My small but growing DBE wrench collection

[twertsy]

Thanks Jason, the mystery continues!

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[four.cycle]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but:

There were all kinds of screwball wrenches made early on; each one being designed for one particular task on one particular engine on one particular car. (i.e., some early Buick cylinder head bolt wrenches.)

Purely wild speculation on my part, but is it possible that there was a need for a screwball wrench of that sort to fit some military application where there was no need for great quantities but a need for expediency?
Rather than make a completely new die for something like that - which would require several steps to manufacture in a drop forge - wouldn't it be simpler, less time consuming, and quicker to just forge a conventional wrench and then twist the end around like that?

Of course, having never seen anything even close to that, it's entirely possible it's a home-made one-off deal.

 

[twertsy]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but:

There were all kinds of screwball wrenches made early on; each one being designed for one particular task on one particular engine on one particular car. (i.e., some early Buick cylinder head bolt wrenches.)

Purely wild speculation on my part, but is it possible that there was a need for a screwball wrench of that sort to fit some military application where there was no need for great quantities but a need for expediency?
Rather than make a completely new die for something like that - which would require several steps to manufacture in a drop forge - wouldn't it be simpler, less time consuming, and quicker to just forge a conventional wrench and then twist the end around like that?

Of course, having never seen anything even close to that, it's entirely possible it's a home-made one-off deal.

Sure, there are lots of Bonney examples where the original model number was ground off and a new one stamped on because they did that exact mod.

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[Username already in use]

Here's some more images of the Barcalo wrench.
I have an album of full size images on the web here (http://imgur.com/a/HAS85).
After cleaning it up, a few more observations. There appear to be vise or plier marks around the modified area. There are 2 X marks on either side of the Barcalo Buffalo which I've seen before on Barcalo wrenches marked as 'seconds'. Also appears to have remnants of chrome plating around the boxed end of the wrench.
Additional thoughts?

 

[Outlawmws]

Looks to have a bit of heat mark nearer the box end also.

Is the cut off end formed at all? The first pics looked like it, these, less so...

 

[Jim C.]

I would love to have some Whitworth tools. They always end up more than I can justify because I don't own a vintage British bike. But I figure if I got the tools first then the bike would soon be along. Oh well.

Hey disston,

If it's any consolation, I can honestly say that I didn't get any sort of smoking hot deal on the four Cman DBE wrenches...... I did manage to pick up a few duplicate Cman Whitworth sockets and DOE wrenches along the way, so if you ever get that bike, let me know. Maybe we could strike a deal or trade or something.

Jim C.

 

[d42jeep]

Here's some more images of the Barcalo wrench.
I have an album of full size images on the web here (http://imgur.com/a/HAS85).
After cleaning it up, a few more observations. There appear to be vise or plier marks around the modified area. There are 2 X marks on either side of the Barcalo Buffalo which I've seen before on Barcalo wrenches marked as 'seconds'. Also appears to have remnants of chrome plating around the boxed end of the wrench.
Additional thoughts?

I believe that it is a home modified wrench that started out as a regular BB DBE wrench as indicated by the two size markings stamped on the pad. I think that there are discolorations on the remaining box end from the heating process. With the vanadium markings it's likely that the wrench is pre WW2. It probably started out similar to one of these vanadium marked wrenches. It even has the similar "O" forging mark like my lower example, which is common on Barcalo wrenches.
-Grandpa Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Not sure I agree with it being based on an offset, the offsets had one side blended to the "ring" of the box. This one clearly has a defined edge both sides:

Vs:

 

[d42jeep]

I would agree with you except to the best of my knowledge all raised panel DBE Barcalo Buffalo wrenches are either shallow or deep offset.
-Don

 

[leg17]

Looks modified by a skilled blacksmith.

 

[BlueBomber]

Here's my contribution to the Barcalo Buffalo mystery wrench. I support the user-modified theory.





This is one of my shallow offset BBs. Its not from quite the same era (says Drop Forged instead of Vanadium) but it hopefully illustrates how easily such a wrench could be heated, flattened and then bent around a fixture. The telltale sign of a user mod is the raw, unfinished cut off of the other box end.

A cool installment in the mystery series "The Maimed Wrenches of Garage Journal".

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Not vintage, but they were in the close out bin at my local True Value. I figured they would make a good set for the junkyard, or fixing equipment in the field.

 

[Username already in use]

Here's my contribution to the Barcalo Buffalo mystery wrench. I support the user-modified theory.

