Show off your DOE's!

[d42jeep]

If it was BB you would have told me already, so I'm guessing Lectrolite.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Close. (Sort of.)

So much for the asterisk/star = Vlchek equation. Also appears on Bonney and S-K.

 

[d42jeep]

I was fairly close. This shot will get the thread back on track. I didn't find any stars on my S-K or S-K/Lectrolite wrenches.
-Don

 

[Mooreag47]

For you viewing pleasure

 

[Zeeman]

Here are a few I found today.

 

[bulletpruf]

Hit the local flea yesterday and scrounged up a few DOE's and an adjustable.

The Dowidat is a 7/8 and 15/16.

Geodore 32/27.

Hazet 20/22.

Fiat 24/27. Saw a few of these; must be from a factory tool kit.

Stahlwille Stabil 1 36/41. The 36 has been ground on a bit.

The adjustable is a Zerem. That's a new one for me. Seems like a quality wrench.

 

[454ragtop]

Thought of this thread today, so snapped a few pics of my more interesting DOE's. First pic are a couple big ones, larger is a Williams, 1-5/8 + 1-7/16, smaller is an Armstrong, 1-1/2 + 1-5/16. These have bailed me out a few times, work well on fan clutches, especially when rapped with a hammer. Next couple show a strange Craftsman, thinking it goes to a table saw or something, a Blue Point Supreme, a small Billings 1/4 + 5/16, and a Bonney Zenel. Have a bunch more of varied interest and brands.

 

[ryan20021982]

On the top Proto, Challenger, Craftsman tappet wrenches, 1 Duro Chrome tappet wrenches
The bottom set of SK the missing small one is on its way to me, and some Craftsman

 

[02superduty]

Here is one I found some time back. Says FUJIPEACE. The only info I found is that it probably was from a telescope tool kit. Any info would be great.
Thanks John

 

[Jim C.]

I recently picked up this set of Craftsman =V= metric wrenches in their original plastic pouch.

Jim C.

 

[paulm12]

a Fairmount DOE in a small batch of tools I picked up recently. Can't see a size marking on it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've picked up a few of these BHM art deco DOE wrenches over the years, but they were all marked 'Nickel' and 'Molybdenum' on each of the darts on either side of the 'X' in the middle of the shank. I've never seen one marked 'Alloy Steel' before. I am guessing mid-40's wartime production, which is interesting.

 

[d42jeep]

That's an attractive wrench, Lugz. Did you check out the patent date? I've run across a few BHM wrenches but never one of those.
My Dunlap DOE collection keeps growing, these were mostly supplied by Moore Drop Forge.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Did you check out the patent date?

It's the same exact design patent (#97325, granted in 1935) that appears on the more common 'Nickel Molybdenum' style. As you know, BHM was also making 'Master Quality' wrenches in the late 1930's. Two lines, very different styles. As you know, those were marked 'Molybdenum Steel' on the flip side panel until 1942. After that (due to alloy restrictions), they were marked 'Forged Steel.' Pure speculation, but I am guessing the same thing happened on the art deco style wrenches. The composition changed, and so did the marking.

 

[twertsy]

That's an attractive wrench, Lugz. Did you check out the patent date? I've run across a few BHM wrenches but never one of those.
My Dunlap DOE collection keeps growing, these were mostly supplied by Moore Drop Forge.
-Don

And I just snagged you more.....

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[bulletpruf]

Was at a flea market here in Italy yesterday and picked up the entire batch for $10.



10 minutes with a wire wheel and found a few interesting ones.

Three Fiat wrenches (27/24, 19/17, 17/13) here along with a Lancia. I have a few more Fiat wrenches; getting close to having a complete set.



There were all new to me. From right to left - Sarco 22/20, FBC, Four Oaks, and Emmenr 16/14. Anyone



This was a bigger one. Think it's marked LF; it's 36/30.



Also picked up an enormous Geodore 60 mm SOE, but I left it in my buddy's truck.

Anyway, I'll use some electrolysis to get these cleaned up and see if there are any other interesting ones here.

 

[Mintgrun]

I picked up a few more a couple of days ago.
According to AA, CHROME X QUALITY wrenches were made between 1936-1939.
A few makers produced them, including VLCHEK.
I am guessing that was the case with these.
Tom

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Brought home this wrench from the flea market today. Only bought it because I hadn't seen one before. If I had to guess I'd say it's Massey Ferguson and looks to be proto made. Can't seem to find many like it. Any ideas?

 

[BFBOB]

Maybe not the best forum for this question - it's really about the finish. I have a few of these Bridgeport US Nickel Molybdenum wrenches just because I like the X&Darts design. This one is different, though. The whole handle is very dark - nearly black. The others are all bright metal overall.

At a glance I can't tell whether it's a black finish or just grease and dirt. Thanks to several GJ's who have posted histories of strategic metal restrictions, I think the "Alloy Steel" marks this wrench as wartime production, so unplated and bereft of molybdenum, maybe nickel too.

The big question is what should I do with it? If it's just grease and grime, (or some previous owner painted it black), I'll clean it up. If it's a wartime black finish (Parkerized??) then I'll leave it alone.

 

[Outlawmws]

Mine are dark like that, but maybe not quite as dark. I suspect its part grime, part finish. I'd give them a quick clean with SG and see...

