J.E. Wakefield Wrench Co., Worcester, Ma. - "Wizard" wrenches

[four.cycle]

^ well.... it IS a "bicycle wrench", by definition, but it was made by Wakefield for the Hendee company and stamped "Indian Motocycle".
definitely a collectible. people pay stupid money for those on Ebay, which is why I do not own that particular model.

I'd suggest "Evaporust", which both Private Lugnutz and d42jeep seem to have a high opinion of for removing rust without damaging the tool.

great find!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked this one up over the weekend. Thought it was a bicycle wrench until I saw what some steel wool uncovered.

Nice find, Marty. I've got a small Indian collection going, all flea finds, linked here, without that wrench in it, but, as 4.c points out, if you're not keeping it, you could probably pocket three-figures on that one on evilBay.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked this interesting DOE wrench (see Pic 1) out of a pile at the flea market this morning. That's the Bridgeport Hardware and Manufacturing (BHM) monograph (see Pic 2) on it. Why am I posting it in the Wakefield thread? Because it has 9/16" x 1/2 measured milled openings, with a unique bend, sure as shootin' looks like a Wakefield No. 45 wrench (see Pic 3, 4, & 5), and this thread could use a bump.

 

[d42jeep]

My best friend since first grade allowed me to pick through a large pile of rusty treasures that he received from an 85 yr old lady who was trying to get rid of them. Among all of the cool items was this Wakefield Indian adjustable.
-Don
Here it is after an evaporust bath.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was excited to spot this No. 55 DOE in a box of junk at the flea this morning. Group shot of my modest Wakefield collection in Pic 2. Interesting that the No. 55 and No. 45 have the same opening sizes. The only difference is that little dog leg right on the No. 45.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up this No. 9 adjustable this morning at the flea market. See Pic 1. No real discernible difference between it and the No. 19, which I already had. See Pic 2 for a comparison. See Pic 3 for markings. See Pic 4 for my entire Wakefield Wizard collection.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Snagged this duplicate this morning. Always interested in a trade if anyone has a Wizard tool I don't own. See Pic 4 in the post before this one for my family pic.

 

[4xdog]

This Wizard No 9 adjustable is exactly like yours, Lugz. It's been here for decades -- I don't think this came from my New England grandfather's stuff, but it could have...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I pulled this little ****** out of the very bottom or a greasy toolbox at the flea market this morning. Alas, no sign of the rest of the kit or the stepped bolt and wingnut that would hold them together. See page 1 post #2 for a jealousy-inducing set that 4.c owns.

 

[td98]

Hello, I came across this 4-way today. Anyone know if this is related to the Wakefield ya'll are discussing or a different Wakefield company?

Thanks!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'd be surprised if it was different. Cool wrench. It's early, because the sockets are press fit or welded, not forged.

 

[four.cycle]

I'm going with Wakefield in Worcester, Massachusetts on the 4-way. Nice piece!

As an aside: I ran across this little ad the other day, which I found interesting. By 1919, son Clarence was advertising the company under his own name:

 

[td98]

@four.cycle @Private Lugnutz Thank you both for the speedy response, the info is much appreciated!

 

[four.cycle]

You are quite welcome, and welcome to the site!

 

[LesserSon]

I’ve had the No105 for a while. Not being a student of Wakefield, it was just sitting with my similar Indestro stamped-steel wrenches. Today I was at a small flea market, picking through a couple bins; the vendor says, “Those are all a dollar.”
Encouraged, I dig some more, pull out this No120. “Except that: that’s five.” I set it on the corner of the bin, keep digging. He explains that it adjusts, which I can see. But it doesn’t really adjust easily.
I nod, “That’s cool.” “Well maybe three,” he suggests.
I’m thinking, I can post it on the Oddfellows thread. Three isn’t too much - heck, it has three main parts! I take it, add two other items, hand him a five. “Thanks.”
So I was a little surprised at Lugz’s quick reaction when I posted it in a group shot of today’s flea finds on the GS thread.
Interesting that it is the third out of three with “Patent Pending” status.

 

[four.cycle]

^ three bucks? you stole it.

 

[LesserSon]

But that’s TWICE what it sold new a century ago!

 

[four.cycle]

Well... for reasons I do not fully understand, the model 120 usually commands prices exceeding $20.00 (at least on ebay.)
Not sure what I paid for mine... it was less than 20, but certainly more than 3.

I don't think I've seen a complete set of Wakefield nut and tap wrenches - that's definitely an odd one there.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

for reasons I do not fully understand, the model 120 usually commands prices exceeding $20.00 (at least on ebay.)

