Why did Bonney Tools go out of business??

[ryan_289]

I recently aquired a set of Bonney metric wrenches and man are those things sweet. The best feeling wrenches I own! I also have an old set of 3/4 sockets and a breaker bar that belonged to my grandfather. These tools seem really well built tools. What caused them to be shut down??

[billymade]

Here is a quote from Alloy Artifacts; while it doesn't give the specific reason, it does give you basic info:
"In 1967 the Utica, Herbrand, and Bonney combined holdings were acquired by the Triangle Corporation, and operated for a number of years as the Utica Tools division of that company. Triangle Tool was later acquired by the Cooper Tools conglomerate, and the Bonney operations were discontinued sometime in the early 1990s."
For more Bonney history and pics of their tools; check out this link:
http://www.alloy-artifacts.com/bonney-forge-tool.html

[krusty the clown]

1995........

[Uncle Buck]

Here is a quote from Alloy Artifacts; while it doesn't give the specific reason, it does give you basic info:
"In 1967 the Utica, Herbrand, and Bonney combined holdings were acquired by the Triangle Corporation, and operated for a number of years as the Utica Tools division of that company. Triangle Tool was later acquired by the Cooper Tools conglomerate, and the Bonney operations were discontinued sometime in the early 1990s."
For more Bonney history and pics of their tools; check out this link:
http://www.alloy-artifacts.com/bonney-forge-tool.html


There is your answer............."Triangle Tool was later acquired by the Cooper Tools conglomerate, and the Bonney operations were discontinued sometime in the early 1990s."

Cooper is really a lot like Stanley, buy a company, then kill em. Cooper SUCKS!

[-B-]

Does your wrench set include an 8mm and 17mm ? It seems that it was always missing in any of the sets I see or looked at while they were in production.

[old salvage]

A young Jedi named Darth Vader who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy American tool manufacturers.
He betrayed and murdered Bonney tools.

[forceyoda]

A young Jedi named Darth Vader who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy American tool manufacturers.
He betrayed and murdered Bonney tools.

The Jedi had nothing to do with this one.

[ryan_289]

Does your wrench set include an 8mm and 17mm ? It seems that it was always missing in any of the sets I see or looked at while they were in production.

The set I got started at 11mm. It went to 19mm. Im missing a 10mm and a 14mm to make a complete set of 10mm to 19mm.

[Autoguy]

The mm sets I have start from 7 to 19 mm including all the numbers you asked about. I paid just 60 dollars each in 1991:thumbup: the wrenches feel smooth in your hand well made and with locRite box ends.:bounce:

[lbgradwell]

I have an older "Outline" set from the mid-1960s that runs from 8mm through 14mm...

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BonneyStreamlinedComboSet1.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BonneyStreamlinedComboSet6.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BonneyStreamlinedComboSet8.jpg

[-B-]

You two quit teasing me it makes me want to get some and dump my S&K's.

[Uncle Buck]

I have an older "Outline" set from the mid-1960s that runs from 8mm through 14mm...

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BonneyStreamlinedComboSet1.jpg
[/IMG]

Those are some of my favorite wrenches of all time. I have a basic SAE set that goes to about 3/4" over my bench and they are usually the first wrenches I grab while working there. I like all Bonney wrenches, but that design in particular I consider a classic. :thumbup:

[philw]

Nice set! I would think metric in that style has to be rare.
It's a shame what Cooper did to these tool companies. They should have been able to compete with Danaher, MAC and Snap on. They had the facilities and the product they only needed competent management.
Companies like Cornwell and Wright are still in business and I don't believe they were ever as big as what Cooper had at one time.

[lbgradwell]

Those are some of my favorite wrenches of all time... I like all Bonney wrenches, but that design in particular I consider a classic.

Nice set! I would think metric in that style has to be rare.

Thanks guys; I love the style too and I've never seen another set of metrics. I only wish they went all the way to 19mm...:(

And yes, Cooper has "disappeared" many a fine company.:mad:

Billings & Spencer
Barcalo Manufacturing
Bridgeport Hardware Manufacturing
Ferramentas Belzer do Brasil
Herbrand
Bonney

How's that for a list of carnage?!

And companies like Utica & Diamond Tool & Horseshoe - while still "existing" - are mere shells of their former selves...

[Autoguy]

:thumbup:90s vintage bonney combination wrenches sets