My small but growing DBE wrench collection

[leg17]

How about some McKaig Hatch shorties.
** Sure wish I could find a 1/2 x 9/16. **
There may be only the four.

 

[leg17]

Got some earlier Herbrands.











Haven't found the 6723 yet.
Anyone have a spare?

 

[leg17]

I managed to find the six Blue Point Boxockets all similarly marked.
All have Boxocket, and have the sizes marked, and all have the patent number.
Now I see why collecting Snap-On is such a challenge.
Some of these don't match, including one that isn't even round shank!

 

[leg17]

Here are all six Lectrolite shorties.
I may have posted these in the past.
All are similarly marked DEFIANCE O. and DROP FORGED ALLOY STEEL.
Note I have seen the apparently wartime DROP FORGED __ STEEL, but only in the largest size 13/16 x 7/8.







Anyone seen any other sizes with the "ALLOY" marked out?

AA shows similar wrenches but marked CHROME VANADIUM STEEL.
I have yet to find one in the wild.

How are these three dated?
I expect the ALLOY STEEL was just prior to the war and the __ STEEL was during the war.
Where does the CHROME VANADIUM fit in??

 

[Rileysan]

Keep em coming!

Brian

 

[BlueBomber]

Two months ago, we were deep in conversation about single offset DBEs when 454ragtop piped up about a single offset he had seen in a flea market. He offered to go back and take some pics, and it turned out they were ALL single offset Bonneys. He offered to pick them up for me and very kindly passed them on to me at cost plus shipping.

Here they were as arrived, with only a touch of wire brushing:


A nearly complete set, only missing the 9/16" wrench. The 13/16" even still had a remnant of the original Bonney sticker (I was careful not to wire brush it)!

Fortunately, I had a good start at a set of Bonney SO DBEs thanks to a prior trade with Twertsy:

So now I have all nine of the smaller, early CV single offsets. I also have the larger 2834 and the 2839, but still need the 2832 and the 2836 to consider the set complete.

Of course, since Bonney tools have date codes, I could pursue a matching year Bonney CV single offset double box end set.....

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[d42jeep]

I found my first single offsets (in the wild anyway) yesterday at an estate sale. One was Blue Point and the other was early P&C. Here they are with a more conventional P&C DBE wrench
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

Loving those deep double offsets, Leg17!

And jealous of your Bonney single offset set, BB.
Sorry I don't have a 9/16" to shoot your way. I'm trying to put together a set of those up to 3/4" for myself.

 

[BlueBomber]

What sizes do you need, B-man I now have some duplicates and am happy to help a fellow collector fill out a set.

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[bonneyman]

What sizes do you need, B-man I now have some duplicates and am happy to help a fellow collector fill out a set.

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I just went out and checked. Apparently, I must given away the two I (thought) I had to someone who was closer to a set. Two many tools, not enough memory cells!

Thanks for the offer, though.

 

[twertsy]

I found my first single offsets (in the wild anyway) yesterday at an estate sale. One was Blue Point and the other was early P&C. Here they are with a more conventional P&C DBE wrench
-Don

I'd love for you to post that P&C single on TA!

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[LesserSon]

Of course, since Bonney tools have date codes, I could pursue a matching year Bonney CV single offset double box end set.....

Oh, yes, you simply MUST!
But I think it may be possible for only some years of production. I don't think they necessarily manufactured every model of every tool in a given year. Seems more likely sets would have been put together from stock on hand. If tools were made from given weights of steel, then more small sizes would be produced in a given lot. And individual sales of more common sizes would require more frequent manufacture of those sizes, while less common sizes would sit in storage.

Did the 2834 & 2839 come to you recently from eBay? I was watching and put a low bid on a lot that included a couple extra big CVs with two regular size Zenels. Distracted by dinner around the end of the auction, I lost! Boo hoo for me, and yay for for whoever got them.

 

[BlueBomber]

Oh, yes, you simply MUST!
But I think it may be possible for only some years of production. I don't think they necessarily manufactured every model of every tool in a given year. Seems more likely sets would have been put together from stock on hand. If tools were made from given weights of steel, then more small sizes would be produced in a given lot. And individual sales of more common sizes would require more frequent manufacture of those sizes, while less common sizes would sit in storage.

