Peck Stowe and Wilcox

[Outlawmws]

I have a 12" Pexto, but none with the P. S. & W. moniker. Thats nice Don! Ny notes say that some P. S. & W. are marked "Stronghold"

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Outlaw. Here it is as clean as I’m going to get it.
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

Picked up this slipjoint pliers last weekend. Took me this long to remember which manufacturer owned the stylized asterix.

 

[RTM]

Nice bright asterisk there. Proud of that mark.

 

[four.cycle]

^ ONLY the PS&W mark has that "loopy" style to it, though. There are a great number of other tools that have a kinda-sorta similar mark on them, but that one is pretty distinctive.

 

[AK4570]

P.S.&W. dividers whose legs suspiciously look like they have been either extended or broken and re-welded.

 

[RTM]

Have any of you heard of a PEXTO #400 Town & Country tool chest with tools? Showed up on another forum, with a $49.95 price for a 23 piece tool kit. It came with a spec sheet, but no year or anything. Nothing found in a catalog at ITCL, google turning up nothing. Seems it should be 1945-55 based on prices compared to Stanley kits with the same components.

Will add an image later. (Sorry, much later)

 

[betulauber]

10" Samson Fence Plier and Wire Puller No.88
I found it in the 1910 catalog (page 238), a dozen would set you back $6.30

 

[RTM]

Jumping back to catch up on an old find. Grabbed this a year ago, noticed the PH style handle figured it would be okay regardless of who made it. Shank was kinda bent, no real surprise, fits the standard, but the tip was almost unused. While trying to straighten it, saw what looked like letters, so got out the Sandflex block, and pretty soon I had USA. Little more scrubbing brought up SOLBAR. Little more found &W, then PS. Wow, never heard of this moniker from them, but apparently not new here, as Lugz showed us a couple of years ago. Still news to me, and slightly different than the catalog, no visible fluting on my handles.

Pexto Mechanics' Hand Tools : Catalogue No. 20 : Tool Section : Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

156 p., illus., 27.1 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Listed as a 12”, but maybe other sizes, without flutes, in different catalogs

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wow, never heard of this moniker from them, but apparently not new here, as Lugz showed us a couple of years ago. Still news to me, and slightly different than the catalog, no visible fluting on my handles.

As GJ koinkydink magic often strikes around here, I found another "SOL(ID STEEL) BAR" this morning, that I only noticed because of the very distinctive shoulder, and because of its regular shaped handle, which is very unusual to see with this "perfect handle" type design (i.e., wooden scales riveted through a through-shank). At least this one is the same shape of the drivers shown in the 1920 and the 1938 catalogs, not a "PH" type, and yet still no flutes. The "5" (blade length) marking is on the side of the shoulder on this one, whereas my "2" incher is placed right above the logo on the blade.

 

[Outlawmws]

Almost a Collection Lugz! I have PEXTO envy!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Almost a Collection Lugz!

Indeed! If the first two are any indication, it'll be 2025 when I find that defining third.

 

[LesserSon]

Today I caved and paid antique store $ (but 20% off marked price) for a No6 C-clamp I spotted there a couple weeks ago. So now I have an unbroken range from No3 to No8 to celebrate the 135th anniversary of the patent for the steel screw portion next Monday!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Well done!

 

[rustyedge1]

Couldn't help but enter the PEXTO PESCO PS&W Co. discussion so here is my 10" slip joint pliers with the PESCO stamp.

 

[Steven 33]

Anyone interested or know what it's worth? Talking about the pexto stuff the rest was just in a case I had around for pic background. Will make a thread to sell random stuff like this soon but for now I hope this is ok

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Anyone interested or know what it's worth? Talking about the pexto stuff...

It's worth whatever @four.cycle paid fifteen years ago, and I'll take it for that!

No, seriously, my $.02 is that your PEXTO "radio set No. 1" is a classic case of the Catch-22 I have talked about before.

