J.E. Wakefield Wrench Co., Worcester, Ma. - "Wizard" wrenches

four.cycle · Nov 26, 2017

In response to Private Lugnutz's post earlier today HERE:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6853527&highlight=wizard#post6853527

... and after running searches here for both "Wizard" and "Wakefield", I am taking the liberty of starting this new "Wakefield" thread.

Primarily known for their wrenches, Wakefield apparently also made sockets and drive accessories. The only example that I've seen is in a post by member Pendragon1998 HERE:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205666

There's a little bit of information about the Wakefield Company at Alloy-Artifacts HERE:
http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html#wakefield

I come up with two different patents issued to Wakefield:
patent 454,893
patent 657,326

...and Private_Lugnutz came up with another patent number:
patent 1,435,548

The only information I have on Wakefield is a catalog page from the 1930 Union Hardware Company's catalog, but unfortunately I am unable to make out enough detail to determine which of the items shown are Wakefield, other than the two which are second and third from the top on the right hand side of the page:

1930 Union Hardware catalog Wakefield ad pp 300 by four.cycle, on Flickr

The company was founded by John E. Wakefield, who is credited in the illustration as having been the first to manufacture "the modern bicycle wrench."
Management of the company was later taken on by his son, Clarence E. Wakefield

Clarence E. Wakefield - from 1917 'Men of Wakefield in Caricature - Luther Curtis Phifer, Worcester, Massachusetts by four.cycle, on Flickr

John E. Wakefield - from 1917 'Men of Wakefield in Caricature - Luther Curtis Phifer, Worcester, Massachusetts by four.cycle, on Flickr

four.cycle · Nov 26, 2017

The Wakefield product in my collection includes this "Wizard" nut and tap wrench set.
The original tapered screw looks like it's long enough to accommodate another wrench. Something tells me the set also originally included a 1/4" x 5/16" wrench, but I could well be mistaken.
Unfortunately the original wing nut has been lost and replaced with a modern-era piece.

J.E. Wakefield 'Wizard' SAE nut and tap wrench set 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

J.E. Wakefield 'Wizard' SAE nut and tap wrench set 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

J.E. Wakefield 'Wizard' SAE nut and tap wrench set 03 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Private Lugnutz · Nov 26, 2017

That's a terrific set, four.cycle!

Note that the logo is a "solid" (for wont of a better term) stamping, like my slip-joint pliers (date unknown), rather than an "outline" stamping, like my No. 19 adjustable auto/bicycle wrench (1919-1922).

I wonder, as we gather more examples and hopefully perhaps more historical reference points, if we can begin to shape something of a timeline together.

woody 73 · Nov 26, 2017

Good job great story. :beer:

Private Lugnutz · Nov 26, 2017

Brian,

Regarding the catalog page you posted...

The last wrench on the left-hand side of the page (No. 17, No. 19, and No. 100) is clearly a Wakefield Wizard. Look at the model numbers (my wrench is an example of the 9-inch No. 19 cited in the list), the construction of the sliding jaw housing and its attachment to the static jaw. On top of that, the statement in the ad that reads "PATENTS PENDING IN U.S.A. AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES" is actually stamped verbatim into the handle of my wrench. Based on the construction of the wrench above it (No. 2), I’d say that it is a Wakefield as well.

EDIT: Added a zoomed-in thumbnail of that part of the page from the catalog

What's a little mystifying to me is the date of the Union Hardware Store catalog.

The Wakefield patent for that wrench (1,435,548), which can be seen on the USPTO site here, was applied for on May 9, 1919, and granted on Nov 14, 1922.

Note again that my example of that wrench has no patent or patent date. It reads 'REG. U.S. PAT. OFFICE' and 'PATENTS PENDING IN U.S.A. AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES' as noted above. (See thumbnail for close-up of the entire marking, or the larger photo above.)

