Barcalo and Vlcheck
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Stick Figure
Well-known member
I still have some Vlcheck that i use on a pretty regular basis. I don't collect them or anything, but i have some of their wrenches that the open end is still nice and strong on. So hell yeah i would dump them in the evaporust.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
I have a pile of Barcalo Buffalo's that I use fairly often. They have a feeling of "indestructability" to them! I would definately Evaporust them. Or you could send them to me for further evaluation.
Scott
Scott
Well see, the good thing is that Evaporust can be reused, so you aren't really spending any money at all cleaning these orphans in there.
T56 Impala
Well-known member
VlChek are great tools! I love em and collect them whenever I run across them. I have seen some so rusted even I thought they should be tossed, yet, after cleaning, they look fantastic! Whatever alloy they came up with for their tools is darn good. BB's are not something I know much about. I do have several, they were my grandfather's, and really didn't clean up too well. Very think Chrome plating and I just don't like the texture.
Most VlChek's sell from about $.50 to $5 depending on condition and size. Not sure about the BB's. Likely the same.
Most VlChek's sell from about $.50 to $5 depending on condition and size. Not sure about the BB's. Likely the same.
I came a across a few really old Vlcheks with the V shield and no other markings. They appear very solid. I could go back and buy the rest but I dont ever see using these tools and they are not something that I'm particularly interested in collecting.
woody 73
Well-known member
Hi,
Clean up those tools,we (you & I) will pass them on to the next generation of collectors.
One day in 100 years some GJ member will say hey these are in nice shape and very collectable.
Clean up those tools,we (you & I) will pass them on to the next generation of collectors.
One day in 100 years some GJ member will say hey these are in nice shape and very collectable.
Sounds like you know some good tool sources for the winter months, always coming across piles of cheap, vintage wrenches. I'm jealous!
These older posts offer some additional Vlchek info
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21544
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33491
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21544
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33491
It's one tool source and it's running dry. I keep passing on stuff only to go back and buy it after mulling it over for a few days. It's a sickness I tell you. Funny thing is that I haven't been able to score even one ratchet out of that damn place.
That's ok, you can sometimes convert wrenches to ratchets under the "Bull Convert-o-Matic" program.
Be advised that a #723 Baraclo is worth about a $100 so keep your eyes off the ratchets
Yep that little POS is worth that much. Got to a #723. Not all BB command that kind of coin
That's ok, you can sometimes convert wrenches to ratchets under the "Bull Convert-o-Matic" program.
Or rags to riches. lol
Be advised that a #723 Baraclo is worth about a $100 so keep your eyes off the ratchets
Yep that little POS is worth that much. Got to a #723. Not all BB command that kind of coin
You're killing me! I'm going back to buy the rest of those wrenches.
Don't get all worked up.
Remember now. It's got to be a 3/8" x 7/16" Baraclo Buffalo stamped #723. The example Elroy posted above is close but not exact. The one above commanded like $35 as it's a little newer with cadmium. The high dollar wrenches are plain and stamped #723. Elroy's is missing the stamp
Remember now. It's got to be a 3/8" x 7/16" Baraclo Buffalo stamped #723. The example Elroy posted above is close but not exact. The one above commanded like $35 as it's a little newer with cadmium. The high dollar wrenches are plain and stamped #723. Elroy's is missing the stamp
Maybe you should ask the Jeep folks over here:
http://www.g503.com
If you want to believe this guy it's actually worth closer to a $150:
http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=154273&p=890058&hilit=buffalo#p890058
As Elroy understands it, the ISN# 723 BB are correct for WWII jeep tool kits and this smallest of wrenches had a habit of getting lost.
Find one and be a winner!
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Mickey O
Well-known member
If one wrench is worth a $150 can you imagine what these ultra rare Barcalo wrenches, distributed by Snuggle Sales, must be worth.
Kidding aside, I'll be keeping my eyes open for a 3/8" x 7/16" Baraclo Buffalo stamped #723, I've probably passed up a few. Every time I'm somewhere where there are old tools for sale I see some guys carefully looking through the old wrenches, probably for this wrench and ones of similar value. I'm going to have to do some research on the value of old tools and keep my eyes open.
Kidding aside, I'll be keeping my eyes open for a 3/8" x 7/16" Baraclo Buffalo stamped #723, I've probably passed up a few. Every time I'm somewhere where there are old tools for sale I see some guys carefully looking through the old wrenches, probably for this wrench and ones of similar value. I'm going to have to do some research on the value of old tools and keep my eyes open.
lucakiki
Member
Mickey, let me tell you something about those Barcalo Buffalo 723's.
They are worth a bunch of money: very true!
But only to some military vehicle collector. They are the best choice for a Ford made war time jeep.
I know, because I have blown incredible amounts of money on this kind of tools.
Once the money-no-object guys have got the elusive size they were looking for, the other guys are not always willing to fork out insane figures.
Of course finding one at cheap fleamarket/pawnshop prices will always allow big profits, but as said once the money-no-object guys have been supplied, the figures will be a little lower. Still worth hunting, for sure, since even at sixty bucks the mark up on a two bucks purchase would be rewarding.
The other sizes never fetch high figures, in case you wondered.
BTW, the molybdenum variants are less sought after.
