My small but growing DBE wrench collection

[Sam'sAutoParts]

^ nice set of Indestro Selects there!

Pretty odd I found two sets in less then a month, I'm guessing they are more common then I thought.

 

[four.cycle]

^ very much so, from my observations of Ebay listings. they stamped out millions of them, they were relatively cheap, and they were marketed through all kinds of different retail outlets.
damn good wrench, too. I think I have a pretty complete set of the "Select" series and most of the "Super" series in that style.
would really like to complete a set of the double-end box "Super" series without the deep offset, but they're hard to find.

 

[bonneyman]

^ nice set of Indestro Selects there!

+1

 

[BlueBomber]

Nice finds, Sam. Can you post a closer pic of that RP?

I have two huge wrench shipments from eBay, one here, one on the way. I'll post them together when I get time this weekend.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Here you go BB,

 

[BlueBomber]

Here you go BB,

Oh, DUH! RP = raised panel. I thought you had found a new manufacturer!

< "D'oh!" >

 

[BlueBomber]

I have two huge wrench shipments from eBay, one here, one on the way. I'll post them together when I get time this weekend.

Okay, to make up for my RP embarrassment, I snuck out to the garage and snapped pics of the new DBEs I received last night. I had to buy a huge batch of undesirable DOEs to get this small number of treasures. If I can resell the DOEs (they're mostly junk), it'll be worth it.

There are some interesting wrenches here, several firsts!



The first one is technically not a DBE at all, but a torque wrench adapter for adjusting Chrysler Powerflite & Torqueflite Low and Reverse bands. Part number C-3790. This'll go up on the 'bay and cut my acquisition costs in half all by itself!

S-K Wayne 6-pt offset stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"--first!
Sherman-Klove pressed steel 12-pt kit wrench, 9/16" x 1/2", injured from being bent and then unbent. Still pretty old, and thus pretty cool--first!
Williams Superrench No. 6723 12-pt angled stubby, 7/16" x 3/8"--first!
Lectrolite 12-pt angled stubby, 11/16" x 5/8"
Billings triangle-B logo, 12-pt Vitalloy 7725, angled, 1/2" x 7/16"--first!
Westline 12-pt deep offset, 3/4" x 25/32"--first!
Vlchek round-handled WBL 2425 offset, 25/32" x 3/4"...no standard Vlchek star--looks a lot like a Bluepoint or a P&C DBE. --first!
No name Chrome Alloy Steel deep offset, 1/2" x 9/16"
Indestro-style Forged Select Steel deep offset stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"
No-name Forged Steel angled stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"

 

[BlueBomber]

The Blackhawk striped wrench rain continues to fall! I traded some choice Indestro wrenches with GJ user mitusa in exchange for these two beauties:

Blackhawk 1942 or 1952 15626 12-pt deep offset, 13/16" x 7/8"
Indestro Chicago 12-pt angled stubby, 7/8" x 13/16"





Here's the Blackhawk family portrait:



I know a vendor on ebay with the 15625, but he won't sell it for a reasonable price.

Anyone have a '40s-to-1953 Blackhawk catalog? I'd like to know the part number spread of this particular line. I assume it goes down to a 15621, which would likely be a1/4" x 5/16".

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

That's crazy how many you have found in such a short amount of time. I have had worse luck filling some of my combo wrench sets!

 

[BlueBomber]

Okay, I was beginning to think my ebay purchases were getting out of hand and that I should cut back. But then, I get a delivery like tonight that put 45 wrenches on my garage floor for a dollar each, delivered, and contains several new brands & only a few duplicates to my collection. Yeah, I'll keep shopping. ..



Plomb WF-82 angled, 5/8" x 11/16"
Plomb 1130 angled pebble panel, 5/8" x 9/16"
Plomb, 8180 deep offset, 3/8" x 7/16"
Plomb, 8182 deep offset, 5/8" x 11/16"
Plomb, 8184 deep offset, 13/16" x 7/8"
Plomb, 8185 deep offset, 15/16" x 1"
Plomb 1224 pebble panel combo, 3/4"



Plomb WF-83 angled, 7/8" x 3/4"
Dunlap deep offset, 7/8" x 13/16"



Lectrolite angled stubby, 5/8" x 11/16"
Lectrolite deep offset stubby, 1/2" x 9/16"
Lectrolite Tru-Fit 5003 deep offset stubby, 5/8" x 11/16"
Lectrolite Tru-Fit 3005 deep offset, 13/16" x 7/8"
Forged Tru-Fit angled stubby, 3/4" x 13/16"