Now note that Alloy Artifacts has an example of the same exact wrench as mine (also a No. 19), which can be seen here, only their wrench is stamped “PAT’D NOV 14, 1922”.

The implication is that mine was made after they applied for the patent but before it was granted while the AA wrench was made after it was granted.

The question is - Why would Wakefield still be advertising the wrench as PATENTS PENDING in 1930? I'm wondering if the document was attributed to 1930 incorrectly.

pendragon1998 · Nov 26, 2017

Here's my example, referenced in the original post. It came along with a vintage circular saw from Goodwill. It's a Wakefield double-ended hex drive socket driver that came with two 12-point sockets (1/2" and 11/16"). It has ball detents on each end. Alloy Artifacts says Wakefield Wrench Company operated in Worcester, Mass, starting in the 1890s, but they don't have any info on a hex driver like the one I have. It was probably being used for blade changes on the saw.

If better photos are desired, I'm happy to accommodate.

four.cycle · Nov 27, 2017

^ Thanks Pendragon!

Private Lugnutz said:
I'm wondering if the document was attributed to 1930 incorrectly.

^ That is always a possibility!

After looking in that folder, I have 41 files tagged "1930 Union Hardware". What are the odds of that Ebay seller assigning the wrong date to all of them?
I would not be surprised at all if the catalog page was inadvertently marked with the wrong date.
I think we can trust the dates on patent numbers, right?
Wonder how many of the other 40 pages might offer a clue?

And.... am I confused, or wasn't "Sterling" a moniker used by Mossberg on some of their bicycle wrenches?

Mossberg No. 1 'Sterling' 5-inch bicycle wrench (patent 661810) (Ebay 352216879726).jpg

Private Lugnutz · Nov 27, 2017

four.cycle said:
And.... am I confused, or wasn't "Sterling" a moniker used by Mossberg on some of their bicycle wrenches?

It was. And the "A-1" in the price list on the wrench above is also Mossberg nomenclature. But those aren't Mossberg wrenches. The housing on the moving jaw is two different pieces of steel riveted or pinned together with two rivets/pins on either side of the adjusting nut. The way Wakefield did it. And Mossberg's patents were in the late 1890's, 1900 and 1902 range. I don't think we can trust hardware store ads, assembled at their own discretion, for their own retail purposes, the same way we can trust OEM catalogs.

four.cycle · Nov 27, 2017

Private Lugnutz said:
I don't think we can trust hardware store ads, assembled at their own discretion, for their own retail purposes, the same way we can trust OEM catalogs.

No question about that.

Posting some stuff in another thread a couple minutes ago I just ran into another instance of dates not matching on the same catalog ad - was it from 1932 or 1937? I guess it depends on which Ebay seller posted it. :headscrat

Al Borland · Nov 27, 2017

I wish I had seen the first catalog page a couple months ago.
I was cleaning out my garage, and there was a drawer full of the brace sockets. They were there 26 years ago when I bought my house.
Square and hex nut type. No maker's identification that I could find, and I had no idea what they were for and so I circular-filed them. Never thought about turning them with an old-fashioned brace. (And I HAVE one...)
The picture doesn't do a good job of showing just how goofy looking the sockets actually are.

four.cycle · Jan 2, 2018

J.E. Wakefield Wrench Co. model 8-R 11-piece 1/2" hex drive SAE socket set

The ratchet is stamped "Wakefield Ratchet Worcester Mass. USA" on one side.
On the other side it is stamped "Pat. July 12, 1910 Pats Pending".

The patent stamp refers to US patent 963895 issued July 12, 1910 to Herbert L. Houghton.

The "ELL" wrench is stamped "Wakefield made in Worcester Mass."

The sockets are stamped only with the sizes. There are no markings on the drive adapter.

The only identifying mark on the unique holder is the decal showing the model number.

