KD Kulp-Dellinger Tools.

[Private Lugnutz]

Catalog excerpt and more pics of the box below.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Dopey me picked up these No. 425 Lamp Bulb Pliers at the flea this morning, forgetting that I had already found and posted a pair back in 2018! I am counting them as non-duplicates, because of the marking difference. (These don't say "TEMPERED STEEL.")

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I never did manage to locate the patent that would help me date them, but, (a) they do not appear in Catalog No. 17 (1935) and (b) they do appear in Catalog No. 21 (1942), so I'm pretty sure they're late 30's or very early wartime. I did find a patent for blub pliers (1983411) awarded to Charles Smith on Dec. 4, 1934. They may be a reason why no K-D related patent can be found (i.e., maybe it was not awarded).

I noticed that I did not post a catalog excerpt back in 2018, and I am glad I looked one up today, because it gave me a big chuckle.

Check out the handwritten pencil note to self... "Use 185 Duro" (I guess somebody didn't like the K-D or it was the wrong size for someone's bulb.)

 

[four.cycle]

^ errrr... yeah... Duro/Indestro made that same kind of widget. Not sure if there was any patent on it, though.
I have to wonder if perhaps the handle design may have been a factor in that guy's choice.

Note they're both using the same nomenclature for the same widget.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

errrr... yeah... Duro/Indestro made that same kind of widget.

Of course they did! Did you think my discriminating PO's little note-to-self about an alternative mfgr and model number would steer himself wrong? That's the coolest part about that K-D catalog scan. The cross-references! Dude was an organized mechanic.

 

[Mintgrun]

K-D No. 430 Door handle tool. Seeing the 425s inspired me to look it up. Maybe I'll try them out on my old Suburban.



As seen in the #69, 1969 catalog.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They introduced the No. 430 in 1948 or early 1949, as far as I can tell. At that time, based on the illustration in Catalog Supplement No. 24G, they were probably just two pieces of stamped steel pinned together, just like the No. 425 and many other special pliers they made. Mine (post #75), like yours and Don's (post #6), do not have the 'PAT APL'D FOR' marking that the catalog illustration shows, either.

 

[Provincial]

I bought a No. 431 over 55 years ago, and used it just last month.

 

[d42jeep]

I have both the 430 and the 431. I have used the 431 many times over the years but don’t recall ever actually using the 430.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

1924 Automobile Trade Journal K-D ad pp 430

 

[TheRealZeus]

Got something posted to a group, & cannot seem to find squat on her. so thought I’d see if ya’all had any insight. K-D had a lot of interesting special designs.
found references for the ratcheting hex sets pictured in thread, but not with this splined socket.


Anyone know her purpose? Thx Guys!

 

[Beerhippie]

I think that socket type is for knurled thumbscrews/nuts, as would be used on older electrical and electronic equipment. I run across them occasionally.

 

[four.cycle]

There is another thread here with a unit made by the same company - similar to yours, but it's got a conventional hex opening.

Your "knurled socket" fits a "radio knob", commonly used on early radio sets. Some early socket sets contained one or two "radio" sockets for use on those types of nuts.
The Indestro sets shown below each contain one "radio" socket.

The larger question remaining, of course, is who is "Ath. Spec. Co." of Elyria, Ohio? (I am finding nothing and I'm in a different rabbit hole at the moment.)

They look like they may well have been made by K-D. The "PAT APPL'D FOR" stamp unfortunately doesn't leave much to work with until we can figure out the "who" part.

 

[RTM]

is who is "Ath. Spec. Co." of Elyria, Ohio?

Well duh Ohio Athletic Specialty Company



And once you've made that leap, you find out they have a patent on something, a Sponge rubber scrimmage caps, which has a bunch of fasteners. Maybe?

US3435460A - Sponge rubber scrimmage caps - Google Patents

Google books shows them active from 1962 - 1971

IA has a reference to them existing in 1959, but good luck with that right now.

Stuart's guess from the other thread could be a good one too. My one pair with removable studs may have had two flats, but that was a long time ago

 

[TheRealZeus]

…

 

[RTM]

Wandering deeper into the weeds on Ohio Ath Spec, brings up this tidbit, they made a cleat with a square base, in 1961.

Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation

books.google.com

Looks pretty hexagonal to me. Design patent

USD198123S - Cleat for a shoe - Google Patents

Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office

books.google.com

 

[four.cycle]

^ Then that knurled socket would be just the ticket to R&R that cleat on the field in a hurry (after the cleat is all smooshed up and a standard six-point socket or open-end isn't going to be a good fit.

Yes?

(at least it makes sense in MY head from a cursory view.)

(I may not be thinking straight... I've been trying to sort out "Jim Dandy" alcohol torch patents for three hours.)

 

[TheRealZeus]

^ Then that knurled socket would be just the ticket to R&R that cleat on the field in a hurry (after the cleat is all smooshed up and a standard six-point socket or open-end isn't going to be a good fit.

Yes?

(at least it makes sense in MY head from a cursory view.)

(I may not be thinking straight... I've been trying to sort out "Jim Dandy" alcohol torch patents for three hours.)

I believe that is a feasible possibility. The only sorta issue I see; the socket well looks deeper than the cleat, and I was surmising it only fits on this 1/8”? (guess) portion.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Many times I have been deep in the patents, and turned the mind into a messy library, as well.

