Anyone know anything about JO-Line torque wrenches?

[dwill]

These were quite popular click style back in the day and they had several military contracts.

I have a 1/4" inch-pound torque wrench and a 3/8"dr flex-head branded AC Spark Plug, both made by JO Mfg of South Gate, CA.

The 3/8"dr is a very solid unit and checks out within specs as to calibration. (The ratchet head may have come from S-K; it's very much like their round heads.)

The 1/4"dr needs calibrating, but there's no obvious point of entry. The head joint is riveted, so removing that would require fabricating a new pivot pin. The handle has a solid plug in the bottom and appears removing that would destroy the plug.

Anyone ever been inside one of these little jewels?

jack vines

I found one of those Jo mfg 1/4 inch drive torque wrenches at a garage sale recently. It is reading about 15 inch pounds low so I will be attempting to adjust it. Might have to come back with some questions. Was your repairs successful and result in a more accurate torque reading?

 

[Old Radar]

These were quite popular click style back in the day and they had several military contracts.

I have a 1/4" inch-pound torque wrench and a 3/8"dr flex-head branded AC Spark Plug, both made by JO Mfg of South Gate, CA.

The 3/8"dr is a very solid unit and checks out within specs as to calibration. (The ratchet head may have come from S-K; it's very much like their round heads.)

The 1/4"dr needs calibrating, but there's no obvious point of entry. The head joint is riveted, so removing that would require fabricating a new pivot pin. The handle has a solid plug in the bottom and appears removing that would destroy the plug.

Anyone ever been inside one of these little jewels?

jack vines

I believe I found a 1/4" click type torque wrench like Packard V8 was describing in his original post. The calibration certification is dated Jun 16 1959.

I gave a half-hearted attempt at disassembly--the two small screws on the back of the head came out easily, but I couldn't pry the plate out and didn't want to **** it up. I have no pressing need for a 1/4" torque wrench, but I really like it and would like to have it operating smoothly. Currently the twist handle starts to bind around 40 in/lbs and gets worse as I go up. It stops at about 110 and I don't want to force it beyond that.

I'm hoping that Grayspoked (Bill) will chime in with the best way to bring it back to working order and possibly also lend meaning to the codes stamped on the side of the head. (SA AD 2558)

I've really enjoyed Bill's first-hand insights into his grandfather's company. One more question: This wrench has no JO name on it and I couldn't find a name associated with it on Google--is it the predecessor for one of the later named tools?

Thanks again for all the great history of the Jo-Line Tools!

 

[Provincial]

SAAD = San Antonio Army Depot. This was a major repair depot during WWII. I have seen numerous aircraft engines that were overhauled there that were stamped SAAD.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

One more question: This wrench has no JO name on it and I couldn't find a name associated with it on Google--is it the predecessor for one of the later named tools?

That is correct. I found two 1/4-inch 1-50 inch lbs pre-set torque tee handles, one is marked "Jote" with the company name on the handle, the other has the JO-LINE TM marking like yours, no nickname. I believe one is wartime and one is postwar. I talked about this a little in post #15.

SAAD = San Antonio Army Depot. This was a major repair depot during WWII. I have seen numerous aircraft engines that were overhauled there that were stamped SAAD.

I have usually seen it expanded as San Antonio Air Depot, but it was established at the old Duncan Army Air field next to Kelly Army Air Field, later Kelly AFB, when the AF was still part of the Army, and all of the aircraft they serviced there during WWII were US Army Air Forces property, so I suppose it could go either way. After 1947 knows as San Antonio Air Depot for sure. Later it was known as the San Antonio Air Logistics Center. EDIT: Shut down in the 1995 BRAC.

 

[Cruzan80]

Not sure if Grayspoked is still around, but just picked up an in-lb torque wrench at a sale. My guess is it dates from when they were private-labelling stuff, as it is a Series A (remarkably similar in design to my SO Series A). Most interesting part is on the bottom. Stamped with what looks like either an A or a pyramid and 10 underneath, in a circle.

 

[Old Radar]

Can you post a picture?

 

[Cruzan80]

Here is an overall shot, two showing the engraving and a shot of the end. Looks like it is a QC symbol of some kind.

Sent from my Phone 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Cruzan80]

Accidentally double posted.

 

[Provincial]

That is a "seal" applied after adjustment to indicate calibration was done.

 

[Cruzan80]

Yes, but since we had a person who worked there for a bit, hoping he recognized it as "Bob's" or "John's" stamp. Would just be a neat part of the history.

Sent from my Phone 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Provincial]

I found a JOTE torque wrench last weekend. It has a 5/16 hex socket attached by a roll pin. I haven't removed the pin, but it appears to have a 1/4" square drive. It is tagged as 60 inch-pounds, and breaks at 65.

