What is this wrench used for?

[TheModelAGuy]

A speciality wrench made for craftsman. Marking is a series "V" wrench for 1/2 and 7/16 square heads.

What was it used for?

 

[Pstychologist]

Lots of earlier farm equipment had square bolts/nuts. Plus many lag bolts, too.

 

[TheModelAGuy]

Thanks for pointing out my typo. Agreed there were lots of square head bolts used in days gone by but it has an intended purpose for those who are still guessing.

My moniker will help to narrow it down.

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 for square-head bolts and nuts. Remember them on all sorts of things back in the day (hose clamps, equipment, etc). Most often as kid I just used an open-end wrench.

 

[Pstychologist]

Oh, I see, this is a challenge.


I'll take a guess... tightening up firewall carriage bolts under the dash?

 

[3baygarage]

That's an oddball Craftsman.

 

[3baygarage]

It's a Ford brake wrench. Never seen it in Craftsman though.

 

[TheModelAGuy]

Spot on 3 bay...
Here is a picture of the back side?

It is used to adjust mechanical brakes on the 28-31 Model A, and 32-36 Fords.
The long handle is a feature which gives leverage for turning the brake adjusting wedge which is under tension of the brake shoe springs. Other tool makers offered a similar brake adjusting wrench. I've seen Snap-on and Proto too.

 

[woody 73]

It's a Ford brake wrench. Never seen it in Craftsman though.

I have one but not made by craftsman; that is also my first look at one made by craftsman , I never new that animal existed in a craftsman wrench.

I learn something new everyday!

 

[Jim C.]

What a great old wrench. I never saw a Craftsman wrench like that one before. Pretty cool. Send me a PM if you ever decide to part with it.

Jim C.

 

[lbgradwell]

From the same era as this:

 

[twertsy]

From the same era as this:

I have that exact wrench LG.

 

[safariknut]

From the same era as this:

Strange you should post that;I just finished taking pictures of some more oddball wrenches for my post.This one is made by Herbrand.

 

[lbgradwell]

I have that exact wrench LG.

Was yours ground down (and ruined) on the 9/16" end too?

 

[twertsy]

Was yours ground down (and ruined) on the 9/16" end too?

No, but mine isn't as clean. I have 2 Bonney ones that are NOS though.

 

[lbgradwell]

Strange you should post that;I just finished taking pictures of some more oddball wrenches for my post.This one is made by Herbrand.

I have another by Duro-Indestro. I like to keep two as I work on vintage starters and manifolds every day.

 

[twertsy]

Here's mine. I have more but not handy.

 

[F124C]

From the same era as this:

Wow! somebody must have been really strong to bend it like that.
Any idea how you're going to straighten it?

Al.

 

[TheModelAGuy]

Great starter bolt wrench, love looking through boxes at the swap meets. Still looking for Craftsman starter and speciality wrenches and C series ratchet to complete my set.....and so goes the journey. Never enough tools!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[lbgradwell]

Wow! somebody must have been really strong to bend it like that.
Any idea how you're going to straighten it?

Al.

This was bent tightening the starter's bolt. I figure the next time I loosen it, the wrench will straighten out...

 

[lbgradwell]

Great starter bolt wrench...

It was owned by an aircraft mechanic. He's the guy who ground it and your guess is at least as good as mine as to what he was using it on...

 

[TheModelAGuy]

With that said you'd be the last guy I'd want to get into an arm wrestling match with!

 

[Jim C.]

From the same era as this:

I have this same Cman starter/manifold wrench too. I think there was also another Cman starter/manifold wrench from the same era with 9/16" x 3/4" boxes. I don't see that one as often as the 5/8" x 9/16" version. Still a very nice old Ford brake wrench to start the thread. I'm wondering how many other speciality wrenches Craftsman offered from the same time period?

Jim C.

 

[michiganman18]

lol very nice

 

[TheModelAGuy]

On the topic of other Craftsman wrenches, does anyone know if Craftsman made an offset wrench like his one? 1/2 drive 11/16 12pt.
It among other uses enables head bolt torquing with out removing the distributor on a Model A.

 

[F124C]

This was bent tightening the starter's bolt. I figure the next time I loosen it, the wrench will straighten out...

Al.