mritchie77
Well-known member
I don't know exactly what I could add to the discussion but I thought y'all might light seeing some not-so-common Loc-Rite wrenches.
The story goes that my father-in-law's dad was a Chrysler mechanic in Chicago from 1955-1969. Sometime during this period, he was awarded a gold plated set of Loc-Rite flare nut wrenches for being a "master tech". From my research, this more than likely had to do with him completing a certain amount of annual trainings as opposed to some sort of longevity or meritorious achievement.
Not being one for sentiment, he used this wrenches frequently whenever he needed a flare nut wrench. When he passed in the 90's (he was only 58!) they went to my father-in-law who also used them frequently. Fast forward to 2017 when I was finishing my bachelor's degree and living with my in-laws, for father's day I decided to make a display for his father's wrenches. You see, my FIL became an aircraft mechanic and loves vehicles just like his father and these were some of the only things that got passed down to him. The end result was this:
As you can see, in the set of four there is one missing. Unfortunately, it hadn't been seen in decades and is long gone by now. Ever since then, I've been looking for one of these wrenches from the award set so that I can give it to him and complete his father's set again. This was easier said than done as many Chrysler "Master Tech" award tools have come up, but none have been these type of flare nut wrenches. From GJ, I can estimate that they were only made during the 1964-1967 period as the Loc-Rite patent wasn't granted until 1964 and Kelsey-Hayes got out of the tool business in 1967. This tracks completely with the service dates of his father at Chrysler.
If you can tell by the story so far, I was able to grab a set off of eBay yesterday and BOY are they pretty!
I didn't expect to really find a replacement ever, but I never thought I'd be able to find a complete set with the matching wrench roll, cardboard box and catalog! My FIL is driving down from Chicago next month to meet his new grandson (my son) and I think he will be pleased to be able to complete the set again!
The story goes that my father-in-law's dad was a Chrysler mechanic in Chicago from 1955-1969. Sometime during this period, he was awarded a gold plated set of Loc-Rite flare nut wrenches for being a "master tech". From my research, this more than likely had to do with him completing a certain amount of annual trainings as opposed to some sort of longevity or meritorious achievement.
Not being one for sentiment, he used this wrenches frequently whenever he needed a flare nut wrench. When he passed in the 90's (he was only 58!) they went to my father-in-law who also used them frequently. Fast forward to 2017 when I was finishing my bachelor's degree and living with my in-laws, for father's day I decided to make a display for his father's wrenches. You see, my FIL became an aircraft mechanic and loves vehicles just like his father and these were some of the only things that got passed down to him. The end result was this:
As you can see, in the set of four there is one missing. Unfortunately, it hadn't been seen in decades and is long gone by now. Ever since then, I've been looking for one of these wrenches from the award set so that I can give it to him and complete his father's set again. This was easier said than done as many Chrysler "Master Tech" award tools have come up, but none have been these type of flare nut wrenches. From GJ, I can estimate that they were only made during the 1964-1967 period as the Loc-Rite patent wasn't granted until 1964 and Kelsey-Hayes got out of the tool business in 1967. This tracks completely with the service dates of his father at Chrysler.
If you can tell by the story so far, I was able to grab a set off of eBay yesterday and BOY are they pretty!
I didn't expect to really find a replacement ever, but I never thought I'd be able to find a complete set with the matching wrench roll, cardboard box and catalog! My FIL is driving down from Chicago next month to meet his new grandson (my son) and I think he will be pleased to be able to complete the set again!
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