My small but growing DBE wrench collection

[twertsy]

Is that "new" stuff, or part of the collection?

That was an excellent holiday flea today.

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[BlueBomber]

Catch me if you can.......[emoji1]







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Several nice examples there, Twertsy. The Cross Country angled and the Cornwell deep offset stubby are some of the more unique pieces.

BTW, you are uncatchable, by definition:

And that's why our official unit of measure for DBE quantities is the Twertsy.

1 Twertsy: a constantly increasing quantity of DBEs in a garage in Northern Virginia;
can be expressed as a relative decimal number (always less than one when referring to other DBE collections);
in absolute number form, always at least one more than you have.

 

[BlueBomber]

Dupe post...

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Found one DBE today, passed on a couple of chunks of rust in the shape of a DBE. The Lectrolite tru-fit is just filthy.

 

[Username already in use]

Catch me if you can.......[emoji1]

Hahaha! I won't be trying to play catchup with you! Nice group of DBEs man. Congrats.

There's a couple of short pattern deep offset wrenches in there that caught my eye. What sizes are on the #G2042 Duro-Chrome?

 

[ChaseDE]

Here are all the DBE's from my grandpa's toolsboxes. Mostly SO.

 

[twertsy]

Hahaha! I won't be trying to play catchup with you! Nice group of DBEs man. Congrats.

There's a couple of short pattern deep offset wrenches in there that caught my eye. What sizes are on the #G2042 Duro-Chrome?

Thanks Jason, that would be 1/2" x 9/16"

 

[Rileysan]

Here are all the DBE's from my grandpa's toolsboxes. Mostly SO.

Very nice! Any chance you feel up to sorting by type and taking a nice big family photo? It will be interesting to see the different generations of SO together.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

It's been a while since I posted pix, but that's not because of a lack of activity. I just haven't taken the time to take any pictures.


I have come to the conclusion that DBE wrenches are not well respected by non-tool people. I continue to be amazed at the number of DBEs I find at garage sales, flea markets, and swap meets. As such, with the exception of truck brands, I won't spend any more than $1/wrench any more.

With that in mind, I'll start with the big pile, first.

These have been building up in a bucket in my garage up until this past weekend.

Vlchek
Barcalo
Williams
SK
Wards Master x2
Wards-Lakeside
Bonney
Mac right angle 'L' shaped wrench
KD right angle 'L' shaped wrench
Snap-on right angle 'L' shaped wrench
Snap-on 5/8 x 3/4 obstruction wrench
Snap-on 7/16 x 1/2 obstruction wrench
Proto 7/16 x 1/2 obstruction wrench
P&C x2
Ford
Lectrolite x3
Cornwell deep offset x2 7/8" & 1" (second one not in pic)
SK with a Proto Los Angeles 3/4" socket welded to 25/32 side of DBE
Riverside
Companion


The last picture was a couple of strays that I missed.

Hinsdale 1 1/16 x 1 1/8 and Like new Wards Powr Kraft 100 (Possibly made by P&C? They used the '100' designation on their last series of wrenches)

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Then there is the Craftsman.

I threw everything in a pile for dramatic effect. All but a couple are new to me this summer.

This post is my long 'C' wrenches. Most of these came from a true "barn sale" I went to early in the summer.

Can anyone tell me which wrenches I'm missing?

Also, the final pic is because I set a few wrenches off to the side and missed them.

Craftsman 1 1/4" x 1 1/16"
Craftsman 1" x 15/16" (x3)
Craftsman 7/8" x 13/16" (x2)
Craftsman 11/16" x 5/8" (x3)
Craftsman 9/16" x 1/2"
Craftsman 7/16" x 3/8"

Last photo

Craftsman 3/4" x 25/32"
Craftsman "crown top" ratcheting DBE

Edit: I wanted to add that about half these wrenches have the letters 'AF' cast on the reverse side.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Next post is the remainder of my Craftsman DBE collection divided by era and type.



Top/left:

Craftsman -VV- DBE wrenches. Notice how these are bent 15° but have no off-set.


Bottom/left:

Craftsman -V- wrenches. Unlike the -vv- wrenches, these have an off-set - with the exception of one of the 1/4 x 5/16 wrenches. I find it interesting that 1/4" x 5/16" is off-set while the other is a long pattern with 15° angle.

Also in the picture is the early Craftsman obstruction (alternator) wrench.

Top/Right:

Craftsman =VV= and =V= wrenches - all with off-sets.

Bottom/Right:

Craftsman -V- and -VV- "shorty" DBE wrenches
Craftsman "crown top" DBE ignition wrenches.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

My final Craftsman DBE wrench was hidden in the last post, but I doubt anyone noticed.

Craftsman -V- 5/16" x 11/32" 6pt ignition wrench. What makes this one special is the square shank and lack of chrome plating. While I can't say for certain whether this wrench came with or without plating (I believe it did not), it is of much heavier construction than my chrome plated wrench in the pouch and it has the letter 'E' cast into it on the reverse side.

