Show off your DOE's!

[Leviton]

Found this AMMCO tool-post / machine wrench. My guess is that it's for one of their brake lathes or shapers. I dug around a bit and all I found was that at least some of their shapers came with single-ended wrenches - so that was no help.





This 5/16" - 3/8" DOE is 5.1 inches long and the maximum jaw thickness is 0.375" - a stout little ******.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked up this "S" wrench at the flea market this morning. It's stamped "SAMPSON TOOL" / "NEW YORK" on the major jaw face and "300" on the minor jaw face with the sizes ("7/16" x "1/2") stamped on the flip side. Prolonging, not resolving, the continued Sampson vs. Samson situation of confusion, lack of coherence, etc. (Among a variety of tools and other products, there is even a Samson (no p) "S" wrench on the forum, and it also has a "3XX" series model numbering scheme.) The numerals in the milled opening size marking have pronounced serifs suggesting first half of the last century to me.

I have several complete or partial "S" wrench sets going (Southington, Lakeside, Kraeuter, Williams, J.P.D.), but this was primarily a curiosity/novelty/informational value buy.

 

[Fred Knox]

I wasn’t sure where to post this hybrid DOE (open-end and alligator-end), but this thread had by far the most mentions of INDIAN MOTOCYCLES wrenches. It has some pitting, but I haven’t seen another one like it on GJ, or on-line.

 

[cody1325]

Picked up this "S" wrench at the flea market this morning. It's stamped "SAMPSON TOOL" / "NEW YORK" on the major jaw face and "300" on the minor jaw face with the sizes ("7/16" x "1/2") stamped on the flip side. Prolonging, not resolving, the continued Sampson vs. Samson situation of confusion, lack of coherence, etc. (Among a variety of tools and other products, there is even a Samson (no p) "S" wrench on the forum, and it also has a "3XX" series model numbering scheme.) The numerals in the milled opening size marking have pronounced serifs suggesting first half of the last century to me.

I have several complete or partial "S" wrench sets going (Southington, Lakeside, Kraeuter, Williams, J.P.D.), but this was primarily a curiosity/novelty/informational value buy.

I have several loose ones, and not a single one has a maker's mark on them, and I ended up using them for decor alongside the several USS wrenches that never did find their way into regular sets like my '30s Williams.

Stupid question--why 7/16-1/2? I have several DOEs, and most are 9/16-1/2. Perhaps because these are USS?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have several loose ones, and not a single one has a maker's mark on them,

I have several orphans as well (on the left in the pic below), but most of them are marked. First one in the front is the SAMPSON I just found. Next three beefy jobbers are Williams, then Herbrand, Champion, and an unknown, with a mysterious logo, linked HERE. To the right of those is a Whitaker. Probably no hope of ever even hitting the minimum required three (3) of each in the wild to satisfy the smallest of "sets", but then again, I've said that before, and ended up with the sets on the right.

Stupid question--why 7/16-1/2? I have several DOEs, and most are 9/16-1/2.

7/16" x 1/2" is an uncommon pairing for service openings, but you do see it (ISN 725) from time to time. I have some 725 engineers' wrenches, although I don't look for them with intent, and if you look through old catalogs, you will see them offered, and included in charts.

Perhaps because these are USS?

No, 7/16 and 1/2 are the milled opening sizes. Besides, if the markings were indicating USS bolt sizes, the openings would be huge: 25/32" x 7/8".

 

[Gmonkee]

These were made in Germany 1890 to late 20's possibiy as contract tools in Europe. Mine are marked Ehlis for a Spanish hardware store. 1895 was the first year of the store.

They are marked in metric and Whitworth sizes. 5/16-7/16 and 9/16-3/8 Whitworth.
How they got to Mexico is a difficult guess.

 

[Gmonkee]

These are some I was unable to learn anything about. No markings on any.
Heavy steel, stamp forged and no two with the same head angle and form of open end.

The far left is similar to 20's to 30's brake adjustment wrenches. The rest I am clueless.

