Kent's Tools in Tucson

[Private Lugnutz]

Like fishing holes and tree stands, I'm usually ultra protective about the locations of my favorite tool picking spots, which are almost exclusively flea markets in NJ. In this case, I am way out of my territory, and I'm sort of paying it further forward.

Thanks to a casual offhand reference by MR. X to a tool shop in Tucson that he picked several years ago, I asked him for the name of the place, and I hit it on my way to the airport yesterday morning on my return trip to NJ after a week of TDY at Fort Huachuca.

Cool place. Located on East Grant. Take Exit 256 off the I-10 near old town, go about seven or eight blocks on West Grant until you see it in your left, do a U-turn, and the PL is right there.

Lots of stuff outside, and out back, too.

Someone was loading a 70's Sportster out of the fenced in lot out back when I arrived. (And I had to work a photo of the lone saguaro cactus in! )

Hand tools were in the front of the shop as soon as you walk in. In the back were grinding stones, abrasives, files, and all kinds of vintage power tools.

In addition to that Rotobin, there were three rows of wrenches, drive tools and socketry to the left. Also all kinds of puller sets, bushing tools, and special tools. Mainly chrome, lots of 50s and 60s. You have to dig for the 40s and earlier.

Here are my pickings.

Left row: Happy to find the miscellaneous OTC, Plomb, Wright, and NB ignition/electrical wrenches. That OTC is a first for me, and it appears to perhaps be Bonney made, although I am not certain of that.

Middle row: I probably dumped out and went through the ignition wrench bin three times to make sure I didn't miss any of the very early CRAFTSMAN logo wrenches. I have never seen these in all my years of picking before, nor have I seen them posted here on GJ, or on TA or AA, so I was thrilled to find four (4) from the same set. Guessing 1930's. Guessing one of the Skinny Shank Hex Throat consortium in Ohio.

Right row: Also happy to find some early style wrenches with the magneto makes (Berling, Northeast, and Eisemann) on them. Love those, and I'm certain they were also part of a set. If you've never heard of Berling before, they were made by Ericsson in Buffalo, NY, and were used on everything from tractors (e.g., Gravely Model L) to airplanes (e.g., 1928 Lincoln-Page LP-3).

The other wrenches are a nice 1929 Bluepoint single offset Boxocket with typical oldtimer's style owner's markings (wrenches w/ 1 notch are Frank's, 2 notches are Billy's, etc), and a 1931 Bonney CV flare nut wrench.

I definitely did not give myself enough time to fine tooth comb the shop, and I will be returning next month.

Kent’s in Tucson doesn’t have the volume of Charlie’s in Denver (most recent roving reportage from leg17 on travel here) or the sophisticated antique panache of Liberty Tool in Liberty, Maine (most recent roving reportage by LesserSon while on vacation here), but it has its own unique sort of hardscrabble high mountain desert personality.

Lest there be any doubt about its proud pedigree, even the bathroom was “decorated” to theme!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

More pics of the ignition/electrical wrenches...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

More pics of the '29 BluePoint Boxocket X18 (9/16) and the '31 Bonney flare nut wrench (3/4 x 25/32)...

 

[MR.X]

"Hand tools were in front of the shop as soon as you walk in." In the back were vintage power tools, some gold and a big *** sarcophagus. ...just sayin.

 

[Provincial]

The Berling magneto was OEM (Original Equipment Magneto) on the Curtiss OX-5 90HP V-8 aircraft engine used on the Curtiss "Jenny" trainer during WWI, and used by barnstormers after the war. Because it was cheap and plentiful, it was used to power many of the civil aircraft in the early 1920's, including two-, three-, and even four-place models. It was not chosen for its reliability, and the fact that it had a single magneto as the sole source of ignition was one reason.

Those who could scratch up enough money to buy a Scintilla magneto were far ahead in the reliabiltiy area. The Scintilla used a rotating magnet and a fixed coil. The Berling used a rotating coil and fixed magnet, with the rotating coils being the weak link.

Nice finds, Lugz. Arizona is the resting place of many tools that were brought in by retirees, and few younger people in that area are interested in old tools.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

"Hand tools were in front of the shop as soon as you walk in." In the back were vintage power tools, some gold and a big *** sarcophagus. ...just sayin.

Haha.

Nice finds, Lugz.

Thanks, Jock. And also for the elaboration on the Berling magneto.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

They bring in from LA, as well.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This group of three pairs includes three of the Craftsman ignition wrenches and three ignition wrenches with different markings from my collection.