J.E. Wakefield 8-R 11-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set 01.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 8-R 11-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set 02.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 8-R 11-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set 03.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 8-R 11-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set 04.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 8-R 11-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set 05.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 8-R 11-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set 06.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 8-R 11-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set 07.jpg

four.cycle · Jan 2, 2018

Here's the schematic drawing from the patent on the model 24 ratchet in the set above, showing a rather unusual design:

Wakefield No. 24 Ratchet patent 963895 July 12 1910 H.L. Houghton.jpg

454ragtop · Jan 3, 2018

I seem to remember "Wizard" being the house brand of Western Auto stores, a chain of automotive/speed shops around this way. Still at least 1 left, in Hanover, used to be 1 in Plymouth and a huge one in Weymouth.

ganymede · Jan 3, 2018

454ragtop said:
.... Still at least 1 left, in Hanover, used to be 1 in Plymouth and a huge one in Weymouth.

I had no idea there were any up here. Surprised that wizard (western auto) tools aren't more common.

four.cycle · Jan 3, 2018

J.E. Wakefield 5-pc SAE open-end wrench set with original pouch

W No. 40 7/16" x 1/2"

W No. 50 9/16" x 19/32"

W No. 60 5/8" x 11/16"

Wakefield No. 70 3/4" x 25/32" - marked "Made in Worcester, Mass. U.S.A."

Wakefield No. 80 7/8" x 1" - marked "Made in Worcester, Mass. U.S.A."

All pieces are stamped on back "Monitor Controller Co."

J.E. Wakefield 5-pc SAE open-end wrench set 01.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 5-pc SAE open-end wrench set 02.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 5-pc SAE open-end wrench set 03.jpg

J.E. Wakefield 5-pc SAE open-end wrench set 04.jpg

four.cycle · Jan 3, 2018

454ragtop said:
"I seem to remember "Wizard" being the house brand of Western Auto stores..."

"Wizard" was a private-label brand name used by Western Auto. Some of the "Wizard" brand items (sockets, ratchets, and drive tools) were made by Indestro.
(* see http://alloy-artifacts.org/western-auto-supply.html *)

1952 Wizard - Westcraft tool ad pp 239.jpg

There was no connection between Western Auto's and Wakefield's "Wizard".

And then there's The Wizard Adjustable Ratchet that was made by The Richards Manufacturing Company in Aurora, Illinois. (Patent 854174 May 21, 1907)

(* see https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109012 )
(* see http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html )
(* see http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=17464 )

I'm taking the liberty of re-posting the photo images posted by GJ member carder69 in 2011 here:

Richards Wizard Adjustable Ratchet patent 854174 May 21 1907 (photo carder69 GJ) 01.jpg

Richards Wizard Adjustable Ratchet patent 854174 May 21 1907 (photo carder69 GJ) 02.jpg.jpg

Here are some early catalog advertisements for the Richards "Wizard Adjustable Ratchet":

Richards Wizard Adjustable Ratchet Wrench - 1909 W. Bingham Co. catalog pp 623.jpg

Richards Wizard Adjustable Ratchet - 1910 Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Co. catalog pp 335.jpg

Richards Wizard Adjustable Ratchet No. 165 - 1915 Michigan Hardware Co. catalog pp 269.jpg

And it's anybody's guess who manufactured the ubiquitous "Wizard Jar Wrench":

It would seem that as it was in Middle Earth, there is more than one Wizard in the tool world.

dkroth · Jan 3, 2018

four.cycle said:
And then there's The Wizard Adjustable Ratchet that was made by The Richards Manufacturing Company in Aurora, Illinois. (Patent 854174 May 21, 1907)

Timely:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Richards-MFG-CO-Wizard-Adjustable-Ratcheting-Wrench-Old-tool/322971816663?hash=item4b329ed2d7:g:dNsAAOSwYc5aRqX1

.

four.cycle · Jan 17, 2018

J.E. Wakefield No. 45 1/2" x 9/16" open-end wrench

J.E. Wakefield No. 55 1/2" x 9/16" open-end wrench

both stamped "Wakefield Made in Worcester, Mass., U.S.A." on face side.
the back sides on both are blank.

d42jeep · Feb 23, 2018

I found one today
-Don

davethorik · Feb 24, 2018

So what about my Wizard prybar, where does this fit in?

