Although no information has survived about the maker, the Huddersfield-based Industrial Drafting Co., this little hacksaw was almost certainly manufactured from the late 1940s into the early 1960s.
Weighing a considerable 150 lbs and with a capacity of 3.5 inches, this would have been a convenient little machine, taking up little space yet capable of performing well. The motor and associated switchgear were built into the steel cabinet stand, creating an entirely self-contained, ready-to-use unit. The makers clearly intended this to be used in industry and, to this end, fitted not a single but a twin V-belt drive and a large-diameter, non-detachable finger-cut-out handwheel to the vice. A neat touch was an overarm formed as a part-circle along which could be slid, individually, two weights to adjust the cut to suit different materials and tubes of varying wall thickness. Instead of a fitter wasting time hand-sawing material, he could employ this machine and get on with something productive.
The term "Benchmaster" has been used by various companies, including Gardena, a California-based firm, which made punches presses, straightening machines and the lovely little Duro bench milling machine.
Another bench-mounted hacksaw, though very much smaller and lighter, was the Kennedy Hexacut, a unit still sought after for its compact dimensions and decent performance.