Who made the best vintage adjustable wrenches?

[consti2tion]

These are my vintage adjustable wrenches. The one with the tightest tolerance and most comfortable to use is the Snap On, I recently picked this one up and I have to say I’m impressed with it. That Snap On has the tightest tolerance of the 20 or so AW’s I own. I also think the shape of the grip is great how it is wide and flat on the palm side and tapers down.

I think I have an addiction (like so many of you guys) I’m constantly on the prowl for the next best wrench.

The Excelite is also great. I really think the wrenches with a 90* opening seems to grab really well.
I’m hoping to ****** up an older MAC and some of these Diamonds.

I use adjustable wrenches everyday at work, so I like to think I have a pretty good idea of what qualifies as a good AW. I’m a natural gas measurement tech so I’m constantly changing out test fittings and stainless tubing fittings etc. Anyway enough of my rambling.

 

[Packard V8]

Ricky Joe said, (Snap-Ons were made by Diamond, but the Diamond was better!)

I like the chromed snap on ajustables.

I learned the hard way, never come late into a bar fight, but for sixty years I've owned and used multiples of every major brand adjustable mentioned here. All work well and gave good service. However, the chromed Snap-on is by far the best, better than any of the dozen Diamond in my various drawers at present; none of them are identical to the Snap-on. Since Diamond made wrenches from the 1920s onward, one might have to have one made in the same era as their Snap-on contract production to state conclusively.

Lugz said, Diamond was Snap-on's adjustable source from the mid-1920's through the 1960's, at least.

Anyone know who made Snap-on post Diamond?

jack vines

 

[consti2tion]

I learned the hard way, never come late into a bar fight, but for sixty years I've owned and used multiples of every major brand adjustable mentioned here. All work well and gave good service. However, the chromed Snap-on is by far the best, better than any of the dozen Diamond in my various drawers at present; none of them are identical to the Snap-on. Since Diamond made wrenches from the 1920s onward, one might have to have one made in the same era as their Snap-on contract production to state conclusively.

Anyone know who made Snap-on post Diamond?

jack vines

I’m telling you Jack, these chrome snap on wrenches are the best AW I’ve ever laid my hands on. I even bought another on eBay tonight.


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[Private Lugnutz]

Diamond was Snap-on's adjustable source from the mid-1920's through the 1960's, at least.

Anyone know who made Snap-on post Diamond?

Your question implies that Snap-on ended their relationship with Diamond as their supplier, which may not be the case. Just as a point of clarification to the "at least" part of my statement, I don't collect tools past the 1950's so I had no interest in pursuing the question of their adjustable crescent-type wrench supplier later than that.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not to put too fine a point on this, but this is what my research previously discovered...

Snap-on introduced the crescent-type adjustable wrench to their line in Catalog DW (1927), literally called it a "Diamond Adjustable Wrench" in the text, showing a figure of a Diamond adjustable with the Diamond brand markings, and assigning them simple numbers aligned to their OAL (e.g., No. 6, No. 8, etc)

In Catalog H (1931), they incorporated a "D" (no doubt indicating "Diamond") as a prefix to the part number (e.g., D-6, D-8, D-10, etc) .

In Catalog J (1933) they switched the text to "Diamalloy Adjustable Wrench" with a matching figure.

In Catalog L (1936), they were still calling it a "Diamalloy Adjustable Wrench", but they were crudely obscuring the markings on the handle (you could still see the outline of the large diamond branding...), probably because they were re-branding them as Blue-Point at this time.

That practice ("Diamalloy" text, crudely obscured handle figure) continued through Catalog R (1946).

In Catalog S (1948), they dropped the "Diamalloy" from the text and started generically calling it an "Adjustable Wrench", but re-used the same figure.

In Catalog T (1950), the figure of the "Adjustable Wrench" is still a Diamond profile, and the part number is now D-7X (e.g., D-74, D-76, D-78, D-710), but the branding in the artist's rendering is now Blue-Point.

