Dad gave me many sets of tools over the years. He was a WW2 vet and a self-employed plumber from the forties to the nineties. One of the sets he gave me was a v series saltus set. It was mostly complete and I just need one more to complete the set. My first question is whether the socket end is supposed to be somewhat tight or loose and floppy? The second question regards the pivot pin. Craftsman used roll pins while most others used solid pins. I have seen some comments praising roll pins. Which are stronger? Best regards.
A Couple of Questions about Craftsman Saltus Wrenches.
- Thread starter Stadger
- Start date
IMCA38
Well-known member
Guessing you need the 11/16”........
r_olson_06
Well-known member
I think they are suppose to be somewhat firm similar to a breaker bar head. I have owned a few over the year and most have been somewhat firm. If held the wrench horizontal you could move the socket end where ever without gravity pulling it down. As far roll pins vs solid pins I am unsure.
Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Another question. Why are they called 'Saltus' wrenches?
I read that they were originally produced by a German company named Saltus.
How'd you guess?
JoCoSawdust
Well-known member
I've always wondered that myself.
Bob-B
Well-known member
I see I'm not the only 1 looking for an 11/16" .........
IMCA38
Well-known member
I have a set as well, minus the 11/16. I believe it was in another thread here that the 11/16 was referred to as “hens teeth”.
Same goes for the Craftsman 16mm/18mm flare nut wrench.
Larryjones
Well-known member
They were a snug fit, but when you put some torque on them they will loosen up. I imagine that you could punch the pin out and squeeze the forks together a bit, then put a new pin in.
I thought it was a German guy surnamed Saltus, but I'll be damned if I can find the article now.
Just checked my mutt set of Saltus wrenches - the 11/16 is a Proto.
I had no idea that Craftsman 11/16” Saltus wrenches were scarce. Are we talking those from the =V= era, say pre-1968, or just any Craftsman branded 11/16” Saltus wrench from any era? I have a seven wrench set with the -VV- manufacturer’s mark that included the 11/16” size.
Jim C.
Jim C.
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IMCA38
Well-known member
I finally got a chance to check my (incomplete) set. It is =V=.
Also, to answer the earlier question, mine have roll pins, and the socket heads do not “flop”. They will stay pretty much where you set them, but yet they swivel with minimal force.
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Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Wikipedia has a timeline of the company that originated the Saltus wrench: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltus-Werk_Max_Forst_GmbH For people wondering about their age it says the patent for the Saltus wrench was issued in 1953.
Tool Pants
Well-known member
The inside joke is that Sears sold a 6 piece set 3/8" to 3/4" skipping 11/16". But sears also sold them individually. So if you wanted the omitted 11/16" you would have to buy it separately. That's why the 11/16" is less common - it was not included in the 6 piece set.
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Yeah, I've seen that entry. But about 2 years ago I stumbled upon an article about a guy named Saltus. I'm always harping on my apprentice and underlings to hit print when they find something good on the web - and then here I am not following my own advice!
IMCA38
Well-known member
Wow, that 11/16 looks bigger than the 3/4 that came in the set! Is that correct, or is the camera playing tricks?
Tool Pants
Well-known member
Camera was playing tricks.
I happen to have a 1986/87 catalog handy because I have been trying to get Waterloo to send me parts lists for tool boxes I bought back then.
But those wrenches predate that catalog.
And for some reason my pictures on this message board get rotated 90 or 180 degrees when I upload them.
I happen to have a 1986/87 catalog handy because I have been trying to get Waterloo to send me parts lists for tool boxes I bought back then.
But those wrenches predate that catalog.
And for some reason my pictures on this message board get rotated 90 or 180 degrees when I upload them.
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Ganymedes
Well-known member
I was told that Saltus Werk from Solingen, Germany, was taken over by Atlas Copco in 2013. Saltus had a great name in torque-wrenches. Max Forst was the owner's name of Saltus.
d42jeep
Well-known member
I found this 7/16” =v= Saltus wrench at a sale yesterday. I cleaned it up and threw it in the user toolbox.
-Don
-Don