Junk Store Wrenches
- Thread starter stricht8
- Start date
arkangel06
Banned
Neat, Im sure Bull would like to have a look at these.
Never seen a ''Merit'' wrench before.
Never seen a ''Merit'' wrench before.
Neither have I. The Merit logo is quite nice. I did a quick search on AA and it seems that they were sold by Sears eons ago.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
Nice find! I always like finding a Barcaloy or Barcalo Buffalo from time to time. 
Scott
Scott
Yessiree, those are some neat finds. Are the narrow ends of that Merit factory, or was the wrench ground for clearance?
I'd try and get them from you, but I have been in a tool funk the past couple days. I feel like a character from that "Hoarders" tv show. I actually hauled a pile of wrenches and a couple ratchets out of my drawers to photograph and list on here, but don't know if I can go through with it. Nice to have money come IN sometimes, instead of always going OUT, though!
Sorry to rant and rave in your thread. I can delete myself if you'd like.
I'd try and get them from you, but I have been in a tool funk the past couple days. I feel like a character from that "Hoarders" tv show. I actually hauled a pile of wrenches and a couple ratchets out of my drawers to photograph and list on here, but don't know if I can go through with it. Nice to have money come IN sometimes, instead of always going OUT, though!
Sorry to rant and rave in your thread. I can delete myself if you'd like.
Bull, I'm not sure about the Merit. I was also thinking that it might have been modified but I can't tell for sure. I get in those tool funks too usually when I'm scrounging around the junk store with my hands all dirty surrounded by a depressing pile of rusty obsolete tools. I just keep at it until I find my little treasures amidst the junk. I did score a sweet little Herbrand Allen socket today which I'm holding for you!
Nice find! I always like finding a Barcaloy or Barcalo Buffalo from time to time.
Scott
Yes I did score five or six Barcslos this time. My previous Barcalos were kinda junky but today I found some more interesting and well preserved examples.
nordstar
Well-known member
I have several Merit wrenches from my grandfathers tools. Most likely WWII to post-WWII. I have seen them show up in the wild from time to time, but not much. I have only seen Merit marked wrenches and only in the small sizes. Something tells me they where made for auto kits or to be sold cheaply at auto stores.
I have a 1/2" - 7/16" Barcalo (no Buffalo marking) open end wrench. It looks unfinished compared to others of that era. There is no factory burring/grinding/polish just plain casting. You can see the seem where the steel seeped out of the dies. The chrome stayed on well though with only small spots of rust.
It seems that Barcalo quality is very variable, some seem rely cheaply made and some are downright fine and beautiful. My first encounter with Barcalo wrenches was with the cheap sort so I made the assumption that they were junk tools. As I started running into finer and more interesting examples my opinion changed.
lbgradwell
Well-known member
arkangel06
Banned
Werid never seen that before.
Yes, I do find that very interesting.
The owner of AA told me he has no knowledge at all of the Lesota brand. I asked him if he wanted pics of my ratchet, but never heard back from him.
But if AA doesn't have the info, we are working in virgin territory here.
toolmiser
Well-known member
What is the story on Barcalo Buffalo wrenches. I have a set from my father in the original roll. I've (we) used them for years and have always thought they were decent. Am I right or just used to them? Wouldn't get rid of them for anything though. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
Check out www.alloy-artifacts.com for an in depth history on this interesting company. I'm no expert on these tools but it seems that some are pretty fine, some have interesting designs and some are just crude. They are all pretty cool nevertheless.
If I remember correctly, weren't there alot of cheap knives made using 4140 steel? These were better than Chinese stainless steel but less than 440c.
toolmiser
Well-known member
Thanks for the info. Interesting read. I also have a quite a few "orphans" of that name, acquired at garage sales, though they are kind of the odd ones.