Bonney cv ignition wrenches

[Oldtuleguy]

Came across these little guys. Still have decals! Anyone have a clue on the date of these things?

 

[bonneyman]

I'd say late 20's from the look of that decal. Twersty would now better, though.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Ya these are kind of out of my usual area of collecting.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That appears to be most of Set No. 18. It was in catalogs from 1933 to 1941, dropped in 1946 in favor of the more modern ignition wrenches that covered all the systems in sizes assigned to miniature DOE wrenches with 15* x 60* (or less prevalent 15* x 75*) angles. The decal looks the same in all the catalogs, but it could be because they simply re-used the image. Came in a leatherette roll-up or a cardboard box. EDIT: I put an excerpt from the Bonney 1941 catalog in a thread here on GJ discussing the evolution of ignition wrench design, easy to retrieve and linked here, but if you want to see other images of them in their pouch, and a closer look at the decals, go to TA.

 

[Modern Garage]

Those are an interesting pattern; they actually look like something you could use, unlike the lighter stuff I got when I started in this business in the seventies. I particularly like the captive feeler gauges.
I wonder as to the function of the circular headed bar attached to an open end wrench (clearly visible in the second photo). Is it extra leverage if using the wrench endwise? I've never seen one like that before.
Joe

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I particularly like the captive feeler gauges.

Hi, Joe. Ironically, those and the carb jet tool are the three tools that aren't part of the Bonney No. 18 ignition set.

I wonder as to the function of the circular headed bar attached to an open end wrench (clearly visible in the second photo). Is it extra leverage if using the wrench endwise? I've never seen one like that before.

According to the Bonney catalogs, that wrench was for Ford Third Brush generators (Model T, various tractors, etc). I suspect that refers to the open end, to turn a nut, but I thought third brushes were adjusted with a screwdriver turning a screw on the back, so who knows.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

One wrench has two feelers. One says "points" the other "spark plug"

 

[Modern Garage]

Well there's a new one on me. I had to Google "Third Brush Generator" to see what gets adjusted. I'm not a leading authority on generators but they show up at my door infrequently. (I guess because I don't run away screaming, and I can spell "carburetor" without looking it up.) I was able to get the charging system working on a '47 Chrysler last Summer with some studious cleaning and adjusting of the regulator points, but I haven't disassembled a generator but maybe three time in my life.
Joe

 

[Private Lugnutz]

First time I heard of one was walking through the shop of the guy who is rebuilding a magdyno for me, which was like walking through time.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a 3rd brush generator schematic

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Just to clarify some sloppiness on my part, the Bonney catalog actually reads, "Ford, Third Brush" for the wrench in question (the one with the spoonish fold out). In my interpretation, that indicates all Ford ignition systems, and all Third Brush type generators, not just Ford. I conflated the two, because I know Ford did use third brush generators in tractors and the Model T. You can see it for yourself if you click on the link I provided in post #4.

 

[MShaw]

Ford also used third brush generators in the Model A as well.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Old Harley-Davidsons used Three brush generators, also. The third brush was to set the output. Two brush generators used a regulator, three brush a relay.

So the third brush acted as a sort of regulator, but what is the spoon thing for?

 

[Modern Garage]

I wonder if the extra lever on the "Third Brush" wrench is an extension to enable using the wrench in a close location. I picture using the wrench behind a generator and using the extension sort of like a bell crank to push or pull the wrench where your fingers won't fit.
If my description makes any sense...

Joe

 

[ttpete]

I have a set of these in a tool roll. Many are marked with the make they're designed for, things like Bosch, Delco, Splitdorf, Simms, etc.

Lugnutz, what bike are you working on that uses a Magdyno? I had one on my BSA Gold Star. Rebuilt it myself.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lugnutz, what bike are you working on that uses a Magdyno? I had one on my BSA Gold Star. Rebuilt it myself.

This one.

View media item 76558

 

[ttpete]

This one.

View media item 76558

Ah. M20. When you get it running, pay attention to the ammeter. If the regulator allows the charging rate to be too high, it's easy to throw solder out of the armature.

 

[disston]

I also have bunches of those old wrenches. Have never found much use for them and they are now in boxes with other old junk that once belonged to an old mechanic that worked on the machines of our grandparents. I guess if I had any of those older machines I'd try to put them back to work but my oldest machine is a 1975 BMW and much too modern for this stuff.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If the regulator allows the charging rate to be too high, it's easy to throw solder out of the armature.

Thanks, pete. I've got a list of tips and cues from the wdbsa.nl site. If this isn't already on it, I will add it. (Sorry for the delayed reply. Too many threads to keep track of...)