Last USA Adjustable

[Renegade1LI]

I'm picking up material at a local supplier and I see a few dusty old adjustable wrenches hanging on the wall. If course I had to look, found one 15" Williams made in USA, it was the last one. I had no choice but to buy it, it had been there for years, probably way overpriced but I couldn't leave it. I make it a point to check out tools that are on display at the old supply houses, some have been out on display for 10 plus years and are old made in USA stuff. Still some good finds out there.

 

[mike93lx]

Looks well made and it's both metric and standard, too. Nice.

 

[Grokew]

Looks well made and it's both metric and standard, too. Nice.

You are right, but it is funny.

Edit: But then, I remembered about the switch/indexed type adjustable wrenches with predetermined stops.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Looks well made and it's both metric and standard, too. Nice.

Right side for metric left for standard, lol

 

[redwrench60]

Looks Western Forge made to me. Good find. I’d have bought it too. I use a 15” a lot at work.

 

[Jeepster04]

Looks identical to the Craftsman adjustable I bought many years ago. As with many things, I wish I had bought more.

Looks Western Forge made to me. Good find. I’d have bought it too. I use a 15” a lot at work.

It looks like it has W F near the tip.

 

[mike93lx]

Right side for metric left for standard, lol

I though left was metric. TIL

 

[Renegade1LI]

Looks Western Forge made to me. Good find. I’d have bought it too. I use a 15” a lot at work.

Yes, western forge.

 

[redwrench60]

Looks identical to the Craftsman adjustable I bought many years ago. As with many things, I wish I had bought more.



It looks like it has W F near the tip.

Yeah I spotted the WF forge mark too. They made ‘em for a ton of labels and they were good solid quality wrenches. I have western forge adjustables in Craftsman, and Proto trim.

 

[redwrench60]

Besides Klein ironworker spud wrenches, are there any USA made adjustables in current production? I can’t think of any. That’s sad.

 

[BrandonV]

Besides Klein ironworker spud wrenches, are there any USA made adjustables in current production? I can’t think of any. That’s sad.

Just Snap-on.

 

[redwrench60]

Really? Last I saw those were Bahco made in Spain? Are they making them again like this ‘ol girl I’ve had for years?

 

[BrandonV]

Really? Last I saw those were Bahco made in Spain? Are they making them again like this ‘ol girl I’ve had for years?

Yup. They brought them back.

They also make the Bahco style ergo wrenches here too.

 

[redwrench60]

Well that’s cool. I always liked those older Snap-on USA adjustables. Wish I had bought more back in the day. Extremely well made tools.

 

[BrandonV]

Well that’s cool. I always liked those older Snap-on USA adjustables. Wish I had bought more back in the day. Extremely well made tools.

They felt nice. The smaller one I handled was a bit rough (might be extra plating on the knurled screw) but the finish is like jewelry.

 

[redwrench60]

Just for giggles, since we’re on the subject. Here’s a few WF made 15 inch-ers in Proto trim. The two on the left are new spare click-stops I keep in reserve.

 

[M-technik-3]

Mythical 10mm has been found hurray. I seem to always miss place that one.

 

[BrandonV]

Just for giggles, since we’re on the subject. Here’s a few WF made 15 inch-ers in Proto trim. The two on the left are new spare click-stops I keep in reserve.

That satin WF finish was always the best.

I was pulling out some of the last Craftsman adjustables I bought and they're beautiful.

 

[redwrench60]

That satin WF finish was always the best.

I was pulling out some of the last Craftsman adjustables I bought and they're beautiful.

I agree, truly great wrenches. Probably the best value at Craftsman prices too.

Adjustables get a lot of flak on here for being caveman tools but they are the best thing for fooling with painted over, rusted over and odd sized large hydraulic fittings and ball valves on pneumatic or liquid piping on facilities or large equipment. The tapered handle means I can slide a cheater pipe over it for some mechanical advantage and have more control when it breaks loose.

 

[BrandonV]

I agree, truly great wrenches. Probably the best value at Craftsman prices too.

Adjustables get a lot of flak on here for being caveman tools but they are the best thing for fooling with painted over, rusted over and odd sized large hydraulic fittings and ball valves on pneumatic or liquid piping on facilities or large equipment. The tapered handle means I can slide a cheater pipe over it for some mechanical advantage and have more control when it breaks loose.

Well I collect them. Not sure why... But I do.

Found some in Mexico I have to pick up next .

 

[redwrench60]

Yeah I guess you could say I collect them too….mostly to use but once you have more than you’ll ever need it becomes collecting lol

I did hook my son up with a complete set of WF Craftsman adjustables from 4”-12” that I had put back still new. He’s big into tools too and was wanting some good ones so I said what the hell. He definitely appreciates them.

 

[BrandonV]

Yeah I guess you could say I collect them too….mostly to use but once you have more than you’ll ever need it becomes collecting lol

I did hook my son up with a complete set of WF Craftsman adjustables from 4”-12” that I had put back still new. He’s big into tools too and was wanting some good ones so I said what the hell. He definitely appreciates them.

I grab the same 8" or 10" crusty adjustable from the railroad company I found in the dirt outside when I need an adjustable.

Not sure why I have all the others. Maybe it does deal with it being a last resort tool!

 

[redwrench60]

I grab the same 8" or 10" crusty adjustable from the railroad company I found in the dirt outside when I need an adjustable.

Not sure why I have all the others. Maybe it does deal with it being a last resort tool!

Ha! Reminds me of this one I found in the sump pit of a large piece of equipment. It was encased in hard packed oily dirt slurry. I had to chisel it out, soak it in the parts washer for a week just to see what brand it was lol. Price was right though.

 

[cherrybomb]

I'm so happy I bought a couple of Proto Clic Stops 10 years ago

 

[3baygarage]

I think, I think… Martin’s wrenches are USA. Probably Western Forge stock as well.

I get excited seeing stuff like that in stores too. There is a supply house I go to with a lot of Martin.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Kinda funny getting excited over old wrenches, I'm glad it's not just me who keeps new back up reserves. I can't stop buying stuff like this, it must be like a drug habit but better.

 

[reddog289]

My Father had the same wrench..
Matter of fact He didn't have many at all. Its in my tool chest now.