Diamond Calk Horseshoe Adjustable Wrench

[RTM]

Here are my Diamond Calk wrenches, all accumulated at garage and estate sales over the years. I especially like the 4" ones. I think only 2nd from bottom is missing the horseshoe.

 

[Stuart in MN]

As long as we're going back to that, and sort of sideways, there was a wrench patented by the Neverslip Mfg Co of New Brunswick, NJ to turn the calks in and out of the shoes. They are popular with the horse-and-buggy tools collector set, and I don't have one (I'd like to run into one eventually...) to show, but I did post an illustration and talk about it on a thread for a pair of lineman's pliers with replaceable jaws that the same company made. Linked here.

I played high school football long enough ago that we still used screw-in metal tipped cleats on our football shoes. There was a little stamped steel hex wrench used to install or remove them, but I have no idea who made it. I imagine it was supplied by the shoe manufacturers.

 

[Targa68]

Hi

A 1950's Diamalloy HL112.

12 inch water pump pliers, marked "Groove-Joint" and "Duluth, U.S.A." with the Diamalloy logo.

 

[Y00PER]

Here's mine. The 8" is Diamond Calk, the other 2 are Diamond Tool. And the rest of my Diamond stuff, just because

 

[d42jeep]

I checked Lugz’ Sticky for a vintage Diamond thread. I didn’t see one listed so after a search it looks like this one is the best choice. During some tool reorganizing on Monday, I took a picture of several wartime Diamond adjustable wrenches. I’m also adding before and after pictures of finds from last weekend showing the results of cleanup with evaporust.
-Don

 

[RubiconJK]

I checked Lugz’ Sticky for a vintage Diamond thread. I didn’t see one listed so after a search it looks like this one is the best choice. During some tool reorganizing on Monday, I took a picture of several wartime Diamond adjustable wrenches. I’m also adding before and after pictures of finds from last weekend showing the results of cleanup with evaporust.
-Don

Great looking line up of adjustables. I need to buy stock in Evaporust!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I checked Lugz’ Sticky for a vintage Diamond thread. I didn’t see one listed so after a search it looks like this one is the best choice.

I'll put it on the list for the update.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I use the Sticky almost every day. It’s a real timesaver. Thanks for getting it done.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Same here! No more fishing through umpteen pages of subscribed threads!

 

[d42jeep]

Even though they are a little newer than Diamond Calk, I was happy to pick up this batch of NOS Diamond tools. I’ve had good luck selling the ones with the green handles on eBay and 4” adjustables are popular. They were dirty from storage but cleaned up okay.
-Don
-

 

[Shiftless]

Great score Don!

Here is my old 8 inch Diamond Calk. (Garage sale find)

 

[RubiconJK]

What a great find Don! Congrats.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks Rube,
I was very surprised to see them sitting at the sale.
I found these lying around and cleaned them up a bit yesterday. I apparently had forgotten to post them on this thread.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Multiple 4”, that’s a sweet find Don, well done.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. According to Dan, the estate sale guy, the previous owner was a Diamond distributor. There was an acquaintance there that I’ve known for quite a while who grabbed plenty more after I told him about them. I think they all went pretty quickly. Here are a pair of pliers that weren’t packaged that I’ll keep as users.
-Don

 

[Stuart in MN]

Epstein Tools still has some pliers and an auto wrench listed for sale on their website. I picked up a pair of the pliers when I stopped by their store last summer. https://www.harryepstein.com/tool-brand/diamond-tool.html

 

[WWShop]

I have all sizes and love using them all. Here is a pic of my 15", 18" and 24"

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve been keeping my non-wartime Diamond tools in a Kennedy carry box.
-Don

 

[4xdog]

I have a few Diamond tools, some like this pair bought new 40 or more years ago. The little 4" wrench gets used often -- looks like a toy but works surprisingly well.

The screwdriver has been one of my favorite slotted drivers for a long time. Haven't seen much discussion of Diamond screwdrivers on here.

 

[bonneyman]

I came across a really rusted reefer wrench the other day. When I got the encrusted oxide off I found Diamond with a horse shoe logo.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

First one I have ever seen.

 

[toolmiser]

Has anyone ever made out a timeline list?

Thanks

 

[11b30b4]

I have a 10" wrench I got from my uncle years ago. Based on the information on http://alloy-artifacts.org/, I estimate it to date back to 1940-1948.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You won't see this on AA, but most of the examples of that same style that I own or have seen that are plain steel, not chrome plated, or are cadmium plated, do not have the horseshoe logo. I have concluded that they dropped the logo from wartime production. Yours is probably just before or just after the war.

 

[ejot]

I like these.

Here is my set of early ones, with "USA" after "MINN". Actually the 15" is slightly later, or I put the wrong wrench in front.
The 18" is in very bad shape. The early 18" don't seem to come around too often. This one needs a fix I haven't figured out how to do yet. The other ones do get used.

Couple other interesting ones. My favorite the 24" with a weld, a 12" with a different style branding, and a 6" with the Diamalloy on the "wrong" side. I'm really curious about that last one, have not yet seen another.

 

[d42jeep]

I like these.

Here is my set of early ones, with "USA" after "MINN". Actually the 15" is slightly later, or I put the wrong wrench in front.
The 18" is in very bad shape. The early 18" don't seem to come around too often. This one needs a fix I haven't figured out how to do yet. The other ones do get used.