Marked "WIZARD NO. 4H6910" as well as "MADE IN U.S.A." on the opposite side. 18" long, 3/4" hex stock.

I couldn't find much on Google. Edit: looked at ebay and looks like the part number is similar to other Western Auto Wizard tools.

Also, what is this style of pry bar called? I think if I knew a more precise name, that might help in the search. Edit 2: this style bar is called an "offset double ended ripping bar."

four.cycle · Feb 24, 2018

^ I'm going with Western Auto's "Wizard" on that one.

Private Lugnutz · Jun 29, 2018

As first reported on the 218 Garage Sale thread, I found my third Wakefield tool at the Early Bird this morning. Unlike the first two (shown in post #3), this one is not a WIZARD brand, probably because it's older than those. It's a bike wrench, 6 inches in length, marked “WAKEFIELD WRENCH, WORCESTER, MASS., U.S.A.” on the floating jaw (See Pics 1 & 2), which slides in and out, and completely out, of that pressed steel sleeve. It's also marked “No. 8” and “PAT. SEPT. 4, 1900” on the flip side of the floating jaw (See Pic 3). That patent date is in reference to patent # 657,326. DATAMP has a nice summary, patent diagram, and link to the full patent on the USPTO site, linked here.

DadsTools · Jun 29, 2018

Private Lugnutz said:
As first reported on the 218 Garage Sale thread, I found my third Wakefield tool at the Early Bird this morning. Unlike the first two (shown in post #3), this one is not a WIZARD brand, probably because it's older than those. It's a bike wrench, 6 inches in length, marked “WAKEFIELD WRENCH, WORCESTER, MASS., U.S.A.” on the floating jaw (See Pics 1 & 2), which slides in and out, and completely out, of that pressed steel sleeve. It's also marked “No. 8” and “PAT. SEPT. 4, 1900” on the flip side of the floating jaw (See Pic 3). That patent date is in reference to patent # 657,326. DATAMP has a nice summary, patent diagram, and link to the full patent on the USPTO site, linked here.

Isn't Wakefield the one that made the early Indian 'Motocycles' wrenches in this style?

Private Lugnutz · Jun 29, 2018

Yup. This one would be worth a big sack of pretty pennies if it was marked INDIAN or MERKEL.

DadsTools · Jun 29, 2018

four.cycle said:
In response to Private Lugnutz's post earlier today HERE:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6853527&highlight=wizard#post6853527

... and after running searches here for both "Wizard" and "Wakefield", I am taking the liberty of starting this new "Wakefield" thread.

Primarily known for their wrenches, Wakefield apparently also made sockets and drive accessories. The only example that I've seen is in a post by member Pendragon1998 HERE:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=205666

There's a little bit of information about the Wakefield Company at Alloy-Artifacts HERE:
http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html#wakefield

I come up with two different patents issued to Wakefield:
patent 454,893
patent 657,326

...and Private_Lugnutz came up with another patent number:
patent 1,435,548

The only information I have on Wakefield is a catalog page from the 1930 Union Hardware Company's catalog, but unfortunately I am unable to make out enough detail to determine which of the items shown are Wakefield, other than the two which are second and third from the top on the right hand side of the page:

1930 Union Hardware catalog Wakefield ad pp 300 by four.cycle, on Flickr

The company was founded by John E. Wakefield, who is credited in the illustration as having been the first to manufacture "the modern bicycle wrench."
Management of the company was later taken on by his son, Clarence E. Wakefield

Clarence E. Wakefield - from 1917 'Men of Wakefield in Caricature - Luther Curtis Phifer, Worcester, Massachusetts by four.cycle, on Flickr