It's definitely rare. They aren't shown in any of the PEXTO catalogs that I remember looking through on IA/ITCL and the only other set I have ever seen is @four.cycle 's (see page 4, post #140), in its original box. But there is probably little to no precedence of previous sales. You could try searching on WorthPoint, if you're a member. They go back farther than eBay Advanced Search data.

The problem is that anonymous sellers in anonymous markets tend to automatically equate that kind of rareness with high value. Availability is only half the pricing equation. The other half is demand. Collecting vintage PEXTO is not like collecting vintage Craftsman, Plomb, or Snap-on, just for examples, and some rare oddball PEXTO piece is not like some rare oddball from those mfgrs.

Are there comps? Yeah, all in the same boat with all the other funky "radio" sets out there from the same era (30's), from BHM, MTF, Braunsdorf-Mueller, Vim, and others (even American Swiss, the filemakers, had a set! I have one).

My opening joke is that I am betting 4.c grabbed his off fleBay many years ago for peanuts. Before this hobby found places like GJ, Papaws and, heaven forfend, FBMP. This is the kind of situation where if you're going to sell it here you probably have to arrive at a reasonable price with someone who either likes oddball vintage spinner sets or any and all PEXTO where, in a friendly exchange, you get some 'Finders Fee Plus' kind of price that is decently more than peanuts and the buyer pays some price that is not shamefully exorbitant. I have been on both sides of those vague range-y meet-in-the-middle good-for-both-parties deals with GJers.

 

[Steven 33]

It's worth whatever @four.cycle paid fifteen years ago, and I'll take it for that!

No, seriously, my $.02 is that your PEXTO "radio set No. 1" is a classic case of the Catch-22 I have talked about before.

It's definitely rare. They aren't shown in any of the PEXTO catalogs that I remember looking through on IA/ITCL and the only other set I have ever seen is @four.cycle 's (see page 4, post #140), in its original box. But there is probably little to no precedence of previous sales. You could try searching on WorthPoint, if you're a member. They go back farther than eBay Advanced Search data.

The problem is that anonymous sellers in anonymous markets tend to automatically equate that kind of rareness with high value. Availability is only half the pricing equation. The other half is demand. Collecting vintage PEXTO is not like collecting vintage Craftsman, Plomb, or Snap-on, just for examples, and some rare oddball PEXTO piece is not like some rare oddball from those mfgrs.

Are there comps? Yeah, all in the same boat with all the other funky "radio" sets out there from the same era (30's), from BHM, MTF, Braunsdorf-Mueller, Vim, and others (even American Swiss, the filemakers, had a set! I have one).

My opening joke is that I am betting 4.c grabbed his off fleBay many years ago for peanuts. Before this hobby found places like GJ, Papaws and, heaven forfend, FBMP. This is the kind of situation where if you're going to sell it here you probably have to arrive at a reasonable price with someone who either likes oddball vintage spinner sets or any and all PEXTO where, in a friendly exchange, you get some 'Finders Fee Plus' kind of price that is decently more than peanuts and the buyer pays some price that is not shamefully exorbitant. I have been on both sides of those vague range-y meet-in-the-middle good-for-both-parties deals with GJers.

I should have one or 2 of those pexto screwdrivers mentioned above somewhere I'll have to check. I think they are mixed in with simular looking ones like "worth" and some other brands I forget. But if you are interested in the radio set stuff I'd be happy to work something out if you want to message me. I am missing a driver for My mtf midget set but any fair $ offer to a collector here takes it and by fair i mean whatever you or anyone else considers fair as im in no position to contest ha I always lose in the end with things as niche as this as far as the time I spend researching goes

 

[four.cycle]

well... as is clearly marked on the bottom of the box, it sold for $1.65.

my PEXTO No. 1 set has a cracked 5/16" socket. Send me a P/M and let me know what you think it's worth for the lot

 

[d42jeep]

I found this wood handled P. S. & W. Co. Monkey Wrench in reasonable condition at this morning’s estate sale.
—Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Not sure if its just the pic, of your's don, but it's amazing to me how many monkey wrenches seem to have a slight bend to them .