In Catalog X (1960), the figure still looks like a Diamond adjustable to me, still has the D-7X numbers.

As I said, I didn't have interest in pursuing it farther than that.

 

[Farmer J.]

i have several in various tool boxes on the farm, all major brands of various sizes and ages. The one I keep in the shop says "Snap-on" and "Bluepoint". It is nothing like any other I have, be it Cresent, Proto, Diamond or whatever. It is far and away the best in regards to holding a setting and not spreading.

I was going to say almost exactly the same thing, except my Snap On is chrome! I have a couple of Spanish adjustables in the tractor toolboxes, and a few original Swedish made Bahco which are very good, but that chrome Snap On is far and away the strongest and nicest to use of any wrench I have come across. I have a 10" and a 6", also an 8" which is 'Flank Drive' it has little teeth on the jaws.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: how did I miss this thread? is there an outright winner(s) yet in this catagory?

I know I have a few of my favorites and i've got a few I love and not sure if I know or remember the maker that I'll post when i can.

thanks again for all that participate in these great old tool threads!!

 

[Packard V8]

I have several of various makes. There were many good ones. I like the Plomb.

Have never understood why the knurled adjustment gets stuck and the wrench eventually becomes useless. I can't see a problem but they don't last forever.

Here, in the dry intermountain west, they do last forever. You're in a humid coastal salt air environment and wonder why tools rust? That's why there are marine versions in stainless. Those should probably be a separate thread.

A few drops of oil on the ends of the threaded adjuster before use will keep most working forever.

Because I have a shot blaster and a sand blast cabinet, I've brought back several which were given up as hopeless.

However, since the good adjustables go for cheap at yard sales, one has to enjoy the process; it's easier just to buy another one.

jack vines

 

[AngryBeaver]

These are my vintage adjustable wrenches. The one with the tightest tolerance and most comfortable to use is the Snap On, I recently picked this one up and I have to say I’m impressed with it. That Snap On has the tightest tolerance of the 20 or so AW’s I own. I also think the shape of the grip is great how it is wide and flat on the palm side and tapers down.

I think I have an addiction (like so many of you guys) I’m constantly on the prowl for the next best wrench.

The Excelite is also great. I really think the wrenches with a 90* opening seems to grab really well.
I’m hoping to ****** up an older MAC and some of these Diamonds.

I use adjustable wrenches everyday at work, so I like to think I have a pretty good idea of what qualifies as a good AW. I’m a natural gas measurement tech so I’m constantly changing out test fittings and stainless tubing fittings etc. Anyway enough of my rambling.

you are spot on on your assessment of the chrome snap on AD series adjustable wrenches. Fit an finish are 100% better than anything else made. The FAD used the flank drive teeth inside the head for awesome removable power without rounding fasteners but are hell on the fasteners. The ADH's had a soft grip center, and the FADH were the soft grip with flank drive.

I have two AD10's I use on a daily basis working in the oil and gas field, as well as a soft grip ADH8 and a set of the FADH soft grip flank drive for working on old, rusted equipment. The new series are now made in spain by bahco and don't have near the fit and finish. The bahco ones have been on the truck for at least a decade. It is hard to find the older USA made ones

 

[consti2tion]

you are spot on on your assessment of the chrome snap on AD series adjustable wrenches. Fit an finish are 100% better than anything else made. The FAD used the flank drive teeth inside the head for awesome removable power without rounding fasteners but are hell on the fasteners. The ADH's had a soft grip center, and the FADH were the soft grip with flank drive.

I have two AD10's I use on a daily basis working in the oil and gas field, as well as a soft grip ADH8 and a set of the FADH soft grip flank drive for working on old, rusted equipment. The new series are now made in spain by bahco and don't have near the fit and finish. The bahco ones have been on the truck for at least a decade. It is hard to find the older USA made ones

Thank you for the info on the different models/part numbers they offered. A couple of the guys at work have the FADH, they have told me like you mentioned they are hell on fasteners.

