Another interesting OD ignition tool roll

[SilverDeck]

Today must be OD tool roll day.

Picked this up at a local garage sale. Nearly complete set of Proto MFD. USA wrenches (missing the 1/4" but I may have it in the misc wrench pile at home).

Proto 231 ignition pliers (missing the nut)

Screwdriver (probably not original to the set because it doesn't fit in the pocket) is a screw-holding "Quick-Wedge Salt Lake City".

Feeler gauge set is a Klastar Akuret.

2 files marked "USA"

Roll appears to be marked "(some name, can't read it) & Keith, Inc."

Anybody know if the roll itself is WWII or Korean War? Are the Proto wrenches appropriate to the roll or did somebody just put them in there?

Private Lugnutz, or others, any thoughts?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That one IS military. Likely Army. Likely late 50's or later. The feeler gauge is Kastar Akuret (Accurate). No reason to doubt that the wrenches are original to the roll-up.

 

[SilverDeck]

That one IS military. Likely Army. Likely late 50's or later. The feeler gauge is Kastar Akuret (Accurate). No reason to doubt that the wrenches are original to the roll-up.

Thanks Lugz! You are the man!

Ever heard of a "[something] & Keith, Inc." tool roll? Wish I could read the first name.

 

[SilverDeck]

Found these pics on eBay among the sold items. Looks like the same markings on the roll as mine. All of the wrenches are "Meteor". At least I can see what the correct screwdriver should look like. Any idea if Proto had a government contract in the 1950s?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't actually know much about 1950's or later ignition sets, but those of us who collect WWII kits have seen them pop up from time to time and admire them for how much better shape they are always in, relatively speaking, how intact they usually are, and for the pockets being labeled.

The early-war WWII sets (7 wrenches) came in a leatherette roll-up. The mid-war WWII sets (9 wrenches, 1-1/2" blade screwdriver with pocket clip, and pliers) also came in a leatherette roll-up. The canvas roll-ups were introduced in April 1945. All those sets typically came complete, all the pieces and the roll-up, from a single mfgr (e.g., Duro-Chrome, Bonney, and Cornwell). None of the roll-ups were stenciled.

What we see with the KW and later sets is the same specs on the wrenches (DOEs with 15* and 60* angles, same opening sizes as WWII opening sizes - 13/64 x 15/64, 7/32 x 1/4, 9/32 x 5/16, and 11/32 x 3/8, with each of those getting both angles, and then a 7/16 x 1/2), EDIT: but sometimes different configurations (same sizes on both ends, 15* x 75* angles, etc), same screwdriver and pliers, but expanded to include a feeler gage and file(s), and mixed brands on the pieces and the roll-up.

I've seen Giller, Husky, Proto, etc, and all kinds of different names on the roll-ups.

 

[SilverDeck]

I don't actually know much about 1950's or later ignition sets, but those of us who collect WWII kits have seen them pop up from time to time and admire them for how much better shape they are always in, relatively speaking, how intact they usually are, and for the pockets being labeled.

The early-war WWII sets (7 wrenches) came in a leatherette roll-up. The mid-war WWII sets (9 wrenches, 1-1/2" blade screwdriver with pocket clip, and pliers) also came in a leatherette roll-up. The canvas roll-ups were introduced in April 1945. All those sets typically came complete, all the pieces and the roll-up, from a single mfgr (e.g., Duro-Chrome, Bonney, and Cornwell). None of the roll-ups were stenciled.

What we see with the KW and later sets is the same specs on the wrenches (DOEs with 15* and 60* angles, same opening sizes as WWII opening sizes - 13/64 x 15/64, 7/32 x 1/4, 9/32 x 5/16, and 11/32 x 3/8, with each of those getting both angles, and then a 7/16 x 1/2), same screwdriver and pliers, but expanded to include a feeler gage and file(s), and mixed brands on the pieces and the roll-up.

I've seen Giller, Husky, Proto, etc, and all kinds of different names on the roll-ups.

Very helpful and excellent information. Many thanks!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

When you get a chance, let me know the configurations on the wrenches (angles and sizes). I can see the 60* angle heads. Is the other end regular (15*)? And do both ends have the same size opening?

 

[PugetDude]

I have an orphan 9/16" Meteor ignition wrench if anyone needs it to complete a set.

 

[SilverDeck]

When you get a chance, let me know the configurations on the wrenches (angles and sizes). I can see the 60* angle heads. Is the other end regular (15*)? And do both ends have the same size opening?

