My small but growing DBE wrench collection
- Thread starter BlueBomber
- Start date
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Ooooh, those look early! I don't have any with "Defiance" on them. Neat find!
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Yep, confirmed on AA, likely 1930s to 1940s: http://alloy-artifacts.org/lectrolite-corp.html#history
twertsy
Well-known member
Is there a separate number anywhere on the shank? It would likely be outside the depressed panel if there is one.
twertsy
Well-known member
They both have an extra C? That helps of so. Nothing definitive but could be 1935........working on those codes
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OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
I added another Lectrolite Tru-Fit to the collection, this one a 3006 15/16" x 1" with the distinctly hex-shaped handle.
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
I nearly forgot about this eBay purchase.
Five DBEs, because I'm not counting the Great Neck Snap-on knockoff.
Forged steel (Indestro) deep offset stubby, 3/4" x 25/32"
Duro/Indestro 934AMM deep offset stubby, 18mm x 19mm
Walden 1459 deep offset, 9/16" x 5/8"--first!
Barcalo scooped stubby, 5/8" x 3/4"
Barcalo scooped 11/16" x 3/4"
I liked finding the two Indestro 934 variants in one sale--they couldn't be more different.
Five DBEs, because I'm not counting the Great Neck Snap-on knockoff.
Forged steel (Indestro) deep offset stubby, 3/4" x 25/32"
Duro/Indestro 934AMM deep offset stubby, 18mm x 19mm
Walden 1459 deep offset, 9/16" x 5/8"--first!
Barcalo scooped stubby, 5/8" x 3/4"
Barcalo scooped 11/16" x 3/4"
I liked finding the two Indestro 934 variants in one sale--they couldn't be more different.
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Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
Couple Walden shorties with an S-K friend. The Waldens have identical stamping on both sides.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
four.cycle
Well-known member
1/2" & 3/4" ?!?!?!
that's kind of an odd duck
that's kind of an odd duck
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Yeah I thought so too. Its actually what tipped it over for me to buy it.
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Cool Fairmount, Outlaw. I love to see the oddballs.
jakemac
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3baygarage
Well-known member
Thought this was kind of odd.
I had to grab this old school Cornwell. It is 3/8 SAE by 7/16 SAE. Different measurement system, so larger 3/8 x 7/16 than we all know today.
^ Nice pickup Jake. Looks like a set.
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Outlawmws
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So actual size is more like 9/16 & 5/8?
3baygarage
Well-known member
It looks closer to those sizes but I don't think its the same. Don't have an inside measuring tool handy.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Just stick them on a bolt head.
3baygarage
Well-known member
Yes, the easiest test! Nothing handy right now Outlaw. I have read that the stamped sizes in those days corresponded with bolt diameter, not bolt head diameter.
Edit: the pictures don't show anything other than I found a 9/16" and 5/8" nut and put them in two other wrenches, but no they are not equal as far as I can tell. 7/16 SAE is larger than 5/8". 3/8 SAE is close but sloppier than 9/16".
This is a very, very scientific study by the way.
Edit: the pictures don't show anything other than I found a 9/16" and 5/8" nut and put them in two other wrenches, but no they are not equal as far as I can tell. 7/16 SAE is larger than 5/8". 3/8 SAE is close but sloppier than 9/16".
This is a very, very scientific study by the way.
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twertsy
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Rileysan
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I went to a "Moving Sale" at a farmhouse this past weekend. I have learned not to get my hopes up, but this one was over-the-top as the family was moving grandpa away from the family farm of 60 years. I had a heyday out there and could have spent all day. I came away with a trunk load of stuff including any DBE I could find. There were long C Craftsman, Indestro, and several others.
Sorry, you'll have to wait for me to sort through the box of stuff before I get pictures.
Until then, here's a photo of a few others I acquired in the past week.
Blackhawk 15818 (from a trade with another GJ member)
Penens 6428
Western Giant
Brian
Sorry, you'll have to wait for me to sort through the box of stuff before I get pictures.
Until then, here's a photo of a few others I acquired in the past week.
Blackhawk 15818 (from a trade with another GJ member)
Penens 6428
Western Giant
Brian
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Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
I did not find any DBEs this weekend, but I found a few at the flea market today.
Top to bottom: select steel, Penens, unbranded RP, wards lakeside, Ford.
Top to bottom: select steel, Penens, unbranded RP, wards lakeside, Ford.
Rileysan
Well-known member
I did not find any DBEs this weekend, but I found a few at the flea market today.
I just got one of those Ford DBE wrenches too! It's a part of the barn sale I went to this weekend.
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Dude, we're salivating out here!! Can't wait to see the pics in the Garage Sale thread!!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I have five of those Ford DBE's , (among over 30 Ford tools overall)
twertsy
Well-known member
I see those a lot but never grab them. I have only snagged the ones with off forge marks for research.
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Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
It was from a lot, with a couple of DBE, although it's my first I see they are common as dirt. I have had couple of sellers point out DOE ford wrenches in a box lot. They claim they are the gems in a box full of Herbrand, Williams, and Billings!??!
twertsy
Well-known member
A couple years ago those were bringing decent money.
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OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
I recently received two Ford wrench DOEs in a lot that I bought for the DBEs. A close up is in about the 3rd picture down.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327403&page=9
I think I'm up to five Ford tools now (they are at work on my "trophy" table).
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I'll always get them if cheap.
We used to get them for a buddy's father that collected them. I never got out of the habit except when people thought they were gold...
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Ten more DBEs off of Ebay arrived today. I averaged just under $3 per wrench. These are mostly rust free, so I'm pretty pleased with them.