Agree, the more I look at it, the more I feel that it's 'user modified'. Still, they did a pretty darn good job at it.

Here's a few DBEs I snagged over the weekend.
Plomb WF-83 and Duro-Chrome 2056 Handy-Hex.

 

[bluebolt]

Not vintage, but they were in the close out bin at my local True Value. I figured they would make a good set for the junkyard, or fixing equipment in the field.

Are those USA made or import?

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Are those USA made or import?

COO mainland China I'm afraid, although I do like the look of them over my 90s era satin finish COO Taiwan Mater Mechanic wrenches.

 

[d42jeep]

A new patient arrived at Don's clinic for abused Barcalo wrenches today. It was introduced to some of the other patients.
-Don

 

[twertsy]

A new patient arrived at Don's clinic for abused Barcalo wrenches today. It was introduced to some of the other patients.
-Don

A motley crew but there's still signs of life!

 

[BlueBomber]

I've really slowed down on DBE acquisitions--just no cheap deals to be had on eBay lately. But I added this non-cheap biggun to my Proto wrench collection:

Proto LA 1162 angled, 1-1/2" x 1-7/16"




Here are my top three Protos, each from a different production era.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Very nice start!!

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Arrived today from eBay!

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ That New Britain double box end is very unique and nice !!

Let's see the "Whole Family" that goes with it.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Other then some deep offset DBEs in the same style this is an orphan for now.

 

[BlueBomber]

Alrighty, gang, I filled in another hole in the Williams Superrench line up.

This puppy is a No 8041 deep offset, 1-5/8" x 1-7/16". Odd how it skips the 1-1/2" size.





I still need the Big Daddy 8053 to finish out the top end of this brute squad.

 

[Rileysan]

Alrighty, gang, I filled in another hole in the Williams Superrench line up.

This puppy is a No 8041 deep offset, 1-5/8" x 1-7/16". Odd how it skips the 1-1/2" size.





I still need the Big Daddy 8053 to finish out the top end of this brute squad.

Oh my! That's like parking a Subaru Brat next to a quarry dump truck!

BTW - I am still in the game ... I just don't have a lot of spare time to photograph and post my finds. I picked up a few big'uns so far, this weekend, at the big Portland Automotive swap meet. It's THE place to be for GJ members here in the Pacific NW. There are DBEs galore, so I'm having to be choosy!

Brian

Brian

 

[CNGsaves]

Well I've caught a little bit of the GJ dbe illness . .
. .
. . . bought these nice Indestro deep offset SAE off of Ebay.

For metric, bought set of Expert dbe's . . . E111712 . . which are "private label" Mac brand.

 

[leg17]

Alrighty, gang, I filled in another hole in the Williams Superrench line up.

This puppy is a No 8041 deep offset, 1-5/8" x 1-7/16". Odd how it skips the 1-1/2" size.

Those two sizes are for Heavy Pattern Nuts for 7/8 and 1" threads.
Likely for machine repair application.

7/8 x 1~1/16 and 1~1/16 x 1~1/4 often turn up. Same thought process.

 

[disston]

BlueBomber you should have to report the weight on something that big. Size is good but I think the weight would be impressive.

I'm jealous.

I've noticed often with older style wrenches the sets will have all of the sizes but they are not always arrange in the order we think is right. Or do you have a catalog or a list that does not list a 1 1/2" size so know it is not covered?

 

[BlueBomber]

Well I've caught a little bit of the GJ dbe illness . .
. .
. . . bought these nice Indestro deep offset SAE off of Ebay.

For metric, bought set of Expert dbe's . . . E111712 . . which are "private label" Mac brand.

I like Indestro Selects. They are not as plentiful as straight Indestros, so it feels good when you come across one. A whole set--well, that's just a happy day.

Those two sizes are for Heavy Pattern Nuts for 7/8 and 1" threads.
Likely for machine repair application.

7/8 x 1~1/16 and 1~1/16 x 1~1/4 often turn up. Same thought process.

Nailed it! Heavy pattern nuts don't have a 1-1/2" size.

http://www.portlandbolt.com/products/nuts/heavy-hex-nut/

Imagine the DBE for a 4" diameter bolt....

Thanks, Leg!

 

[twertsy]

BlueBomber you should have to report the weight on something that big. Size is good but I think the weight would be impressive.

I'm jealous.

I've noticed often with older style wrenches the sets will have all of the sizes but they are not always arrange in the order we think is right. Or do you have a catalog or a list that does not list a 1 1/2" size so know it is not covered?

Good thing he doesn't live here in VA or where you are Disston......he'd have to pay taxes on those.