I've been prowling any avenue I can for the older USA made AD. I don't know if I am just a glutton for punishment but I prefer my adjustable wrenches without the soft grip. I'm sure that will change one day when I get tired of wearing my palm out.

 

[RubiconJK]

Not to put too fine a point on this, but this is what my research previously discovered...

Snap-on introduced the crescent-type adjustable wrench to their line in Catalog DW (1927), literally called it a "Diamond Adjustable Wrench" in the text, showing a figure of a Diamond adjustable with the Diamond brand markings, and assigning them simple numbers aligned to their OAL (e.g., No. 6, No. 8, etc)

In Catalog H (1931), they incorporated a "D" (no doubt indicating "Diamond") as a prefix to the part number (e.g., D-6, D-8, D-10, etc) .

In Catalog J (1933) they switched the text to "Diamalloy Adjustable Wrench" with a matching figure.

In Catalog L (1936), they were still calling it a "Diamalloy Adjustable Wrench", but they were crudely obscuring the markings on the handle (you could still see the outline of the large diamond branding...), probably because they were re-branding them as Blue-Point at this time.

That practice ("Diamalloy" text, crudely obscured handle figure) continued through Catalog R (1946).

In Catalog S (1948), they dropped the "Diamalloy" from the text and started generically calling it an "Adjustable Wrench", but re-used the same figure.

In Catalog T (1950), the figure of the "Adjustable Wrench" is still a Diamond profile, and the part number is now D-7X (e.g., D-74, D-76, D-78, D-710), but the branding in the artist's rendering is now Blue-Point.

In Catalog X (1960), the figure still looks like a Diamond adjustable to me, still has the D-7X numbers.

As I said, I didn't have interest in pursuing it farther than that.

Good stuff Lugz and stays relevant to the vintage part of the OP's question. I have a special affinity to the older Diamond Calk adjustables and will always pick up 6" examples when I find them. It is also the brand I have my most experience with having first put one into service in the oilfield in the late '70's. That one has a place on my peg board even today and still gets put to work occasionally.

 

[Heavymetal]

I know what you guys mean about the Snap On wrench. When I was really green to the heavy truck world in 1999 I would borrow one of the older guys S O adjustable and it was like holding a light saber compared to other ones. As I learned “you get what you pay for” when it comes to specific tools. I was fresh outta the ARMY and thought my craftsman box and chrome sockets were up to the task. NO WAY! The day to day beating 8 hrs a day is whole different world for tools in a serious heavy duty truck shop. One of the first tool truck things I got was my Matco 12 in. It feels and works excactly like the beefy S O one,just not chrome.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I've always had a soft spot for these...

 

[Packard V8]

Thinking about fifty years of yard sales and estate sales, i've never seen a Snap-on adjustable. The one I own was found under the seat of an old road grader.

Whoever Muff was, he didn''t wan't anyone forgetting whose wrench this was.



jack vines

 

[AngryBeaver]

Thinking about fifty years of yard sales and estate sales, i've never seen a Snap-on adjustable. The one I own was found under the seat of an old road grader.

Whoever Muff was, he didn''t wan't anyone forgetting whose wrench this was.

jack vines

 

[consti2tion]

Wow muff went a little overboard. Definitely weren’t taking his tools and grinding the marking off..

 

[Private Lugnutz]

After it cleaned up pretty well, I was glad that "JB" didn't go as crazy as "MUFF" on this double-ended 6-8" Crescent adjustable I snagged at the flea market this morning.

 

[consti2tion]

After it cleaned up pretty well, I was glad that "JB" didn't go as crazy as "MUFF" on this double-ended 6-8" Crescent adjustable I snagged at the flea market this morning.

Very cool double end adjustable. Thank god JB was a little more reasonable.

 

[Crankyengineer]

The black phosphate Bahco, especially from the 70's. Indestructable and confident on the jaws.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Very cool double end adjustable. Thank god JB was a little more reasonable.

Thanks. I may try to file this one down. I've done it before, including a set of 5 DOE wrenches, all wartime Williams carbon steel Superiors, including the 28S, which is not easy to find. They key is cross-filing and hand-sanding to remove the file marks.

