Vintage RIDGID Pipe Wrenches

[SwampFox2190]

Thank you, Sir. I will look into the spring assembly and report back.

I also picked up this 14" via EBay on Friday night after a few beers... Too clean to pass up for the price. Looks to me to have older identifiers in the sqaured jaw , black coating/lack of paint, and patent #. But the ring would indicate 1948+, unless it was swapped out at some point. Date code from what I can see from the photo (I don't have it in hand yet) reads B37, which I am somewhere in between putting this one at 1947 or 1957. Either way, looks to be in almost new condition and I don't have any older models w/ the warranty decal still intact. It will get use just as the rest do!

 

[d42jeep]

The adjusting ring has been swapped out for a newer one. Nice example with the remaining original black paint and sticker. I would think that 1947 is likely.
-Don

 

[MRL83]

Thanks and welcome to GJ!

That's the only prerequisite there is for enjoying this forum!

Cool. When you start diving into other topics, note that there is an A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky at the top of the forum that essentially negates the tyranny of the forum's descending chronology.

Yes. Well done.

Good question and one I don't know the answer to. They experimented with so many different mechanisms over the years, I'm tempted to guess not. If you live near a good flea market, cannibalizing one from a donor of the same time period is a good option.

Long time follower, first time contributor. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread in its entirety!

Been a gatherer/user of old tools my whole life and recently dove into old Ridgids. Picked up this E10 offset a few weeks back for my daily use bag, beautiful patina and in great shape overall. Put it back to use day of delivery after I assume was a lengthy sabatical from turning pipe.

After reading through the whole thread, am I correct in assuming the date code B93 and identifiers would put this one at 1953? Also, it is missing the internal spring assembly. Are the current factory parts compatible w/ the older models? Still grips just fine, but a decent amount of play in the dynamic jaw and handle body.

Long time follower, first time contributor. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread in its entirety!

Been a gatherer/user of old tools my whole life and recently dove into old Ridgids. Picked up this E10 offset a few weeks back for my daily use bag, beautiful patina and in great shape overall. Put it back to use day of delivery after I assume was a lengthy sabatical from turning pipe.

After reading through the whole thread, am I correct in assuming the date code B93 and identifiers would put this one at 1953? Also, it is missing the internal spring assembly. Are the current factory parts compatible w/ the older models? Still grips just fine, but a decent amount of play in the dynamic jaw and handle body.

Long time follower, first time contributor. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread in its entirety!

Been a gatherer/user of old tools my whole life and recently dove into old Ridgids. Picked up this E10 offset a few weeks back for my daily use bag, beautiful patina and in great shape overall. Put it back to use day of delivery after I assume was a lengthy sabatical from turning pipe.

After reading through the whole thread, am I correct in assuming the date code B93 and identifiers would put this one at 1953? Also, it is missing the internal spring assembly. Are the current factory parts compatible w/ the older models? Still grips just fine, but a decent amount of play in the dynamic jaw and handle body.

SwampFox, to answer your question about current factory parts being compatible with older wrenches, it’s been my experience that new springs, jaws, rings are all compatible with even the oldest wrenches. And a lot of those parts are available on eBay, usually for a few bucks. (I have quite an embarrassment of “riches” due to countless hours getting lost and carried away trolling eBay.)
Just make sure you get a spring set for a straight or angled wrench. Most people (myself included), refer to an angled wrench as an “offset” wrench, where as RIDGID’s definition of offset is the wrench where the dynamic jaw goes through the handle at 90*.
Straight and angled wrenches use the same spring, an “offset” spring will only fit an offset wrench.
Hope that helps some, good luck!

 

[SwampFox2190]

@MRL83 I did just swap out the spring assembly on a newer alum 10" straight and it fit just fine in the E10 offset. Got another assembly order for $7 and change. Good to know!

 

[SwampFox2190]

Two 6"s I recently picked up. Am I correct in dating the older one to 1942 via the stamp on the jaw B-4-2?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Am I correct in dating the older one to 1942 via the stamp on the jaw B-4-2?

Yes.

The photo is also a great illustration of the next generation and the feature differences. Red finish (vs. Black or none), rounded off end of dynamic jaw (vs. squared off end), the recess in the middle of the adjusting nut (vs. Fully knurled). But note how identical the overall profile and shape are, except for the slight flare around the hanging hole), static jaw/handle, housing, trademarked swashplate, etc.

 

[four.cycle]

Ridgid 18 in pipe wrench (patent 1727623)(code A6-2) 05/11/26 (after removal from evaporust bath)


Ridgid 18 in pipe wrench (patent 1727623)(code A6-2) 05/12/26

 

[d42jeep]

Nice 1942 18” example. Here is an 18“ Ridgid from 1945.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

Nice 1942 18” example.

It was heavily rusted. To the point it sat in the Evaporust for well over a week.
You all did notice the traces of black paint, right?
Even after all the wire-wheeling, there's still a few specks of black paint in the hanger hole.

At @RTM's suggestion, I cut the BLO with turpentine, rubbed it on, and then wiped it down after several hours. Dried overnight. Looks great.