 

[Outlawmws]

The other size that is rare in the big ones is 1-3/8: in sockets for instance I have ZERO....

 

[disston]

I have a 1 3/8 socket in 3/4 dr. It's a Herbrand. Very old.

I do not have 1 3/8 in a DBE. I may have it in some other form but not sure.

 

[BlueBomber]

BlueBomber you should have to report the weight on something that big. Size is good but I think the weight would be impressive.

I'm jealous.

I've noticed often with older style wrenches the sets will have all of the sizes but they are not always arrange in the order we think is right. Or do you have a catalog or a list that does not list a 1 1/2" size so know it is not covered?

Dusston: am out in the garage to work on SWMBO's Subaru and grabbed some weights for the Brute Squad.

Williams 8041: 5lbs 12 oz
Williams 8045: 9lbs 4 oz
Williams 8049: 11lbs 14 oz

My Armstrong 1445 Special is 9lb 7oz



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[BlueBomber]

I have a 1 3/8 socket in 3/4 dr. It's a Herbrand. Very old.

I do not have 1 3/8 in a DBE. I may have it in some other form but not sure.

I checked--lots of 1-1/4, 1-5/16, two at 1-1/2", but no 1-3/8". Hmm, I like a challenge...

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[leg17]

The other size that is rare in the big ones is 1-3/8: in sockets for instance I have ZERO....

I don't know what it would fit.
That's why it's uncommon.

 

[Rileysan]

I checked--lots of 1-1/4, 1-5/16, two at 1-1/2", but no 1-3/8". Hmm, I like a challenge...

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I haven't looked through my DBEs but I didn't think that size (1 3/8") was uncommon. I know for certain tha I have Proto combo wrench and an S-K 1/2" drive socket that came in a set of oversized sockets I bought new about 20 years ago. I think I have a Craftsman DOE with that size too. Now I need to check my DBE wrenches.

Brian

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[Outlawmws]

I don't know what it would fit.
That's why it's uncommon.

Exactly; there are no standard nuts or bolts that size, so no need...

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Added another DBE to the collection today.

 

[Rileysan]

I added at least two dozen DBE wrenches to my flock this weekend at the big Portland Automotive Swap meet. This is the "piece de la resistance" - a Plomb #1162 1 1/2" x 1 7/16" pebble wrench. I fought with myself over this one and was able to get the seller to drop the price to $15.

Brian




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[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ That is Plomb beautiful !!! . . . .
. .
. . . . . AND . . . worth every penny of the $15 negotiated price !!

 

[Rileysan]

From the Portland Automotive Swap Meet, I bring you more DBEs for your viewing pleasure. At $.50 - $1.00/ea (with the exception of the really big ones), I could have easily come home with a couple hundred of these. There were a few that came in a package deal that I already have but for the most part, these were items I picked out on purpose.

Brian

New Britain NDF-118, 1 5/8" x 1 7/16" ($10)
Plomb 1162 pebble wrench, 1 1/2" x 1 7/16" ($15)
Plomb 1162 1 1/2" x 1 7/16" ($10)
Plomb 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" ($10)

The Buck or Less pile:
Proto 1155 1 5/16" x 1 1/4" that has been cut
Craftsman =V= 3/4" x 7/8" (x3)
Craftsman =V= 11/16" x 13/16"
Hinsdale 7/8" x 13/16"
Sparta 11/16" x 3/4"
Lectrolite 5/8" x 9/16" Starter/alternator DBE
Barcalo 5/8" x 3/4" Deep Shorty
S-K 1/2" x 9/16" shorty
Blackhawk BW-1601 3/8" x 7/16" shorty
Craftsman =V= 5/8" x 3/4" Deep shorty (bent at one end)
Crasftsman -V- 1/2" x 9/16" shorty
P&C 2114 7/16" x 3/8"
S-k 3/4" x 25/32"
Barcalo 5/8" x 9/16"
Proto 1184-A 5/8" x 11/16" 12pt ratcheting offset
Proto 1183 1/2" x 9/16" 6pt ratcheting offset
Proto 1182T 3/8" x 7/16" 12pt offset
Proto 1193T 1/2" x 9/16" 12pt ratcheting
Proto 1192T 3/8" x 7/16" 12pt ratcheting
Proto 1192 3/8" x 7/16" 6pt ratcheting (x2)
K-D No. 283 3/8" x 5/16" 90 degree offset
Snap-on 9/16" distributor wrench (I know - not really a DBE)

Brian