My small but growing DBE wrench collection

[four.cycle]

My turn to take a wild stab at it. I'm going with the equivalent to the model 738 Indestro:



the angle appears to be 90° off and it's a socket end instead of a box end, but if the sizes were correct, would it not serve the same purpose?

 

[bluebolt]

Hey Bluebomber wake up! What size are the ends on that Truth wrench? The Ford head wrench is 11/16", the Chevrolet is 3/4", the Buick is 5/8". Drink your coffee and get going!

 

[bluebolt]

Found a practically identical wrench in the 1936 Snap On catalog page 81 part number S-9594. It's for Chevrolet head bolts of 3/4" size.

http://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=435

 

[BlueBomber]

Hey Bluebomber wake up! What size are the ends on that Truth wrench? The Ford head wrench is 11/16", the Chevrolet is 3/4", the Buick is 5/8". Drink your coffee and get going!

Sorry, gents, I was ******* with an Eagle Scout project nearly all day yesterday and, uh, slept in this morning.

I meandered out to the garage after my late breakfast and took a wire brush to the L-shaped wrench that bluebolt's friend gifted me. I found the Truth imprint on the very first side I wire brushed, but my persistence was not rewarded--no other markings anywhere that I found.



So, I started comparing sizes from the pile of wrenches bluebonnet, er, bluebolt , sent me. Here's the match:



5/8" it is, same size on both ends--a Buick wrench!

The boxes on the Truth wrench are pretty worn, so this guy was used and abused in its lifetime. He'll hang from my rack in proud retirement, right between the Tru-fits and the Tuck. Please pass my thanks to your friend, bluebonnet! This is a neat wrench!

 

[BlueBomber]

Finally have a little me time to catalog the wrenches I received from bluebolt. Again, most of these were previously pictured, but here they are again with full details.

Barcalo





Barcalo-Buffalo deep offset raised panel, 7/8" x 13/16"
Barcalo-Buffalo stubby, deep offset raised panel, 9/16" x 1/2"
Barcalo stubby deep offset, 3/8" x 7/16"
Barcalo-Buffalo deep offset raised panel, 7/16" x 3/8"--has a "1" forged into the back side
Barcalo-Buffalo stubby deep offset smooth panel, 1/4" x 5/16"
Barcalo Buffalo (no dash) angled smooth sided, raised letterz, 3/4" x 7/8"

Blackhawk




Blackhawk 15625 deep offset smooth side, 13/16" x 7/8"-- -6 date code
Blackhawk 15634 angled split groove, 11/16" x 5/8"-- -1 date code
Blackhawk 15632 angled split groove, 7/16" x 3/8"-- 3 date code
Blackhawk 15624 deep offset split groove, 11/16" x 5/8"-- 8 date code

Bonney



Bonney 2806 stubby offset, 9/16" x 5/8"
Bon-e-con ZBS 2024 offset, 5/8" x 3/4"

Giller




Giller 2112 stubby deep offset, 7/16" x 3/8"
Giller 2116 stubby deep offset, 9/16" x 1/2"

Indestro family




Indestro Super 769A starter wrench, 5/8" x 3/4"
Forged Select Steel deep offset, 5/8" x 11/16"
Indestro 730 6-pt deep offset, 3/8" x 7/16"
Indestro No. 912 deep offset, 1/2" x 9/16"

P&C, Penens



P&C 2514 angled, 3/8" x 7/16"
P&C 2522 angled, 5/8" x 11/16"
P&C 2114 deep offset round shank, 7/16" x 3/8"
Penens Corp 6414 offset, 7/16" x 3/8"

Proto



Proto 1145 angled, 1" x 15/16"
Proto 1137 angled, 25/32" x 11/16"
Proto 1193 6-pt straight ratchet, 1/2" x 9/16"
Proto 1191M 6-pt straight ratchet, 7mm x 8mm
Proto 1725 starter wrench, 1/2" x 7/16"--this may be only the 2nd wrench in my collection that pairs those two sizes on the same wrench
Proto 1126 stubby angled, 9/16" x 1/2"
Proto 1120 stubby angled, 3/8" x 5/16"
Proto LA 1120 stubby angled, 3/8" x 5/16"

S-K, Sparta




Sparta H6723 angled, 7/16" x 3/8"
S-K Wayne B-1820 offset, 9/16" x 5/8"
S-K Lectrolite B-2628 offset, 13/16" x 7/8"
S-K 33026 deep offset, 13/16" x 7/8"

Still have 14 wrenches to catalog, but I need to load the truck for day 4 of the Eagle project (building a 10' x 12' shed at a local baseball complex).

Cheers!

 

[Outlawmws]

I picked this one up today, no clue on the maker:

 

[BlueBomber]

That's an oldie, Outlaw!

I like the old, dedicated wrenches from the early days of machinery. I bought this DBE with similar roots off of Ebay last week. It traces to a P&C-made round shank wrench for an early Farmall tractor. Supposedly, there were clips on the side of the tractor for it and it was used for adjusting implement nuts and bolts. The box ends have the famous P&C conical cross section. I found an entry by Twertsy on another tool forum stating the same conclusion and I agree.

