Craftsman wrenches

[gruberhome]

Hello,
This my first post to this forum and I have a question about two Craftsman wrenches I bought at a farm sale. The one is a box wrench with the size marked as 1/2 W and 9/16 W, The actual size of the wrench is 15/16 and 1".
The other wrench is open end with the same stamp with a nut size the same as the box wrench. Also bought another cool tool made by Bemis and Call Hardware Co. It is a combination Monkey and pipe wrench was wondering about more information on this as well.
Thank you.

 

[woody 73]

This might help you out:

http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers.html#bc

http://alloy-artifacts.org/craftsman-early-tools.html

Sounds like the W =Whitworth (made for British nuts & Bolts.

 

[Richard Cranium]

W=Whitworth, British I think.

 

[jakemac]

Yes, the W after the size denotes that it is the Whitworh British standard for sizing. An older standard similar to the old USS vs SAE here in the states.

Anything marked BS is British Standard (different from Whitworh).
An AF mark denotes Across [the] Flats.

British motorcycle and auto junkies look for Whitworh sockets and wrenches to work on their "babies".
They're not necessarily rare, but can be hard to find on the used market.

 

[gruberhome]

Okay, thanks for the answer to my question about the W on my Craftsman wrenches. Whitworth makes sense as it indicates the bolt diameter and not the nut size. I am baffled how a farmer in rural PA came to acquire these tools. Any information on the Bemis and Call Hardware Co. an the unusual monkey wrench?

 

[woody 73]

Google is your friend:

http://davistownmuseum.org/bioBemis.html

 

[jakemac]

I am baffled how a farmer in rural PA came to acquire these tools.

Did you see a motorcycle with a Triumph or BSA badge on it hiding in the barn ?

 

[Jim C.]

Those old Craftsman Whitworth sized wrenches are somewhat rare, with collectors and users alike on the lookout for them. Sears/Craftsman offered four Whitworth sized DBE wrenches, four DOE wrenches and ten 1/2" drive sockets.

Jim C.

 

[gruberhome]

Thanks for all the replies. No British bikes just two old Ford tractors.