Lets see your Cam-Loc wrenches!

[bonneyman]

Picked up a double ratcheting flare wrench the other day, to go along with a smaller one I've had for awhile. Made by Bonney/Utica.
Word is these double styles are fairly uncommon (compared to the single style), but, I'm sure some of you guys out there have some. If you have any, let us see a picture.

 

[bonneyman]

You know, I kinda remember a member saying had a Cam-Loc wrench on his desk. I got the impression he was using it as a paperweight.
Well, I'd love to see that paperweight!

 

[Oldsmobile]

<first post...first time I had something useful to contribute!>

Thanks to GJ and, by extension, Alloy Artifacts, I finally learned what these things were. I knew them only as awesome. I make regular use of the 1/2" size for transmission cooler fittings on my 70s-80s GMs. The 3/8" has come in handy a number of times for brake fittings. I've used the 5/8" a few times for the fuel filter line on Quadrajets. Can't remember ever using the 3/4" end.

(I'm not a great photographer, but hopefully you can see some of the detail. I love the AC branding on the biggest wrench.)

 

[bonneyman]

Thanks for posting!

I've added another single ratcheting flare to my set.


And, welcome to the forum!

 

[foreverfalcon40]

VERY UNIQUE, please explain what this tool does?

Seems like it is a ratcheting flare wrench?

 

[Exceller8]

I have a couple of them and I'll post pictures tomorrow. I bought them because they looked cool, but I would also like to know what the heck they are used for.

 

[Monkey Milk]

Those are cool, I want it.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I finally learned what these things were. I knew them only as awesome. I make regular use of the 1/2" size for transmission cooler fittings on my 70s-80s GMs. The 3/8" has come in handy a number of times for brake fittings. I've used the 5/8" a few times for the fuel filter line on Quadrajets. Can't remember ever using the 3/4" end.

These uses speak to me. Thanks for sharing.
Now who makes new versions?

 

[Steinmetz]

Picked up a double ratcheting flare wrench the other day, to go along with a smaller one I've had for awhile. Made by Bonney/Utica.
Word is these double styles are fairly uncommon (compared to the single style), but, I'm sure some of you guys out there have some. If you have any, let us see a picture.

These were also provided as interchangeable heads for Utica torque wrenches. I have a few around here somewhere. They were a nice invention.

 

[woody 73]

If any GJ member would like a set of three they can be had for $75.00 dollars plus shipping from:

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/BonneyWrSets/3CLRF.html

Woody

 

[66HertzClone]

I have a couple of them and I'll post pictures tomorrow. I bought them because they looked cool, but I would also like to know what the heck they are used for.

Essentially they work like a ratcheting open end wrench.

 

[bonneyman]

VERY UNIQUE, please explain what this tool does?

Seems like it is a ratcheting flare wrench?

The head has a set of moveable steel pins held in relative position by a strong, small spring. In one direction, the pins roll forward on the fastener and get stopped by a steel plate in the head, putting pressure on the fastener flat away from the corner. This reduces rounding. In the other direction the fastener pushes the pin up against the spring till it slips past it, providing a ratcheting action.
Cam-Loc was the patent name given in 1951, and was the fore-runner of Bonney Loc-Rite (1964) which was basically the same design in forged alloy.

There is a picture on a patent page that shows all these little innards:
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?pn=2550010&id=40669

 

[bonneyman]

These uses speak to me. Thanks for sharing.
Now who makes new versions?

Surprisingly, no one. Apparently, the Chinese can't even get the labor down enough to make a profit on tools like these.

 

[ChevyEFI]

If any GJ member would like a set of three they can be had for $75.00 dollars plus shipping from:

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/BonneyWrSets/3CLRF.html

Woody

With 1/2 and 5/8, I'd be into those.

 

[bonneyman]

I have a couple of them and I'll post pictures tomorrow. I bought them because they looked cool, but I would also like to know what the heck they are used for.

I find them very helpful for evaporative cooler work.
Many times the brass compression nuts on the water lines leak, and other technicians have wrenched on them with water pumps or Crescent wrenches or Vise-Grips to tighten them enough to stop leaking. So, problem fixed and they're off!
Then, when I come out, the only way to remove them used to be get a restricted area shorty hacksaw and cut the whole assembly off and replace it. With the 1/2" Cam-Loc, I can get nuts off that are too far mangled for a regular wrench - and I get a ratchet action ta boot! Means alot less work, sweat, cuss words, and I can usually save the float or valve assembly.

 

[bonneyman]

With 1/2 and 5/8, I'd be into those.

I got my 1/2"er from a GJ member. He said he had another one available. Maybe he'll chime in, or I'll see if I haven't cleared my inbox yet.

 

[Dave455]

Surprisingly, no one. Apparently, the Chinese can't even get the labor down enough to make a profit on tools like these.

Actually, the German firm Saltus offer these. I have their catalogue and these are listed! The inserts are interchangeable as well!

I don't think Saltus are well known in the U.S.A. though!

 

[bonneyman]

Actually, the German firm Saltus offer these. I have their catalogue and these are listed! The inserts are interchangeable as well!

I don't think Saltus are well known in the U.S.A. though!

Cool! Do you have a link for that?

 

[ChevyEFI]

Actually, the German firm Saltus offer these. I have their catalogue and these are listed! The inserts are interchangeable as well!

I don't think Saltus are well known in the U.S.A. though!

Cool! Do you have a link for that?

The industrial finish 6 point with green handle here?:

http://www.saltus.de/en/products/manual-tools/wrenches.html

 

[Applesauce]

Wow. First I've heard of a wrench like this. I love this board!

Here's a link to a rad-looking set... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Plo...472?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e1b9ad18

 

[Oldsmobile]

Last year, I added two Bonney Cam-locs to my toolbox. Here's my full collection.

 

[bonneyman]