Fresh from collection in Lancashire is this pile of bits. Most of it is a Coronet Minor "10 in 1 Universal Woodworker" from 1963. The Minor is, as you might expect, the little sister of the more popular, and rather larger Coronet Major, but otherwise is similarly capable. The two/four speed motor powers a 36" lathe, a 7" circular saw and a 4" planer, with sanding, mortising and dovetailing accessories. It all needs quite a bit of restoration. And a bench to mount it on.
In the cardboard box are a pair of Zyliss vices that had also seen rather better days: both were nearly seized with corrosion, but have since returned to working order with the help of WD-40, teflon grease, and my blowtorch. Being Swiss, they’re clever, well made and actually still fairly desirable, but functionally have been mostly superceded by the ubiquitous Black and Decker Workmate and the Irwin Quick Grip.
