Anyone Else Like Diamond /Diamalloy

[metaldad]

Been wanting to do this for awhile. Just like the blue handled pliers, there was once a tool manufacturer that used green dip. Diamond Calk Horseshoe, from Duluth, Minn, founded 1908. In the 20's, they made adj. wrenches for Moore Drop Forge. The name was changed to Diamond Tool And Horseshoe, in 1957.
In the corporate consolidation of the 80's, they eventually wound up under the Cooper brand. (Thank you to Alloy Artifacts).
here's my minor collection of green tools.
drivers and other items will be put up later.
1st pic, slip joint pliers. HL14,HP15,HL16P,HL18P,HL110,HL110,HL100P,HL120P,HL116,HL120
2nd pic, adj. wrenches, 4'' thru 18''
3rd pic, misc. pliers, HP253P,KC18,N16,DI35,DE36
4th pic, minis, RN54,CN55,DN55,RN6-2P,RN6-3P
5th pic, long nose (my eyes are weary, cant read all the #'s)
LN8R,SN57P,LN57,LN57(Different), CN56,SN56,DN56,NN570,DN56,VN58,DN56P,LC56R,SN56R,SN56P,LN57P,NN56P
6th pic, dikes, SS57P,S57,S56RGP,S55,S55RG
7th pic glass/ceramic pliers, GT28,658P,GCO6T,GC6,RP8,GL6,G7

 

[ibedayank]

diamond TOOL and horseshoe not calk

 

[metaldad]

8th pic, linesman SL58-P, SL56,R510,DH16
9th pic, snips, DAS-10,DAL-10,DAR-10,-----, LS6
drivers to follow.
i attempt not to spend alot of munney on these. i also try to acquire without owners marks.

 

[metaldad]

diamond TOOL and horseshoe not calk

look it up.
http://alloy-artifacts.org/diamond-calk-horseshoe.html#history

 

[plinker]

The Diamond Calk Horseshoe Company was founded in 1908 by Otto Swanstrom, a blacksmith operating in Duluth, Minnesota. As the name suggests, the company was formed to make calks and horseshoes, and their initial product was a patented insertable calk for horseshoes. (A calk is a gripping bit on a horseshoe, added for better traction on ice or slippery surfaces.) In 1910 the company built a factory at 4630 West Third Street in Duluth.

Diamond was very successful in their calk and horseshoe business, but as the tractor and automobile reduced the need for horses and horseshoes, the company turned its forging skills to the production of adjustable wrenches.

By 1921 Diamond Calk had become a prosperous business employing 150 workers and producing drop-forged railroad supplies and wrenches, in addition to their line of calks and horseshoes.

In the mid 1920s Diamond was selected as the supplier of adjustable wrenches for the Motor Tool Specialty Company, the distributor organization for the Snap-On Wrench Company. This must have been both a high honor and a tremendous boost for their sales efforts, as Diamond brand wrenches were shown together with the Snap-On sockets and drive tools. Snap-On continued to offer Diamond brand wrenches in its catalogs until the late 1930s, and when its own Blue Point brand adjustable wrenches were introduced, Diamond appears to have continued as the contract manufacturer.

Some time after the success of its adjustable wrenches, Diamond expanded its product line to include various styles of pliers, cutters, tin snips, auto (monkey) wrenches, and other tools.

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I have a few Diamond tools, wrenches and pliers. I keep a 15" "auto wrench" at work as it can be quite handy with hydraulic fittings.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Nice tools. Id like to get an 18'' ''auto wrench'' a couple of them really, but they go for quite a bit on ebay usually even wore out abused ones.

 

[four.cycle]

metaldad that is quite the collection there!

Outside Machinist - Ebay sellers are nuts on Diamond/Diamalloy pricing. Best best is either Craigslist or garage sales. I picked up this beauty for ten bucks off a CL ad:



ugly, but still works just dandy.

 

[cbacres]

Metaldad, that's a nice collection of the Diamond tools.
I also have a decent collection of the adjustables up to 24" and some of the pliers.

Just think, back in the day this is the tool you walk into a typical hardware store and get off the shelf.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

Diamond made great tools in their time. I've got a couple pairs of pliers and an adjustable, all yard sale finds, that I use regularly and really like.

 

[WWShop]

diamond TOOL and horseshoe not calk

Was called Diamond Calk and Horseshoe and was later changed to Diamond Tool and Horseshoe, like others stated above. I think their oldest tools had a space between horseshoe...Horse Shoe.

Yes, i have several pliers and adjustable wrenches, two of the Handyboy multitools (correct me if that is the wrong name) and four of the double end adjustable wrenches. They all work great and I use them quite often. Being from Duluth, MN makes it even more special when I see them in my box.

