Rhode Island Tool Co

outofbounds · Nov 18, 2020

Starting a new thread with the proud entry of these two orphans. My guess is this might be a short thread! I came up with the name with thanks to ToolArchives.com and a singular reference to the logo buried in a single post here at GJ.

RTM · Nov 19, 2020

I’m going to raise a warning flag, as DAT lists them as making AUGERS, EDGE TOOLS, MACHINIST TOOLS, PLANES.

This matchbook doesn’t list wrenches either, sorry, added a pic to preserve it

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-Rare...tchbook-PROVIDENCE-RHODE-ISLAND-/193419191048

And interestingly, someone bought the archives of a company that RITCO brought out.

http://swingleydev.com/archive/get.php?message_id=4863&submi
t_thread=1#message

DadsTools · Nov 19, 2020

I've had a few Rhode Island tools pass through my hands. They were all old carbon steel single open end wrenches. Haven't seen any alloy wrenches from them.

outofbounds · Nov 19, 2020

RTM said:
I’m going to raise a warning flag, as DAT lists them as making AUGERS, EDGE TOOLS, MACHINIST TOOLS, PLANES.

This matchbook doesn’t list wrenches either, sorry, will add a pic later to preserve it

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-Rare...tchbook-PROVIDENCE-RHODE-ISLAND-/193419191048

And interestingly, someone bought the archives of a company that RITCO brought out.

http://swingleydev.com/archive/get.php?message_id=4863&submi
t_thread=1#message

Well, I suppose if I'm mistaken, I'm the second poster to be misinformed, as I originally searched and found this post #498 from the DBE thread.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5780725&highlight=Rhode+Island+Tool#post5780725

In deeper thought, I suppose that "RI" could stand for just about anything Rxxx Industries

RTM · Nov 19, 2020

outofbounds said:
Well, I suppose if I'm mistaken, I'm the second poster to be misinformed, as I originally searched and found this post #498 from the DBE thread.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5780725&highlight=Rhode+Island+Tool#post5780725

In deeper thought, I suppose that "RI" could stand for just about anything Rxxx Industries

Not saying you're misinformed or that Blue Bomber was earlier. I am hoping to find definitive period things saying they made them, like a catalog cut.

DAT is human compiled, off the best period literature they could find. We have many more choices today thanks to archive dot org and google books. Unfortunately, I have found a handful of errors (off by 50 years), or omissions (major categories of tools) missed, that I am always poking about for new information.

My offerings are more of a "nothing definitive, just a caution", off what little bits of literature I can find.

And I agree, it could be any Rxxx Ixxx company. Alloy Artifacts gives us hints that stamps don't always reflect company initials. Like the CV circle for Bonney, or AZ circle for Sears.

Rock Island jumps to mind.

woody 73 · Nov 19, 2020

Very interesting I also have that exact same wrench and I was wondering who made it...

DadsTools · Nov 19, 2020

The wrenches I had bore the initials RI inside a circle. AA states that's Rhode Island Tool, showing the photo image of the logo. Maybe they could be wrong, but it seems to make sense. Single open end carbon steel wrenches could be represented under machinist's tools of the time, since plenty of machines used these engineer type wrenches. Some sources even call them 'machinist' wrenches.

Most of us have probably seen instances where an old tool bore a mfr's name but there's no specific record in print that the mfr made such tools.

Citing DAT or a matchbook cover as 'proof' Rhode Island didn't make wrenches is something like trying to prove a negative. Unless someone can produce compelling proof that the circle-RI is NOT Rhode Island Tool or that RIT NEVER made wrenches, I'm comfortable letting my money ride on AA.

Wrench97 · Nov 19, 2020

NOTES CONTENT
1906-1926 ; "RITCO" ; bolts and nuts ; cap and set screws ; washers ; screw machine products ; wrenches ; turnbuckles ; special drop forgings ; punched chain links ; special punchings ; clinch rings ;
INCLUDES
Trade catalog and price listsBlack and white images

From https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/SILNMAHTL_10799

Looks like they were in business until 2003 so over the years they most likely introduced and dropped products over the years.

RTM · Nov 20, 2020

Wrench97 said:
From https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/SILNMAHTL_10799

Just found that same link. I'm moving and reading Too Slow. Now if we could just find that catalog.

Here is a period link (1903 I think), including wrenches, but still no images, just text.

https://books.google.com/books?id=q...KEwiCn7Dj95HtAhWBuJ4KHfF9CCI4FBDoATADegQIARAC

outofbounds · Nov 20, 2020

RTM said:
Just found that same link. I'm moving and reading Too Slow. Now if we could just find that catalog.

Here is a period link (1903 I think), including wrenches, but still no images, just text.

https://books.google.com/books?id=q...KEwiCn7Dj95HtAhWBuJ4KHfF9CCI4FBDoATADegQIARAC

I googled the address, but was unable to save the image. Looks like the original building might still be there, repurposed as mixed medical offices. Cool looking digs.

RTM · Nov 20, 2020

Hard to say. There is a lot of history of them adding and adding manufacturing space (found in google books). Around here I know how to locate info on when buildings were built (tax rolls), not sure about back there.

RTM · Nov 20, 2020

This may be definitive on build date

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/146-148-W-River-St-Providence-RI/20346821/

outofbounds · Nov 20, 2020

RTM said:
This may be definitive on build date

https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/146-148-W-River-St-Providence-RI/20346821/

Great add RTM. Quite a complex and theyve done a beautiful renovation.

Private Lugnutz · Nov 27, 2020

I found this "SOUTH BEND LATHE WORKS" tool post wrench today at the flea market rooting through an old toolbox with a crapload of tool post wrenches, mainly Williams and B&S. This one caught my immediately. Marked "No. 253" on the flip side. After I got it home and cleaned up and on my bench under the light and a loupe, I noticed the logo. See Pic 3.

mikeinri · Nov 28, 2020

So glad those buildings were saved and repurposed. Too many have been (and continue to be) torn down (or are neglected until they fall or burn down) around here.

I know that it can be cheaper to knock down and build from scratch (and you have less constraints on the new building/tenants once you're starting from a flat piece of land), but so much history gets lost.

By the looks of those aerial pics, my mother (RIP) worked in a jewelry company in the early 80s, in a similar cluster of buildings (now gone, over by the Home Depot in the background of this pic linked by RTM above).

Mike

Leviton · Aug 29, 2021

I found a good-sized Rhode Island Tool Company DOE. 13.5 inches overall length, 39/64" face thickness.

It is stamped with number 809981. Has a "38" forge mark on one side and a "39" on the other. (Saw one online that had the same forge marks but with different size openings.)

Leviton · Mar 6, 2023

I like these RI wrenches. They are substantial and the faces are nicely machined with deep stamping. The logo is simple and elegant.

I enjoy finding them clear across the country from their birthplace. This is only the second one I have come across.

This one is 7.5 inches long.

daddyopoppy · Nov 15, 2023

I have had this wrench for quite awhile it was pretty rusty, finally put it in evaporust but it still had quite a bit of buildup so I sanded it some. She’s a big un.

Outlawmws · May 26, 2024

Mike pointed this thread out to me when I posted this one in the GS thread - I'd never heard of RIT:

mikeinri · May 26, 2024

I love the look of those tools. Simple and BEEFY.

Mike

Mintgrun · Mar 9, 2026

outofbounds said:
My guess is this might be a short thread!

It may be short, but it's not dead!

I found this (RI) 11/16" wrench on Saturday and then spent way too much time trying to look up (IR) circle logo. Oops.

This one measures 5-1/2" long.

Tom

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