 

[d42jeep]

If we are going to talk about the best VINTAGE adjustable wrench, one of the best quality adjustables (at least in the early 20s) has to be the Barcalo Model N.
-Don

 

[exmaxima1]

The black phosphate Bahco, especially from the 70's. Indestructable and confident on the jaws.

I generally prefer plated tools over black oxide for rust concerns, but this Diamond Horseshoe looked so fine with the plated knurl that I gladly paid the $2 asking price at the local garage sale. I believe that Diamond is long gone, yet this wrench looks like brand new---changes my mind about rust issues.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is a handsome wrench with the plated worm gear contrast.

Chrome-plating is better than black oxide for rust prevention. Nobody would argue otherwise. But as a WWII collector, I can say, and not from a small amount of empirical evidence, that black oxide is pretty danged good, too. As long as it doesn't get worn off in spots. I discovered - by reading wartime issues of STEEL magazine (see pic), starting in early 1941, that it was actually invented at the outset of WWII, when chromium was being allocated and protected, and chrome-plating was banned, by the E.F. Houghton chemical company. My fascination with it has extended backwards, into early turn of the century tool history, when wrenches and early pressed steel sockets were often coated with a a similar somewhat powdery substance typically referred to in ads and trade mags only and unhelpfully as "black rust-proofing." I have so far not been able to identify that particular finish formulaically.

Your Diamond adjustable is probably immediate postwar, by the way. A lot of mfgrs stayed with it for economy-line industrial and military contracts.

 

[exmaxima1]

That is a handsome wrench with the plated worm gear contrast.
Your Diamond adjustable is probably immediate postwar, by the way. A lot of mfgrs stayed with it for economy-line industrial and military contracts.

It's always nice to read your historical references, and appreciate your take on black oxide (phosphate) finishes. I do believe, however, that my wrench is considerally younger than immediate post-war. The inclusion of the 300mm metric size equivalent is something that Americans did not give a **** about until well into the 80's AFAIK. I own a number of Diamond adjustable wrenches, and this is the only one with metric markings. Thanks again.

 

[d42jeep]

You are correct in your dating since your wrench isn’t labeled with the Diamond Calk logo which was used until 1958.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I do believe, however, that my wrench is considerally younger than immediate post-war. The inclusion of the 300mm metric size equivalent...

Yes, of course. I wasn't paying attention to that or the name, as Don pointed out. I did look for the horseshoe logo, the absence of which is a WWII tell for us. In just having discussed the invention of black oxide during wartime, I should've sufficed by saying that yours couldn't be wartime and no earlier than immediate postwar.

 

[Provincial]

I remember buying a Craftsman 12" adjustable in the early 1970's that had the 300mm designation on it. I think they started doing that in the late 1960's.

I made some money on that wrench. A co-worker encountered a metric fastener, and I offered to loan him my "metric Crescent wrench" to turn it. He insisted there was no such thing as a "metric Crescent wrench" and we settled on a $5.00 bet. He paid up when I showed him the forged-in "300mm" markings!

 

[ForrestT]

Diamond Calk Horseshoe company is by far my favorite. I did recently pick up a Williams that is pretty nice. I also have an old new Britain that is pretty smooth. It kills me that the old adjustables are so much better quality than new ones.


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[exmaxima1]

Diamond Calk Horseshoe company is by far my favorite. I did recently pick up a Williams that is pretty nice. I also have an old new Britain that is pretty smooth. It kills me that the old adjustables are so much better quality than new ones.

I think the old ones are hit or miss. Last week I picked up an old 12" Craftsman wrench with the locking knurl, which I think was a Williams patent. It was so sloppy and loose that I brought it to Lowes (Craftsman dealer) for replacement. The new one, presumably from China or Taiwan, seems pretty solid to me and it even has size markings which could be handy at times.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I made my case for J.P. Danielson back in 2015 on this thread, page 1, post #20, but I don't mind repeating myself...

