My small but growing DBE wrench collection

[BlueBomber]

I updated my Thorsen set yesterday and took the opportunity to take a picture of the DBE wrenches.
-Don

That's a lot of Thorsen's, Don! Thanks for posting them.

Fellow GJer Bonneyman and I have been trading PMs over the last few weeks about a pile of DBEs he wanted off of his work bench. He made me an offer at a price I happily accepted!

Bonney 2816 Zenel single offset, 1/2" x1/2"-- still has most of the tiny Zenel sticker in the groove!
Bonney 2824 Zenel single offset, 3/4" x3/4"-- this version of the SO DBE had the Zenel logo cast into the groove



A brace of Indestro-made stubbies

2x Forged Select Steel deep offset stubby, 1/4" x 5/16"
Indestro Select 931 deep offset stubby, 6-pt, 3/8" x 7/16"
Indestro 932 deep offset stubby, 1/2" x 9/16"
Indestro 933 deep offset stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"
Forged Steel 934 deep offset stubby, 3/4" x 25/32"



Chrome Alloy (by Vlchek) angled stubby, 9/16" x 1/2"
Bonney Bonaloy H2887 angled stubby, 6-pt, 7/16" x 1/2"
Bonney Bonaloy 2888 angled stubby, 1/2" x 7/16"
Plomb 8160 deep offset stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"
P&C 2518 deep offset, 9/16" x 1/2"
S-K USA deep offset stubby, 10mm x 9mm
S-K Tool M-1618 offset stubby, 6-pt, 1/2" x 9/16"
Vlchek WBC1012 offset stubby, raised panel, 3/8" x 5/16"
Vlchek WBC1214 offset stubby, 7/16" x 3/8"
Williams Superrench No 1153 deep offset stubby, 6-pt, 11/32" x 5/16"



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[LesserSon]

Bonney 2824 Zenel single offset, 3/4" x3/4"-- this version of the SO DBE had the Zenel logo cast into the groove.

What do you mean, BB? That the 2816 doesn't have the word ZENEL forged in on the side that doesn't show, or that the 2824 has something special on the side that doesn't show? I notice that the 2824 doesn't have BONNEY nor a part number (Z2824) on the side that does show...and that seemed odd to me.

 

[Username already in use]

Added a few DBEs over the weekend.
Plomb WF-81
Wards-Master 1/2" & 9/16"
Vlchek 7/16" & 3/8"
New Britain 1/2" & 7/16"

 

[BlueBomber]

What do you mean, BB? That the 2816 doesn't have the word ZENEL forged in on the side that doesn't show, or that the 2824 has something special on the side that doesn't show? I notice that the 2824 doesn't have BONNEY nor a part number (Z2824) on the side that does show...and that seemed odd to me.

LS: I was inattentive to the details of the wrenches yesterday, so I went out this morning and took a few pics.

It turns out all of my Zenel-era wrenches have the cast script in one of the grooves--i thought the 2216 did not, but I was wrong.

However, the 2824 appears to have had the Bonney cast in name and the part number ground out of the groove, but then stamped onto the side. It also has no "Z" in front off the wrench number.

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[d42jeep]

Here is kind of an unusual little wrench. It's the only Indestro Super Quality DBE wrench I've seen with the Circle DC (X) marking which I believe indicates a wartime wrench. Plenty of wartime Duro Chrome wrenches have the marking.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

Glad you liked the pile o wrenches, BB. They look happy in their new home.

 

[Rileysan]

I wish I had more time to document my DBE finds. I know I have in excess of 250 DBE wrenches!

This unusual size was in a batch of 23 DBE wrenches I got this past weekend. Duro 2058A 1 1/4" x 1 3/16" deep offset. It has the same Circle-X as the previous post.

I really love my DBE wrenches!

Brian





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[Username already in use]

That's a nice (and big) wartime Duro DBE. Nice find!

 

[BlueBomber]

Brian,

Glad to hear your DBE mojo is still working!

Here are the wrenches I picked up this weekend.

Plomb 1053 offset, 3/4" AM (1-1/8") x 7/8" AS (1-5/16")
Plomb 8184 deep offset, 13/16" x 7/8"
S-K Lectrolite B-1214 offset, 3/8" x 7/16"
Lectrolite MB-2022 stubby offset, 5/8" x 11/16"
S-K 33512 stubby offset, 3/8" x 7/16"
Craftsman Long-C deep offset, 7/8" x 13/16"
Craftsman Long-C angled, 7/8" x 13/16"
TRW 72429 deep offset, 9/16" x 1/2"

I think I'm safely over 600 DBEs now, not counting the duplicates.