They are worth a bunch of money: very true!
But only to some military vehicle collector. They are the best choice for a Ford made war time jeep.
I know, because I have blown incredible amounts of money on this kind of tools.
Once the money-no-object guys have got the elusive size they were looking for, the other guys are not always willing to fork out insane figures.
Of course finding one at cheap fleamarket/pawnshop prices will always allow big profits, but as said once the money-no-object guys have been supplied, the figures will be a little lower. Still worth hunting, for sure, since even at sixty bucks the mark up on a two bucks purchase would be rewarding.
The other sizes never fetch high figures, in case you wondered.
BTW, the molybdenum variants are less sought after.
If I can buy some old wrenches cheap, I figure why not. I would not dump them in the evaporust, you pay for that by amount of rust removed and it doesn't like oil or grease much either, so first I would clean them with either a rag and WD40, or maybe some kind of soap and hot water, but never a wire brush.
If in doubt, I just spray with WD40, and take pictures until I know better. Ruining the surface patina, the aged look, can ruin the value of some things.
Even if I don't want the tool, and its not worth much, flat rate postal boxes make trading fairly practical for stuff I do want, and somebody else getting what they want even if they don't want it much has to be worth something. (I'm not hoarding worthless junk tools, I'm "helping" other collectors)
If in doubt, I just spray with WD40, and take pictures until I know better. Ruining the surface patina, the aged look, can ruin the value of some things.
Even if I don't want the tool, and its not worth much, flat rate postal boxes make trading fairly practical for stuff I do want, and somebody else getting what they want even if they don't want it much has to be worth something. (I'm not hoarding worthless junk tools, I'm "helping" other collectors)
Elroy happens to like Vlchek:
Barcalo on the other hand make Elroy
No particular reason other than they're
Barcalo on the other hand make Elroy
No particular reason other than they're
Here are a few before and after shots of [a] small Vlchek:
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A few more Vlchek's for your viewing pleasure;
Here is an oldie but goodie for ya:
And another:
A 1" belt sander and a die grinder. Elroy understands it's all in the wrist
Don't forget the rust to bling Billings
.jpg[/IMG]
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lucakiki
Member
Elroy, maybe I am biased by my military tool interests, but I was wondering if in some cases the excessive shining might not actually detract from the originality of the wrench. Non shiny finish is actually a tell tale of many war time wrenches.
i have gotten a little feel for elroy as i have gotten to know him. elroy seems to like what he likes. if it is a quality old wrench or tool and he can bring it back from the edge of destruction so much the better. he really does not care about value or how much time it takes or what it is worth at the end. he simply enjoys the ride and almost always end up with some damn nice looking stuff. not always original but, but they always look good and work well. the exception may be his beloved barcalo's. he has a special place for them.
elroy seems to like what he likes........the exception may be his beloved barcalo's. he has a special place for them.
Yep the ole Barcalos have a "special place" with Elroy alright
Barcalo......... make Elroy
No particular reason other than they're
A 1" belt sander and a die grinder. Elroy understands it's all in the wrist
Don't forget the rust to bling Billings
Elroy, I like your Billings bling. Did that wrench originally have black paint?
lucakiki
Member
Elroy, I really think you are gifted, and you do outstanding work.
I was wondering if you can make some old wrenches look as if they were new, not shinier than when they were new.
I am talking of some parkerized wrenches,for instance.
Some of the scarcest wrenches are worth of any possible effort to restore them to their original condition, and I was wondering if you have any tricks over the polishing.
Some Wartime Williams Superrenches were painted grey: how can that finish be restored?
In my country, cadmium plating is almost extinct, because of law restrictions for pollution : can you still cadmium plate in the U.S.A. ?
I was wondering if you can make some old wrenches look as if they were new, not shinier than when they were new.
I am talking of some parkerized wrenches,for instance.
Some of the scarcest wrenches are worth of any possible effort to restore them to their original condition, and I was wondering if you have any tricks over the polishing.
Some Wartime Williams Superrenches were painted grey: how can that finish be restored?
In my country, cadmium plating is almost extinct, because of law restrictions for pollution : can you still cadmium plate in the U.S.A. ?
Mickey O
Well-known member
Someone here (think it was one of the plane mechanics) restored and aged some wrenches, I'll post a link if I run across the thread (don't hold your breath) or maybe someone will see this and be the guy or have the link.
Me, I like Elroy's wrenches, I'm one of those people that do not like wrenches that are rusty at all, bugs me, I've seen others with a box of rusty tools using them all the time, I couldn't do it.
Yes there were traces of black paint present tho at first it appeared to be all rust
What can I say except that I like what Elroy likes.
lucakiki
Member
Also Williams ( non Superrenches) had this kind of enamel finish.
Very nice restoration, Elroy.
Have you any tips for the so called Japanned finish, as seen on Billings & Spencer adjustables?
Very nice restoration, Elroy.
Have you any tips for the so called Japanned finish, as seen on Billings & Spencer adjustables?
Mickey O
Well-known member
Here's a pic of a couple of old painted Billings' and a Williams, they're original, my Billings' have a texture to the paint, the Williams is smooth.
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toolnut
Well-known member
I just drove by the old Barcalo factory in Buffalo NY today. Next time I drive by I will snap a picture and post it on here.