J.P. Danielson BET'R Grip is my favorite vintage adjustable. It has a superior bite with the fixed jaw being at a true 90* angle. (On all the others - Crescent, Diamond, etc - the fixed jaw is at 60*, which never really fits a square fastener tightly.) Only other maker to do that was Utica, but Utica did not have a reinforced hanging hole broached with a hex opening, a feature that puts the BET'R Grip over the top for me.

...to introduce my second 4-incher, a 1942 product, picked up this morning at the flea market (see Pic 1 - 5), and a group shot of all my 4-inchers to date (see Pic 6).

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have a few random 4" wrenches, but I like this williams

 

[Rileysan]

I might as well weigh-in since I use them every single day at the steel mill, where I work. I carry two adjustables with me at all times: A 12" Crescent that I cut an extra thread groove into the dynamic slide so it will open to 1-5/8" and a 6" Proto Clik Stop that I carry in the front pocket of my bib overalls.

Both wrenches are excellent quality and have been abused mercilessly (any one else call em Crescent hammers?) but my all-time favorite is a 15" Diamond Calk and Horseshoe adjustable that is so smooth, and so tight that I will only use it in the shop.

Brian

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have a few random 4" wrenches, but I like this williams

Clean!

I might as well weigh-in since I use them every single day at the steel mill,

Not that any type of tool that has not only survived but prospered and proliferated manifold with age over the course of 120+ years should need anyone's testimonial, but I've been reading your various "In Defense of the Adjustable Wrench" type posts for years here, Brian, including those that have had to be a little more heat-treated, shall we say, than this one, aimed at Condescending Precisionists, and respect it immensely.

 

[Jazz1]

I have my fathers Easco set. They seem good quality. Found a 10” Mastercraft on the road last week. My only Diamond I found is only good for garage key holder, I tried to remove the rust

 

[Rileysan]

Clean!


Not that any type of tool that has not only survived but prospered and proliferated manifold with age over the course of 120+ years should need anyone's testimonial, but I've been reading your various "In Defense of the Adjustable Wrench" type posts for years here, Brian, including those that have had to be a little more heat-treated, shall we say, than this one, aimed at Condescending Precisionists, and respect it immensely.

Thank you for the compliment!

Over the years, my co-workers have learned to come to me for used tool requests. Well, most of them: the youngsters tend to like shiny new Harbor Freight stuff, but they eventually come around.

Anyways, I have all but cornered the market on adjustable wrenches at the mill. I typically sell one USA made 12" adjustable a week, charging only $5 per wrench. It's not all that lucrative but it helps me justify my hobby!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked this up at the flea yesterday. First adjustable crescent type wrench I have ever seen made of pressed steel. Those marks that look like a "D" (in the head and static jaw) and "O" (at the end of the handle) are pinch marks where the halves were press-fit together. The capacity is very small and the dynamic jaw is permanently captive. The dynamic jaw, the adjusting nut, and the screw are solid steel. Not branded, and I don't know who made them.

 

[Cleave]

I have Diamalloy, Crestalloy/Crescent in 8", Proto in 10", just got a JH Williams 12", and have a Klein 12" adjustable spud wrench. They're all great.

 

[HeelSpur]

Picked this up at the flea yesterday. First adjustable crescent type wrench I have ever seen made of pressed steel. Those marks that look like a "D" (in the head and static jaw) and "O" (at the end of the handle) are pinch marks where the halves were press-fit together. The capacity is very small and the dynamic jaw is permanently captive. The dynamic jaw, the adjusting nut, and the screw are solid steel. Not branded, and I don't know who made them.

Found this one but not much info. if any.

http://wrenchingnews.com/2019-york-auction/photos/S19-cb032-34.jpg

Unmarked - - 6" Crescent type wrench, light steel frame. Good+.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, HeelSpur. It's in good company in that collection! Somebody else has the same taste as me for picking that up.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I sent a couple inquiries out but have not gotten any responses yet.

I am wondering if it might be something Spiegel Bros. was selling.