 

[d42jeep]

It was very common for wartime wrenches to be parkerized. The middle Barcalo DOE wrenches from my wartime Motor Vehicle Mechanic Tool set have that nice dark finish. I'm including a comparison shot with a plain steel finish Barcalo.
-Don

 

[BFBOB]

After a closer look, I took Outlaw's advice. A good soak in paint thinner revealed that the darkness was mostly just grease and dirt. A little scrubbing with a brass brush revealed some rust, mostly on the jaw faces. So, I e-tanked it for a bit, followed with more scrubbing and here it is: No "patina", but to me much more better looking. All this confirmed that it's wartime stuff - no plating whatsoever, and that's why it retains a bit darker color than its plated brethren.

 

[bonneyman]

Maybe not the best forum for this question - it's really about the finish. I have a few of these Bridgeport US Nickel Molybdenum wrenches just because I like the X&Darts design. This one is different, though. The whole handle is very dark - nearly black. The others are all bright metal overall.

At a glance I can't tell whether it's a black finish or just grease and dirt. Thanks to several GJ's who have posted histories of strategic metal restrictions, I think the "Alloy Steel" marks this wrench as wartime production, so unplated and bereft of molybdenum, maybe nickel too.

The big question is what should I do with it? If it's just grease and grime, (or some previous owner painted it black), I'll clean it up. If it's a wartime black finish (Parkerized??) then I'll leave it alone.

That X dart design stands out and is just so different. I like 'em!

 

[BFBOB]

That X dart design stands out and is just so different. I like 'em!

Speaking of outstanding design, I just picked this up today. :

 

[Billy Jack]

Here's a picture I took when I was researching date codes on some of my old Snap-Ons:

The top two are what my late father referred to as "pear-shaped" wrenches. They were his favorite open-ends, since the thicker heads allowed you to put a lot of muscle on them without rounding a fastener like a standard open end, as well as being fully effective at a slight angle. You could even use them as tubing wrenches. Unfortunately, Dad was very generous in loaning tools, but the recipients of his generosity seemed to forget to retun what you borrowed. When I sorted out his stuff after he passed away 20 years ago, I searched EBay for some to fill out the set, to no avail. In the 80's I purchased a couple Mac long-handle thick-head wrenches with a similar idea, but without the tapered ends.

Bill

 

[Jim C.]

A little while back in the thread, at reply #258, I posted a few pictures of a four piece set of moderately used Craftsman Whitworth DOE wrenches. I was pretty happy to find that set. Well, I recently found another set of the same wrenches, this time with their original plastic pouch. The wrenches themselves are in near mint condition.

Jim C.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a set of DOE wrenches I picked up recently. I don't know who the manufacturer was. Anybody know who made these?
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ ahhh... the mysterious "Forged in USA" / "Made in USA" no-name wrenches!

not a clue!

I do, however, know that they made a hell of a lot of them!

 

[RedVise]

I dont remember buying this, but when cleaning out a bench drawer, I came across this MAC 1 3/8" DOE.
Obstruction wrench to boot !


Brian

 

[Outlawmws]

I dont remember buying this, but when cleaning out a bench drawer, I came across this MAC 1 3/8" DOE.
Obstruction wrench to boot !


Brian

That has NEVER happened to me...

 

[paulm12]

anyone need a Shaw 11/16 - 19/32 ?? Not sure what the blue paint?? is. Shoot me a PM if interested.

 

[twertsy]

^ ahhh... the mysterious "Forged in USA" / "Made in USA" no-name wrenches!

not a clue! [emoji38]

I do, however, know that they made a hell of a lot of them!

Look closely at the '43 Vlchek catalog.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Outlawmws]

anyone need a Shaw 11/16 - 19/32 ?? Not sure what the blue paint?? is. Shoot me a PM if interested.

PM sent!

 

[d42jeep]

Look closely at the '43 Vlchek catalog.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

Okay, I would concede a slight resemblance to these in the '41 Vlchek catalog! Too bad the catalog doesn't show the other side.
-Don

 

[twertsy]

Okay, I would concede a slight resemblance to these in the '41 Vlchek catalog! Too bad the catalog doesn't show the other side.
-Don

Oops, my bad, 41 cat, not 43.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[BlueBomber]

DOEs aren't my thing, but I recently received a shipment of wrenches that contained a such a variety of cool DOEs that I had to share them here.



Very shiny Billings & Armstrong Special tappet wrenches



Herbrand & Fairmont 733s, one marked for standard opening sizes and one marked "CAP"



Tiny wrenches, New Britain, Stanley & Herbrand



Indestro & Husky



Fairmont & Powr-Kraft

 

[four.cycle]

okay, what's the story on that Fairmount second from bottom in the last image? (the bent one.)
what's up with that weird cut-out on the business end of it?

 

[bill300d]

I always assumed for hex and square nuts or bolt heads to fit better

 

[four.cycle]

^ I was talking about the way the gullet is broached on that Fairmount - weird!

 

[BlueBomber]

^ I was talking about the way the gullet is broached on that Fairmount - weird!

Yeah, I noted that too. However, given how the wrench was bent, it wouldn't surprise me if it was a user modification. A quick search of AA turned up nothing like it on the Fairmont pages. I'll try to look more closely at it later in the week.