Did the 2834 & 2839 come to you recently from eBay? I was watching and put a low bid on a lot that included a couple extra big CVs with two regular size Zenels. Distracted by dinner around the end of the auction, I lost! Boo hoo for me, and yay for for whoever got them.

Yep, that was me--I just haven't gotten around to posting them here. I was only after the 2839, and I see you need some Zennel SO DBEs. I'll check my dupes and PM you with what I have to trade.

 

[BlueBomber]

I found my first single offsets (in the wild anyway) yesterday at an estate sale. One was Blue Point and the other was early P&C. Here they are with a more conventional P&C DBE wrench
-Don

Well found, Don! I didn't know P&C made single offset DBEs. Dang, now I have more to watch for!

 

[Mintgrun]

I have this odd wrench, marked 9/16-BARCALO USA-1/2 and that is all, aside from a raised number three.




It looks like it came from the factory with this odd configuration.
Does anyone know its intended purpose?
Thanks,
Tom

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

looks to me like a chrome flaw where it was held in a vice and bent, and it wold work as a distributor wrench now.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'd guess somebody made their own distributor wrench there.

I guess these are "DBE" by definition, right?

 

[BlueBomber]

^ I'd guess somebody made their own distributor wrench there.

I guess these are "DBE" by definition, right?

You betcha! I have a few of those individual wrenches and would love to complete the set. Now that I have a picture of the retaining nut and bolt, I can fantasize about finding one in the top of some dead guy's tool box.

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[four.cycle]

Now that I have a picture of the retaining nut and bolt, I can fantasize about finding one in the top of some dead guy's tool box.

I looked at a LOT of Ebay ads for those before I finally snagged that one with the orginal screw and wing nut - most of them have been lost somewhere along the way.

There's a guy who runs another tool collector website that starts with "P" who had a friend of his make up some of those tapered screws and nuts for some J.P. Danielson "Auto Kit 100" sets.

Not a clue as to whether or not any more are available.

 

[BlueBomber]

Finally located a P&C N-89 for my wall of DBEs. It's been a while since I added a big bruiser!

P&C N/89 offset, 1-1/2" x 1-7/16"

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[leg17]

I always have liked short, offset box wrenches. Even if they’re not offset much.
But a new girl showed up at school today and I think I am smitten.
Check out these deeeep offset standard length oval beam Hinsdales.
Man I would sure love to fill in the two in the middle to complete this set.

I haven’t been able to track down about when these were made.
Can anyone shed any light in these wrenches?

 

[Outlawmws]

Check AA for Hinsdale, but IIR they died in the late 20's early 30's?

 

[DarkLeftArm]

Never knew I sort of have a fetish for these things til I found this thread....

 

[disston]

Finally located a P&C N-89 for my wall of DBEs. It's been a while since I added a big bruiser!

P&C N/89 offset, 1-1/2" x 1-7/16"

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I need an N-88 to have a complete set.

 

[JJ_From_NC]

I LOVE DBE's, as an industrial mechanic you ain't worth your salt unless you have some tools on hand at all times, not a lot of stuff just the essentials, DBE's allow me to carry only a couple wrenches but have all the important sizes in my pocket, my favorite is my Proto 1/2 X 9/16 (two very common sizes at my plant) it isn't old and cool but hey I'm young and one day it will be [emoji4]

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[DarkLeftArm]

haha That little Thorsen 1/2 x 9/16 on the far right has been in use or in my pocket almost constantly since about 1974. You could just about rebuild a whole pickup truck with it!

 

[JJ_From_NC]

haha That little Thorsen 1/2 x 9/16 on the far right has been in use or in my pocket almost constantly since about 1974. You could just about rebuild a whole pickup truck with it!

Yessir those thorsens were special, I hope to find one for myself one day just to have, a couple of coworkers of mine swear by them!

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[LesserSon]

Check AA for Hinsdale, but IIR they died in the late 20's early 30's?