That's still a nice example.

 

[d42jeep]

I don’t think that one is too bad but the lower left Pexto wrench definitely has a swayback.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep! I think recoverable in a press with some care.

 

[AreBeeBee]

Yep! I think recoverable in a press with some care.

"Let's go to the Dake," said Scoutcrafter....

 

[hop up]

Really nice mortis chisel it’s interesting as I have other Pexto tools but mostly metal working

 

[MisterEd]

PEXTO 13-8 Gas Pliers

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Happy to grab this brass paperweight at the flea this morning. Some kind of complimentary advertising gift or employees gift, if I had to guess. It's handsomely marbled around the edge.

 

[Mintgrun]

I found another 12" divider the other day, as well as a 3/8" chisel. The chisel had been beat on without a handle, so I reamed out the socket and filed the mushroom off of the end. This handle was one I already had. It needs the **** end turned down to accept new leather washers, but it fits the chisel nicely. I like it when the wood matches the angle of the socket.

I haven't looked back through this thread, but don't recall seeing this P. S. & W. logo before. It looks like a postage stamp, with the perforated frame.

​

I think the divider may be a little older than the one I had, based on the oval logo and the style of the thumb nut. The hinge design is quite different and the new (older?) divider has more taper to the legs. They were quite bent up when I found it, but easy to straighten out. It looks like someone added stainless steel to the tips.



Neither divider came with the thumb screw. I may make a couple using online images of the original style.



Tom

 

[RTM]

I haven't looked back through this thread, but don't recall seeing this P. S. & W. logo before. It looks like a postage stamp, with the perforated frame.

That is probably very early. This Tredway catalog lists the #1 Extra, but doesn't show the perforation

A. Tredway & Sons Hardware Co. : Catalogue of Iron, Steel, Wood Stock, Heavy Hardware, Etc. : A. Tredway & Sons Hardware Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

232 p., illus., 24.3 cm (covers), trade catalog

archive.org

The next catalog in in 1910 shows a circular logo. The next earlier catalog in 1894 shows a similar logo.

Per DAT*, PS&W was formed in 1870. "Peck, Smith & Co, the S. Stow Mfg. Co., and the Roys & Wilcox Co. were the three primary businesses that merged to form this major tool company."

*Directory of American Toolmakers

 

[d42jeep]

I found another 12" divider the other day, as well as a 3/8" chisel. The chisel had been beat on without a handle, so I reamed out the socket and filed the mushroom off of the end. This handle was one I already had. It needs the **** end turned down to accept new leather washers, but it fits the chisel nicely. I like it when the wood matches the angle of the socket.

I haven't looked back through this thread, but don't recall seeing this P. S. & W. logo before. It looks like a postage stamp, with the perforated frame.

​

I think the divider may be a little older than the one I had, based on the oval logo and the style of the thumb nut. The hinge design is quite different and the new (older?) divider has more taper to the legs. They were quite bent up when I found it, but easy to straighten out. It looks like someone added stainless steel to the tips.



Neither divider came with the thumb screw. I may make a couple using online images of the original style.



Tom

My Pexto has the broken off wing screw as well but my non Pexto example still has one.
-Don

 

[Mintgrun]

Maybe I should make three of them and send one to you. I've cut out two ovals so far and found two unplated screws to use. I'm undecided about tigging or brazing the pieces together.

I prefer the flat style, like on the Keen Kutter, but will make the tall style for these.



It's cool how accurate a bandsaw can be, if you use the side of the teeth like a file, to shave it back to the line.

 

[RTM]

found two unplated screws to use. I'm undecided about tigging or brazing the pieces together

You know you can strip off plating by soaking in vinegar for a while, right? I’ve found some of the old Pextos use a modern thread pitch. Still need to age the screw a bit.

I prefer the flat style, like on the Keen Kutter, but will make the tall style for these.

