The Ancient and Independent Order of Oddfellows (Adjustables, that is...)

[LesserSon]

Couple finds on Fathers Day - as found:
Cleaned up:
The Boos is 8” OAL closed.

The 7” Eifel‘s jaws are machined for some special purpose, the cutter is ground off, and a pin (through the steel band) blocks the lever/grip from disengaging from the dynamic jaw. There was a decal on the smooth side that disintegrated under my stupid/careless handling before I thought to take a good picture, which might have explained the mods.

 

[Ton ton]

Couple finds on Fathers Day - as found:
Cleaned up:
The Boos is 8” OAL closed.

The 7” Eifel‘s jaws are machined for some special purpose, the cutter is ground off, and a pin (through the steel band) blocks the lever/grip from disengaging from the dynamic jaw. There was a decal on the smooth side that disintegrated under my stupid/careless handling before I thought to take a good picture, which might have explained the mods.

Those look interesting.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The Boos

I already congratulated you on the GS thread, but I'll gladly do it again. Nice find! I have not yet managed to check that one off my list.

 

[HeelSpur]

Pollocks Automatic, surprisingly heavy.

DSCF3959 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF3958 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF3963 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF3962 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF3961 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF3960 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Interesting construction. I have an E. Edelmann flaring tool made in layers like that.

 

[3baygarage]

Picked up this neat little wrench.
US Wrench Co. Bohn Quickfit
Marked: Pat.’ 24 Phila.PA
Length: 5-3/4”

Similar to others discussed in this thread, with the sliding wedge jaw design. Looks like a toothed surface and a spring for support.

edit: patent 1,481,250
January 22, 1924
George J. Bohn and Fred W. Werner

Interesting thing is the patent states the men are residents of Milwaukee, WI.

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm curious, how do they keep from losing the parts? I think I see one pin?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My German pair (Hacomer, Solingen, SUL) have the wedges pinned to a spring in a channel. My Fitz-All is not, but the collar and handle makes it impossible to lose either the collar or the wedge.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Cool wrench, 3bay.

Interesting thing is the patent states the men are residents of Milwaukee, WI.

Assigned or licensed to a Philly outfit perhaps.

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks Lugz.
Could it be, that maybe they went and found a manufacturer?

Outlaw, there is a pin through the top of the jaw holding one end of the spring, and a pin through the wrench body holding the other end of the spring.

I have to correct myself as well. What I thought was a toothed area between the jaw and body was just the edge of the spring. Hard to tell through the narrow gap. Sorry about that.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Could it be, that maybe they went and found a manufacturer?

Yeah that's what I meant by Philly outfit. A mfgr to make them and sell them. And if the patent was not assigned, they would get licensing fees out of the profit.

 

[bbbarracuda]

Found this Little Giant 14” 4 way pipe wrench
Not technically an adjustable wrench but plenty odd.
Interesting the patent date is wrong on the wrench, supposed to be Feb 4, 1913
Cleaned up nice.

 

[humber2]

^ from GTD Catalog 35 dated 1935

 

[Username already in use]

Recently acquired this Boos adjustable. Same as the one upthread posted by @LesserSon
@Private Lugnutz , I’ve put it in the trade pile for you.

 

[454ragtop]

Found ne of those Carll adjustables at the flea today. Had never heard of them, but a Google search led me here,

 

[Private Lugnutz]

@Private Lugnutz , I’ve put it in the trade pile for you.

Thanks, Unaiu.

 

[HeelSpur]

It's been 7 months since I wrote that, and I'm still not holding my breath, but I am breathing a little easier! If, as my saying goes, "One of anything is just one, two is a pair, but three is a collection," I am now just one "Auto-Grip" wrench away from a collection! Picked up this 10-incher at the flea market this morning.

Forgot to show the variant for these. Are you sure there is a 3rd size? Have only seen the 6 and 10" ones.

DSCF4007 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4008 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Are you sure there is a 3rd size? Have only seen the 6 and 10" ones.