Seriously mangled Forged Steel deep offset, 9/16" x 1/2"
Unknown, marked 6314 offset, 7/16" x 3/8"
2 x Forged Steel deep offset stubby, 7/16" x 3/8"
Forged Steel angled stubby, 9/16"x 1/2"
Forged Steel deep offset stubby, 11/16" x 5/8"



Forged Steel No. 934 deep offset stubby, 3/4" x 25/32"
Forged Select Steel deep offset stubby, 5/8" x 11/16"
Unlabeled Snap-on XS01618ANP deep offset stubby, 1/2" x 9/16"
Unknown angled stubby, 11/16" x 5/8"



Westline angled stubby, 5/8" x 11/16"
Bridgeport Nickel Molybdenum angled stubby, 7/16" x 3/8" -- first!
Vlchek WBC1214 angled stubby, 7/16" x 3/8"
Vlchek WBH1214 offset, 7/16" x 3/8"
Vlchek WBH1216 offset, 1/2" x 7/16"



Indestro Select deep offset stubby, 3/4" x 25/32"
Sears deep offset stubby, 7/16" x 3/8"
Craftsman angled 9/16" x 5/8"
Vlchek angled stubby, 11/16" x 5/8"



Armstrong Armaloy No. 7729 angled, 3/4"x 5/8"
Armstrong Armaloy No. 6727 angled stubby, 3/4" x 9/16"
P&C 2514 angled, 3/8" x 7/16"
P&C 2220 deep offset round handle, 9-16" x 5-8" -- very rusty
Jos. Shaw Co. deep offset 9/16" x 1/2" -- first!
Herbrand 3927 deep offset, 5/8" x 9/16" -- bent
Herbrand 5923 angled, 7/16" x 3/8"



Blackhawk BWS-1206P angled, 1/2" x 7/16"
KAL deep offset, 5/8" x 11/16"
Duro-Chrome "circle-X" 2015 angled, 3/4" x 7/8"
Barcalo deep offset stubby, 5/8" x 3/4"
Wilde KC,MO 107 angled, 11/16" x 3/4" -- first!

 

[CRTDI]

Anyone have a '40s-to-1953 Blackhawk catalog? I'd like to know the part number spread of this particular line. I assume it goes down to a 15621, which would likely be a1/4" x 5/16".

From a '51 catalog, the 45 degree offset long DBE series appears to only go down to No. 15622, 3/8" x 7/16". A complete set is 10 wrenches with the biggest being a No. 15834, 1 1/4" x 1 5/16".

There is a '53 catalog download available here:

http://toolarchives.com/node/1999


I'm on the look out for a Blackhawk No. 15942, 15/16" x 1" non-offset DBE. If you happen to come across one, please let me know.

 

[twertsy]

Okay, I was beginning to think my ebay purchases were getting out of hand and that I should cut back. But then, I get a delivery like tonight that put 45 wrenches on my garage floor for a dollar each, delivered, and contains several new brands & only a few duplicates to my collection. Yeah, I'll keep shopping. ..

There are a couple of those I need on my site.................if you're so inclined.

Vlchek stubby; Bridgeport; and the Wilde.

It'd be greatly appreciated.............

 

[BlueBomber]

From a '51 catalog, the 45 degree offset long DBE series appears to only go down to No. 15622, 3/8" x 7/16". A complete set is 10 wrenches with the biggest being a No. 15834, 1 1/4" x 1 5/16".

There is a '53 catalog download available here:

http://toolarchives.com/node/1999


I'm on the look out for a Blackhawk No. 15942, 15/16" x 1" non-offset DBE. If you happen to come across one, please let me know.

Great info, CRTDI--thanks!

There are a couple of those I need on my site.................if you're so inclined.

Vlchek stubby; Bridgeport; and the Wilde.

It'd be greatly appreciated.............

Will do, when able. I should have a few more Bridgeport Nickel Molybdenum wenches this weekend.

EDIT: wrenches, not wenches--no way SWMBO would put up with wenches from Bridgeport--way too low class!

 

[twertsy]

Great info, CRTDI--thanks!

Will do, when able. I should have a few more Bridgeport Nickel Molybdenum wenches this weekend.

Thanks much and I apologize for not loading up more catalogs. I probably have 50 or so more that I need to get to.



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[twertsy]

Picked these bad boys up at today's flea....







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[BlueBomber]

Cha-ching!! How cool to find not only all the wrenches, but the original case they came in. Perfect!

 

[Outlawmws]

Lots of cool scores; but Twertsy, Wow...

 

[mitusa]

Twertsy...those are nice.......

Those are the first wrenches that I can remember having "made in the usa" on the side of the beam.

 

[chopper1]

Damn, Todd. I guess I go to the wrong flea markets.

 

[twertsy]

Damn, Todd. I guess I go to the wrong flea markets.

Wait til you see what else I got Mike.......Hint: monitor the Plomb thread......