AA says born in 1919 and lived into the 1940s. I think their designs look old-timey, and they weren’t into updating designs just for style.

 

[four.cycle]

"...little Thorsen 1/2 x 9/16 on the far right..."

#2116 - I've been looking for a decent one for over a year.

 

[BlueBomber]

Never knew I sort of have a fetish for these things til I found this thread....

Nice collection, DLA! My collection was about that size when I started this thread. Careful, it can run away with you...[emoji3]

I always have liked short, offset box wrenches. Even if they’re not offset much.
But a new girl showed up at school today and I think I am smitten.
Check out these deeeep offset standard length oval beam Hinsdales.
Man I would sure love to fill in the two in the middle to complete this set.

I haven’t been able to track down about when these were made.
Can anyone shed any light in these wrenches?

Nice Hinsdales! I only have a handful in the BlueBomber Working Museum of DBEs, and none of that style.

I LOVE DBE's, as an industrial mechanic you ain't worth your salt unless you have some tools on hand at all times, not a lot of stuff just the essentials, DBE's allow me to carry only a couple wrenches but have all the important sizes in my pocket, my favorite is my Proto 1/2 X 9/16 (two very common sizes at my plant) it isn't old and cool but hey I'm young and one day it will be [emoji4]

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Welcome to the thread, JJ. Max utility per shank is one of the reasons I like them too! Although, I have been on a single offset DBE kick lately. Speaking of...

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[BlueBomber]

I'll just tease you with these pics, as I'm running out the door for work. I'll write them up later tonight.

Cheers, DBE peeps!

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[JJ_From_NC]

Wow!! Those bluepoints and that blackhawk [emoji7]

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[Username already in use]

I'll just tease you with these pics,

That WRIGHT #80151 DBE with the part number beginning with an 8 is more than likely a Wright Aeronautical wrench. Very cool. I have a combo marked in the same way with a different size on each end. Mine is part number 800315. I found a listing for it HERE, but I don't see your wrench listed.

Lugz may be able to help you track down it's application.

 

[3baygarage]

The Harley Davidson cylinder base nut wrench.

#12650-29

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I had one of these in my hand at an estate sale back in October of ‘14 (using GS thread as a reference) and I left it due to lack of funds and knowledge . This looks to have been painted.

What say you guys on the maker?

 

[Username already in use]

Looks like Williams to me. I have a couple of Williams DBEs with the same type of finish on them. I don't think it's paint.

 

[3baygarage]

Seen here in 42WLC and 43WLC tool kits near the bottom of the page:

http://www.theliberator.be/liberator6.htm

Looks like Williams to me. I have a couple of Williams DBEs with the same type of finish on them. I don't think it's paint.

It does look like the Duohex. Blue Point also came to mind. Hard for me to tell.

The other one i handled was plain steel, also some other examples online are. There are some images of a few nos wrenches someone found too.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Looks like thin cadmium to me. If not plating, then a wash. If not cadmium, then a zinc phosphate or something like that.

 

[Outlawmws]

#2116 - I've been looking for a decent one for over a year.

I have one somewhere... It's in my inventory. I have the P&C round shank that size too (Just had my hands on it, looking for the Thorsen)

 

[four.cycle]

^ every one I see that pops up on Ebay either is all rusted or has chrome issues. seems to me Thorsen/Giller had some issues with their plating.

the little shorty 2116 (1/2 x 9/16) and the standard long pattern offset DBE 2216 (1/2 x 9/16) are the only Thorsens I'm shy.

I have pretty much the same in Giller but I'm shy the 2226 (13/16 x 7/8) and the unobtainium shorty 2120 (5/8 x 11/16) (not the same as the 2120S (5/8 x 3/4)

no idea why I figured collecting Giller would be a good idea. seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

[shanny19]

no idea why I figured collecting Giller would be a good idea. seemed like a good idea at the time.]

If you head east, PLENTY of Giller around Spokane that went AWOL from Fairchild. With Lewis/McCord/Bremerton in your neighborhood there's got to be some lying around I'd think.