AA site has an example, states Vlchek production; F. Vlchek held the 1931 patent #1,808,190: http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=13805
Show off your DOE's!
- Thread starter Outlawmws
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AA site has an example, states Vlchek production; F. Vlchek held the 1931 patent #1,808,190: http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=13805
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
I have some Velchecks that are just like that except the bigger ones have a V shield forged in.
twertsy
Well-known member
twertsy
Well-known member
Based on the other markings, I'd go with 42
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Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
Few DOEs, including a brand I have never seen before. Hudson forge 79S, SK, unknown, grind off, and a bent Snap On.
Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
Also received these today! Thanks to the member that was willing to part with them, so I could add them to the NB collection. New Britain made Husky, and a New Britain.
The pictures don't do them justice, the Husky is NOS, and the NB is a work of art, I may need to put together a set of those.
The pictures don't do them justice, the Husky is NOS, and the NB is a work of art, I may need to put together a set of those.
twertsy
Well-known member
I agree Sam, that style NB is purdy!Also received these today! Thanks to the member that was willing to part with them, so I could add them to the NB collection. New Britain made Husky, and a New Britain.
The pictures don't do them justice, the Husky is NOS, and the NB is a work of art, I may need to put together a set of those.
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Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
Never saw one in person before, only pics on AA and eBay. When it's in your hand it's totally different.
Back in the 1950s and 1960s Corvettes that were manufactured as convertibles could also be optioned to include a removable hard top. The rear deck could be raised and the standard rag top could be folded into the space behind the seats. With the rag top stored below the rear deck, the removable hard top could be installed. It's a two person job for sure, and a PITA to say the least. The back of the hardtop was connected to the rear deck via two special screws that protruded from slots beneath the plexiglass back window through the rear deck and were tightened with 7/16" nuts. The sides of the hard top connected into screw bosses located in the body of the car just behind the passenger and driver doors. Two little tabs protrude from the hard top and line up with the bosses. A 1/2" screw connects the tab to the screw bosses. Like I said earlier, it's a real PITA to put the hard top on the car. Anyway, to accomplish the task, the engineers at GM thought it would be nice to include a little 7/16" X 1/2" DOE wrench with all removable hard top optioned cars.
Having performed the hard top removal / installation more than a few times, I can say that the GM provided DOE wrench is almost worthless. I've discovered that using other tools, and a helper, make the job a lot easier. That being said, the original factory supplied wrenches are tough to find. I suppose many of the the original wrenches found their way out of the glove compartment and were lost. Anyway, the wrench depicted below is an original GM supplied tool that was included in 1963 - 1967 Corvette convertibles with the hard top option. Notice it was made by Vlchek. This particular wrench was found under the passenger seat of a 1966 Corvette, lodged in the track. For some reason, the seat would not slide in its tracks, preventing the passenger from moving it forward and backward. After removing the seat, this is what I found.
Jim C.
Having performed the hard top removal / installation more than a few times, I can say that the GM provided DOE wrench is almost worthless. I've discovered that using other tools, and a helper, make the job a lot easier. That being said, the original factory supplied wrenches are tough to find. I suppose many of the the original wrenches found their way out of the glove compartment and were lost. Anyway, the wrench depicted below is an original GM supplied tool that was included in 1963 - 1967 Corvette convertibles with the hard top option. Notice it was made by Vlchek. This particular wrench was found under the passenger seat of a 1966 Corvette, lodged in the track. For some reason, the seat would not slide in its tracks, preventing the passenger from moving it forward and backward. After removing the seat, this is what I found.
Jim C.
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No Outlaw. The markings are what you see in the photo (which I admit isn't great). The opposite side of the wrench is blank. If you can't really make out the words/numbers, from left to right they read:
1 / 2 VLCHEK W1416 ALLOY U.S.A. 7 / 16
It's my understanding that over the years, Vlchek commonly provided hand tools for inclusion in several GM vehicles. Needless to say, there are those who are serious Corvette enthusiasts, and having ORIGINAL cars, right down to the smallest detail, is VERY important. That wrench is one of those details. I'm sorta kinda one of those guys who's really into original, unmolested, survivor cars. Finding that crappy little wrench wedged in the track under the seat was pretty exciting. Since many old removable hard top optioned Corvettes are usually missing that wrench, I know that they're being reproduced and sold by various Corvette parts supply businesses. The reproductions are pretty good in terms of aesthetics and usually receive full credit at judged events.
Jim C.
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A while back, in another thread, I came across these Williams DOE obstruction wrenches. For reasons I can't entirely explain, I got hooked on them and decided I'd try to build the set. How hard could that be? As far as I know, there's about thirty or so different wrenches, some of which include openings sized on 32nd increments. I like those particularly since I enjoy tinkering with old woodworking machinery, and occasionally come across 32nd sized nuts and bolts. To date, and after about a year of looking, I've only managed to acquire six wrenches. Putting together a set might be harder than I originally thought. If anyone has any they want to sell, etc., I'm interested.