They are quality tools, good steel, and I have used them where they fit.
They are regular range tools, 19mm and less.

Any information gladly accepted.

 

[Gmonkee]

Found this AMMCO tool-post / machine wrench. My guess is that it's for one of their brake lathes or shapers. I dug around a bit and all I found was that at least some of their shapers came with single-ended wrenches - so that was no help.





This 5/16" - 3/8" DOE is 5.1 inches long and the maximum jaw thickness is 0.375" - a stout little ******.

I can probably solve this one. Mine is 1/4_5/16" and marked Armstrong. Sadly it's too rust pitted to read more than that.

This is the condition of most of my finds where I am. Rough but usable.

 

[Stubby1743]

 

[Leviton]

Found an odd one. Has a hex gullet on one side. Only marking is VII.







Overall length is 4.55 inches. Openings are 1/2" and 11/32".
I haven't had any luck identifying the manufacturer. Thinking it might have been a farm wrench, I checked on Wrenching News but came up empty.

 

[four.cycle]

did you look at the "45 spaces" site? www.45spaces.com/vintage-wrenches/

 

[Leviton]

did you look at the "45 spaces" site? www.45spaces.com/vintage-wrenches/

Thanks for the thought. After your suggestion, I tried there, but no luck.

I don't even know if it is a farm wrench. But it seemed like a possiblity.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a German DOE wrench found at a moving sale yesterday. I wasn’t familiar with the brand.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

So his happened much faster that I expected! After finding the Peugeot, "flank drive" DOE, and looking on the Bay, I bought one the next size up. it came in TODAY!

I assumed it must have been MUCH closer that I realized! it want! ir came from Pennsylvania! (Ordered LATE Friday, got here BEFORE Noon!)

here is is with it's sibling. not the recessed panel on the larger, and none on the smaller. I checked more listings, and apparently it was because the smaller one was too small for the recess, as all the 8 X 10's I saw were the same as were the larger sizes consistent with the recess...

I tested the 14MM and I STILL like these! Good wrenches! MUCH better than a Std DOE for grip!

BTW, I discover that the Peugeot "Brothers" is a tool company? I'm not sure this is the same as the Peugeot car company as yet. (been too rushed to do proper research, and others made this assumption...)

So a little more info on the Peugeot company background:

Started by 2 brothers in 1810, and originally made coffee grinders, then got into industrial metal working and tools and such. They dabbled with cars in the 1890's then one family member split off to make the Peugeot car company.

Since these wrenches have "Peugeot Freres" (Peugeot Brothers") on them, almost certainly made by the older tool making branch of the family companies, FOR the Auto Company. (these have been seen in sets for delivery with the cars, as was common "back in the day".

Apparently the 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, and 19mm were commonly used on the models these were sold with. (I have yet to see another size combination, but I'm still looking...)

The reference to another thread got me a reference to another forum, but was a dead link...

A bit more digging on the patent; while there is a couple of 1954 US patents, the original french patent is referenced, and that reference is HERE: But no link to the 1928 or 1934 French patents...

Outlaw seems to have run across quite a few of these several years ago. I have only ever run across two, the nicest one at an estate sale on Friday.
Here is one I found a few years back.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ I dug two of them out of the gravel from the same yard your Plomb hammer head came out of. They were shipped east.

 

[Gmonkee]

Outlaw seems to have run across quite a few of these several years ago. I have only ever run across two, the nicest one at an estate sale on Friday.
Here is one I found a few years back.
-Don

I also found two of those years ago. I used them a bit then back to regular old boring DOE for no particular reason.

They offered no real advantage somehow.
My son has them now, hiding them away for a future generation.

 

[Leviton]

I also found two of those years ago. I used them a bit then back to regular old boring DOE for no particular reason.

They offered no real advantage somehow.

I agree. I've tried versions by various manufacturers over the years when I think I have an application they would be perfect for and they never seem to work any better than a standard open end.

