Gramps' Tools - Old Airplane stuff PWA Bonney Plomb Billings

[Colin Len]

As a follow up to my previous post I wanted to get some help with some of my grandfather's tools. I tried to separate the "regular" tools from what may have been aircraft specific. His father was a big part of Phillips 66 in the first half of last century and he was a biplane enthusiast in the 80's-00's and owned a Travel Air.

I have no use for these tools and I'm hoping I can get them into the hands of someone who can appreciate, or better yet use, them. This is not a for sale thread. I'm just getting this out there to try and gain some knowledge about this stuff, especially any of the "unknown" items. Any information anyone has about these tools is greatly appreciated.

Here's a link to all the phones, including a lot more detail than the ones below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/clen/albums/72157714109599206/with/49847732411/

1 3/4" Socket
1 3/4" Socket "52472-D"
1 1/4" Socket "1155"
PWA 24 1 1/32" - 29/32 Socket



Bonney PWA 749 1" 12pt 1/2" drive socket
Bonney PWA 1208 7/8" 12pt 1/2" drive deep socket
PWA 748 8pt 1/2" drive socket
PWA 1402 1" 12pt 3/8" drive socket
PWA 1212 3/4" socket, unknown drive



PWA 1468 5/8" 3/8" drive specialty socket



PWA 1502 15/16" Crows foot 3/8" drive
PWA 1471 9/16" specialty socket (2pcs)
1/2" crows foot 3/8" drive
Unknown, maybe some sorta crows foot?



PWA 1424 Unknown crows foot of some type
PWA 1541A Unknown crows foot of some type
Billings PWA 1500 unknown crows foot of some type



Unknown 3/8" drive
Fairmount 1129 unknown
1129 unknown (same as Fairmount but not marked)
7/8" uknown wrench - might say "US-5012541"
3/4" uknown wrench



K-D Tools brake spring pliers (keeping)
PWA 237
Uknown wrench
3/4" uknown wrench might say "US-51293251895 OTC"
Uknown wrench



Wright 802293 1/2" 12pt 1/2" drive cylinder base bolt wrench 21.25" long
Wright 802293 1/2" 12pt 1/2" drive cylinder base bolt wrench 19.25" long
PWA 2603 1/2" drive to 3/8" drive curved extension
? 20 Spline Designed and Built 3-26-41 by McDonald & McDonald
Bonney PWA 1393 9/16" 12pt socket
PWA 2724-B3 9/16 socket



PWA 1058 Offset screwdriver
BP Co TI8810 ???
PWA 321 (2pcs)



Walden Worcester PWA 744 1/2" drive 20" extension
Plomb PWA 1396 3/8" drive 16" extension



PWA 35 Feeler Gauge
PWA Feeler Gauge



MB 17017 Combination wrench 1 1/8" open, 11/16 closed
Bonney 1964 2" open end wrench
Bonney Zenel PWA 1114 5/8" 3/4" open combination wrench
Billings PWA 22 3/4" 9/16" open combination wrench
Bonney PWA 22 3/4" 9/16" open combination wrench
Walden Worcester PWA 1239 1/2" 9/16" boxed offset combination wrench
PWA 955 13/16" box end wrench (2pcs)
PWA 28 3/4" box end wrench
PWA 21 1/2" wrench - cut in half (open end remains)
PWA 1608 9/16" specialty wrench



Unknown wrenches 5/16, 9/32, 1/4, 15/64, 7/32, 3/16, 5/32, 9/64
Unknown screwdriver or ??? Made in France
Unknown wrench 1/4" 3/16"




Scintilla 4-490 7/32" wrench w/ feeler gauge (2pcs)
Scintilla 7/32" or 15/64" wrench w/ ??
PWA 996 Scintilla 4-12119 feeler gauge?



Walden Worcester PWA 839 1/2" drive reversible ratchet

 

[tym]

I am not an expert on these tools, but I am sure many GJers (myself included) would be interested in rehoming some of these pieces. You could always post some groupings in the Classifieds and see what happens.

 

[Dave455]

The 1 3/4 sockets shown in the first picture are almost certainly aircraft axle nut sockets. Axle nuts are relatively low torque but you need a thin walled socket to fit, and 1 3/4 was almost a standard size on older U.S. made aircraft.

“PWA” is a designation found on manufacturer specified tools for Pratt and Whitney engines. I have seen boards of similar tools in stores of British firms operating P and W piston engines.

 

[Colin Len]

I am not an expert on these tools, but I am sure many GJers (myself included) would be interested in rehoming some of these pieces. You could always post some groupings in the Classifieds and see what happens.

I have a family friend who helps at a museum in WA that may have some connections to help me understand what's here so I'm not selling anything until I run all this stuff by him. Some of the staff there or other helpers may be able to use these tools so that would be my 1st choice in where they go.

With that said, after I get some info here and from him I do plan to list these for sale. Ebay is probably where I'd get the most $ but the money is secondary to getting these into good hands and making doing so easy/fast.

 

[tym]

Makes sense. Ebay is also a royal PITA these days with all the fees, etc. Once you've picked out what to donate or keep, selling off large-ish grouping on GJ is probably the most painless way.

 

[Dave455]

Some time back, one of the GJ members (I think it was ibgradwell) published a long list of PWA tools that were made by Plomb, which listed all the numbers. and what they all were!

