Multi-head wrench, interesting find?

[Hellcat6]

So were these pretty common? Was this a poor man's wrench set? Picked it up cheap at a flea market, thought is was interesting. One handle and five different heads that slide on. They stay on and are pretty tight but not sure how it would work out in actual use. One side of the handle says "Xcel Multi-Head Wrench" and on the other side says it is from "Park Metalware Co, Orchard Park, NY". Does anyone have any information on these? Thanks.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

That seems neat, but easily replaceable by the common adjustable. None the less great find.

 

[olds394]

They're about the coolest things I'VE ever seen. Check out the open ends. They still look great. I'm not saying you **** but...well, you ****. I want some of those.

 

[ironroad 9c1]

yea , but if its made good the jaws won't flex open like the adjustable will.

 

[Merkava_4]

Are those heads slotted on both sides?

 

[Hellcat6]

The heads are slotted on both sides, look the same on both sides. They slide into the slot at the end of the handle. Would like to find out how old this set is but can't find anything on this company. Any info is welcomed.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Alloy Artifacts lists Park Metalware but does not show the wrench. He has only one wrench listed which is also pretty unique.

Cool find!

 

[-B-]

looks like the old track wrenches from the days of the 6 day races. I have seen something similar and may have a picture some where, in my archives.

 

[Monte]

Maybe a set for bicycles which you can carry with you for less weight ? Something similar is available from Gedore nowadays:

 

[kburns]

Someone at Papaws Wrench might know something:
http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php

 

[Uncle Buck]

Cool find, I like it!

 

[petty4243]

from the Alloy Artifacts link JAFE posted earlier

Park Metalware Company
Park Metalware was a small tool maker operating in Orchard Park, New York. During the 1920s the company developed and patented a line of interchangeable open-end wrenches, and produced other tools including the adjustable drain-plug wrench shown below.

Park sold its tools under the XCEL brand, and later used the brand name Xcelite for a line of screwdrivers and nut drivers. The Xcelite brand continues today as part of the Cooper Tools conglomerate.

Park Metalware Adjustable Drain-Plug Wrench

Fig. 100 shows a Park adjustable socket wrench for drain-plug service, marked "Park Metalware Co." and "Orchard Park, N.Y. U.S.A." on the rotating handle, though the markings are very faint due to wear and rust.

The overall length (when retracted) is 7.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

Although not marked on this example, this wrench design is covered by patent #1,639,831, issued to J. Zilliox in 1927.

Readers familiar with our Blackhawk article will undoubtedly recognize the similarities between this tool and the Blackhawk 151 "Adjusto" Wrench shown in that article. The Park tool preceded the Blackhawk model by some number of years, and clearly must have influenced the Blackhawk design.

 

[rsanter]

it would be cool if there were also box ends available for that

bob

 

[Jay H 237]

That is sooo awesome, never seen anything like that before!

 

[fatfillup]

Way cool hellcat. What really blows me away is that someone here didn't already have a set or know much about them. I think you should be awarded a "STUMPY", for stumping the board. Those are far more rare than "you ****".

Great find and thanks for sharing.

 

[Hellcat6]

Thanks for all the comments. Very cool to find something unusual and interesting. Just walking through a flea market with no good finds when "Hello, what's this?" There it is in a small box. For $5 I had to have it, not sure why. That must be the sickness coming through. Having fun and not breaking the bank, can't beat that!

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

1535281 seems to be it...one day off, fabricated handle.

Search here: http://www.google.com/advanced_patent_search

Actually, if you are a tool nut, don't EVER go there; you'll never come out.