John E. Wakefield - from 1917 'Men of Wakefield in Caricature - Luther Curtis Phifer, Worcester, Massachusetts by four.cycle, on Flickr

I know I'm jumping in a little late on this thread, but I think it's helpful to notice that the style bicycle wrench shown in your Page 101 image as No. 8 comprising a pressed steel handle enveloping the 'tail' of the upper dynamic jaw with the lower static jaw attached to that handle seems to have been abandoned earlier than the later 1930 reference, presumably because of cost in production. Once the market got bigger and highly competitive for these style wrenches, those pressed steel handles appear to have been abandoned early on in favor of the simpler design where the handle was an extension of the now-stationary static upper jaw while the lower jaw was dynamic.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 4, 2019

four.cycle said:
J.E. Wakefield No. 45 1/2" x 9/16" open-end

d42jeep said:
I found one today

And the one I found today makes three of these now for this thread. They have a funny bend in them. Like an early attempt at an obstruction wrench.

One begins to wonder if there was ever a No. 44 or a No. 46?

four.cycle · Jan 5, 2019

Not that I have seen. The model 45 is the only one I've ever seen that had that bend in it.
The other 1/2" x 9/16" open-end was the model 55, but it has a straight shank.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 5, 2019

four.cycle said:
Not that I have seen. The model 45 is the only one I've ever seen that had that bend in it. The other 1/2" x 9/16" open-end was the model 55, but it has a straight shank.

That's an interesting model number distinction, 4.c! Of course they're both the ubiquitous 1/2 x 9/16.

four.cycle · Jan 5, 2019

On the previous page are models 40 50 60 70 80 open-end wrenches, all having straight shanks.

"Carburetor wrench" kind of makes sense on the 1/2" end (on that model 45), as most American automobiles had their carburetors mounted on 5/16" studs, the nuts for which required a 1/2" wrench.
That doesn't explain the 9/16" end, however. I rebuilt and installed a lot of carburetors (including a Marvel Schebler updraft on a 1946 J.I. Case tractor during my stint at our Yelm store) but I do not recall ever having used a 9/16" wrench for the install.

HeelSpur · Jan 6, 2019

Here's one you don't see everyday. Wizard #120.
Sorry about the glare in the one pic its the only way I could get a pic to read it.

DSCF2214 by wvwheaties, on Flickr

DSCF2215 by wvwheaties, on Flickr

twertsy · Jan 7, 2019

Looks like DATAMP has all his wrench patents. I found 1 more for vise jaws. He has scores more prior to 1890, all for chairs, rocking chairs, folding chairs, tables and rocking chairs. A couple are assigned to E. W. Vail.

Clamping Jaws for Pipe Vises: 545,324

Private Lugnutz · Jan 7, 2019

HeelSpur said:
Here's one you don't see everyday.

Cool wrench, HeelSpur! I have never seen one before! So it's like an adjustable DOE? Are those secondary jaws pinned on? Do they hinge? Or do they move in a slip joint? Please post pics of the flip side. And/or with those levered jaws in another position. :headscrat

Private Lugnutz · Jan 7, 2019

I can't find a patent for HeelSpur's wrench. I found one assigned to Wakefield from Oliver that is similar, but not quite the same in execution. Linked here. Or maybe that is it and I'm just not getting a good view from HeelSpur's photos.

four.cycle · Jan 7, 2019

There are currently two of those model 120 wrenches listed on Ebay, both of which are stamped "Patent Pending":

https://www.ebay.com/itm/183575327513

https://www.ebay.com/itm/222426581379

Wakefield Wizard 120 wrench (Ebay 183575327513 01).jpg

Wakefield Wizard 120 wrench (Ebay 183575327513 02).jpg

Wakefield Wizard 120 wrench (Ebay 183575327513 03).jpg

Wakefield Wizard 120 wrench (Ebay 183575327513 04).jpg

Wakefield Wizard 120 wrench (Ebay 183575327513 05).jpg

Wakefield Wizard 120 wrench (Ebay 222426581379 01).jpg

Wakefield Wizard 120 wrench (Ebay 222426581379 02).jpg

From the schematic drawings on patent 1436049 it would appear that the Oliver patent cited just above by Private Lugnutz could well be the applicable patent.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 7, 2019

four.cycle said:
From the schematic drawings on patent 1436049 it would appear that the Oliver patent cited just above by Private Lugnutz could well be the applicable patent.