Jim C.
Jim C.
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Username already in use
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That unfinished Bonney tappet is pretty cool. Nice find. 
I picked up this Bonney (CV) DOE that's branded WRIGHT over the weekend. Everything is Bonney, right down to the date code (B.T.) Has anyone ever seen one of these before? Why would Wright have contracted Bonney for DOEs during the war?
I picked up this Bonney (CV) DOE that's branded WRIGHT over the weekend. Everything is Bonney, right down to the date code (B.T.) Has anyone ever seen one of these before? Why would Wright have contracted Bonney for DOEs during the war?
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I picked up this Bonney (CV) DOE that's branded WRIGHT over the weekend. Everything is Bonney, right down to the date code (B.T.) Has anyone ever seen one of these before? Why would Wright have contracted Bonney for DOEs during the war?
Capacity and tooling.
It was less "competition", and more "lets out produce the Enemy" during the war years.
What America accomplished during WWII was nothing short of amazing, and the closest anyone has come since was the Space Race, and the "race" to the moon...
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Sub-contracted tools usually don't have two brands. Whether it's an OEM making tools for Western Auto, or one OEM making tools for another OEM. Two Mfgr's names on the same tool, where one sub-contracted to the other, is definitely strange. In fact, I'm trying to think of another example, and coming up blank. BLACKHAWK-ARMSTRONG is a completely different case. That was an explicit joint venture.
The DOE wrench in question has a 5-digit part number that starts with an 8 (80447). Bonney did not use that part or model numbering scheme for their DOE's or DBE's that I know of. Neither did Wright Tool and Forge as far as I know. Which points to a third party's scheme.
Also, that doesn’t look like a Wright Tools logo to me.
The WRIGHT marking on that wrench might refer to WRIGHT Aeronautical, the half of Curtiss-Wright that built engines for Curtiss-Wright aircraft.
All the part numbers in the Class 85 below are 6-digit part numbers that start with an 8. This catalog is for WRIGHT (Aircraft) special tools. Perhaps their common tools are in a different Class 85 section and they all have 5-digit 8XXXX part numbers.
But that's just a theory. I am not ruling out other explanations.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Also, Bonney made a lot of tools for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft (PWA). And those followed a similar scheme. "Bonney" on one side and "PWA" and a PWA part number on the other side. No Bonney model number.
twertsy
Well-known member
Never seen the circle B before. However, circle CV is purely a Bonney TM and I've never seen it elsewhere. If Bonney, the 43 date code is perfect. Lastly, could be the 5 digit code was dictated by contract. IMO, no question it's Bonney.
Edit: I'd also proffer the Wright could be Wright Aircraft or Wright Field.
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Edit: I'd also proffer the Wright could be Wright Aircraft or Wright Field.
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Username already in use
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Thank Private Lugnutz. Based on this wrench and a dual branded Bonney/Wright DBE that I saw posted on another board (also with an 8XXXXX part number), along with your ASO catalog, I think that makes the most sense. I wonder which airplane toolkit this one might have belonged to?
Twertsy, It was the (B) logo that made me pick it up. I hadn't see that before either. Having seen plenty of Bonney/PWA marked tools, those are all boldly branded Bonney. This DOE was so obviously Bonney but missing that overt branding. Now I've got to find some more!
I wonder which airplane toolkit this one might have belonged to?Twertsy, It was the (B) logo that made me pick it up. I hadn't see that before either. Having seen plenty of Bonney/PWA marked tools, those are all boldly branded Bonney. This DOE was so obviously Bonney but missing that overt branding. Now I've got to find some more!
Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
Two from flea market today.
Barcalo and one I have not identified yet, looks like it says tomahawk.
Barcalo and one I have not identified yet, looks like it says tomahawk.
New acquisition!
Thanks to Sam'sAutoParts, who kindly parted with one of his flea market treasures, shown a few pages back, and doubled the size of my USA Nickel collection. (do two pieces even count as a collection??) Anyhow, the new 11/16 x 19/32 is now proudly displayed along with the 3/4 x 7/8. Maybe I'll stumble across more. Who knows?
Thanks to Sam'sAutoParts, who kindly parted with one of his flea market treasures, shown a few pages back, and doubled the size of my USA Nickel collection. (do two pieces even count as a collection??) Anyhow, the new 11/16 x 19/32 is now proudly displayed along with the 3/4 x 7/8. Maybe I'll stumble across more. Who knows?
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Private Lugnutz
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Check this out...
twertsy
Well-known member
Can't read it?
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
It says "Durcrom"!
