Charles S. Bonney

[woody 73]

He was a man that loved to invent and he used his talents to produce some very fine tools. He Founded his company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876 as Bonney Vise & Tool Works. Like some other tool companies of that time period he produced tools for horse-drawn wagons, and still later for automobiles that started to replace the horse drawn-wagons.

In 1921 the name changed to Bonney Forge & Tool Works. Then in 1953 Miller Manufacturing company of Detroit bought them out. This was followed by a sale in 1964 to the Utica Tool Company, who then sold it to the triangle Corpration in 1967. Then they were sold to Cooper Tools and that lasted till 1995.

Some of his patents and a little reading from the AA web-site along with a few pictures of some of my Bonney tools, hope you enjoy the post:

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/bonney-forge-tool.html

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=105896&id=14412&set=1

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=135882&id=21633&set=2

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=135883&id=21634&set=3

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=RE7689&id=21193&set=4

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=357306&id=14984&set=5

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=721660&id=22441&set=6

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=726794&id=52266&set=7

http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=728842&id=21796&set=8

 

[woody 73]

Some more pictures:

 

[woody 73]

A few more pictures:

 

[McFarmer]

I have that DOE set, the finish on them is the best I've ever seen.

 

[bonneyman]

Good info and great tools!

 

[619DioFan]

I have a set of Bonney stubby offset box wrenches. very handy .

 

[T45]

Nice full combo set !

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

not a bad collection

 

[malibu101]

I am not a "tool collector" but I have collected a few Bonney tools, nothing to really brag about.

However, I have a real liking for Bonney tools. There was a forge in Allentown PA where some Bonney tools were made. Allentown is 15 minutes from where I grew up and live. A friend of my dad's used to work at "Bonney Forge" in the 70's but I don't know any details of what they made there, I was a little kid then.

Thanks for the links!
I liked them.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

I don't collect everything they ever made, just a few select lines.... namely, streamline wrenches, 1/2 satin / knurled sockets, and anything actually marked Allentown.



My streamline combo's, so far... have 1 or 2 DOE's as well.



1/2" drive satin/knurled bottom sockets, two 32" sizes not in the tray... have a handful of 3/8's as well.




The only thing I have actually marked Allentown, so far.

 

[T45]

The socket knurling is sweet... maybe x-post this to "Tools from the old world..."

 

[malibu101]

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The only thing I have actually marked Allentown, so far.

THANKS for sharing the pic neighbor!

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

No problem man! I actually work in Quakertown so, I collect these and older North Bro (Philly) tools lol.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

oh, and Woody, I forget when, but learned recently that Snap-On actually bought the rights to the Bonney name about a decade ago or so.

 

[woody 73]

oh, and Woody, I forget when, but learned recently that Snap-On actually bought the rights to the Bonney name about a decade ago or so.

You are on to something I found some information from post # 43 telling about the snap-on buyout:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34482

 

[oldtimehockey]

This is a great thread... I have a few old Bonney tools...Now I have even more respect. Thank you for sharing.

 

[bob15]

A recent thread about Bonney tools (picture heavy):

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273680

 

[T45]

Woody, do you know of any resource that has the dimensions of the Bonney wrenches?

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

T45, someone a few months back snapped these pics out of an old Bonney catalog... 1950ish? Hope it helps.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I have some Bonney tools. Thats when tool manufacturers took pride in their quality and Craftsmanship. Those days are long gone due to corporate GREED.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[Cope]

I only have a few Bonney tools any more. These three are in my tool box.

The adapter is 3/4" Female to 1" Male. The Box end wrench is 3/4" on each end. Side is marked Bonney 2824, and on top is marked ZENEL. I was given the wrench in 1966 by my dad's old mechanic who was moving to Florida. He had a lot of interesting tools.

 

[uniballer]

All I can think of is a bonney magnet on a handle. Maybe some wrenches.

 

[bonneyman]

I only have a few Bonney tools any more. These three are in my tool box.

The Box end wrench is 3/4" on each end. The adapter is 3/4" Female to 1" Male. Side is marked Bonney 2824, and on top is marked ZENEL. I was given the wrench in 1966 by my dad's old mechanic who was moving to Florida. He had a lot of interesting tools.

Those single offset DBE's are quite collectable. And very good wrenches! And that style of Bonney reefer wrench is tough as nails and easily repairable. Nice group!

