Pratt and Whitney tap Handle

[Fordguy1964]

I got this tap handle that was passed down from my great grandfather all the way down to me. I am wondering how old this thing really is. It is only stamped with "Pratt and Whitney co". I would say it has to be early 1900's if not earlier.

Is this rare? I have never seen another like it in person only in a picture. Any idea of value... not that I would ever sell it... but I do use it regularly. Should I not be using it?

Thoughts?

 

[rsanter]

Very basic type of old school tap handle.
I would say it is very rare, as in not many of them left out there.
However it's worth in dollars is very low.
They are very robust and hard to damage in any way.
If it was me I would take care of it and not bounce it around, but I would used it.
And think of your great grandfather every time you use it

I have furnature, tools, etc from family and I still use them. It is far more enjoyable to use them and think of them when I do than it is to hide them away

If you decide not to use it, then I would make a plaque to mount it to that has the names listed of all the past owners up to you and hang it in the house.
Let your kid know they will get it one day

Bob

 

[woody 73]

fordguy 1964 could you please post a close up picture of the side that reads Pratt & Whitney for me to get a better look-see; as I own a few models from other companies but none from P&W.

Thank you.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

It hasn't wore out yet, I'd keep using it.

 

[longlivepunk]

What you SHOULD do... is take some measurements and post them so that I can make myself one. I need to get some tap handles of different sizes. The shop's import POS didn't fare so well yesterday...

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13095918_10154186069639581_2778851968962121675_n.jpg?oh=792a194b8654d67d138a19bb0a64d4dd&oe=57D6FFC1

...yet the tap was fine... Feckin' POS.

 

[justanengineer]

Yup, its early. Page 156.

https://books.google.com/books?id=b...d=1&hl=en#v=onepage&q=A book of tools&f=false

 

[Fordguy1964]

Just got back from vacation and will post up some pictures later. I can see the Pratt and Whitney part but it is faint. There was a bit of rust on it at one point in it's life and that had been cleaned away. The handle knurling shows definite signs of "use". More pics to come.

 

[Fordguy1964]

Yup, its early. Page 156.

https://books.google.com/books?id=b...d=1&hl=en#v=onepage&q=A book of tools&f=false

I see the picture in the post. What year was that book from? I wonder if the design didn't change and they kept manufacturing them in the same style? That could make it later. I know my grandfather was married in 1933 at 18 years old. That would make it fairly reasonable to assume the age of his father as around 36-46 at that time. Subtract about 16 years as a guess to say he bought it in his 20's for work use and that puts a guessed age of around 1907-1917. All this being guesses of course. Your mileage may vary.

 

[MShaw]

I have a 1958 Pratt & Whitney cutting tool catalog that shows a different Style. So, no newer than 1958.

 

[Kevin54]

What you SHOULD do... is take some measurements and post them so that I can make myself one. I need to get some tap handles of different sizes. The shop's import POS didn't fare so well yesterday...

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13095918_10154186069639581_2778851968962121675_n.jpg?oh=792a194b8654d67d138a19bb0a64d4dd&oe=57D6FFC1

...yet the tap was fine... Feckin' POS.

That type of tap handle never did hold up very well as there is not much meat to it once the holes were put in. I have broke a few similar styles like that myself.

 

[txvwnut]

What you SHOULD do... is take some measurements and post them so that I can make myself one. I need to get some tap handles of different sizes. The shop's import POS didn't fare so well yesterday...

https://scontent-ord1-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13095918_10154186069639581_2778851968962121675_n.jpg?oh=792a194b8654d67d138a19bb0a64d4dd&oe=57D6FFC1

...yet the tap was fine... Feckin' POS.

One of my techs just handed me a tap handle in that very same shape and color.

 

[Packard V8]

Yup, its early. Page 156.

https://books.google.com/books?id=b...d=1&hl=en#v=onepage&q=A book of tools&f=false

Way cool catalog and the copywriter was both a fixer and a scholar. I'm looking for a copy to buy.

jack viens

 

[davethorik]

That type of tap handle never did hold up very well as there is not much meat to it once the holes were put in. I have broke a few similar styles like that myself.

Seems all the imported tap handles of this style are made of a 50/50 oatmeal and pot metal mix.

That being said, I have a couple tap handles of this style made by GTD and SW Card, both usa, and they're forged steel. Can't kill em.

 

[Fordguy1964]

Sorry, Work got away from me yesterday and I didn't get time to post the pictures. As you can see this tap handle has seen its fair share of use. The "Whitney part is almost completely gone. I think it was the rust that wiped most of it away. It never gets time to sit idle these days. I use it at least 3 times a week.

 

[leg17]

That typewriter font may date as "earlier".

 

[whateg01]

I see a few articles about making tap wrenches as a beginner project. Many are either like this, or such that the parallel handles become the jaws and are held together with screws. What was the reason that this type of design fell out of favor and was replaced by what is sold today? I own several of the newer ones, and aside from my Starrett, which I hold in very high regard, only the cheapest POS holds a tap long enough to get through a hole. I can't even crank down on the tap with the other POS tap wrenches and get them to stay tight. The Starrett doesn't need help, of course.

Dave

 

[Packard V8]

Two large threads provide several times more clamping force than the single smaller thread on most tap wrenches.

jack vines

 

[Fordguy1964]

That typewriter font may date as "earlier".

Ideas on age? Earlier meaning...?