Here's a typical wrench in the set (attached). Same size on both openings throughout the set.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice. Thanks. Those are well-made wrenches. Plomb/Proto's 33** series. 15* x 80* (most mfgrs did 75*), same sizes on each end. Their 32** series was the wartime spec 15* x 60*, different openings on each end, in pairs.

 

[SilverDeck]

Nice. Thanks. Those are well-made wrenches. Plomb/Proto's 33** series. 15* x 80* (most mfgrs did 75*), same sizes on each end. Their 32** series was the wartime spec 15* x 60*, different openings on each end, in pairs.

I checked my misc ignition wrenches at home and wouldn’t you know that everything Proto I have is 32XX series. Not a single 33XX in the bunch. Guess I’ll have to post a “Wanted” notice if I ever want to find the missing the 1/4”. But if there is any hope of finding it this is the place. Garage Journal has some on the most-awesome and generous folks on the planet!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't normally pick the 33xx up, but I'll check my stash.

 

[SilverDeck]

I don't normally pick the 33xx up, but I'll check my stash.

That would be awesome. If you find one I’d gladly trade it for one of the half-dozen or so 32XX pieces that I have.

 

[LXCam]

Great score, that's a very nice set.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No luck, SilverDeck. I'll keep an eye out for one though.

 

[SilverDeck]

No luck, SilverDeck. I'll keep an eye out for one though.

That’s OK. The fun will be the in the hunt. The search is on!

 

[SilverDeck]

Here is what the next size up from the missing 3316 1/4" wrench looks like so you can see the markings. Only one wrench in the set says "Proto Los Angeles". All the rest are "Proto MFD. USA" marked pieces.

Hopefully the missing 1/4" wrench turn up at a garage or estate sale. And if anybody reading this thread has one in their misc wrench pile, shoot me a PM.

***[Edit: Looks like Twertsy has one that will soon be on it's way to me. Like I said, Garage Journal has some of the most generous and helpful folks on the planet. Thanks so much, Twertsy]***

 

[d42jeep]

Here is kind of a combination of your set. The OD roll has Kal Tool ignition wrenches with postwar military markings and my Proto ignition wrench set is on top.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I just snagged this one at my flea market this morning. Just because. The roll-up is GILLER and all the wrenches are METEOR. This is that classic GMTK ignition set configuration I was describing upthread (13/64" to 1/2", 15* and 60* angles). KW era. I'll probably put some placeholder mini-pliers and mini-screwdriver in here until I can find some from METEOR. All the wrenches have owner's initials ("M.D.") and "USA" hand-inscribed with an electric pencil. Picked a pair for a markings close-up shot. The others are all marked like that.

 

[d42jeep]

I found a Meteor set today that was likely more modern as the sizes were the same on both ends of each wrench. I wonder who the manufacturer was on these?
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm pretty sure they were their own OEM, Don. Meteor Manufacturing Company was located on Main Street in Buffalo, NY, in 1950. They moved to Emporium, PA in 1958. As for the different configuration, they may have been making wrenches and sets in both configurations at the same time. Plomb and a few others did that.

 

[Dave455]

Interestingly, I noticed only recently that Proto still offer a very similar set. This one is listed on U.K. Amazon.

 

[Username already in use]

I can add images of my American KAL roll to the mix here. All the wrenches are marked KAL except for the odd man out, a Proto.

 

[dagr8tim]

Not to drag up a zombie post, but I scored a very similar roll to the OP on ebay that just arrived. I was also missing the 1/4". But that was an easy score on ebay also.

I ended up with 2 sets of ignition plyers (proto) with one having initials engraved. I ended up with two 9/32" wrenches in place of a 1/4" with the wrenches (all proto), and an extra feeler gauge.

 

[four.cycle]

I have an orphan 9/16" Meteor ignition wrench if anyone needs it to complete a set.

Meteor Manufacturing Company was located on Main Street in Buffalo, NY, in 1950. They moved to Emporium, PA in 1958.

OH! Really?

This is a Meteor SAE ignition wrench set that's been laying around here for a while. It came with a pair of Japan-made Igarashi pliers. There is an empty slot, but it doesn't look wide enough for a 9/16", and I cannot recall ever seeing one of these with a 9/16" in it. (looks like PackardV8 sold one to Bull in 2009)


Meteor Manufacturing SAE ignition wrench set

Meteor Manufacturing SAE ignition wrench set

FSN 5120-081-2302 ignition wrench set was manufactured by Meteor and sold under various names, apparently.

More on Meteor Manufacturing Co. in the Meteor thread