 

[metaldad]

i would love to get a set of double ender adjustables, but they go for crazy money on fleabay

 

[woody 73]

A fun story from the past on the GJ:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=267023

 

[turbowoodworker]

Calk. When misspelled intentionally ( not caulk or ****) has a meaning that I had never heard. A horsey term. I swear I learn more on GJ in twenty minutes than a whole week in Sister Genevieve's English class

 

[woody 73]

US spelling...

 

[bob15]

diamond TOOL and horseshoe not calk

Might want to look at an adjustable:

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Tools were great, and I love to hear the Ring of their Pitching Horse Shoes...

 

[finn]

I was in Duluth Mn. last weekend, and took some time to drive past the address of the Diamond Calk and Horseshoe location. The entire block is a strip mall, so the original address no longer exists. I remember that area being a really gritty industrial zone in TH fifties. Only one foundry remains, a couple of blocks away, with the rest of the neighborhood being light commercial, warehouse, and light industrial. It's relatively close to the (taconite) ore docks

 

[Farmall 1066]

My favorite brand. Lots of Diamond stuff in our area, and I buy almost all of it I see.

 

[wayne55]

Another little story about this company:
I have an 8" adjustable like the picture above. It belonged to my grandfather. It is labeled Diamond Calk Horseshoe Co, Duluth, Minn. When I got it, at least 25 years ago, it was missing the adjusting knurl. I wrote the company, addressing the letter just like the stamp on the tool, Diamond Calk Horseshoe Co, Duluth, Minn to ask how could I obtain a knurl. They just sent me one, free of charge. Great company.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Man...I thought you just collected screwdrivers and Channellock stuff
I have 1 or 2 Diamond adjustables and pliers.

 

[bonneyman]

I've used them for years, very good tools.

Started trying to collect some NOS ones before they disappear. I've got a few. Hard to find in nice condition.

 

[Davefr]

A double headed Diamond:

 

[metaldad]

my highly incomplete set of drivers.
they seem to be rare, and the occasional that becomes available is usually pricey. the last pic is an adjustable and what was labeled as a 'skid' tool. kinda short for that.

 

[ryan20021982]

Here's one I picked up at a local sale

 

[metaldad]

great find, Ryan.
btw, i will entertain to purchase offerings of green dipped or drivers.

 

[bobcatdan]

Personally I think Diamond is the best adjustable ever made, can't say why, just do. Also never met a pair of their pliers I didn't like.

 

[cbacres]

Pick up a 8" Diamalloy today, it's marked "special wide opening" which I've never seen before.

 

[ibedayank]

Was called Diamond Calk and Horseshoe and was later changed to Diamond Tool and Horseshoe, like others stated above. I think their oldest tools had a space between horseshoe...Horse Shoe.

Yes, i have several pliers and adjustable wrenches, two of the Handyboy multitools (correct me if that is the wrong name) and four of the double end adjustable wrenches. They all work great and I use them quite often. Being from Duluth, MN makes it even more special when I see them in my box.

then you should be able to tell me where Washington Ave is in Duluth Right?

 

[CutterFarms]

A double headed Diamond:

WOW that's sharp. Now I want one....great.

 

[Vvmvbb]

My favorite duck bills:

 

[rodsnratfinks]

My favorite duck bills:

I have these too.

 

[metaldad]

nice pair, vv.
i believe i have those also

 

[bonneyman]

Here's one I picked up at a local sale

Awesome find!
Is the adjustable an 8 inch? I'm in the market if you're willing to part with it.

 

[bonneyman]

Found a good condition Diamond ignition plier today.

 

[MDK22]

I have a diamond adjustable hasn't put up a fuss being used hard so i am good with them.

 

[metaldad]

made a big score today! nos, unused!.
looks like 2 generations, the lighter green matches most of the ones i already have, and a darker green.
DH13,DH26,DH28,DH34, DH41, DH44,DH36P

 

[dr_clyde]

Diamond are my favorite for adjustable wrenches. I would love to find some nice green dipped wide opening ones.

I have 4 or 5 Diamond tools and they are outstanding.

 

[skunkape1]

made a big score today! nos, unused!.
looks like 2 generations, the lighter green matches most of the ones i already have, and a darker green.
DH13,DH26,DH28,DH34, DH41, DH44,DH36P

Very cool, didn't know Diamond made drivers. I've got several adjustable wrenches and groove joint pliers made by Diamond. They are consistently excellent tools.

 

[lincwelder225]

Here's 3 of mine.... 1st one is a 12" diamond calk, 2nd one is a 8" special wide opening marked diamond tool and horseshoe. The 3rd one is also a 8" but just marked "Diamond "

 

[potato]

these worth anything?