McPhersons Guide For The Handyman Information and Download

In approx. the 1950s McPhersons released an 80-page handbook for the home handyman, which described techniques for many useful procedures and had conversion tables and the like in it.

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The Cowley level shown on p.63 was not invented by the Australian Keith Cowley until 1944, so this catalogue was released after that. I’m working on a more precise date – if anyone has thoughts on that drop me a line.

The Adept lathe shown on p.77 stopped production in 1961 so I imagine that the latest that the catalogue could have been printed would have been 1961 or a year or two later to allow for old stock.

Download the catalogue here.

Here is the front page of the McPhersons Guide For The Handyman

A few of the mentioned brands include:

  • Cowley on p.63 – automatic level
  • Downee on p.69 – advertising pressed steel rail fittings
  • Eclipse on p.17 – advertising the 20T hacksaw frame
  • Hercus on the back cover – advertising a lathe and handbook

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