How did I do at the pawn store (wrenches)?

[noid]

Went to the local pawn store today to check out what they have and after digging through a fairly large box of bits i found 13 interesting wrenches but only bought 6 for $5 dollars since the other 7 were rusted/worn (willams/gray mainly).

Here is what i got:

Got these 3 gedore wrenches.... flip them over and they are made in India! Never knew they made them in India. Any information on these? Are these warranty-able for German gedore? (one has slight rust).

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Some Canadian pride! Anyone know what company this is?

One side says Chicago U.S.A the other says M. Klein & SONS

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How did i do?

 

[lbgradwell]

Some Canadian pride! Anyone know what company this is?

Engineering Tool & Forgings Limited

ETF was a family-owned business based in St. Catherine's, ON. I have not been able to pin down their exact dates, but I can say they operated from 1932-1965 for certain...

 

[noid]

Engineering Tool & Forgings Limited

ETF was a family-owned business based in St. Catherine's, ON. I have not been able to pin down their exact dates, but I can say they operated from 1932-1965 for certain...

How do you know this? even google didnt come up with anything.

I wonder if i should do the honor of continue to use it or if i should keep it as a collector piece.

 

[StupidHippie]

I wonder if i should do the honor of continue to use it or if i should keep it as a collector piece.

Use it up...they are -very- common around here.

 

[caper]

lbgradwell,and others,have been researching old tool markings and manufacturers for quite awhile.There is some extreme old tool knowledge available here on the board.

 

[lbgradwell]

How do you know this?

You don't even want to know how much time I've spent researching tool companies over the years...

I don't use those oldies; they're just not very practical IMO as they'll rust almost immediately in the presence of moisture and I'm sure you have at least one set of modern combos that are more suitable.

Hang it in your garage in your "Tools of Canada" section!

 

[noid]

You don't even want to know how much time I've spent researching tool companies over the years...

I don't use those oldies; they're just not very practical IMO as they'll rust almost immediately in the presence of moisture and I'm sure you have at least one set of modern combos that are more suitable.

Hang it in your garage in your "Tools of Canada" section!

I find this rust/patina look gives the tool character

Why do you say they arent very practical? Metal not as strong? precision not up to par?

 

[noid]

I desired to take my digital caliper and measure the wrenches to see how close the inside measurements are to what they say (ie. 5/8 is .625)

5/8 Gedore = .622
5/8 ETF Made in canada = DEAD ON .625
5/8 M. Klein & SONS = .622

3/4 M Klein & SONS = .751
3/4 ETF Made in Canada = .758

 

[Need4racin]

I have a bunch of gedores from my grandfather. They about worthless on resale value. I think they were the cheapest wrenches you can buy in the 70/80s.

 

[caper]

I have a bunch of gedores from my grandfather. They about worthless on resale value. I think they were the cheapest wrenches you can buy in the 70/80s.

Pretty much.I bought a set at the five and dime when I was about 10 yrs old to work on my bike.Cost me $1.99.

 

[billymade]

I don't know what the deal is with those Indian made Gedore wrenches... BUT I SEE THEM EVERYWHERE! What was the deal with those? Anyone know? They must have sold a ton of them; because I see them @ flea markets, garage sales and pawn shops! Go figure! I just wish they were German!

 

[Need4racin]

I think the indians started out making wrenches to get into the gas station and hotel trade.

 

[s_ontario]

I think the indians started out making wrenches to get into the gas station and hotel trade.

if you would have left off trade you would be right

 

[Mario]

Engineering Tool & Forgings Limited

ETF was a family-owned business based in St. Catherine's, ON. I have not been able to pin down their exact dates, but I can say they operated from 1932-1965 for certain...

Funny! Two hours ago I stumbled on some big old metal scissors that my dad gave me. It was marked CANADA and had an ETF logo. I was about to do a research on the company...

Research done! Thanks!

 

[warmpancakes]

I have a set of those canada wrenches they smell like beer and doughnuts

 

[Indy_500]

My uncle's got one of those gedore wrenches to bolt on this clamp thing for countertops. He said he bought it for 10 cents at a liquidators store. I was like "sweet, a gedore wrench!", then i flipped it over and saw india

 

[treasureseeker]

Noid:
If you enjoyed your day of hunting you did well. I stopped buying loose wrenches as they always looked rare until I looked them up at home, but there is someone out there looking for that certain wrench to complete a collection. I buy the Ford marked wrenches if they are cheap, that are part of one the tool sets. I live near Detroit and the tractor and car tool set items show up at times. I used to buy the loose socket collections also, never again.

 

[Monte]

So do those "India" wrenches work ?

 

[Gary S]

Pretty much.I bought a set at the five and dime when I was about 10 yrs old to work on my bike.Cost me $1.99.

I bought the same set of 5 about 30 years ago. They are the perfect wrench to carry in a vehicle because if you lose them, you won't cry. They are probably worth the $1.99 we paid for the set.

 

[blaze_125]

So do those "India" wrenches work ?

They seem sturdier than my MasterCraft ones if that tells you anything.

 

[arkangel06]

So do those "India" wrenches work ?

maybe for a little while then snap.

 

[lauver]

How do you know this? even google didnt come up with anything.

I wonder if i should do the honor of continue to use it or if i should keep it as a collector piece.

LG knows! That's all you need to know. Next case.

 

[kxxr]

lb knows google (and many other things, I'm sure) but ... it's in there.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I don't know what the deal is with the Gedore Indian made wrenches but I see them everywhere. I have a DOE set and they are complete garbage.