Show Your Vlchek Tools

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I searched and could not find a thread like this. I just got my first Vlchek tool a few days ago and wanted to share. It is a 12" adjustable

 

[pauls_workshop]

Would you believe I was just reading about VLCHEK a bit today? Here is an older vintage post on VLCHEK by another GJer:

VLCHEK – The Vlchek Tool Company was founded in Cleveland, Ohio on February 18, 1895 by a blacksmith named Frank J. Vlchek. The company continued to produce mechanic's tools at least until 1969. Sometime prior to 1965, the company became a subsidiary of Pendelton Tool Industries, Inc. The Vlchek Tool Company was then purchased on 6/30/69 by Flambeau Products and tool production was discontinued. Open end wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, spark plug wrenches, 9" adjustable wrenches and pliers were supplied to Chevrolet by Vlchek. Prior to World War II, Vlchek also sold tools to Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac. They supplied tool kits for Chevrolets up until the year 1966. That was the year that Chevrolet discontinued offering tool kits. The tool kit was a standard item provided with each and every Chevrolet from the beginning of production in 1912 through the year 1948. In 1949, the tool kit became an optional accessory. Generally speaking, the tool kits included: one or two screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, a hammer and a spark plug wrench. The tools were usually housed in a tool bag. Cloth bags were used up until about 1955. After that date, a plastic tool bag was used. The only Chevrolet tools which were stamped with the company name "Vlchek" were some spark plug sockets which were made in the 1950's and 1960's. Many open end wrenches can be found at swap meets with "Vlchek" stamped on the tool, however, it is believed that these tools were sold at local hardware stores and were not included in the Chevrolet tool kits.
The following titles, take you to pages where drawings of each Vlchek tool are found. You will note that most of the tools have dates beside them as to when the specific tool was produced for Chevrolet. Most of the information on Vlchek tools has come from: Chevrolet Parts Catalogs, NOS tool kits from original unrestored Chevrolets and from talking with a Vlchek salesman who had worked at the Vlchek Tool Company from 1946 through the mid 1990's.

 

[Alan Douglas]

Around 1960 I bought a set of two cold chisels, two punches, and a center punch, from either Lafayette or Allied Radio, and I still use them.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Most of the Vlchek tools that I've come across were only identified with a "V" in a circle.

 

[geojag]

Here is a Vlchek DOE. I think I have a few more and maybe some chisels at home. I will check later.

 

[Kev442]

From my Aunt's estate. She may have bought them or my Grandfather. Just used them Sunday morning.

 

[geojag]

All my Vlchek I can find right now:
11/16 - 19/32
3/4 - 5/8 (I have 2 of these)
13/16 - 25/32
15/16 - 7/8

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Most of the Vlchek tools that I've come across were only identified with a "V" in a circle.

Are you thinking of the V in a shield logo, Pumpman? Like this?

That’s their oldest logo (teens, 20's). It’s tricky just using that logo to date Vlchek tools, though, because they continued to put that logo on pliers and other tools even after they started using other logos.

“Block letter” logo - found on ball-pein hammers, punches, and wrenches in the 30’s and 40’s

“Emblem” logo – found on the housings of 9” and 11” auto wrenches in the 30’s and 40’s

“Banner” logo – found behind the pivot on 6.5” and 8” gull-wing slip-joint pliers and on the ferrule of screwdrivers

I have a lot of Vlchek tools. They supplied the hammer, SPW, pliers, 11” auto wrench and 5-piece DOE engineers wrench set that went in the on-board toolkit of every 3/4-ton Dodge truck during WW2. They also supplied tools to Chevy trucks, the Air Corps and Ordnance Dept.

 

[woody 73]

Darn you guys are just to fast for me I had better put the Vlchek story on hold for now, would it be better if I told you guys my next story in advance so you guys will not start a post or just try and surprise you guys like it is on x-mas day?

 

[Jim C.]

Would you believe I was just reading about VLCHEK a bit today? Here is an older vintage post on VLCHEK by another GJer:

VLCHEK – The Vlchek Tool Company was founded in Cleveland, Ohio on February 18, 1895 by a blacksmith named Frank J. Vlchek. The company continued to produce mechanic's tools at least until 1969. Sometime prior to 1965, the company became a subsidiary of Pendelton Tool Industries, Inc. The Vlchek Tool Company was then purchased on 6/30/69 by Flambeau Products and tool production was discontinued. Open end wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, spark plug wrenches, 9" adjustable wrenches and pliers were supplied to Chevrolet by Vlchek. Prior to World War II, Vlchek also sold tools to Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac. They supplied tool kits for Chevrolets up until the year 1966. That was the year that Chevrolet discontinued offering tool kits. The tool kit was a standard item provided with each and every Chevrolet from the beginning of production in 1912 through the year 1948. In 1949, the tool kit became an optional accessory. Generally speaking, the tool kits included: one or two screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, a hammer and a spark plug wrench. The tools were usually housed in a tool bag. Cloth bags were used up until about 1955. After that date, a plastic tool bag was used. The only Chevrolet tools which were stamped with the company name "Vlchek" were some spark plug sockets which were made in the 1950's and 1960's. Many open end wrenches can be found at swap meets with "Vlchek" stamped on the tool, however, it is believed that these tools were sold at local hardware stores and were not included in the Chevrolet tool kits.
The following titles, take you to pages where drawings of each Vlchek tool are found. You will note that most of the tools have dates beside them as to when the specific tool was produced for Chevrolet. Most of the information on Vlchek tools has come from: Chevrolet Parts Catalogs, NOS tool kits from original unrestored Chevrolets and from talking with a Vlchek salesman who had worked at the Vlchek Tool Company from 1946 through the mid 1990's.

