Thanks for your comments guys.
Pete, I will be the first to admit these jobs aren't the most profitable, but remember I don't do the arty stuff that many do, so this sort of work not only keeps my brain working but is my presentation stuff that I can show on my website and on forums etc. There is no doubt that the real money is in the big production jobs but this restoration stuff is what I love to do.
Les, the Victorians may have had a special tool, but I don't think so. I believe that labour was just incredibly cheap. If you look at this job, there is about £5-£10 worth of wood (modern selling price), the rest of my bill was labour. Now, labour is hugely expensive and so hand made, highly skilled work like this is rarely seen. The mass production machine rules now, sadly.
Richard