Very close to "Durochrome." I am guessing it's Polish or some other eastern European make. But why in English? (I know NOTHING about foreign tools.)
Very close to "Durochrome." I am guessing it's Polish or some other eastern European make. But why in English? (I know NOTHING about foreign tools.)
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Dang! I saw one of those today at the Quakertown flea market. Made by Bridgeport - would have been nice if they put their name on them. I think it was 9/16x1/2, but I can't be sure. I thought about getting it, but I have no does like that. I do have two dbes. Now I'm sorry I didn't get it; could have helped you with the set-build.
Correction - I DO have one, just like I saw at the flea, so just as well for me that I didn't buy it.
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2015 thread, whole set of box wrenches. This post seems to identify the country of origin. http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4862562&postcount=8
d42jeep
Well-known member
Here are a few DOE's that I've picked up. 1st off is this early J.H.Williams wrench made in Canada before 1882 when James Harvey Williams moved to the USA and founded Williams & Diamond which later became J.H. Williams & Co in 1887.
OK OK, I'm just poking some fun at you southern neighbours and not trying to steal away your heritage with my comment about J.H.Williams originally being from Canada.
The wrench is a whitworth specification so it was likely made during war time but I have no real info on it or when J.H.Williams was manufacturing in Canada.
All fun aside next up is this Blue Point I picked up recently for $5 just because the embossing of the name is so high. I haven't run across this before, it's about 1/32" up off the base.
Other wrenches I've always been partial to are Snail Brand from the UK. The logo makes it one of those must haves for me.
Here's a distinctive looking wrench for square fasteners:
This is a spattering of Dowidat does with size stampings in sae and uss.
and finally a lesser seen WGB from Germany:
OK OK, I'm just poking some fun at you southern neighbours and not trying to steal away your heritage with my comment about J.H.Williams originally being from Canada.
The wrench is a whitworth specification so it was likely made during war time but I have no real info on it or when J.H.Williams was manufacturing in Canada.All fun aside next up is this Blue Point I picked up recently for $5 just because the embossing of the name is so high. I haven't run across this before, it's about 1/32" up off the base.
Other wrenches I've always been partial to are Snail Brand from the UK. The logo makes it one of those must haves for me.
Here's a distinctive looking wrench for square fasteners:
This is a spattering of Dowidat does with size stampings in sae and uss.
and finally a lesser seen WGB from Germany:
Ooops! I just realized the planet Jr is a combo wrench not a doe so I shouldn't have posted it here. I'll leave it in now since there's a comment on it. The box end it 1/2" on one side and flip it for an 11/16". The open end is 11/16" also. I'm not sure what the hammer head is for though and there is a bit of crude fin opposite. It would be a very crude points adjusting system.
Here are a few more:
90' Obstruction Wrenches
Top 3 are Williams
4th one is a King **** (UK) Whitworth
5th and 6th are Elora (Germany)
More Obstruction Wrenches (some small ignition wrenches too)
The 1st one says Cross Country but not sure if that is the brand
2nd one has no names just the circle with the x type symbol
3rd is a 1/2" Plvmb with a hammer tone finish (see close up picture below)
4th - Industro
5th Gray Canada
6th snap-on
7th Facom
Next up are a set of 5 Snap-On Limited Torque very thin wrenches. I'd like to replace the top one with a Snap-On Canada wrench to keep the set all made in Canada. That one is shorter than the others also so it seems the lengths were inconstant.
The bottom one is a GL version.
90' Obstruction Wrenches
Top 3 are Williams
4th one is a King **** (UK) Whitworth
5th and 6th are Elora (Germany)
More Obstruction Wrenches (some small ignition wrenches too)
The 1st one says Cross Country but not sure if that is the brand
2nd one has no names just the circle with the x type symbol
3rd is a 1/2" Plvmb with a hammer tone finish (see close up picture below)
4th - Industro
5th Gray Canada
6th snap-on
7th Facom
Next up are a set of 5 Snap-On Limited Torque very thin wrenches. I'd like to replace the top one with a Snap-On Canada wrench to keep the set all made in Canada. That one is shorter than the others also so it seems the lengths were inconstant.
The bottom one is a GL version.
Here is another one, I always considered it a Durochrome but maybe I'm off on that one.
four.cycle
Well-known member
2oolhound said:
Cross Country was a private label brand stamped out by Indestro, presumably for Sears.
see: http://alloy-artifacts.org/duro-indestro-p6.html
The second one is a Duro Chrome. The little "X" is actually a stylized "DC" (for Duro Chrome.
see: http://alloy-artifacts.org/trademarks-and-logos.html
2oolhound said:
it's "IndEstro".
"IndUstro" is a cheapie line of imported stuff from Asia - no connection to "IndEstro".