 

[oldtools]

I have only some Bonney tools. Bonney still exist, but they only make valve and fitting now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonney_Forge_Corporation

 

[Cope]

Those single offset DBE's are quite collectable. And very good wrenches! And that style of Bonney reefer wrench is tough as nails and easily repairable. Nice group!

Thanks. I know I have a few other items somewhere. I've only used the DBE on my drill press tilt table bolt. It's been hanging on the press for many years.

 

[metaldad]

My Bonney refrigeration ratchet wrench collection>>>>>>>>>

 

[bonneyman]

Thanks. I know I have a few other items somewhere. I've only used the DBE on my drill press tilt table bolt. It's been hanging on the press for many years.

I found one about a year ago - a 3/4" in fact. Figured it would be useful with the single offset design because alot of the HVAC fittings I mess with are 3/4".

Then ran across a forum member who snagged a set of those, but missing the 3/4". I sent it to him as a gift. He needed it more than I did. And it filled the hole in his set perfectly. Nice family photo, too.

 

[Cope]

I found one about a year ago - a 3/4" in fact. Figured it would be useful with the single offset design because alot of the HVAC fittings I mess with are 3/4".

Then ran across a forum member who snagged a set of those, but missing the 3/4". I sent it to him as a gift. He needed it more than I did. And it filled the hole in his set perfectly. Nice family photo, too.

You have a PM.

 

[twertsy]

So I went out picking this weekend and snagged this full set with pouch of Bonney ?carburetor kit? tools. Can anyone offer me any advice for cleaning the pocket pouch? All the other tools are soaking in evaporust right now.

 

[woody 73]

Twertsy fantastic set. Not sure if your set contains leather but this is a good product for leather: Any idea what the pouch is made out of???

http://www.leatherhoney.com/products/leather-cleaner/

 

[twertsy]

Woody, I'm not convinced it's leather. I believe it's some sort of vinyl backed with cloth. The "vinyl" part is pretty brittle and I'm a little scared to try and clean it up. By the way..........my addiction is getting bad! All but two pieces soaking are Bonney and everything on the box but the small pipe wrench is as well. WHAT have you done?

 

[bonneyman]

I was given a similar pouch as a wrench roll.
If it's leather, it's really thin. I cleaned the surface with Quik N Brite and wiped dry. Then applied some Ballistol gun oil. But I think the material is just too old and it's beginning to fall apart..

 

[twertsy]

Here are the tools that came in the pouch. There are 10 tool slots in the bag, and I have E2 through E10, plus the little file which has no engraving but fits one of the tool slots perfectly. The file and wrench far left were in the pouch, but I don't believe they are original. Problem is that the first pouch is 3x as wide as the rest, so I think I may be missing something. Any ideas on how to find out?

 

[rapid robert]

Thanks for posting Woody. I have few Bonney combination wrenches, all 1 inch or larger that got from my grandfather. They are still going strong after 40 or 50 years of use!

 

[humber2]

Here are the tools that came in the pouch. There are 10 tool slots in the bag, and I have E2 through E10, plus the little file which has no engraving but fits one of the tool slots perfectly. The file and wrench far left were in the pouch, but I don't believe they are original. Problem is that the first pouch is 3x as wide as the rest, so I think I may be missing something. Any ideas on how to find out?

#18 Ignition set as listed in 1934 catalog.

Contents are 10 Wrenches, E2 thru E11.
Maker specific so not a sequential sized range.

E11 for Bosch is a tube double boxend with a cross handle.
It fits that wide pocket.

I don't see this range in Alloy-Artifacts
Someone may have one to do an image.

see page 2 http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=11171.15

 

[t4runner]

Here is the set of Bonney wrenches I bought new off the Cornwell truck about 40 years ago

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Anyone happen to have a full list of part numbers for the Streamline wrenches?

 

[Plombob]

I bought Bonney wrenches back in the Triangle days. IMO, they had the best feel of any wrench made.

I might have a few odds and ends that could go to new homes. PM me if you are looking for something. Don't think I have anything marked Allentown.

 

[thesilverone]

i don't have anything to contribute, except this thread is A+

 

[woody 73]

Two more links to add to this post and 9 more Bonney hand tools that I picked up last night.

https://archive.org/details/Bonney1967ToolCatalog

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonney_Forge_Corporation