I'm pretty sure that Vlchek made all these. Unless someone else made them for Vlchek, Craftsman, and Merit.

 

[bluebolt]

Nice finds, I will have to keep an eye out for those early Craftsman ignition wrenches.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, bb. It's funny how that works. As soon as I saw them I knew I had never seen them before. I've searched since then to see if I could find old posts here or on GG or even old eBay sales. I may have to ask one of the guys with the Craftsman DVDs for help. In 1941, Sears was offering this DUNLAP set, and interestingly, it had a 4-wrench set, and they look to be the same construction, and with hex throats. The size range was a little different than mine, but that may have changed from the 30's.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Visit #2 to Kent's was even more successful than Visit #1!

I will post an inventory and more photos later...

 

[bonneyman]

They were supposed to move with the road widening project, but last time I drove by the road curved and the widening didn't crowd them out.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I obviously don't pay enough attention to that "Location" field, bonneyman, because I didn't realize until now that you lived in the area. It's a cool place!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I will probably post close-ups in other threads, but the small haul includes, from Top to Bottom in that pic a few posts up...

- P&C 6244 flex head speeder
- Misc sockets, including Herbrand, Plomb, -D-I-, and New Britain
- Plomb and WRIGHT extensions
- Misc angle wrenches, including Snap-on, Duro-Chrome, Williams, and Plomb
- A Snap-on valve adjuster
- Blue-Point flare wrench (rare 1943 date code)
- Misc tommy bars

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Also in the pile was this incomplete set of snap-over flare wrenches made by Imperial (as in “Imperial Brass Manufacturing Company”) of Chicago.

The patent (Mann, unassigned, 2,814,225) dates to Nov 26, 1957.

But these seem to be from 1961.

Curiously, Mann envisioned it as a sort of adjustable nut wrench, or maybe I am just misinterpreting his description, but as soon as I saw them and their spring-loaded jaws, I was thinking flare nut/conduit wrenches, they were in a bin with other flare nut wrenches, and Imperial Brass, famous for their flaring kits, is known for HVAC related tools. So I think Imperial Brass sold them as adjustable flare nut/conduit wrenches. I have a set of Herbrand in an OD green roll-up that are similar in design and construction.

DATAMP has the patent in its database, linked here, but, oddly, even though they are aware of the "Imperial" marking, they seem to be unaware that Imperial refers to Imperial Brass as the manufacturer.

 

[3baygarage]

Oooh, a P&C flex head speeder.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm not sure what this drive tool is. It almost looks homemade. A 6-point swivel socket on a ball joint pinned to an extension with a press-fit 1/2-inch drive nose on the other end. Cadmium-plated.

Not sure about this adjustable pin spanner crowfoot with the AN ("Army-Navy") part numbers, either. It has a 3/4" capacity, but I don't know what the "TO2" or "DIA" stands for. My mind wants to say "Defense Intelligence Agency", but that seems unlikely.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oooh, a P&C flex head speeder.

My first ever, of any brand - and if you don't mind, I was saving it for your thread.

 

[MR.X]

I

Not sure about this adjustable pin spanner crowfoot with the AN ("Army-Navy") part numbers, either. It has a 3/4" capacity, but I don't know what the "TO2" or "DIA" stands for. My mind wants to say "Defense Intelligence Agency", but that seems unlikely.

Diameter 3/4 to 2"

 

[PartsGuy]

I'm not sure what this drive tool is. It almost looks homemade. A 6-point swivel socket on a ball joint pinned to an extension with a press-fit 1/2-inch drive nose on the other end. Cadmium-plated.

Not sure about this adjustable pin spanner crowfoot with the AN ("Army-Navy") part numbers, either. It has a 3/4" capacity, but I don't know what the "TO2" or "DIA" stands for. My mind wants to say "Defense Intelligence Agency", but that seems unlikely.

The pin spanner stamping refers to an adjustable capacity of 3/4 to 2" diameter
(3/4TO2DIA)

Oops, didn't see that previous post had already answered that!

 

[MR.X]

It's all good Bro., I'll take the back-up.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Diameter 3/4 to 2"

The pin spanner stamping refers to an adjustable capacity of 3/4 to 2" diameter

Doh! Trying to read too much into a marking again! Thanks, guys.

 

[bonneyman]

I obviously don't pay enough attention to that "Location" field, bonneyman, because I didn't realize until now that you lived in the area. It's a cool place!

