Help to identify a machine

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Darragh87

Plastic

Joined

Jul 1, 2017

• Jul 1, 2017

• #1

I have recently come across this little machine when cleaning the attic of my shop. From what I was told it was given to my Grandad who owns the shop, years ago as it was originally thought to be a leather cutter ( we are cobblers) but it isn't. The machine itself is quite plain with no serial number and only a small name plate that is badly faded in places but form what I see it says " A Mill-Wards Product Registered Office 54 Nottingham Road, Ma...sfield Notts. (I'm guessing Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in England) It's red but it looks like it was painted red later as it looks blue through the paint cracks. If anyone has any idea what it could be please say
Thanks
Link to the pictures

http://i.imgur.com/AhzubD1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ef6vm3e.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Hvnz81f.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ABDEj6z.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wgbC85S.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3VQbdgM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/x2rZl5m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hAGASpL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xrAVYq1.jpg

 

J

James H Clark

Stainless

Joined

May 11, 2011

Location

southern in.

• Jul 8, 2017

• #2

Darragh87; Not sure, but it looks like it may be some kind of sheet metal tool. It reminds me of similar tools I have seen in tin shops.

JH

 

L

Limy Sami

Diamond

Joined

Jan 7, 2007

Location

Norfolk, UK

• Jul 8, 2017

• #3

As I thought. it's from the leather working and shoe making trades, the area of Leicester, Nottingham , Mansfield being big in leather and shoes.

Ref Mill-Ward - Graces Guide

As to what it actually does I don't know, and as an old mate from that trade and area is no longer with us, I can't ask him.

 

M

muckalee

Cast Iron

Joined

Jul 17, 2011

Location

Americus, Georgia

• Jul 8, 2017

• #4

My Father had a shoe repair shop in the 1940's and there was one or similar tool in the shop. I was only a few years old at the time, but I think the wheel cutter is used it to cut leather soles and trim after sewing. the lower section was used to shive, cut a taper on the rear of a half sole for mating with the existing sole just before the heel.. I did not realize your location at first... I was in Tubbercury a few years ago and may have seen one there for the fair in August. Also Suddley Castle ,UK, had an extensive display of tools.

 

C

Clive603

Titanium

Joined

Aug 2, 2008

Location

Sussex, England

• Jul 8, 2017

• #5

#2 on what muckalee said. I recall my old mate Reg Scott, our local cobbler, having similar machines in his little "shed shop" for trimming heels and soles. Three of them if memory serves me right but exactly which did what I don't recall now as he retired in the early 1970's, around the time I started work. Being a typical teenager I didn't pay enough attention when I had the opportunity!

Clive

 

A

Adwcali

Aluminum

Joined

Apr 12, 2015

Location

Central Coast

• Jul 8, 2017

• #6

Third on that. Very common tool here in cobbler and saddle shops. Try trimming a sole with that circular blade and you'll wonder how you ever got by without it.

 

R

Reid Zeigler

Aluminum

Joined

Nov 5, 2005

Location

Pennsylvania

• Jul 8, 2017

• #7

I'm pretty sure I've seen a machine like this for cutting horse tack like bridles, but because of the ratchet it looks like it's for thicker stock, so I'll ++ the people who said shoe leather.

 

D

Darragh87

Plastic

Joined

Jul 1, 2017

• Jul 24, 2017

• #8

Yeah we have a machine for cutting around leather soles that's similar to it but it has a long neck out to the side( Made by Irish tanners) however with this one when you try to cut around a sole it cuts very badly and it has a very small blade and the skiver makes very rough and torn skives, I'd say you're right must just be a bit worn

 

B

Brian Smith

Aluminum

Joined

Nov 23, 2004

Location

Southern California

• Jul 26, 2017

• #9

James H Clark said:

Darragh87; Not sure, but it looks like it may be some kind of sheet metal tool. It reminds me of similar tools I have seen in tin shops.

JH

Click to expand...

James, I had the same impression. The tool reminded me of the hand-cranked machine at the hardware store where I worked as a teenager 45+ years ago. It was used to corrugate the end of a piece of stove pipe.

It sounds like the consensus from those who know leatherworking is for leather cutter.

Brian