I like the little fold-out handle that allows you to apply torque in the opposite direction. It reminds me of the fold-out handle on Swallow screwdrivers!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It reminds me of the fold-out handle on Swallow screwdrivers!

Indeed!

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Link to magazine New Equipment Digest

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I found this eggbeater drill at a flea market (in Deltaville for those who know the area) paid $20. Except for the almost complete lack of paint it’s in excellent condition. All 3 of the bits seem to have been resharpened.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Hmm … two didn’t attach …

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I found this eggbeater drill at a flea market

I didn't even know they made one! That is a terrific find. Considering how many old eggbeaters one sees and typically leaves behind at flea markets (MF, GP, etc etc), that is a good eye and good intuition to grab it.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Nuts … there is an older thread here … maybe 3 yrs old … that talks about JO tools extensively.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

??! Other than this one? Not that I know of. This may be the thread you're thinking of. It started in 2019 with a very specific question but morphed into everything JO and really got going when the founder's son (Grayspoked) started participating.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Could be this one. I read most of it, enjoyed the comments from grayspoked.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm sure it's this one. I thought that's why you posted in this thread. (I'm almost as impressed by that as the drill! Most guys don't take the time to see if there's already a thread on a topic before they post.)

 

[RTM]

Here is the patent on that drill. I was wondering if it was related to the Twix I posted earlier, but no.

US Patent: 2,310,759 - Drill with Adjustable Head

US patent 2,310,759 Drill with Adjustable Head was issued to Ira C. Clawson of Los Angeles, CA. It was granted on 02/09/1943. Locking pivot point between the handle and the pinion gear assembly.

datamp.org

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Here is the patent on that drill.

Mine has a couple of different details, but the patent refers to JO Mfgr so it’s probably the same family.

 

[3baygarage]

That little drill is one of my favorite tools. When the wife redecorated the house last year, it helped with the shelves, fixtures, kitchen hardware and more.

 

[d42jeep]

Purely by accident I noticed in a picture I had taken that there was quite a resemblance between the heads on my AC branded Jo Line made 3/8” torque wrench and my New Britain flex head 3/8” drive ratchet. I always wondered who supplied JO. It looks like it could have been New Britain.
-Don

 

[RubiconJK]

Purely by accident I noticed in a picture I had taken that there was quite a resemblance between the heads on my AC branded Jo Line made 3/8” torque wrench and my New Britain flex head 3/8” drive ratchet. I always wondered who supplied JO. It looks like it could have been New Britain.
-Don

Don, I remember last year in post #48 that Grayspoked talked about JO ratchet sourcing after a conversation with his father who was the owner. Sounds like they came from multiple companies.

 

[d42jeep]

I do remember that he mentioned that multiple companies were involved. I was mostly just wondering specifically about my torque wrench and thought that the New Britain head looked pretty similar. He said S-K seemed unlikely.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

It’s 100% a New Britain head Don.

 

[AStarGoesNova]

I acquired a 600lb Jo-line torque wrench about a year ago. An ex left it behind. I have no idea where it came from, what it's for... who would even use it... I definitely will never need it in my lifetime. I have no idea what to do with it. It's big, heavy looks like it does a lot of work. I won't throw it away, but I can't find anything on the specific make and model to give it away, sell it, donate it. My local Goodwill said they wouldn't take it. I attached photos. If anyone has any information on this particular tool, I'd appreciate it immensely.

 

[RubiconJK]

I acquired a 600lb Jo-line torque wrench about a year ago. An ex left it behind. I have no idea where it came from, what it's for... who would even use it... I definitely will never need it in my lifetime. I have no idea what to do with it. It's big, heavy looks like it does a lot of work. I won't throw it away, but I can't find anything on the specific make and model to give it away, sell it, donate it. My local Goodwill said they wouldn't take it. I attached photos. If anyone has any information on this particular tool, I'd appreciate it immensely.

JO Manufacturing was based in South Gate, CA and developed a full line of torque wrenches back in the day. If you read through this thread a few pages, you'll likely learn more about the company, some of their products and even see some discussions from the son of the founder (Grayspoked). I have an older JO catalog, but your wrench looks to be later and wasn't shown. There are lots of applications for wrenches such as yours on trucks/RV's etc for lug nuts, suspension components etc.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Any diesel or rv repair facility will want that

 

[AStarGoesNova]

JO Manufacturing was based in South Gate, CA and developed a full line of torque wrenches back in the day. If you read through this thread a few pages, you'll likely learn more about the company, some of their products and even see some discussions from the son of the founder (Grayspoked). I have an older JO catalog, but your wrench looks to be later and wasn't shown. There are lots of applications for wrenches such as yours on trucks/RV's etc for lug nuts, suspension compo

Hi there!
I did go back to the too of the thread and enjoyed reading through it.
Thank you

 

[AStarGoesNova]

Any diesel or rv repair facility will want that

Ok. That's great! Thank you! So much! Sorry to be off topic. Newbies, huh?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...but I can't find anything on the specific make and model to give it away, sell it, donate it. My local Goodwill said they wouldn't take it.