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[Sam'sAutoParts]

Few today from the fle market. Was able to fill in some holes and find a new to me brand.

Left to right: made in India, Motiv ( looks similar to Vlcheck), craftsman, SK, Lectrolite tru-fit, and a Select Steel.

 

[DadsTools]

That's a lot of Thorsen's, Don! Thanks for posting them.

Fellow GJer Bonneyman and I have been trading PMs over the last few weeks about a pile of DBEs he wanted off of his work bench. He made me an offer at a price I happily accepted!

Bonney 2816 Zenel single offset, 1/2" x1/2"-- still has most of the tiny Zenel sticker in the groove!
Bonney 2824 Zenel single offset, 3/4" x3/4"-- this version of the SO DBE had the Zenel logo cast into the groove



A brace of Indestro-made stubbies

2x Forged Select Steel deep offset stubby, 1/4" x 5/16"
Indestro Select 931 deep offset stubby, 6-pt, 3/8" x 7/16"
Indestro 932 deep offset stubby, 1/2" x 9/16"
Indestro 933 deep offset stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"
Forged Steel 934 deep offset stubby, 3/4" x 25/32"



Chrome Alloy (by Vlchek) angled stubby, 9/16" x 1/2"
Bonney Bonaloy H2887 angled stubby, 6-pt, 7/16" x 1/2"
Bonney Bonaloy 2888 angled stubby, 1/2" x 7/16"
Plomb 8160 deep offset stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"
P&C 2518 deep offset, 9/16" x 1/2"
S-K USA deep offset stubby, 10mm x 9mm
S-K Tool M-1618 offset stubby, 6-pt, 1/2" x 9/16"
Vlchek WBC1012 offset stubby, raised panel, 3/8" x 5/16"
Vlchek WBC1214 offset stubby, 7/16" x 3/8"
Williams Superrench No 1153 deep offset stubby, 6-pt, 11/32" x 5/16"



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Third photo, about the middle of the group. A recessed handle S-K????? I have never seen a Lectrolite Corp TruFit budget wrench (which is obvious by the geometry) having the S-K mark! Love to see the other side of it. Gotta be 1950s?

 

[BlueBomber]

Hey, Dad's, that's a great observation. I'll have to go look at it again tonight. I wonder if it's a foreign knockoff.

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[3baygarage]

Metric too. That is odd.

It's nice to see such variety Bomber.

 

[DadsTools]

Hey, Dad's, that's a great observation. I'll have to go look at it again tonight. I wonder if it's a foreign knockoff.

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No, not import. Even if it didn't have USA on it, the Lectrolite TruFit design is unmistakable. I did an extensive study at one time on Lectrolite products made during the S-K era (about 1953-62). That's why it immediately caught my eye. The design is very commonly found in contract wrenches Lectrolite made for other companies--once you know the 'fingerprint' you can spot them anywhere (and I see them everywhere). That's what first drew my eye to it....only THEN did I notice the "S-K". Got to wonder why S-K allowed its name on Lectrolite's budget line. Perhaps they didn't have the raised panel forging dies prepared for the metric sizes yet, and maybe because of competition there was a 'rush to market' urgency. Perhaps there was so little demand for them at the time as part of their hardline selection that they felt the budget version would be OK. That's why I suspect 1950s vintage for it. The S-K you have below it is later, about late-1960s to 1970s.

Yes, you have some amazing wrenches there, but most of them are well-known and easily identified as regular lines from those companies. But for me, the SK-TruFit is the gem. Again, love to see the other side of it.

 

[bonneyman]

I think I'm safely over 600 DBEs now, not counting the duplicates.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

My only 2 DBEs, both came from my dad. He probably needed them for a piece of equipment as I don't remember him having a set of them. One is a Sears brand deep offset 13/16x7/8, the other is a Cman 3/4x7/8.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

One more try...
View media item 74207

 

[loudog212]

Found this midget in a tool box I bought the other day. Can't say I've ever seen one this small

 

[BlueBomber]

One more try...
View media item 74207

Cool, Semi! It was a fondness for my Dad's Craftsman DBEs that started my whole collection.

