I just looked over on ToolArchives for a Diamalloy catalog, but didn't find one. Wonder if anyone has a copy somewhere we could see?
I think a Diamond catalog would shed a lot of light on this subject. Especially if it was from the late 70s/early 80s before they sold to Triangle.
It would also be nice to see a catalog when they were part of Crescent, as I'm mildly curious how long the Diamond brand stayed around once it became a division. Also if the Diamond works in Minnesota was shuttered and Diamond production moved to a Crescent facility (I'd guess this is probably accurate, almost 40 years after the sale it seems Diamond tools still have a loyal following, Triangle/Cooper/Crescent probably just wanted the brand name recognition and associated sales).
I'd also like to learn more about if Crescent and late Diamond wrenches are clones aside from markings, or maintained brand individuality.
(Side tangent- the Diamond CW15 chain wrench I posted above I *believe* was made when Diamond was still independent, as it bears the patent # that was issued to Diamond in 1967. I don't believe Crescent changed the design much if at all, and if you were to go buy a brand new one today, it would look largely identical to mine save for markings, and they even retained the part number from Diamond. Of course they're now made in China, like most or all of Crescent's offerings).
I believe it was mentioned by jblnut in the link I posted earlier that Cooper/Crescent was interested in Diamond's lineup solely because of the SPECIAL WIDE OPENING feature, and also probably because a competitor was absorbed in the process. And if my theory about my chain wrench is correct, Crescent may not have had a similar offering, so Diamond added new products to Crescent's catalog.
Here's a picture of my 6" wide opening wrench, it has the hex throat (it's hard to take a decent closeup photo of a chrome
Stuart- based on what I've found, your wrench looks to be made in 83 or later, under Crescent. Interesting it is engraved on the "cheek" of the wrench, you don't see that often on adjustables of any manufacturer. Thanks for posting!
i dont follow. usually i can. but not this time.
they kinda look mighty similar to me
Metaldad- focus on the adjustable wrench portion of the tools. With the wrench all the way open, envision a nut in the opening. There has been much talk of throat shape in this thread, which undoubtedly could be confusing as I tend to ramble on.
You will see on the Handiman that with the angles of the opening, it would conform (somewhat, not exactly) to a hex nut.
On the Handiboy, you will see there are no angles in the opening, both jaws are flat all the way down. The surface the dynamic jaw slides on is perpendicular to the jaw surfaces, effectively making a mostly square opening. (On these square throat wrenches, there is always a small radius where the static jaw transitions to the sliding surface, most likely to avoid stress risers and cracks in the wrench). This style of opening would lend itself to both square and hex nuts.
The difference between the 2 throat styles is mostly inconsequential, I doubt there is a practical advantage to either. However it makes it easier to identify and classify wrenches, and is basically why I'm writing this novel.
Square throat adjustables are probably slightly less numerous than hex throat in the big picture.
Prior to this thread, I had thought only 2 manufacturers of square throat adjustables existed: JP Danielson and Utica. Even then, that isn't set in stone: early Uticas had hex throats, and JPD made some adjustables for Craftsman in the 40s that had hex throats. And now I've learned Diamond did too...might be old news for some, but not me.
I hope that explanation was clear as mud.
Another side tangent- I find it amusing Diamond named the smaller of the 2 combo tools the Handi"MAN", and the larger the Handi"BOY". I guess I do have like 4 inches and 50 lbs on my old man, but still contrary to normal logic.