 

[Colin Len]

The 1 3/4 sockets shown in the first picture are almost certainly aircraft axle nut sockets. Axle nuts are relatively low torque but you need a thin walled socket to fit, and 1 3/4 was almost a standard size on older U.S. made aircraft.

“PWA” is a designation found on manufacturer specified tools for Pratt and Whitney engines. I have seen boards of similar tools in stores of British firms operating P and W piston engines.

Thank you, that is super helpful! Yes, I had already found that PWA was Pratt & Whitney. But I did not know that about those specific sockets.

Some time back, one of the GJ members (I think it was ibgradwell) published a long list of PWA tools that were made by Plomb, which listed all the numbers. and what they all were!

I think I may have seen that thread, or at least some other lists of PWA tools What's really interesting is that the tools were clearly made by regular tool manufacturers (e.g. Bonney) for PWA and what I've seen already is that multiple companies made tools for PWA - and sometimes different manufacturers made the same PWA part number.

 

[ZRX61]

The Scintilla wrenches are for aircraft magnetos.


PWA 1424 Unknown crows foot of some type (push rod tubes wrench)
PWA 1541A Unknown crows foot of some type (Intake tubes, Radials)
Billings PWA 1500 unknown crows foot of some type (Intake tubes, Radials)


All 3 are more intake tube wrenches:
Unknown 3/8" drive
Fairmount 1129 unknown
1129 unknown (same as Fairmount but not marked)

 

[Colin Len]

The Scintilla wrenches are for aircraft magnetos.


PWA 1424 Unknown crows foot of some type (push rod tubes wrench)
PWA 1541A Unknown crows foot of some type (Intake tubes, Radials)
Billings PWA 1500 unknown crows foot of some type (Intake tubes, Radials)


All 3 are more intake tube wrenches:
Unknown 3/8" drive
Fairmount 1129 unknown
1129 unknown (same as Fairmount but not marked)

Awesome, thank you so much for the info!

 

[bpjr]

You may want to consider donating to the Collings Foundation in your grandfathers name. They restore/preserve and fly WW planes. You may get a ride in one of their planes when on tour around the country too...30+ yrs ago it cost $600 for a 30 minute ride in a B17 or B24. My dad was a supporter and a B-24 pilot, they actually let him take the co pilot's seat during a flight on their B-24. You grandfather's name would live on. Collingsfoundation.org

 

[Ohmthis]

You may want to consider donating to the Collings Foundation in your grandfathers name. They restore/preserve and fly WW planes. You may get a ride in one of their planes when on tour around the country too...30+ yrs ago it cost $600 for a 30 minute ride in a B17 or B24. My dad was a supporter and a B-24 pilot, they actually let him take the co pilot's seat during a flight on their B-24. You grandfather's name would live on. Collingsfoundation.org

It’s not my stuff, but this is an awesome way to honor your grandfather and his life!

 

[2stroke1971]

Very nice!!!

 

[mslim]

Just a thought you might check around the LA area for antique airport "open house" days. Before the covid virus, Santa Paula used to have one First Sunday of the month 0900-1400. Lots of knowledgeable WWII guys at Chino who might recognize the tools. Also CAF over in Camarillo.

 

[tym]

You may want to consider donating to the Collings Foundation in your grandfathers name. They restore/preserve and fly WW planes. You may get a ride in one of their planes when on tour around the country too...30+ yrs ago it cost $600 for a 30 minute ride in a B17 or B24. My dad was a supporter and a B-24 pilot, they actually let him take the co pilot's seat during a flight on their B-24. You grandfather's name would live on. Collingsfoundation.org

A bit OT, but The Collings Foundation won't be flying anyone around for a while...

 

[59 wagon man]

the top picture 2 laying sideways look like plumbing spindle wrenches usually part of a set

 

[HenryAZ]

The two "unknown wrenches" in the 7th picture appear to be spanner wrenches, to be used on a castle type nut, to fit the slots cut into the head of the nut.

 

[Colin Len]

You may want to consider donating to the Collings Foundation in your grandfathers name. They restore/preserve and fly WW planes. You may get a ride in one of their planes when on tour around the country too...30+ yrs ago it cost $600 for a 30 minute ride in a B17 or B24. My dad was a supporter and a B-24 pilot, they actually let him take the co pilot's seat during a flight on their B-24. You grandfather's name would live on. Collingsfoundation.org

I didn't know about that foundation, thanks for the heads up. I've already reached out to a family friend involved in the Western Antique Aeroplan & Automobile Museum to see if they can use the tools. Some years back the staff at this museum restored my great grandfather's Curtiss Pusher: http://www.waaamuseum.org/collections/airplanes/197-Curtiss-1910-Pusher

Just a thought you might check around the LA area for antique airport "open house" days. Before the covid virus, Santa Paula used to have one First Sunday of the month 0900-1400. Lots of knowledgeable WWII guys at Chino who might recognize the tools. Also CAF over in Camarillo.

That's a great idea as well, thank you!

the top picture 2 laying sideways look like plumbing spindle wrenches usually part of a set

Thanks! That seems odd a plumbing wrench would be a PWA tool, I wonder if it just uses the same style?

The two "unknown wrenches" in the 7th picture appear to be spanner wrenches, to be used on a castle type nut, to fit the slots cut into the head of the nut.

Yeah, I'm assuming the same. I just wonder what the specific airplane application would be.