No, I'm not sure. I'll have to double-check my notes on these.

///// BREAK /////

Speaking of things that may have come in twos, I just snagged my second c. 1918 era Stix-On Wrench this morning at the flea market, my usual haunt! These are spring-loaded. This one is a No. 1, and its capacity, as shown on the wrench itself, is 3/16" to 11/16". The one I found last January was a No. 2, and its capacity was 1/2" to 1-1/4". I will have to do some research to see if there were any others produced, but that's a pretty big range, and these are the only two I have ever seen on GJ or in the wild. Pic 7 shows both of them together. And more info on the wrench, the companies, and the patent(s) are in my original post, along with a link to DATAMP for even more, linked here.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I will have to do some research to see if there were any others produced,

Well, that didn't take long.

Looks like I will have to be on the look-out for a No. 3 to complete the Stix-on set! And at 1" to 2-1/4", it will be a bit of a whopper.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Are you sure there is a 3rd size? Have only seen the 6 and 10" ones.

You were right and, as in all these cases, I am glad I was wrong! Because I have the whole set (of two)!

 

[HeelSpur]

Thats good, as you can see I had an open space for a third but wasn't quite sure. Thanks.

DSCF2524 by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[HeelSpur]

I done a little rearranging but forgot about my auction buy so I guess I've got more to do. I wonder if this was made in the 6" version. If you ever buy from the Hibid of Nebraska you will pay an enormous shipping cost. They charged me $42 for what I could of fit into a medium flat rate box. All the tools loose and laid on the bottom with a huge amount of foam popcorn in an over=sized box. Live & learn .

DSCF4042 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4043 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4044 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[RTM]

If you ever buy from the Hibid of Nebraska you will pay an enormous shipping cost. They charged me $42 for what I could of fit into a medium flat rate box. All the tools loose and laid on the bottom with a huge amount of foam popcorn in an over=sized box. Live & learn .

I would not blame that on Hibid, that is the shipping firm that the local auction company contracts with. I’ve done several Hibid Nebraska auctions, and been quite satisfied with the shipping cost, as well as their packaging. You may have got a turd business partner, or an annoyed employee. I’d talk to your auction house, and ask them to have a chat with the shipper, and send pix.

 

[Fred Knox]

Here is my addition to the SUL wedge adjustable wrench club. In contrast to the models up-thread from roy_olson and Lugz (see post #48), this one is 7" long, with a 1" maximum opening. It has the reinforced/panelized look and is marked both "SUL", as well as "Made in Germany".

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is my addition to the SUL wedge adjustable wrench club.

Nice find! That "SUL" marking is much crisper than mine. If we could only figure out what it means, we'd be cookin'.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I have never found any information on "SUL" other than previously assuming it was German-made. Fred's specimen confirms that.
There's a U.S. - made wrench kinda-sorta somewhat similar.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Fred's specimen confirms that.

Not to take anything away from Fred or his fine specimen, but that was confirmed much earlier. See posts #38, 42, 48, and 208.

 

[HeelSpur]

Snagged this quick adjust off ebay, Seaholm & Sandell, Detroit, Mi.. Works smooth as silk.

DSCF4056 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4057 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4058 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Ooooo, I really like the shape of the housing on that wedgie, HeelSpur! Has a knuckles grip like look to it.

 

[HeelSpur]

Helwig Mfg. Co., The Wrenching News calls it rare.