 

[RTM]

I believe that is a feasible possibility. The only sorta issue I see; the socket well looks deeper than the cleat, and I was surmising it only fits on this 1/8”? (guess) portion

Mine would have been at the bottom, probably 3/4" or larger in a vintage guess.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Got something posted to a group, & cannot seem to find squat on her. so thought I’d see if ya’all had any insight. K-D had a lot of interesting special designs.
found references for the ratcheting hex sets pictured in thread, but not with this splined socket.


Anyone know her purpose? Thx Guys!

Probably for the splined steering column adjuster.

 

[TheRealZeus]

Probably for the splined steering column adjuster.

I thought along those lines too. But the company athletic gear connection presented itself. Actually was thinking spindle to smaller motors, but basically.. Same train of thought/same idea.

 

[B Halverson]

Well where would we have been without K-D tools. They were and are everywhere, and if anyone worked on automobiles back in the day they probably had at least one or two laying around. I am pretty sure I have one or two of the large valve spring tools, and I have the rotary piston-ring filer that once belonged to a deceased friend of mine and which I have often used when sizing new rings to fit cylinders. Also this is here, a nifty folding set of tools for working on the headlights of the older automobiles when things were very standardized compared to nowdays. I have in the past just carried it in my pocket as a general "get me out of a jam" tool while I was going about my day working on things.

 

[d42jeep]

K-D No. 430 Door handle tool. Seeing the 425s inspired me to look it up. Maybe I'll try them out on my old Suburban.



As seen in the #69, 1969 catalog.

If I’m going to find a K-D tool at an estate sale it might as well be one I already have and don’t use. Here is the one found yesterday.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

K-D Tool was not the only K-D, apparently.

 

[TheRealZeus]

K-D lamp Co is still there. Founded 1914.

 

[TheRealZeus]

More industrial history at there pg here;

About Us | K-D Lamp

Established in 1914, our mission is to provide excellence through a proven process of designing & manufacturing vehicle lighting.

kdlamp.com

 

[Beerhippie]

Damned near perfect condition. Copyright 1973. Found under the bottom drawer of a tool chest.

If anyone can use this, let me know. I'll mail it off too you.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't collect K-D much past 1950, but for the potential informational value of those who do, I checked IA/ITCL to see if it's been scanned already. There's a No. 74 uploaded, also copyright 1973. You can see it in the lineup here. I noticed that yours is a No. 74p, though. Probably later in the year. It might be worthwhile to do a quick page-by-age comparison to see what the differences are, if any.

 

[Beerhippie]

I just couldn't bear to see it thrown away. I was helping a buddy clean some stuff out and he would have tossed it. I don't have any use for it myself.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some removable tip K-D #446 snap ring pliers found at an estate sale yesterday.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is an K-D 3004 oil filter wrench that was included with a Craftsman set I found at a moving sale on Saturday. I seem to recall having one in the past but I don’t know what happened to it.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ I believe your K-D model 3004 is the same as Plews model 70-715 (patent 4532835 Aug 6 1985 Brian M. Schwitters assigned to Parker-Hannifan Corp., so the patent originally belonged to Plews.)
I think it also might have been manufactured with "Craftsman" branding, but I don't have an example.
No idea why it's not listed at datamp.org - I know I've sent this one in.
BK

 

[markhm]

It was sold in 2 sizes as Craftsman.

 

[Ed in Virginia]

I have a Craftsman that I have had forever and still use occasionally, but it's a little different in design.

 

[four.cycle]

K-D model 600 Valve Spring Compressor (patent 1330542)

note that this unit includes the orange lock tab described in patent 1461275

more photos and information here in the "engine tools" thread

 

[d42jeep]

^ I believe your K-D model 3004 is the same as Plews model 70-715 (patent 4532835 Aug 6 1985 Brian M. Schwitters assigned to Parker-Hannifan Corp., so the patent originally belonged to Plews.)
I think it also might have been manufactured with "Craftsman" branding, but I don't have an example.
No idea why it's not listed at datamp.org - I know I've sent this one in.
BK

Here is a Cal Van marked oil filter wrench with that patent number.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ 4532835 assigned to Parker Hannifan. Manufactured by Parker Hannifan (#?), Cal-Van (#820), and K-D Mfg. Co. (#3004) , and Plews (#70-715)

not sure why this one is not listed at datamp.org... I know I've sent the information in at least twice.

 

[Eric Brown]

I was elated to add this early ratcheting reversible 6-point box end set in original leatherette roll-up to my K-D collection this week. I haven't been able to track down the patent to which that "PAT. APPL'D FOR" refers. That would help date it. But I am pretty sure it's early. I know it's before 1946, because K-D always consistently used a Registered Trademark symbol (R) next to their "K-D" after that. Estimating 1930's.

I admire the way they spelled out the COO in full.

Just got these Fulton ratchet wrenches with the R-4672 marking indicating probably made by K-D. Like the above wrenches these are marked "Made in United States of America", "Pat Applied For" on the back side. Both sides are marked with the bolt size. That is interesting because it was about 1930 that they standardized bolt head size instead of thread size. Also, these particular ones do not have a hex opening that goes all the way through, but have a stop lip on them. Here are pictures of the two wrenches I have. Plus, there is a picture from the Sears 1945 winter catalog, and a K-D document.










Both wrenches were marked on both sides by a company named PAMCO. I found the following that says they started business in 1911 but not sure if these were used in the factory or field installations.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Big KD fan here. How am I just finding this thread after all these years? I'll have to snap some pics of my KD stuff. I have a good amount.