 

[davethorik]

Found this midget in a tool box I bought the other day. Can't say I've ever seen one this small

Lol, i have the same one i keep on my key ring.

 

[Rileysan]

I found this unusual set of OTC DBE swivel head wrenches at a pawn shop for $19.

Brian



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[r_olson_06]

I found this unusual set of OTC DBE swivel head wrenches at a pawn shop for $19.

Brian



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Saltus wrenches good buy at $19.

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[Provincial]

Bluebolt asked if I would take some photos of my odd Barcalo Buffalo DBE wrench that I purchased last weekend. As you can see from the photos, one end is at a different angle.

It is a 13/16 x 7/8 12-point opening model. There is still traces of plating remaining on all surfaces, but some light rust all over. The only marking is:

7/8-BARCALO BUFFALO USA-13/16

There is a raised, stylized capital letter "L" forged into the wrench about halfway between the "7/8" and the "BARCALO". There is a slight bend in the handle centered behind the "7/8" marking, The bend on the 7/8 end is not as sharp leaving the box area as the 13/16 end. I see no evidence of heating on the 7/8 end, so I doubt this is a field modification.

My guess is that this wrench was pulled from the manufacturing process after the 13/16 end was finished, but before the 7/8 end was complete. Barcalo then formed that end as you see it and plated the wrench afterwards.

Sorry for the poor photos. I need to find a better camera for this.

 

[RagTopTA]

I found this unusual set of OTC DBE swivel head wrenches at a pawn shop for $19.

Brian



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Thos OTC are awesome! I found some OTC tools this year I really like.. Femlae swivel ratchet, 10: pliers, 1/2 breaker bar, and someting else im forgetting.

 

[Provincial]

I figured out how to take close-ups with my camera, so here are some better photos of the odd Barcalo DBE:

Notice that there are no special markings, just the ordinary Barcalo DBE markings. Also notice the stylized "L" forged into the beam near the 7/8" end as shown in the last photo.

 

[Rileysan]

12 days since the last reply?!? I think that's a record!

Anyways, I came across this taped up bundle of Craftsman DBE wrenches at a thrift store last night. I couldn't resist, mainly because of one wrench that I did not have (nor have seen before) - a Craftsman 1 1/8" x 1 5/16" DBE.

I'm curious if anyone else has one ...

$24.95 for all 15 wrenches (plus a Gedore, made in India).

Brian

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Rileysan: Nice hual

I don't think I posted these already, can't remember when I got them, but it was within the last month or so.

 

[Outlawmws]

I got these two I think 2 weeks ago. A Lectrolite, with no numbers, and a Wright, with a number but no sizes marked. looks to be 3/8 - 7/16ths...

But wait! this is an odd bug! On the opposite side, the Wright is marked... Bonney!

So... Who's the father?

"You got some S'plainin' to do Lucy!"

 

[Rileysan]

I almost forgot!

Plomb #1125 7/16" x 1/2" "War Finish" DBE. Came in a tool box of misc tools at a thrift store. Broken down, I paid less than $1.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

Twertsy started a thread on Craftsman tools markings but I thought this might be more appropriate here.

How do you identify a wrench without any markings?

- Craftsman 1" x 15/16" DBE. My guess is that it should have been marked =V=.

Brian

 

[d42jeep]

I got these two I think 2 weeks ago. A Lectrolite, with no numbers, and a Wright, with a number but no sizes marked. looks to be 3/8 - 7/16ths...

But wait! this is an odd bug! On the opposite side, the Wright is marked... Bonney!




So... Who's the father?

"You got some S'plainin' to do Lucy!"

Some time back Lugz, Username, Twertsy and I had a discussion about a similar wrench that I owned and it was determined that it was likely a Bonney wrench made under contract for Wright (Aircraft). Bonney also made contract wrenches for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft.
-Don

 

[BlueBomber]

Yikes--12 days! I know I've been too busy to hunt DBEs, but I'm glad you all are sharing your finds. Especially the oddballs.

Provincial: thanks for the closeups of the bent Barcalo. I agree that there's no sign of heat or other post-purchase force on the wrench, but my gut tells me it is an owner modified wrench.

For the subsequent posters--coolness! It's always nice to see wrenches I don't have in my collection. Makes me wanna go hunting again!