US Patent: 1,502,192 - Wrench and Process of Manufacturing the Same

US patent 1,502,192 Wrench and Process of Manufacturing the Same was issued to John Helwig of St. Paul, MN. It was granted on 07/22/1924. The initial application was renewed Oct. 20, 1921. {br}The slotted frame and "lip" that retains the adjusting screw are "bowed" to allow the movable

www.datamp.org

DSCF4059 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4061 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4064 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF4063 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[454ragtop]

Lots of info, including dirty paper, here on the Eifel Plierench https://owwm.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=235305

 

[Fred Knox]

Two recent additions to the Adjustables collection:

a) 8" Carll Wrench (PAT'D May 6 - '13); great look and really nice condition
b) 10" Chromavan; one side is marked "STICKLE BACK" and the other side "GERMANY"

 

[RTM]

b) 10" Chromavan; one side is marked "STICKLE BACK" and the other side "GERMANY"

The stickleback wrench has shown up 2 other times

2014 Garage sale thread!

Quote: Is there a lift out tray in the SK box? [QUOTE="Davefr, post: 3989980, member: 46712"]No the tray is missing QUOTE] Does it have a front cover? If so can we see it with it off and the lid open?

www.garagejournal.com

SO wrench thats missing a piece of the open end?

I can't remember what they are called even though I had a few and sold them, I think they were calling it a ratcheting wrenc or something, it has the shortened open ended side so it's supposedly faster. Opinion of them? I'm guessing because you don't see them anymore, at least I cant find them...

www.garagejournal.com

I got interested in the name a while back, it was also used as a brand name for a rasp / file thing, never did track down the maker. I swore it had a fish on the logo for one, which should be Stichling, but that is drawing nothing too.

 

[four.cycle]

TEC / TEC Imports / "Stickleback" tool / patent 2652075 Sep 15 1953 Gunter Mannes, assignor to F. Aug. Honneknovel, Remscheid-Bliedinghausen, Germany / see Stichling-Werkzeugfabrik Honneknovel & Co /


Stichling / Stichling-Werkzeugfabrik Honneknovel & Co., Burger Strasse, Germany / patent 2652075 Sep 15 1953 & 3642038 Feb 15 1972 Gunter Mannes / see also TEC Imports (US) /

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Found one of those Carll adjustables at the flea today.

8" Carll Wrench

Nice find, guys. It's a pretty small club here. @3baygarage has one, and I've lost count of @d42jeep's.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Pollocks Automatic, surprisingly heavy.

Agreed! It is!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I just found it this morning at the flea. Man did my heart skip a beat! Interesting that it has a different, lighter natural steel finish than yours, or that black rustproofing on yours is all worn off of mine. Same marking.



I noted the unusual construction when you posted yours (citing my E. Edleman flaring tool, shown below, as using the same technique), but it's even more interesting up close. No need for a forge. Pressed steel frame and integrated plate steel. The reason it's so heavy, despite the pressed pot metal steel frame is that the steel pieces are so thick and the coil spring is so heavy and long.

The spring (shown clipped to the frame just under the trigger in one of the pics below) is very strong on these, as HeelSpur can attest. If you press the trigger, it will slam shut, which is not recommended. The point, though, is that the strong spring is what supplies the promoted "Automatic" gripping power when the jaws (2" max capacity) are latched onto a nut. Unlike conventional crescent-type adjustables, it will not loosen or slip.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Interesting history on those. I couldn't find a good summary anywhere, so I poked around. No US patent. British and Canadian. Charles V. Pollock tried making a go of it for a few years with his own outfit, then licensed to Wisconsin Stamped Steel Co. Per DATAMP, Pollock's great-grandson recently sent them photos of his great-grandad with only one arm - apparently, the inspiration for the wrench.

 

[Moldyjim]

Hey all here is a weird one, don't think it's been show before. ( or I didn't look hard enough...)
No logo or anything other than the word Germany on the shank.

Kinda crude handle, I wonder if it had some kind of covering originally.

It has a spring loaded wedge on the left side that you push in to allow the jaws to slide.

Only opens about 3/4" and closes down to 3/16 ish.

The fit up seems fairly quality but the handle has a funky shape.

Any ideas?

 

[Moldyjim]

These two are surprisingly nice to use. The little sheet metal toggle locks the jaw to whatever setting and hold it there. I found the first one and for the longest time I thought it was a custom made one off. Found the second one and tracked down to McMaster Carr, they still sell them. For a price.