I think these look older with the oval tall suckers, but the flat style are more elegant.

Here is one a buddy made for me for a #53 or 54 spokeshave (top). Love getting it back into service. He turned it out of solid stock on a lathe, so the knob makes more sense

 

[Mintgrun]

Nice. One of these days I hope to stumble upon some knurling tools. I've considered cutting little thumb screws out of already knurled shafts, or ratchet handles.

The two thumb nuts on my Pexto dividers are quite different. I think I will make a rounded screw for the roundier nut and a squarer one for the angular nut.

 

[Outlawmws]

A pair of PESCO (Peck, Stow, & Wilcox) or PS&W CoPliers, from this past weekend.

I know someone else recently hit a pair -but if in this thread, I missed them

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a Pexto manufactured pair of Worth dividers with the prominent asterisk. Another candidate for a replacement wing bolt. Found these at a Sunday garage sale and ran them through the evaporust.
-Don

 

[Leviton]

Here’s the current situation for me.

Impressive collection. What did you do to clean and make them waxy?

I think there is more-than-usual glint on them in that photo, because it was taken in a dark room with a flash. But to answer…
They are maleable steel. I usually negotiate a decent price because they are bent to hell. I put them in a vise and lever them back as straight as I can.
Here’s what I do to virtually all the plain steel tools I collect:
I scrape chunky rust off with a screwdriver or putty knife. I put them on a fine wire wheel under light pressure, and buff off the chalky red rust. I leave as much black oxide as possible, as it creates a slightly porous surface for coatings to cling to. If I was too aggressive, I let them sit around a day or so to allow areas of naked, raw steel to darken a bit in the air.
One of the advantages of never finding these with their screw pads is the screw backs all the way out, so I use a battery brush to clean out the female threads.
THEN, on a morning with warm dry air predicted, I mix a small batch of 50/50 Boiled Linseed Oil / odorless mineral spirits (shaken, not stirred). I used to thin BLO with turpentine, but now I get a poison-ivy-like rash from it. For one tool, a teaspoon would be plenty. I usually do multiple tools in a session, so maybe a quarter cup for a tray of tools. I apply it with a toothbrush and immediately wipe down with paper towels, ONE TOOL AT A TIME. It is ESSENTIAL to remove as much as possible quickly (especially around the screw) to avoid a perpetually gummy mess. I bake it in full summer sun all day. I have a wood fence and a wood bench outdoors, so any excess BLO gets spread on them. I also use it to maintain wooden handles on tools, including long-handled yard tools. It is less essential to bake wood, as it actually absorbs the oil, but if I want to use it soon, I do put it in the sun for a few hours.
That is usually enough to get the look I want. If not, a second day in the sun. (In winter, I lay them on hot water radiators for a week.) If they were to be handled a lot, I would do a second thinned BLO & bake process after a week, on contact areas, avoiding threads.
I am sure paste wax, fluidfilm, or whatever favorite concoction that contains a naturally polymerizing lipid would work. I like BLO.

Well. It took me two years, but I finally found one of these and got to try LesserSon's method. I like it.

 

[LesserSon]

That’s a beautiful job!

 

[four.cycle]

Pexto No. 1 Radio Socket Wrench Set

manufactured for Peck Stow, and Wilcox, Southington, Connnecticut U.S.A.

this set includes:

5/16" 6-point Socket (* socket is split *)

11/32" 6-point Socket

3/8" 6-point Socket

5/16" Knurled Radio Socket

1/4" Hex Drive Handle

 

[four.cycle]

Pexto No. 1 Radio Socket Wrench Set (* 2 of 2 *)

 

[four.cycle]

re: Pexto No. 1 Radio Socket Wrench Set (shown in two posts above):

I was unable to find an exact match in any catalog, but did find a similar PEXTO "Radio" set in a 1927 hardware catalog:


1927 Supplee-Biddle Hardware Co. catalog Pexto Radio Socket Set ad pp 249