Couple other interesting ones. My favorite the 24" with a weld, a 12" with a different style branding, and a 6" with the Diamalloy on the "wrong" side. I'm really curious about that last one, have not yet seen another.

Your 6” Diamalloy with the broached hanging hole was likely made around WW2 and is probably missing the horseshoe logo.
-Don

 

[ejot]

Correct, no horseshoe logo.

What I found most interesting about that one, the sides are reversed.
Note below how that's the only one with the Dimalloy/Diamond logo side showing when all the jaws point same direction. Have not found another like that.

I also find lots of 10IN and 12IN non-logo, non-broached, black oxide, and like these a lot. But the matching 4",6",8" have eluded me. It seems the smaller ones from this era tend to mark the inch unit with a quote instead of "IN", this is a little OCD trigger for me.

And here's my early 15". I did have the wrong one showing in the group pic.

 

[Fred Knox]

I just stumbled upon this 24” Diamond Calk Horseshoe adjustable wrench (still needs to be cleaned up). I thought I’d post it with my other 1940s - late 1950s Diamond adjustables (one 8” “no hammering” one too).

 

[RTM]

You're gonna need a bigger boat... Or maybe camera.

 

[ejot]

I recently picked up another first generation 18", this one with a bent handle but super clean jaws. As if it'd been bent, replaced, then cast aside and forgotten about early in its life. Should be a pretty easy fix. It's at work so I'll get some pics tomorrow.

 

[Username already in use]

I saw this posted on the marketplace. Snagged the images for this thread.

 

[four.cycle]

if this really is what he says it is, it would be remiss of me to not bring it to your attention:

Ebay or Auction Deals Permathread!

* shipping costs may vary depending upon location! * Langline SAE flat ratcheting box end wrench set w/roll up pouch used. engraved. cheap. https://www.ebay.com/itm/274894768772 SOLD 08/07 12:53 PDT

www.garagejournal.com

 

[d42jeep]

I found this 4” wartime looking example missing the horseshoe yesterday. It was frozen up when it came out of the evaporust but with a generous soaking in penetrating oil if finally freed up. I took it apart, cleaned the pieces and lubed and loctited the pin.
-Don

 

[MarkH]

We are missing the famous double end adjustables. Like a 6" on one side 8" on the other side. Someone needs to post that.
I have only seen them by diamond. I did not buy them I was looking for the green ones and the ones with the box end built in the hanging hole.

For diamond Alloy Artifacts covers them. I saw almost all of the ones we have had in the last century there.

 

[Shelbylex]

Well, let me add a picture of mine.

 

[ejot]

I recently picked up another first generation 18", this one with a bent handle but super clean jaws. As if it'd been bent, replaced, then cast aside and forgotten about early in its life. Should be a pretty easy fix. It's at work so I'll get some pics tomorrow.

Forgot about this, just grabbed some pics. Has a few more dings than I was imagining, but not bad for about 90-100 years old.
The first generation 18" is probably my favorite Diamond adjustable.

The unpainted one is frozen and has a destroyed pin, will be a tough repair.
Red one is the newer find, smooth as butter and will be an easy refurb.

At one point I'd started cataloging the "A###" casing mark that appear on some of these. I recall conclusions being,
- earlier = more likely to be marked, but possibly inconsistent across sizes
- first digit after A corresponds to size. 7=18", 6=15", 5=12", 4=10", 3=8", 2=6, 1=4". This earlist series did not yet include 24" afaik.
- second two digits = ??? my best guess was a mold revision, lower numbers maybe seemed earlier

Curious if anyone knows more.
Red one has the mark, other one doesn't.

 

[RubiconJK]

We are missing the famous double end adjustables. Like a 6" on one side 8" on the other side. Someone needs to post that.
I have only seen them by diamond. I did not buy them I was looking for the green ones and the ones with the box end built in the hanging hole.

For diamond Alloy Artifacts covers them. I saw almost all of the ones we have had in the last century there.

Seems like its been a minute or two since getting on GJ, but this looks as good a place as any to re-enter the fray. My retirement back in June and subsequent RV journeying has taken over my time, but targeted tool accumulation continues.
To MarkH's request above, here are two of my double ended adjustables. One is a Diamond Calk and the other is a Crescent.

 

[d42jeep]

I don’t have many pictures of double end wrenches because I resell then as soon as I find them. I think the really odd ones are the tools with pliers on one end and an adjustable wrench on the other.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Forgot about this, just grabbed some pics. Has a few more dings than I was imagining, but not bad for about 90-100 years old.
The first generation 18" is probably my favorite Diamond adjustable.

The unpainted one is frozen and has a destroyed pin, will be a tough repair.
Red one is the newer find, smooth as butter and will be an easy refurb.

At one point I'd started cataloging the "A###" casing mark that appear on some of these. I recall conclusions being,
- earlier = more likely to be marked, but possibly inconsistent across sizes
- first digit after A corresponds to size. 7=18", 6=15", 5=12", 4=10", 3=8", 2=6, 1=4". This earlist series did not yet include 24" afaik.
- second two digits = ??? my best guess was a mold revision, lower numbers maybe seemed earlier

Curious if anyone knows more.
Red one has the mark, other one doesn't.

I only have one wrench with the code and it seems early without the reinforced hanging hole.
-Don

 

[Dennis Leigh Henry]

I'll have to remember to add my picts (update from last time I was on this thread) maybe tonight...