I've seen them go even higher ($50). I don't find it incongruous, though. They're not unicorns, but they're not common, either. And theyre unique. I understand the attraction and the value.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Added a B-1 to the collection yesterday at the flea. It's not a fancy "Wizard" logo, but I like it. Soaking it overnight in Evaporust did wonders for its functionality and complexion.

 

[four.cycle]

cool.
love the pliers.

 

[LesserSon]

Picked up this No9 at the flea recently. Just brushed the dirt and rust off today.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hey, nice one, LS. I must've missed your post amidst my Yuletide festivities!

As reported in the GS thread, I found this No. 7 today. (For those who don't know, the model numbers on these correspond to the OAL.) I was very excited, because it's not a dupe, and it has maybe the most pristine, crisp markings of any of the tools in my Wakefield collection.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Excellent condition

 

[HeelSpur]

#7, first one I've ever seen. Nice find.

 

[LesserSon]

Apologies for not getting this cleaned up before posting. I picked up this somewhat abused post-1922 No19 motorcycle wrench on Sunday. No “Wizard” on this one.
EDIT - after clean up

 

[LesserSon]

Brought home today from the flea.

 

[Beatle6227]

Can anyone help me with this tool, it's a Wakefield No 26... July 1921?
The end that's circled is hexagonal to accept the extension pieces and sockets.
The action of the tool is the baffling part, if I new what it was for then the action may be answered.

 

[four.cycle]

that's 3/8" or 1/2" hex drive?
(sorry I'm not sure where mine is and I don't recall)
let me get back to this. Tue May 24 14:43:56 2022 Pacific Time (GMT - 8hrs)
I have an appointment in 16 minutes.

 

[Beatle6227]

that's 3/8" or 1/2" hex drive?
(sorry I'm not sure where mine is and I don't recall)
let me get back to this. Tue May 24 14:43:56 2022 Pacific Time (GMT - 8hrs)
I have an appointment in 16 minutes.

I think the drive is 1/2", I can't confirm this as I'm away from home at the moment and won't be back for 2 months. Any information at the moment is a great start.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

@Beatle6227 I can't help you with the oddball brace, but that is a cool kit that I have never seen before. Where are you getting the "July 1921" from? A marking?

 

[four.cycle]

I am not finding a patent on that unit. There should be a date on it. Maybe not.
Either way, the only thing I'm finding that looks even remotely similar is a "capscrew wrench" for a Ford flywheel, and I'm not sure that's even a close guess.
The ratchet is the same as the one in my 8R socket set - that's easy. The oddball unit - I have no clue.
It is rather interesting that it appears the box was designed to fit that piece in there.

Danielson / J.P. Danielson Co., Jamestown, NY / "Bet'r-Grip" "Auto Kit" "Controlled Steel" / acquired by Plomb 1947 / patent 2083130 Jun 8 1937 Carl E. Sunberg / http://alloy-artifacts.org/danielson-jp-company.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/danielson-jp-company.html#history / http://toolarchives.com/node/115 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/jp-danielson.344578/ /

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It is rather interesting that it appears the box was designed to fit that piece in there.

That's the cool part! But the orientation of the knob, bend, swing, and opening don't make sense. It's almost crank like.

 

[3baygarage]

You flip the L handle around and put it in the handle, and you have a speeder. It's a compact speeder.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Where do you see an L handle?

EDIT: Disregard. I see it now. Good call. Two piece breakdown speeder to fit the box. Even cooler.

 

[Beatle6227]

@Beatle6227 I can't help you with the oddball brace, but that is a cool kit that I have never seen before. Where are you getting the "July 1921" from? A marking?

The date and tool number is stamped on the knob

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The date and tool number is stamped on the knob

Please post a photo.

 

[Beatle6227]

Unfortunately I'm away from home for another 2 months, so any more photos will have to wait until then.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Okay.

Meanwhile, reason I ask is, Wakefield was fairly circumspect and proprietary about marking their patented tools, but dates were typically accompanied by some reference to "PAT.", which you did not cite in relaying the info, so I am curious if "No. 26" and "July 1921" is verbatim or not, from recall. In going through the 1921 USPTO report, there is no indication of J.E. or Clarence Wakefield or anyone else owning a patent or TM being assigned to Wakefield Wrench Company. I have not gone through it looking for all patents related to socket wrenches.

 

[four.cycle]

"...the orientation of the knob, bend, swing, and opening don't make sense. It's almost crank like...."

Exactomundo.... makes NO sense .... until he tells us that inserting the "ell" handle into the business end of it turns it into a speeder, but even that makes me roll my eyes a bit ... because ... WHY would they set it up like that? That doesn't make sense. (refer back to Judge Judy 101: if it doesn't make sense, it can't be true.)

I'm beginning to wonder if there's a possibility the box was altered by a PO to accommodate that oddball unit? But again, that begs the question of "why?"