No problem.
For years the road there was planned to be widened, and the Ken was trying to get the city to pay to move his store. I guess they found a way around paying him to move - they just bumped the road over 30 feet!

 

[Provincial]

That isn't a "pin" spanner, it is designed to engage a slot, rather than a hole. It would be more properly called a "hook" spanner.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That isn't a "pin" spanner, it is designed to engage a slot, rather than a hole. It would be more properly called a "hook" spanner.

Square pins, Jock! Haha. No, you're right, bad habit, hook would be more accurate. To complete the dissection of my hasty description, they're not really crowfeet, either, just drive attachments. I have a few more around here somewhere from Snap-on and Bonney (PWA), and also a few Billings hook spanners, and a NOS box of Fairmount hook spanners. With handles.

No problem.
For years the road there was planned to be widened, and the Ken was trying to get the city to pay to move his store. I guess they found a way around paying him to move - they just bumped the road over 30 feet!

Maybe they didn't want to have to move this grinder!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Links to additional photos and close-ups of the Snap-on valve adjuster, posted here, the angle wrenches posted here, the P&C flex head speeder posted here, and the early Richmont 50 inch lb Torq-Stop wrench posted here.

 

[bonneyman]

Square pins, Jock! Haha. No, you're right, bad habit, hook would be more accurate. To complete the dissection of my hasty description, they're not really crowfeet, either, just drive attachments. I have a few more around here somewhere from Snap-on and Bonney (PWA), and also a few Billings hook spanners, and a NOS box of Fairmount hook spanners. With handles.


Maybe they didn't want to have to move this grinder!

Yeah, no doubt! With the theme of the store being tools - and most of those being steel - the job of moving tons of weight was probably daunting.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Small haul this time...

Miscellaneous ignition wrenches, some kind of unmarked specialty and possibly homemade press-fit flex tool with a small (didn't measure it) hex opening, a Cater Carb stubby 3/8-inch drive spinner with a tommy bar hole, an unmarked 1/4-inch drive screw starter (?) with a "Hole-Tite" looking detent, a pebble Plomb 5249 3/8-inch drive ratchet, a Plomb offset screwdriver and a Snap-on offset screwdriver.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here are some of the orphan ignition wrenches... A pair of P&C and a chipped Plomb, a pair of WIZARD, Blue-Point (not a pair - one is electrical, the other is ignition), a pair of Bonney, and a pair of unmarked Duro-Chrome 8XX series.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not positive what this is. As I said upthread, it looks like a screw starter to me on a 1/4-inch drive bit, and the bit looks like it could be unmarked Plomb.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's that specialty spinner. The tiny hex bit and the handle, which is knurled at the very end for thumb and forefinger turning, are press-fit onto the flex piece. They are cad-plated.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here is the Carter stubby 3/8-inch drive T109-51 spinner.

 

[bonneyman]

That place has so many nooks and crannies you could hide a body in there and not find it!

 

[Provincial]

I'm thinking that the flex driver had a plastic (Acetate) handle that has gone AWOL over the years. Notice the discoloration on the shaft, and think that the ridges on the end are to grip the molded-on handle, like a screwdriver.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That place has so many nooks and crannies you could hide a body in there and not find it!

Truth!

I'm thinking that the flex driver had a plastic (Acetate) handle that has gone AWOL over the years. Notice the discoloration on the shaft, and think that the ridges on the end are to grip the molded-on handle, like a screwdriver.

That makes more sense.

 

[RubiconJK]

Not positive what this is. As I said upthread, it looks like a screw starter to me on a 1/4-inch drive bit, and the bit looks like it could be unmarked Plomb.

Agree on both counts Lugz. Awesome haul!

 

[3baygarage]

Not positive what this is. As I said upthread, it looks like a screw starter to me on a 1/4-inch drive bit, and the bit looks like it could be unmarked Plomb.

I’ve seen a few of those before. My thoughts are it’s more along the lines of a Cal Van or Thexton, or another one of the special auto brands.

What I really like are those 3/8 Carter spinners.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The wartime Carter Carb kit is a rare and highly desirable article among WWII collectors, 3bay. They pop up from time to time, go for big bucks, and I have only ever seen one with the spinner in it.

 

[3baygarage]

I didn’t know the military guys were interested iI have a few of the spinners and just a couple random sockets.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Carter single barrel carbs were in several trucks including the jeep. That kit I posted was issued to 2nd echelon maintenance depots. Not common, and not cheap.