Research

The bread plane (1) is used to shave and crumble small pieces of hardened bread. Originally, this was done to thicken cooking liquid or broth with crumbled bread, the soupe (2). The tool was mainly spread in France in the nineteenth century in places where fresh bread could not be baked often or not all year round. See also the bread slicer. [MOT] (1) Proper name unknown. Derived from French 'rabot à pain'.

Metal S-shaped hook (approx. 30 cm) with straight or T-handle, used by the porter in ports to "move strong boxes or crates and other goods when the packaging and contents are not damaged" (1). It can be distinguished from the cotton hook and the wood hook. [MOT] (1) JANSE: 27.

This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/box-iron?lang=nl>

This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/brake-spring-pliers?lang=nl>

This text can only be consulted in Dutch. This mould for charcoal briquettes is to be distinguished from some metal models of the brick mould. See also the briquette press. [MOT]

This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/breast-auger?lang=nl>

This text can only be consulted in Dutch <https://www.mot.be/resource/Tool/belt-plier-slot-punch?lang=nl>

The broad axe is used for squaring logs and heavy pieces of wood by hewing. It is also sometimes used to peel a tree. This axe weighs approximately 1.5-3.5 kg and is characterized by a wide blade (up to 40 cm) with one bevel. The stem is 25-40 cm long and is held with one or both hands. The trunk is first smeared (see chalk line) to indicate the shape to be obtained. If little wood has to be removed, the carpenter immediately proceeds to work with the broad axe; he stands next to the trunk and thus cuts in the direction of the fibers. If the sapwood is too thick, he chops notches in it with the felling axe (1) to about 0.5-1 cm from the line; the distance between the notches (90-180 cm) (2) depends on the type of wood and also on the piece (straight fibers or not). The wood between the notches is then cut away with the felling axe. The rough surface is cut evenly against the line with the broad axe. The broad axe is the iconic tool of the (ship) carpenter. The tool can be distinguished...

The briquette press is a pair of tongs to compress paper pulp into rectangular briquettes, which serve as fuel for the fire. Domestic models consist of a rectangular iron container, which is filled with cut paper and cardboard, which has been soaked in water. A matching iron grid is placed on it and pressed firmly by pressing a lever of two side brackets together. Once the briquette has been formed, it can be pushed out by hand from the bottom. According to the same principle, there are also presses to compress sawdust and wood chips, for example. [MOT]

This is a gimlet with approx. 40 cm long bit to drill through door frames when an electrical wire has to be inserted. It is useful in relatively light materials such as plaster and wood for door frames, ceilings, walls and floors. Especially in the period of electrification, this drill was widely distributed, for the installation in existing buildings of a telephone, a doorbell or for internal calls for staff or visitors. [MOT]