirty Clear Push Pins

It's never been opened.

I guess I'll open it, and dump the pins into my little drawer of spare push pins. This will keep me in push pins for a long time.

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