Comments welcome.

Brian

 

[Username already in use]

Then there is the Craftsman.
Craftsman 7/8" x 13/16" (x2)

Edit: I wanted to add that about half these wrenches have the letters 'AF' cast on the reverse side.

Brian

Nice pile of Craftsman wrenches, Brian.
I believe Barcalo was making these wrenches in this design for themselves, Craftsman and others. One of your 7/8"x13/16" wrenches just says 'Forgred Vanadium' and could have been made for another tool Co.
Example:
I have the same wrench, same sizes with raised pad, but marked NONE BETTER on the reverse.

The AF stamp on the reverse is interesting. Can you post a closeup?

 

[twertsy]

Nice pile of Craftsman wrenches, Brian.
I believe Barcalo was making these wrenches in this design for themselves, Craftsman and others. One of your 7/8"x13/16" wrenches just says 'Forgred Vanadium' and could have been made for another tool Co.
Example:
I have the same wrench, same sizes with raised pad, but marked NONE BETTER on the reverse.

The AF stamp on the reverse is interesting. Can you post a closeup?

I too would be interested in seeing that...............

 

[Rileysan]

I will get some pix later this week.

Brian

 

[BlueBomber]

What a huge pile of DBEs, Brian!! I'm jelly--I'm not finding hardly any outside of eBay now that I've tapered back from estate and garage sales. I know Ebay isn't devaluing DBEs. If anything, prices seem to be going up.

 

[Rileysan]

What a huge pile of DBEs, Brian!! I'm jelly--I'm not finding hardly any outside of eBay now that I've tapered back from estate and garage sales. I know Ebay isn't devaluing DBEs. If anything, prices seem to be going up.

Thank you! I've got more to sort out. In order to track them, I have to start grouping them by manufacturer and taking a photographic inventory - I just have too many to track!

Brian

 

[Zeeman]

Very cool Craftsmans and others. I have added a few Craftsman doe's to my very, very, very small collection. I'll post pictures soon if I don't forget.

 

[davethorik]

Just picked up these Mac Sabina dbe xl wrenches
BXL3234 1"X1-1/16"
BXL3640 1-1/4"x1-1/8"

In very good shape other than there being an S engraved on both sides of each wrench.

 

[Outlawmws]

Almost a full set of Plvmb's to 7/8, Missing the 3/4 - 25/32 with this buy - (13/16 is on the 7/8)

I think the oddball with the round shank is OTC, the stampings are almost obliterated. I need to visit AA and see what they might have.

 

[BlueBomber]

Nice set, Outlaw. I have some E-bay buys rolling in this coming week, but I'll be out of town until this time next week, so it'll be a while before I post more DBEs.

 

[Rileysan]

Added to my ever-expanding collection of DBE wrenches ...

From a Heritage-era Craftsman rolling tool box I purchased last week for $100 came these Craftsman DBEs.

- Craftsman =V= 1 1/16" x 1 1/4"
- Craftsman =VV= 15/16" x 1"
- Craftsman =VV= 3/4" x 7/8"
- Craftsman =VV= 11/16" x 13/16"
- Craftsman =V= 19/32" x 25/32"
- Craftsman =VV= 9/16" x 5/8"
- Craftsman =VV= 1/2" x 9/16"
- Craftsman -VV- 3/8" x 7/16"

I know there exists two different Craftsman -V- 1/4" x 5/16" (15° angled with no off-set, and offset) but I am curious if anyone has any in =V=, =VV=, or -VV-?

Also in the box:

- Craftsman -V- short 5/8" x 3/4"
- Craftsman -V- short 1/2" x 9/16"
- Craftsman -V- short 3/8" x 7/16"

- Craftsman "Crown-top" 1/2" x 9/16" ratcheting DBE
- Craftsman "Crown-top" 3/8" x 7/16"

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Nice pile of Craftsman wrenches, Brian.
I believe Barcalo was making these wrenches in this design for themselves, Craftsman and others. One of your 7/8"x13/16" wrenches just says 'Forgred Vanadium' and could have been made for another tool Co.


The AF stamp on the reverse is interesting. Can you post a closeup?

I have other DBE wrenches with no maker's name that has the same raised-panel design. They all seem to have the same letter "E" cast into them. I have not had the time to search for them, but some day ...

Following up on the AF markings.

I knew I had seen "AF" on multiple wrenches, but what I didn't know was that I have a mix of Craftsman with the letters "AF" both cast or stamped - and in one case, both - on them

Here's a few pix ...











In addition to the "AF" wrenches, I noticed one Craftsman wrench with "N4" cast into it. I have no idea what the significance might be.

Brian

 

[twertsy]

I have other DBE wrenches with no maker's name that has the same raised-panel design. They all seem to have the same letter "E" cast into them. I have not had the time to search for them, but some day ...

Following up on the AF markings.

I knew I had seen "AF" on multiple wrenches, but what I didn't know was that I have a mix of Craftsman with the letters "AF" both cast or stamped - and in one case, both - on them

In addition to the "AF" wrenches, I noticed one Craftsman wrench with "N4" cast into it. I have no idea what the significance might be.