Did you try Kent's Tools on East Grant just off of I-10? I used to fly to Tucson for a week every month, and for the last few years, pre-pandemic, I was hitting Kent's every Friday on my way to the airport, increasing my baggage weight. They are re-sellers, and it is loaded with vintage tools. They have modern tools, too, but they are known for vintage tools. They will know what it is. And the make (Jo Mfg), model (Series C), and when it was made (1976, is the date of the latest patent) are all marked on it. I have never sold them anything, so I can't vouch for that end of their business. But I have a hunch they would buy it if it still works. And if you have more, take the whole box.

 

[AStarGoesNova]

Did you try Kent's Tools on East Grant just off of I-10? I used to fly to Tucson for a week every month, and for the last few years, pre-pandemic, I was hitting Kent's every Friday on my way to the airport, increasing my baggage weight. They are re-sellers, and it is loaded with vintage tools. They have modern tools, too, but they are known for vintage tools. They will know what it is. And the make (Jo Mfg), model (Series C), and when it was made (1976, is the date of the latest patent) are all marked on it. I have never sold them anything, so I can't vouch for that end of their business. But I have a hunch they would buy it if it still works. And if you have more, take the whole box.

No I live about 15 miles east of grant and the 10. But I will call them tomorrow! Thank you for the info! I'll ask them about my Irwin Auger Bits too! Sweet!

 

[SummitHelo]

I acquired a 600lb Jo-line torque wrench about a year ago. An ex left it behind. I have no idea where it came from, what it's for... who would even use it... I definitely will never need it in my lifetime. I have no idea what to do with it. It's big, heavy looks like it does a lot of work. I won't throw it away, but I can't find anything on the specific make and model to give it away, sell it, donate it. My local Goodwill said they wouldn't take it. I attached photos. If anyone has any information on this particular tool, I'd appreciate it immensely.

I acquired a 600lb Jo-line torque wrench about a year ago. An ex left it behind. I have no idea where it came from, what it's for... who would even use it... I definitely will never need it in my lifetime. I have no idea what to do with it. It's big, heavy looks like it does a lot of work. I won't throw it away, but I can't find anything on the specific make and model to give it away, sell it, donate it. My local Goodwill said they wouldn't take it. I attached photos. If anyone has any information on this particular tool, I'd appreciate it immensely.

I acquired a 600lb Jo-line torque wrench about a year ago. An ex left it behind. I have no idea where it came from, what it's for... who would even use it... I definitely will never need it in my lifetime. I have no idea what to do with it. It's big, heavy looks like it does a lot of work. I won't throw it away, but I can't find anything on the specific make and model to give it away, sell it, donate it. My local Goodwill said they wouldn't take it. I attached photos. If anyone has any information on this particular tool, I'd appreciate it immensely.

We would be interested in this wrench if you still have it. Thanks

 

[MisterEd]

Interesting Thread. Might as well add our JOIC Wonder Drill.

 

[Alex Boschma]

I love reading this thread. Found this picture from March 1968. Western Manufacturing March 1968

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm going to bump this JO Mfg thread with - believe it or not, Wittek aviation hose clamps. There is a method to my madness, trust me!

So, back in 2019 I posted some 9/32-inch drive JO Mfg wingnut sockets, linked here.

They were used with ratchets on these Wittek type aviation hose clamps!

I pick them up whenever I find them because they are useful for all kinds of things, and I dug these three out of an old toolbox this morning at the flea. Some of mine have the 1926 patent number on them (Pic 5), some have later patents, and many have the 1942 patent number (Pic 6). Those go into my USAAF related WWII kits and boxes. The clamps themselves are stainless steel, but you can see the going slightly greenish cadmium on the keylike head of the adjusting screws on the wartime examples below in Pics 2 & 4.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's a show n' tell of sorts using a wartime Plomb ratchet, a wartime JO Mfg wingnut socket, and a wartime Wittek clamp - topped off with some Wittek wartime propaganda eye candy!

 

[d42jeep]

It’s been a while since any have been found but I grabbed a #7 JOAR conduit wrench at an estate sale today.
-Don