 

[four.cycle]

^ from other members here, they are particularly useful when adjusting the "adjustable feet" on large appliances and equipment when it's being set up and leveled.
@Private Lugnutz did some extensive research on these - complete with something of a "spreadsheet/timeline" of their development.
I think one of the last ones to have been produced was Thorsen's "Speed-Hed", which looks no less silly.

 

[Gmonkee]

I took mostly worthless modern open ends and recreated old versions, also attempted to alter the ideas until I might find a form that really does make a difference.

The Reilly licence/fastnut licence Simplex ratchet wrenches came the closest to a revolution by also being multiple sizes.
Frank C Reilly had an idea that gave quality tools that work to the consumer.
But, lobster claw. I have a 10 and 14 version myself. All my own efforts ever produced were mostly successful copies of others ideas. Including Mr. Reilly.
Our forefathers took this as far as it could go.

 

[Leviton]

Found an odd one. Has a hex gullet on one side. Only marking is VII.







Overall length is 4.55 inches. Openings are 1/2" and 11/32".
I haven't had any luck identifying the manufacturer. Thinking it might have been a farm wrench, I checked on Wrenching News but came up empty.

Ah! I finally found the maker of this wrench!
--> VII

 

[four.cycle]

^ raise your hand if you know what show that was on.

hint: BUICK was first off the line in 1955.

 

[Steven 33]

I decided I should share that I have been dealing with some serious mental health concerns recently such as seeing an attempt from someone trying communicate with me that just doesn't even exist which has been very worrying. I have been unable to figure out the cause of this phenomenon, but I did notice it started right around the time I got some very old wrenches and a little magnifying glass. I'm not sure if it's just a coincidence or if there is some connection there. Its as if someone is reaching through time to speak to me and its like I'm seeing partial words desperately trying to make out what it says and then when I am totally drained I start hearing voices in my head saying the same thing every time. It's always just "you should have just settled for 'drop forged' you idiot" but unfortunately this time I think I have a hex put on me and that it's actually true according to the latest message I got.


Okay that was clearly semi satirical and probably spent to much time trying to make sure it was clear enough that I didn't have to say that, but I will say that sometimes I spend an absurd amount of time trying to read what's almost always just the results of a primitive forging process hopefully I'm not the only one who has spent way too much time trying to identify an old wrench or something and some one else can relate enough to get a kick out of it before I wake up a bit later and change this post to something a bit more productive

 

[Outlawmws]

hopefully I'm not the only one who has spent way too much time trying to identify an old wrench or something and some one else can relate enough to get a kick out of it before I wake up a bit later and change this post to something a bit more productive

Don't change a thing! it was a funny thing to wake up to!

I think for me it should be an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other, but I think the devil got some buddies together and mugged the angel..

Mostly they just say "You really need one of those" or "yes, you really need another of those."

 

[four.cycle]

I'm not the only one

Oh no, sir... that distinction is shared by more than a few of us here, I can assure you.

 

[Gmonkee]

I decided I should share that I have been dealing with some serious mental health concerns recently such as seeing an attempt from someone trying communicate with me that just doesn't even exist which has been very worrying. I have been unable to figure out the cause of this phenomenon, but I did notice it started right around the time I got some very old wrenches and a little magnifying glass. I'm not sure if it's just a coincidence or if there is some connection there. Its as if someone is reaching through time to speak to me and its like I'm seeing partial words desperately trying to make out what it says and then when I am totally drained I start hearing voices in my head saying the same thing every time. It's always just "you should have just settled for 'drop forged' you idiot" but unfortunately this time I think I have a hex put on me and that it's actually true according to the latest message I got.


Okay that was clearly semi satirical and probably spent to much time trying to make sure it was clear enough that I didn't have to say that, but I will say that sometimes I spend an absurd amount of time trying to read what's almost always just the results of a primitive forging process hopefully I'm not the only one who has spent way too much time trying to identify an old wrench or something and some one else can relate enough to get a kick out of it before I wake up a bit later and change this post to something a bit more productive.

I did the same a few years of my life. But as my interests ran from primitive to 1920's it really became a futile search on some.
Just try to pin down a maker on a hand forged wrench. Or a specific purpose at least.