Brian

Now I'll need to dig mine out and see if I have any. I don't recall seeing the AF but it's worth a second look......

 

[d42jeep]

Here are a few DBE wrenches that I've collected recently.
-Don

 

[BlueBomber]

Nice set, Don. The big round handled DBES are some of my favorites. How's your shorty offset wrench collection coming? Have you ever shared pictures?

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks for asking. The shorty offsets are going well. I was finally able to find a Barcalo 9/16" x 1/2" to complete one set. Now I need one more to replace the Lectrolite in the other set. Here are a few pictures.
-Don

 

[RedVise]

Nice haul, Brian! Would you mind posting some close ups of the two double box end wrenches offset on the DBE thread on the vintage tools section?

Sure, here's the set, and more !
First off is a ******* set of single offset DBE I am trying to put together.There is Blue Point, Bonney, Blackhawk,Wright that the Kraueter is joining.
Next is a 1/2 X9/16 short DBEs, cux I like them
And a bunch of starter wrenches, the big S shaped BBE is a vintage Snap On Buick Cylinder head stud bolt wrench from late 20's (snapmom was kind enough to ID that a few years ago) and a Ford brake DBE on the far left
Last are some smalls- Vlcheck, Bonney, Cman and Plvmb others.

Brian

 

[RedVise]

Blue, here's a few more than havnt been added to the collection, and a close up of the single.

Brian

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Very nice collection Redvise!

After a short dry spell on the DBE front, I picked up 2 today. Barcalo, and a war finish? SK deep offset.

 

[BlueBomber]

Sure, here's the set, and more !
First off is a ******* set of single offset DBE I am trying to put together.There is Blue Point, Bonney, Blackhawk,Wright that the Kraueter is joining.
Next is a 1/2 X9/16 short DBEs, cux I like them
And a bunch of starter wrenches, the big S shaped BBE is a vintage Snap On Buick Cylinder head stud bolt wrench from late 20's (snapmom was kind enough to ID that a few years ago) and a Ford brake DBE on the far left
Last are some smalls- Vlcheck, Bonney, Cman and Plvmb others.

Brian

Brian,

Wow, what a great collection, especially the factory-bent starter/obstruction wrenches! I like your one-to-a-peg display method, too. Makes it easy to see each one.

Could I beg a clearer picture of the Kraueter wrench, when you get another moment? I couldn't pick it out of the crowd, and I've only every seen Kraueter pliers--not yet a wrench. Thanks in advance!

 

[BlueBomber]

I picked up another striped Blackhawk deep offset DBE wrench from Ebay last week. It's a duplicate 15626 (13/16" x 7/8") which I thought would be in better condition than my current, but it is worse than the pictures let on.







The chrome finish seems to be there, but thin, and it has a bit of surface rust coming through. There are also three grinder marks on one side, possibly PO marks.

Ah well, sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug.

 

[Outlawmws]

Does anyone have a listing of the different sizes each mfg had for the shorty DBE's? I keep buying them, but never know if I have a "complete set"...

 

[d42jeep]

I can only speak about Barcalo in the raised panel style I posted above. They are available in 3/8" X 7/16", 1/2" X 9/16", 5/8" X 3/4" plus one I haven't collected, a 5/8" X 11/16".
-Don
PS If you find a 1/2" X 9/16" please let me know.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks Don!

Anyone else for others?

 

[twertsy]

Thanks Don!

Anyone else for others?

You can go look at the cats on my site..... I have most major manufacturers except Wright, and a '36 cat for them will be up later this week.

 

[Rileysan]

Does anyone have a listing of the different sizes each mfg had for the shorty DBE's? I keep buying them, but never know if I have a "complete set"...

Craftsman only has 3. Of course, one might consider the ignition wrenches as "shorties". Here they are:

Brian

 

[BlueBomber]

Craftsman only has 3. Of course, one might consider the ignition wrenches as "shorties". Here they are:

Brian

Within manufacturers, there are variations. I think you are right with the sizes, Brian, but there are different flavors. Here's my incomplete collection of Craftsman shorties, one set fat, one set thin:



And then of course there are the different makers, different logo styles...Outlaw, you'll never be done!

 

[Rileysan]

Within manufacturers, there are variations. I think you are right with the sizes, Brian, but there are different flavors. Here's my incomplete collection of Craftsman shorties, one set fat, one set thin:



And then of course there are the different makers, different logo styles...Outlaw, you'll never be done!

Yes! Thank you for showing your set. I've yet to see a "Long C" shorty like yours.

I own at least 3 varieties of the standard set of Craftsman DBE wrenches posted here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5968116&postcount=772

Some have offsets without the 15 degree angle, some have the angle, and some have no offset.

Twertsy has opened Pandora's box with Tool Archives - and it makes me proud to add to his misery!

Brian

 

[twertsy]

Misery loves company!