Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: PFSchaffner on December 10, 2015, 03:33:51 PM

Title: who is it? (Ridgways vs. K&E plumb bob)
Post by: PFSchaffner on December 10, 2015, 03:33:51 PM

This ordinary workaday plumb bob, complete with the usual
leather sheath and attached gammon reel, is marked "K&E"
on the steel point, and "Ridgways" on the brass body.
K&E certainly makes bobs; what is Ridgways?

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Title: Re: who is it? (Ridgways vs. K&E plumb bob)
Post by: Papaw on December 10, 2015, 03:41:01 PM

"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, these works were founded in the 1930s. William Ridgway Tools merged first of all with Record Tools in 1974 to form Record Ridgway Tools Ltd. Record were another Sheffield company who were renowned for the quality of their vices and industrial clamps. Following the merger Record Ridgway Tools Ltd was made up of 14 UK Companies with 5 overseas companies. A later merger with a woodwork tools company called Marple (which was part-owned by Record and Ridgeway respectively before their original merger) led to the company becoming known as Record Marples Tools. Record Marples was taken over by the Swedish hardware manafacturer AB Bahco in 1982. Despite a management buyout leading to the company reverting to British ownership in 1985 the company struggled financially and following administration was acquired by U.S. based Irwin Tools in 1998 who have since moved production to China in recent years."
Info from here- http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/record-ridgway-marples-tools-ltd-sheffield-february-2014.t89091 (http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/record-ridgway-marples-tools-ltd-sheffield-february-2014.t89091)

Title: Re: who is it? (Ridgways vs. K&E plumb bob)
Post by: PFSchaffner on December 10, 2015, 03:53:32 PM

But was Ridgway ever known as "Ridgways" (with an -s), with the script logo?
And what is it doing attached to an American K&E point?

Title: Re: who is it? (Ridgways vs. K&E plumb bob)
Post by: Chillylulu on December 11, 2015, 01:14:21 AM

We had a Ridgeway's  company here in Denver that made blueprints.  They also sold all kinds of drafting, measuring, surveying stuff.

If I found it here I would gave guessed that they sold it.

Chilly

Title: Re: who is it? (Ridgways vs. K&E plumb bob)
Post by: PFSchaffner on December 15, 2015, 12:30:30 PM

Apparently there are or were Ridgways in several cities (Texas, Oklahoma? too), so the best guess is that they were the sellers, K&E the makers. Thx.