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[twertsy]

Other DBEs from today.





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[Username already in use]

Nice Twertsy! What size is that offset SUPER QUALITY 757?

 

[twertsy]

Nice Twertsy! What size is that offset SUPER QUALITY 757?

Thanks. It's 1 1/16" x 1 1/8"

 

[four.cycle]

is it just me, or does it seem odd to find "Super" and the Duro Chrome "circle X" logo on the same piece?

 

[Username already in use]

I've got a couple. They're Duro Metal products wartime production. Super Quality was the Indestro brand.

 

[four.cycle]

I know what "Super" was.... just seems rather odd to see a Duro logo on a "Super" branded item.

(and unless I'm mistaken, as a Duro Chrome that unit would have had a different part number on it - only the regular open-end wrenches used the same part numbering system among different manufacturers/brands.)

 

[twertsy]

I know what "Super" was.... just seems rather odd to see a Duro logo on a "Super" branded item.

(and unless I'm mistaken, as a Duro Chrome that unit would have had a different part number on it - only the regular open-end wrenches used the same part numbering system among different manufacturers/brands.)

Correct





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[BlueBomber]

Two new-to-me Bridgeport Nickel Molybdenum "X" DBE wrenches arrived today, 1/2" x 9/16" & 5/8" x 11/16"



The smaller Nickel Molybdenum wrench is the one I received this past week, for contrast. I'll have to research it, but I'm guessing newer.

 

[BlueBomber]

I guess I classify the Bridgeports as angled, not offset. But, note how much of the handle extends straight out of the box before the bend. I looked through the rest of my wrench collection to see how other brands achieved separation of knuckles from work surface.



The top is the Bridgeport X wrench. Next is a Chrome X Quality from the '30s. Note a similar style bend, just not as dramatic. Below is an offset S-K Wayne, that departs from the box at an angle and then bends to a shallower angle. Finally, the last is a Williams Superrench, which holds a constant angle from the box.

 

[Username already in use]

I know what "Super" was.... just seems rather odd to see a Duro logo on a "Super" branded item.

Sorry four.cycle, I know you have quite a bit of knowledge around Indestro tools and I know you're familiar with the (X) branding.
I'm sure both the Duro and the Indestro lines were both churning out wrenches for the war effort as fast as possible. There is even more crossover between the lines if you look close enough.

Here's a few DOEs that I have. Both SUPER QUALITY (X) wrenches, but one has the typical Duro raised panel and the other has the Indestro style. Quite an odd pair.

Nice wrenches Bomber, Those Nickel Moly wrenches have a bunch of character.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Man, I guess I'm really slacking you guys really got some nice wrenches over the past few days. That Bonney set in the case is beyond cool.

 

[stage20]

Picked these bad boys up at today's flea....







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hard to decide whether to keep or sell. those are some cool wrenches but bring decent money to the right buyer.

 

[twertsy]

hard to decide whether to keep or sell. those are some cool wrenches but bring decent money to the right buyer.

It's no decision at all. I'd have to be flat broke with zero prospects.......

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[BlueBomber]

It's no decision at all. I'd have to be flat broke with zero prospects.......

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You've read his profile, right? "Self professed tool hoarder" or something like that.

 

[twertsy]

You've read his profile, right? "Self professed tool hoarder" or something like that.

To be honest, I'm just glad there are people that think that way! Otherwise, from whom would we buy our old tools?

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[LesserSon]

Wow, great CV(?) DBEs, Todd.
I was happy enough with my Saturday flea trip, but I didn't see anything like that. Spent the afternoon counteroffering on ebay for three Zenel miniature DOEs, but to no avail.

 

[twertsy]

Wow, great CV(?) DBEs, Todd.
I was happy enough with my Saturday flea trip, but I didn't see anything like that. Spent the afternoon counteroffering on ebay for three Zenel miniature DOEs, but to no avail.

Thanks and yes, they are CV. It is missing the 9/16 though so if anyone has one I may have another DBE or two to trade.

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[LesserSon]

Two new-to-me Bridgeport Nickel Molybdenum "X" DBE wrenches arrived today, 1/2" x 9/16" & 5/8" x 11/16"



The smaller Nickel Molybdenum wrench is the one I received this past week, for contrast. I'll have to research it, but I'm guessing newer.

Do they both have "patent no. 97325" on the back? That should put them within 7 years or each other, right?

 

[BlueBomber]

Do they both have "patent no. 97325" on the back? That should put them within 7 years or each other, right?

The smaller one doesn't have a patent number on it at all (if that's what you meant?). If you meant the two X wrenches, I'll have to compare when I get back home.

 

[LesserSon]

My bad. I did think you meant the two in the foreground.