P&C Farm all 350370R1, round shank, 1-1/4" x 1"

 

[MShaw]

In 1956 I bought two Model A Fords and a crate of spare parts. In the crate was a brake wrench like Outlaw's. Brings back memories.

 

[bluebolt]

I found this little Athol "High Tensile" wrench stashed in one of my boxes a few days ago. Thought at first it was from the Massachusetts company but further research showed it was H&P Athol from England. No luck finding any more info on the company. Notice the sizes are marked on the side you would use. This is for standard American nut sizes, the A/F means "Across Flats". so this fits standard 5/16 and 3/8 6 point nuts.

 

[BlueBomber]

That's a cool foreign wrench, bluebolt--I'd keep it if it were in my collection.

Here are the rest of the wrenches bb sent me last week (had to catalog them so I can get them off my bench):

Vlchek






Vlchek WBC1618 stubby offset, 9/16" x 1/2"--ChromeMoly
Vlchek WBH3032 offset, 1" x 15/16"--Chrome Molybdenum
Vlchek USA recessed panel deep offset, 1" x 15/16"--Forged Steel
Vlchek WBC3032 raised panel offset, 1" x 15/16"--Alloy Steel

Williams/Vulcan




Williams Vulcan M-8025A offset, 13mm x 12mm
Williams Vulcan M-8725B offset, 14mm x 13mm
Williams Superrench 8725 offset, 1/2" x 7/16"
Williams Superrench 8725 deep offset, 1/2" x 7/16"

Misc





Craftsman stubby angled, 5/8" x 3/4"
Forged in U.S.A. deep offset, 25/32" x 3/4"
Herbrand 5925 angled, 9/16" x 1/2"
Herbrand 4925 stubby offset, 1/2" x 9/16"--Van Chrome
Langline RB 2024 straight ratchet, 5/8" x 3/4"
Unknown offset, sizes seem to be 7/8" x 25/32"

 

[bluebolt]

That's a cool foreign wrench, bluebolt--I'd keep it if it were in my collection.

Should I stick it aside for you for Round 2?

 

[d42jeep]

Bluebomber,
Once again, I could really use that Barcalo shorty raised panel 1/2 X 9/16 to complete a wartime set. I have some Barcalo trade DBE items that you may not have. Besides the ones in the photo, I have many more to choose from. I think you may still have my email.
-Don

 

[BlueBomber]

Don and I are trading PMs and will soon be trading wrenches. Watch this space!

 

[d42jeep]

Here are a couple of wrenches heading back east.
-Don

 

[BlueBomber]

Woot! I've been dry on new wrenches for like a whole week, so those will be a good fix. I dropped your stubby B-B in the mail just now.

I've also got another wrench rack expansion planned, may be able to post more pics tomorrow eve.

 

[Slackmaster G]

That's nice . I have a bunch of them . I estimate my wrench collection to be about three hundred . Many vintage . I have a really nice blueprint double you might like.

 

[Slackmaster G]

That's bluepoint

 

[BlueBomber]

That's nice . I have a bunch of them . I estimate my wrench collection to be about three hundred . Many vintage . I have a really nice blueprint double you might like.

Awesome, Slackmaster! We love big collections as much as small ones--post up some pictures!

 

[BlueBomber]

Starting the rack expansion for the BlueBomber Working Museum of DBEs. Here's the starting point, minus American through Belzer wrenches, which are already out of the way on the lift.




More to follow!

 

[BlueBomber]

Okay, top half of the rack is emptied, through IBM--235 DBES on the lift!




On to the new sub-row! I salvaged two lengths of water pipe that had been laying out in my side yard for years. I didn't even knock the rust off, just hit it with a handy can of gloss black Rustoleum. Now I need to get the intervals marked for the new row of nails...

 

[BlueBomber]

140 holes later (drilled through both sides), I locked up the pipe in the bench vise and tack welded in the first few nails.



Worked like a charm! Now to finish placing the nails and doing the welds.



Awesome! I love my Eastwood 175!



Putting it on the wall will have to wait for tomorrow morning.

 

[four.cycle]

Giller 2114 stubby deep offset, 9/16" x 1/2"

BlueBomber: is that a typo, or did Giller really make a #2114 ? I thought the1/2" x 9/16" short deep offset was a # 2116 ???

 

[BlueBomber]

BlueBomber: is that a typo, or did Giller really make a #2114 ? I thought the1/2" x 9/16" short deep offset was a # 2116 ???

You are correct, four.cycle. My picture plainly showed it as a 2116. I went back and corrected the post. Thanks for helping me keep the WMD catalog typo free!

 

[BlueBomber]

Done!



Hard to tell a difference, huh? Although the same linear distance still displays Americraft through IBM brands, I now have double the number of nails to sort and group similar styles within brands. Here's a good example:



Before, the various Blackhawk styles were piled up on top of each other. Now, there's room for straights, offsets and stubbies of each style. I also left some room for expansion between brands. Eventually, the bottom row will get the same treatment with a second length of water pipe.

Altogether, there are about 450 DBES on display. With these, plus keepable duplicates...



and sellable duplicates...


I'm up over the 500 mark. Plus a few more coming next week.

