Old Spinner ID

[Provincial]

I picked up a couple of very old spinners many years ago. They have similar knobs on the back, so they could be made by the same company.

The smaller one is made of 3/8" diameter round steel, and the drive end just has a 3/16" cross hole and no square. It is marked with the Herbrand script, but no number. It is about 25 inches long.

The larger one has a 1/2" square drive end and the socket is kept from coming too far up the square by a cross pin. I can find no markings on it at all. Overall it has a rough finish, like it was made from a rough forging and no finishing was done. It is quite long, over 33 inches.

I don't know when they were made, but I suspect it was before 1930. The Herbrand logo came into use in the 1920's.

I wonder if the Herbrand spinner was part of another tool, with an attachment pinned on the end.

The larger spinner appears to be a socket drive tool, but I have no idea who made it, other than the palm rest is of similar pattern to the Herbrand.

Anyone have more information?

 

[r_olson_06]

I have one similar to your large one at home. If I remember correctly it is either Blackhawk or Walden. I will look later today.

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[Provincial]

Anyone?

 

[3baygarage]

Any writing on the metal knob? It reminds me of Los Angeles Tool Company of NY, just based on the knob design though. Not sure if they made square drive anything.

scroll about 2/3 down the page:

http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p2.html

The Herbrand, maybe that was a valve lapper.

 

[Provincial]

Thanks, 3bay, but the spinner knob is perfectly smooth after a trip to the wire wheel.

I think the Herbrand was part of a tool that had a coupling on the end, but without early catalog illustrations, it will be difficult to determine.

Maybe r olsen will find his sample.

 

[r_olson_06]

Thanks, 3bay, but the spinner knob is perfectly smooth after a trip to the wire wheel.

I think the Herbrand was part of a tool that had a coupling on the end, but without early catalog illustrations, it will be difficult to determine.

Maybe r olsen will find his sample.

Sorry for the delay. The one I found are similar but no markers.

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[Provincial]

The cross-pin on the 1/2" drive that keeps the socket from moving too far up the square appears to be an uncommon design. Does that ring any bells with anyone?

I found a similar spinner to the Herbrand on Ebay. It doesn't have the same knob, but the working end gives me a good idea of the use of the cross pin to attach a working piece. http://www.ebay.com/itm/No-8-Old-Antique-Model-T-A-Flathead-ford-Car-Valve-Lapping-Tool/263039325362?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[3baygarage]

I figured the Herbrand was a valve tool.


It's possible the other one was a fixed socket wrench or valve tool of some kind too. There are other pictures on the web of early service tools with a similar metal handle.

Looks like the handle here on one with a pinned on swivel socket:

http://www.greatplanestrading.com/MSWA/MSWA12_014PH.jpg


Early carriage wrench, possibly a similar handle:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/32/0a/6c/320a6c87f55b598dec61b87b3c685e50.jpg

 

[Provincial]

Yes, the knob design indicates early tools. The Herbrand logo dates to 1921, so that one can't be older than that. I'm not sure when 1/2" drive started, but the other spinner can't be very long after it originated, due to the cross pin design.

I suppose it isn't worth much effort to search, but I have been stumbling over these two cranks for years and finally decided to do some research.

 

[3baygarage]

Well, it's fun to try and figure it out. I have a problem in that I like to see what brand everything is/was, especially when I go anywhere with old used tools for sale.

Most early fixed handle tools were marked. Like R Olson mentioned, Walden, Blackhawk, Mossberg, etc.. If it's not marked then it's a real mystery.

You get into the early Duro made stuff and no name on some of it, but a speeder should have a ball and stops on the square.