I am absolutely sure of it now that I see the photos from the eBay ads (and thanks for checking there - you can see how it's always an afterthought for me!

), which show multiple angles and the flip side. You can see that both sides of the wrench have those dynamic thin jaws (as shown in the diagrams), and you can actually see the serrated positions it catches on as it slides in that slot (as described and shown in the diagrams). This is a great example of why this antique/vintage tool collecting gig is so much fun. It never ceases to amaze me how many times you see something for the first time, over and over and over again. This adjustable DOE wrench is not on AA, by the way, I don't remember seeing one on TA, although I could be wrong about that, and as far as I know, I have never seen one before here on GJ, either.

EDIT: HeelSpur's is also marked PATENT PENDING. For now, makes me wonder if there are any out there with the patent number.

Fantastic wrench, HeelSpur. Love it.

I hope to find one some day.

HeelSpur · Jan 7, 2019

Private Lugnutz said:
Cool wrench, HeelSpur! I have never seen one before! So it's like an adjustable DOE? Are those secondary jaws pinned on? Do they hinge? Or do they move in a slip joint? Please post pics of the flip side. And/or with those levered jaws in another position.

It's a slip joint, has the little grooves it slips into for each size. I think its neat that its marked for the size of each groove.

Looked at the ones on ebay for 50+, got mine at an auction and set me a 40 max and got it for 18.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 7, 2019

HeelSpur said:
I think its neat that its marked for the size of each groove.

I agree. Even the patent drawing shows those! Vintage RIDGID pipe wrenches have jaw opening capacity marks, too, and I've always admired those as well.

HeelSpur said:
...got mine at an auction...

Nice. My Friday-Saturday-Sunday Flea has a public auction on the first Sunday of each month, but I've never gone. It's in the afternoon and I always seem to have other things to do. Ditto my Thursday Flea, but it's too far away for me to drive out there on a Sunday.

four.cycle · Jan 7, 2019

RE: $18.00 at an auction for the model 120 Wakefield "Wizard" wrench

The Ebay asking prices on the two I cited above were $59.65 + $4.50 shipping OBO for the first one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/183625584176

and $55.00 + $7.00 shipping for the second one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/222426581379

The sale on the first one ended earlier today, and the seller (whose prices are through the roof on every item he has listed) re-listed it just today for the third or fourth time.
Both of those have been languishing in the listings for some time. I check "Wakefield wrench" and "wakefield socket" listings daily.

It is because of the ridiculous asking prices on those two that the model 120 is not a part of my Wakefield collection. (Same applies to the seemingly endless number of different Wakefield bicycle wrenches and the model 19 adjustable wrench. For reasons which defy explanation Ebay sellers are of the belief they're made of platinum-plated neutronium.)

four.cycle · Jan 7, 2019

addendum to above post:

While not germane to this discussion on Wakefield, it's questionable as to whether I will be adding the model 120 to my Wakefield collection at some point in the future.
Discovering after an Ebay purchase made about an hour ago that I am now going to be paying 10% sales tax on Ebay purchases (not just the merchandise but also the shipping charges, even from out of state sellers), I would estimate that my Ebay purchases will be decreasing by about 90%.

NJ Marty · Mar 3, 2020

Picked this one up over the weekend. Thought it was a bicycle wrench until I saw what some steel wool uncovered.

J.E. Wakefield Wrench Co., Worcester, Ma. - "Wizard" wrenches

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