 

[Outlawmws]

Now you mention it, I remember that post series. I'd forgotten about that.

Thanks for the reminder Don!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Found my first 'A Plomb' tool today, a stubby 9/16-1/2. The drive ends are real deep, a full 3/8". Its about an inch shorter than my regular Plomb 1/2-7/16. No Calif or LA mark.

 

[BlueBomber]

Found my first 'A Plomb' tool today, a stubby 9/16-1/2. The drive ends are real deep, a full 3/8". Its about an inch shorter than my regular Plomb 1/2-7/16. No Calif or LA mark.

Oooooooh, that's an oldie! Well done!

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[Jim C.]

12 days since the last reply?!? I think that's a record!

Anyways, I came across this taped up bundle of Craftsman DBE wrenches at a thrift store last night. I couldn't resist, mainly because of one wrench that I did not have (nor have seen before) - a Craftsman 1 1/8" x 1 5/16" DBE.

I'm curious if anyone else has one ...

$24.95 for all 15 wrenches (plus a Gedore, made in India).

Brian

Hey Brian,

I think that 1 1/8" x 1 5/16" DBE is the largest one ever offered by Sears/Craftsman. I have one with a -v^- manufacturer's mark on it. I got it and a few other larger Cman DBE wrenches several years ago from an eBay auction. I had a need for a 1 1/4" box end wrench which was included with the sizes I bought. You got a much better deal than I did. I paid $25 for the four largest Craftsman DBE wrenches. None of the wrenches see much use and hang on a peg board out in my shop. I don't typically work on stuff with fasteners that are larger than about an inch.

Jim C.

 

[DadsTools]

I got these two I think 2 weeks ago. A Lectrolite, with no numbers, and a Wright, with a number but no sizes marked. looks to be 3/8 - 7/16ths...

But wait! this is an odd bug! On the opposite side, the Wright is marked... Bonney!

So... Who's the father?

"You got some S'plainin' to do Lucy!"

The Lectrolite is latter half of 1940s or earlier. Starting sometime in the late 1940s to very early 1950s, the company changed its "Lectrolite" marked tools to the now famous raised panel design which was to become the standard S-K wrenches starting around 1953 until the closing of the old Defiance Ohio plant when Ideal acquired them.

 

[DadsTools]

Some time back Lugz, Username, Twertsy and I had a discussion about a similar wrench that I owned and it was determined that it was likely a Bonney wrench made under contract for Wright (Aircraft). Bonney also made contract wrenches for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft.
-Don

I feel I can confirm the opinions of d42jeep et. al. concerning thew Bonney/Wright wrenches. My Dad was an aircraft mechanic at the Phila. Naval Yard for 30 years starting from before he went off to WW2 1942-45 until retirement. During the war, he serviced reconnaissance planes for the Army Air Corps (remember, no "Air Force" then), first in England and then in France. He had several of these "Wright" marked wrenches in his personal tools, one with the Bonney name also. They all seem to have some kind of cadmium plating, not plain steel or chrome. Each was made to fit particular fasteners in a particular location on a particular plane of the time. All will be marked with a 5-digit number beginning with 8. A master catalog listed the numbers along with their specific application.

Though my Dad never 'fessed to it, many of his tools came in boxes bearing FSN numbers, often painted in Army green or Navy grey. Wonder where he got them.....

Why are they marked "Wright"? My understanding is that prior to WW2, Wright Field became the research and development center for the Air Corps, while adjacent Patterson Field became the Material Division for the Air Corps. Since Wright probably specified and contracted these special wrenches, the mfrs would stamp the Wright name on them. They were probably distributed to the Air Corps from Patterson. One of these wrenches I have is a slightly odd shape and ridiculously heavy for its size. Since the specific application for the wrench was identified by its catalog number, the opening sizes were not marked on the tool--one referred to the catalog number instead (I wrote the sizes on them with a marker so I could select the one I needed).

Anyway, That's my contribution to the knowledge base on these.

As an interesting side note, the Nay Yard workers were exempt from the draft in WW2 for they were needed in production. However, they could still volunteer if they wished, which is what my Dad did. After the war, there were massive layoffs as you can imagine, but any workers who had volunteered and served got to keep their old jobs when they returned home while those who used their exemption went bye-bye. That's when this country took care of its Boys.