Early Park Metalware (XCEL, Pre-Xcelite) tools

[Outlawmws]

yeah... mine is nothing like that at all... I think the green box mine's in can't be more than about 5/16" of a inch thick (closed.)

This one is a good inch more than that.

 

[four.cycle]

I should pay closer attention next time!
Mine are MUCH smaller wrench sizes - 3/8" to 3/4" if I remember correctly. Box is flat flat flat - like a cigarette case.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Perhaps the larger sizes explain the different box design

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'd guess that would be the case, yes.
When I got mine in the mail, I was surprised by how thin the box was.
I need to dig that thing out and get some photos posted. No idea where it is.

 

[steaks&anvils]

^ I'd guess that would be the case, yes.
When I got mine in the mail, I was surprised by how thin the box was.
I need to dig that thing out and get some photos posted. No idea where it is.

This is GJ, that translates to: "Properly stored and ready for the estate sale".

 

[Outlawmws]

So True! So True...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

There are several green box sets on the thread already. See 4, 15, and 28. They go from 3/8" to 5/8". But the heads aren't that much thicker in the larger range size, guys. I think the reason that red box is taller is the way they're stowed in those cubbies. Note, on an angle.

EDIT: Adding pics. As noted upthread, 3/8" to 11/16" in the low range, and 3/4" to 1-7/16" in the high range. Different handles. See posts #28, 29, 32 for more.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Btw, the wrench heads changed shape from early (no retention hooks/release button) to later (retention/release), but not in thickness.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Flat green box: 3/8" to 5/8" small handle
Bigger red box: 3/4" to 1-1/16" big handle
Biggest no finish box:
-3/8" to 11/16" small handles
-3/4" to 1-7/16" big handles

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks to our not-so-secret jolly old Saint @four.cycle, I am the new proud owner of this near mint-y museum quality Multi-Head set. I have one, posted upthread, but no exterior decal to speak of. He also sent me the bike wrench, posted by him on his bike wrenches thread, but adding it here in its proper mfgr's thread, too. Just one of Zilliox's many patents (1,386,217). Oh, and then his company becomes Xcelite, the biggest nut driver maker in the world. I don't know if there's a bigger unsung hero in the industry.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Good to see it's been properly re-homed among its kinfolk.

 

[d42jeep]

Well, I’ve finally joined the club with this set I found on eBay at a very reasonable price. They seem to be quite well made considering their age.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They seem to be quite well made...

I think that's the characteristic, as soon as you handle them for the first time, that separates them from the gimmicky. They are real wrenches.

 

[Outlawmws]

Considering the popularity of ratchets and sockets you can select sizes from back than, a little surprising they didn't catch on better. you would need 2 handles at times and they would need a box end set, and maybe box end, particularly offset, wasn't as practical or strong?

I should use a set a bit and get a feel for then in actual use. Maybe it wasn't so good in use?

 

[wrench136]

I picked this up at my flea market this morning. It was frozen in place with dried gunk, and other than the general notion that it was an adjustable wrench for square head nuts and bolts, and that I had seen something like it before, I had no idea what it was until I got it home on the bench, un-stuck, dis-assembled, cleaned up, re-lubed, and re-assembled.

Turns out to be an XCEL Adjustable Socket Wrench made by Park Metalware Company, Inc., Orchard Park, N.Y., in 1927.

It's as easy to use as it looks. You just spin the head (or the handle, very lightly knurled on the end) to open or close the opening size in the socket jaws. As you can see, two sets of square socket jaws, small and large, on either side.

Pretty simple construction inside.

I have one of these. What is the OAL with the jaws closed?

 

[Provincial]

There is a Park Metalware interchangeable head wrench set for sale on the local Craigslist. It is missing the smaller sizes, but has most of the sizes above 19/32 up to 1-7/16. It includes the metal box set up to hold the individual heads in proper order. The price has dropped from well over $200 down to $100.00.

Not my field of interest, but someone should give this set a good home.

https://salem.craigslist.org/tls/d/salem-1925-multi-head-wrench-set-park/7637418121.html

 

[WisJim]

I just picked this small set up at a local garage sale today. It was the only interesting tool I found (so far) in the community wide garage sales this weekend. I'll probably go out again later, and maybe tomorrow.

 

[Outlawmws]

It was the only interesting tool I found (so far)

Nice find! I have a similar boxed set, and a partial non-boxed set:

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They actually work really well

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Another early (1921) Park Metalware product and John Zilliox patent (1,386,217), for the stamped and folded sheet metal construction and the embedded adjusting knurl running on a threaded rod inside. The dynamic jaw pieces are pinch-fit and it is captive on the fixed jaw and handle. Dude doesn't get enough credit! His ingeniousness was matched only by his diversity, his diversity matched only by his business savvy. Inventor and company founder and leader not the same skills, and not always one and the same person. An unsung giant in the industry.

@four.cycle has a much cleaner example on the Bicycle Wrenches thread.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I thought I'd sent you one of those!

Nice find!

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Announcement of the first Xcelite plastic handle screwdriver in Motor, Nov. 1930. BTW, most 1930 publications are full view on Google Books as of 1/1/26.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Last night my wife and I were watching Murder, She Wrote, Season 1, Episode 20, "Murder Takes the Bus" (1985), where the victim was stabbed with a screwdriver, and I recognized it as an Xcelite. Here's the proof.

 

[3baygarage]

Last night my wife and I were watching Murder, She Wrote, Season 1, Episode 20, "Murder Takes the Bus" (1985), where the victim was stabbed with a screwdriver, and I recognized it as an Xcelite. Here's the proof.

Great episode. It’s been years, but that one sticks out. Pun intended.

 

[Outlawmws]

Last night my wife and I were watching Murder, She Wrote, Season 1, Episode 20, "Murder Takes the Bus" (1985), where the victim was stabbed with a screwdriver, and I recognized it as an Xcelite. Here's the proof.

Hey, its all about product placement. Right?

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Two more 1930 Park Metalware ads. I also found a mention of hickory-handled screwdrivers in 1930, but was unable to find them in an ad.

 

[NoahG]

Just found this neat trio of pocket drivers branded for a radio parts supplier.