Now the hard part of any project: making myself clean up right away.

 

[four.cycle]

BB - thanks. I've been cobbling together a set of those and I thought maybe I'd missed a size. Looks like I'm still looking for a 2116 and a 2120.

 

[toolmutt]

Looks good, BB!

 

[Garage&Beer]

Wow....Maybe a dumb question considering the amount of wrenches you have, but is there a size you don't got? Like some of my vintage sockets have odd sizes as in 31/32, 19/32, 13/32.

 

[BlueBomber]

Wow....Maybe a dumb question considering the amount of wrenches you have, but is there a size you don't got? Like some of my vintage sockets have odd sizes as in 31/32, 19/32, 13/32.

Good question, G&B. I know I have lots of every size in every fraction from 1/4" to 1" down to 16th-inch intervals. I don't have many, I think, below 1/4" although others on this thread do. I know I have several 25/32" sized box ends, often paired with a 3/4" size on the other end. I'm not sure about any others 32ths.

Unfortunately, the GJ search engine won't let you (or I can't figure out how to) use search terms with a "/" in them to find any entries I might have made that have "/32" in them.

 

[LesserSon]

BB - how are you keeping round pipe from rolling down, bending down / pulling out fasteners, under the weight of all those DBEs?!

 

[LesserSon]

Perusing eBay last night, on the lookout for a specific Bonney dbe that Usernamealreadyinuse needs, spotted these big boys:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/252615530450
https://www.ebay.com/itm/262259150754

 

[Username already in use]

BlueBomber, that new rack looks great!

Perusing eBay last night, on the lookout for a specific Bonney dbe that Usernamealreadyinuse needs, spotted these big boys:

Man, that's really nice of you to be helping me look. Really appreciate that!

1st trip to the flea this year netted me a few DBEs. Proto, Craftsman Vanadium (AF), and a deuce of Blackhawks.

 

[BlueBomber]

BB - how are you keeping round pipe from rolling down, bending down / pulling out fasteners, under the weight of all those DBEs?!

LesserSon,

Just friction. The pipe brackets are a tight fit on the pipe, and I bent the wall tab portion to encourage the clamp to bite into the pipe harder as the screw was tightened. Also, the pipe surface is rustoleum-covered rust, so a plenty rough surface for the clamp to bite. Finally, I think the weight that will vector down into the bracket will further help to overcome the rotational moment potential.

If I do ever come to fear a 70-nail wide DBE dump onto my workbench and lathe, I can always run a weld bead down each bracket to lock the pipe to them.

Perusing eBay last night, on the lookout for a specific Bonney dbe that Usernamealreadyinuse needs, spotted these big boys:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/252615530450
https://www.ebay.com/itm/262259150754

Ooooh, niiice. A little outside my price range, though.

 

[Outlawmws]

last weekend's finds: Long C Craftsman the bottom is a "CI", the top 2 are "AF" and the deep offset is not indicated! I like the thing though! very trim and good for tight spots! I want more of this one!

 

[Zeeman]

Right On. Nice Craftsman haul. Makes me want to go out and find more. Why do I look at this thread!

 

[BlueBomber]

A great set of old long-C Craftsman, Outlaw.

Two packages from fellow GJers arrived today. One contained a nice Indestro Super from Usernamealreadyinuse that I had previously admired. He passed it on to me to hang in the BBWMD with pride. The other package contained a very generous trade by d42jeep, giving me four DBEs for one little ol' Barcalo Buffalo deep offset from WWII production.





Indestro Super 714B angled, 11/16 x 13/16"
Thorsen 2226 offset, 7/8" x 13/16"
Walden Worcester 1436 angled, 3/4" x 7/8"
Plomb 1126 angled stubby, 9/16" x 1/2"
Unknown offset stubby, 1-2" x 9-16" -- pretty old little Cannuck, eh? No ideas as to manufacturer...

Thanks, gents! I definitely got my DBE fix for the week. Username, let me know if you want the Fairmont DOE I sent pictures of.

 

[d42jeep]

I'm hoping that someone can identify the little Canadian wrench. I received my little Barcalo shorty offset from Bluebomber. I have been looking for one for a long time to complete my WW2 set's brand matching wrenches. I can now finally say that I can quit searching!
-Don

 

[Rileysan]

I'm hoping that someone can identify the little Canadian wrench. I received my little Barcalo shorty offset from Bluebomber. I have been looking for one for a long time to complete my WW2 set's brand matching wrenches. I can now finally say that I can quit searching![emoji106]
-Don

Awesome! I think I contributed to the cause by way of trade as well - and was equally happy with our trade. Too bad my time is so limited, I'd love to start putting my sets together to see what I have

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

 

[d42jeep]

Rileysan was nice enough to send me an equally hard to find 3/8' X 7/16" for which I am still grateful!
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

Oooooh, that set of center-groove deep offset Blackhawks!

 

[Username already in use]

I've seen a few of these posted on here, so when the opportunity came up to own some, I jumped. These single offset Bonney DBEs are nice!
I picked up 13/16", 5/8", and 1/2". The two larger ones are ZENEL and the small one is (CV).