Giller 2230 deep offset, 15/16" x 1"
2x Challenger 6432 offset, 15/16" x 1"
Thorsen deep offset, 7/8" x 3/4"
Thorsen 2280 offset, with a Vlchek star on the back, 15/16" x 1"
Duro-Chrome 2056 deep offset, 15/16" x 1"
S-K Wayne B-2224 offset, 11/16" x 3/4"
S-K Wayne B-2628 offset, 13/16" x 7/8"
S-K Wayne B-3032 offset, 15/16" x 1"
S-K Lectrolite B-3032 offset, 15/16" x 1"
The auction also included three combos. I have no interest in expanding to vintage combos, so if anyone wants to trade, PM me.
Giller 2230 deep offset, 15/16" x 1"
2x Challenger 6432 offset, 15/16" x 1"
Thorsen deep offset, 7/8" x 3/4"
Thorsen 2280 offset, with a Vlchek star on the back, 15/16" x 1"
Duro-Chrome 2056 deep offset, 15/16" x 1"
S-K Wayne B-2224 offset, 11/16" x 3/4"
S-K Wayne B-2628 offset, 13/16" x 7/8"
S-K Wayne B-3032 offset, 15/16" x 1"
S-K Lectrolite B-3032 offset, 15/16" x 1"
The auction also included three combos. I have no interest in expanding to vintage combos, so if anyone wants to trade, PM me.
OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Here's an illustration of a tidbit from Alloy Artifacts. Giller and Thorsen were acquired by the Hydrometal Company in the '60s and may have used the same production facilities. Take a look at these three and you'll likely be convinced as I am that there's no "may" about it.
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
My understanding was that much if not all of Giller's sales (primarily to the Gov.) were subcontracted out to other companies. So not unusual at all to see Giller on what is clearly other mfg's tooling.
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OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
The bit on AA says that Giller "appeared to be" a defense contractor due to the government contracts they were on record as having won. They were acquired by Hydrometal in 1963 and when Hydrometal bought Thorsen in 1969, they made Giller an operating division of Thorsen. AA then conjectures that's why so much Giller stuff looks like Thorsen stuff.
I think its neat that the other Thorsen has a Vlchek star on it. I know they contracted for a lot of brands, but wow--did they get around!
I think its neat that the other Thorsen has a Vlchek star on it. I know they contracted for a lot of brands, but wow--did they get around!
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four.cycle
Well-known member
Thorsen was manufacturing stuff in Oakland California in the 1960s.
Giller was in Dallas Texas.
At some point Thorsen started manufacturing stuff in Dallas, Texas.
I do not know dates.
From other comments here, it sounds like Thorsen was selling to the public as well as GSA/military and private label contracts, and Giller was geared more toward GSA/military contracts. (Not confirmed, but I've seen at least two members here make comments to that effect.)
The later tools are exactly the same, including the part numbers. Only way you can tell which is which is the brand name stamped on the socket or ratchet or extension. I do not own any Giller wrenches, only Thorsen. I do have several Thorsen socket sets, and a couple Giller sets.
The Giller socket boxes are built like tanks - well designed and constructed. Better than most of the Thorsen boxes (at least those that I have.)
Giller was in Dallas Texas.
At some point Thorsen started manufacturing stuff in Dallas, Texas.
I do not know dates.
From other comments here, it sounds like Thorsen was selling to the public as well as GSA/military and private label contracts, and Giller was geared more toward GSA/military contracts. (Not confirmed, but I've seen at least two members here make comments to that effect.)
The later tools are exactly the same, including the part numbers. Only way you can tell which is which is the brand name stamped on the socket or ratchet or extension. I do not own any Giller wrenches, only Thorsen. I do have several Thorsen socket sets, and a couple Giller sets.
The Giller socket boxes are built like tanks - well designed and constructed. Better than most of the Thorsen boxes (at least those that I have.)
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OP
BlueBomber
Well-known member
Thirteen more for the collection from yet another Ebay buy, at about a dollar per.
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 1-1/8" x 1-1/16"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 1" x 15/16"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 7/8" x 13/16"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 25/32" x 3/4"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 11/16" x 5/8"
Forged Select Steel deep offset, 5/8" x 11/16"
Sears deep offset, 11/16" x 5/8"
Craftsman angled, 5/8" x 3/4"
Craftsman angled, 11/16" x 13/16"
Lectrolite Tru-Fit hex-handled 3002 deep offset, 1/2" x 9/16"--slowly filling out this set!
Bonney Bonalloy 2806L deep offset, 5/8" x 9/16"
Bonney B- shield 6481, straight thin box on one end, deep box on the other, no size markings but checks out as 9/16" x 5/8"
Bonney 2804 deep offset stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 1-1/8" x 1-1/16"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 1" x 15/16"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 7/8" x 13/16"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 25/32" x 3/4"
Barcalo Buffalo deep offset, 11/16" x 5/8"
Forged Select Steel deep offset, 5/8" x 11/16"
Sears deep offset, 11/16" x 5/8"
Craftsman angled, 5/8" x 3/4"
Craftsman angled, 11/16" x 13/16"
Lectrolite Tru-Fit hex-handled 3002 deep offset, 1/2" x 9/16"--slowly filling out this set!
Bonney Bonalloy 2806L deep offset, 5/8" x 9/16"
Bonney B- shield 6481, straight thin box on one end, deep box on the other, no size markings but checks out as 9/16" x 5/8"
Bonney 2804 deep offset stubby, 3/8" x 7/16"