Need some help with vintage pipe wrench ID please -

[SweetD]

My latest victim - my brother in law found this pipe wrench on his newly-acquired property / home here in RI. It was half-buried in the dirt. God knows how long it's been there. He asked me if I could clean it up - he has seen my electrolysis bucket going before...

So far it's coming out pretty nice. It does have some irreparable damage to the top jaw teeth - it'll be a conversation piece. I'm planning on cleaning it up, painting it, and probably commemorating his first owned home with his family name and date of purchase on it...something like that.

Anyway, can anyone ID this wrench's brand via these pics? I tried to get a close-up of what looks like a logo on the top jaw. It also has the number '18' on the handle - assuming it's an 18" model.







Thanks for any ideas on it - I'm not a pipe wrench expert!

Dave

 

[jakemac]

It's a Stillson style pipe wrench, but I don't recognize the logo/imprint. I just cleaned up a Walworth, but it wasn't nearly in as bad condition. Good job on the recovery.

 

[SweetD]

Thanks Jake -

Morning bump - anyone else recognize the logo at the top of the jaw in the third pic?

Also, the handle is completely flat, no markings or any kind of cast-in indentations or grip...

 

[SweetD]

Update - it's apart!



Here is a close-up of that diamond-shaped logo on the bottom side of the moveable jaw. Can't make out much, but it does look like there is a diamond within the diamond shape.



Anyone recognize the logo? There is a small # 18 cast into the moveable jaw opposite side of the diamond logo - you can see it in the first pic.

Back into the e-tank as separate parts for awhile next...

Dave

 

[Carves]

Here ya go ....

http://ancientpoint.com/inf/94909-v...by_walworth_mfg___co___boston_u___s___a_.html

 

[jakemac]

Ahhhhhh, the Walworth logo on my #24 is slightly different IIRC, and in a different location. Yours may be older than mine. No wonder I didn't recognize it.

SweetD - That makes your wrench a genuine Stillson rather than a copy.
Looking forward to seeing it finished.

 

[theknurl]

I like my old Stillsons better than my much newer Rigids

 

[SweetD]

Carves - I owe you a drink - if you're ever in RI, shoot me a message - THANKS!



Dave

 

[ganymede]

Wow, that's some savage pitting. Funny how the spring is still there.
Maybe spring steel is harder than that used in the jaw.
Cool find.

 

[SweetD]

Wow, that's some savage pitting. Funny how the spring is still there.
Maybe spring steel is harder than that used in the jaw.
Cool find.

It's pitted for sure. I will say that the pics make it look worse than it actually is. That being said, it's definitely a conversation piece - the springs (definitely pitted) and the jaws are deteriorated beyond what I would consider "safely usable" - but the castings aren't so bad...



Dave

 

[Carves]

Carves - I owe you a drink - if you're ever in RI, shoot me a message - THANKS!



Dave

You might have to pour it in a ziplock bag and mail it to me,

USPS seems to get down here within a week .. ..


At first glance I thought the rusted out logo was the Brit, "Footprint" logo like on a few things I have ... but then I remembered the Bowling Pin logo I had seen in the past .... whilst exercising my googlefu.


That ol pair of stillsons will make a good conversation piece in your BILs shed ..

 

[ganymede]

It's pitted for sure. I will say that the pics make it look worse than it actually is. That being said, it's definitely a conversation piece - the springs (definitely pitted) and the jaws are deteriorated beyond what I would consider "safely usable" - but the castings aren't so bad...



Dave

Absolutely.
Old tools in a shop inspire.

 

[SweetD]

Need some help with vintage pipe wrench ID please - updated restoration

So I've been working on this restoration trying to get it done to give to my BIL at Christmas.

Today I cleaned up the flash rust with the wire wheels on both my bench grinder and then with the power drill. I'm going to leave the moving jaw and knurled jaw adjustment knob bare metal, and paint the handle red. I have the static jaw and the pin that holds the moveable jaw to the handle taped over.





Coming out nice so far...one of the leaf springs was so corroded that it broke off. Not sure if I can replace it. The remains are still pinned/riveted on with a single pin/rivet, and is obviously spring steel. Gonna have to think on that one a bit...



Dave

 

[SweetD]

Getting there - first light coat of several, Sunrise Red Rustoleum:

 

[SweetD]

Alright, just to document the final product...gave it to my BIL last night at the Christmas Eve in-law gathering at our house...he loved it. I think it came out really nice overall and will be a great wall-hanger for years to come:





The full length pic is a little dark - it was late, and many beers deep:



Looks even better in person, not that crappy cellphone flash glare that you can't get rid of in pics...glad to have done it...!

Dave