Great historic Vlchek information Paul. I have only one Vlchek tool (see wrench depicted below). Between 1963 and 1967, all Chevrolet Corvette convertibles that were factory equipped with an optional removable hard top included the wrench shown below. The hard top is held in place by four bolts and two latches. Two bolts attach to the bottom of the hard top below the rear plexiglass window and through the rear deck. The bolts are then tightened with two 7/16" nuts. Two more bolts run through small brackets that protrude from the bottom of the hard top and fit into threaded bosses located just behind the car doors. The heads on those bolts are 1/2". Hence the 7/16" x 1/2" DOE wrench. Original Vlchek (as seen below) Corvette hard top wrenches are often separated from the cars so they can be tough to find. Vlchek made the model W1416 DOE wrench for years, but only those that look like the one depicted below were found in 63-67 Corvettes. Because of this, someone interested in Corvettes started making good reproductions. I found this wrench lodged in the passenger seat track of my 1966 Corvette convertible just after I bought it. I believe it's the real deal and not a reproduction.

Jim C.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Man that is cool bit of history there, thanks for sharing[emoji106]

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I found a bunch of Vlchek sockets this morning at Habitat for Humanity all in great shape, guess I should of bought them

 

[Pumpman1968]

are you thinking of the v in a shield logo, pumpman? Like this?

yes!

 

[xfrk]

Here are a couple I could find quickly. The hammer is my daily user, and is the only one of its kind I've ever seen. Both are flea market finds.

 

[btrnuthatch]

Anybody want these? $6 + best price shipping (USPS flat rate padded envelope?)

 

[toolmutt]

My only V's:

 

[Canoe50]

Man that is cool bit of history there, thanks for sharing[emoji106]

I'll second that.

 

[biggreen1]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0873388178/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The above book is about The Vlchek tool company. A friend of mine (99yo) grew up around Frank Vlchek. My friend's father is mentioned as one of the "three Franks" in the Cleveland Bohemian community.

The book is a very interesting read if you like history. This man truelly believed in making the best tool possible.

He was also a millionare in the twenties.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[pauls_workshop]

Been away from this thread a few days - like how this one is taking off! VLCHECK was one cool company for so many decades! I need more of their tools! I only have a couple wrenches. - Paul

 

[ganymede]

Pretty sure the op's 12" adjustable was made by JP Danielson Co.
Have seen them as Proto, Penens, Fleet, Challenger, and Billings but never Vlchek.
Very cool. In great condition too!

 

[jreb10]

Here are a few of my larger DBEs that were handy to grab. They all came from auctions. For some reason I ended up with the top 3 being the same size.

 

[1oldtimer]

I thought I had more, but this is all I could find now. I get them if I can find them for under $5 each (for all old USA brands, I don't just get one brand). Also ALL go back to work at my place.... I just remembered I think I have a few more in the car tool boxes (each driver gets it's own old box with tools).

 

[altersaddle]

I think this is a Vlchek 11" auto. Can anyone confirm or deny?

The handle reads MADE IN U.S.A. 11 A, then there's a hole made with a cutting torch.

I can't see any stampings on the jaw except some owner initials AJB.

 

[bonneyman]

Here's a set of DOE's I used to have.

I have a small set of the short DBE's with the * mark on them around somewhere.
I'll dig around my files and see if I have a family photo.

 

[Jason280]

Just found this thread, I picked up my first Vlcheck tool today...a 1/4" breaker bar. I'll post a few pics of it later, but it looks a lot more "recent" than some of the other tools posted.

 

[Jason280]

Here are a few pics:

 

[3baygarage]

Nice find. Definitely has that Penens/Fleet look with the roll pin head and stamped smooth portion of the handle.

 

[McBrownie]

I'm putting together a couple of toolboxes for my "kids" (they're both in college) with all USA-made tools. Our local PBS station had a story about Frank Vlchek a few weeks ago. Being from Cleveland I thought, I've got to get a Vlchek or two for those toolboxes. I have found one set of 6" gull wing pliers with the "banner" logo and am on the lookout for another. The hunt is the fun part. I found this link from wviz.org that is interesting.

https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/vlchek-story.html

http://wviz.ideastream.org/programs...-jazz-trumpeter-dominick-farinacci-arts-prize

 

[MShaw]

I have some 1/4" drive sockets that I purchased at my local hardware store in about 1972. They were purchased as a set but some are stamped Vlchek and some are stamped Challenger. The tools and the stamping is visually the same for both and both use the same numbering system (10XX) with the ** being the size designation.

Were Challenger tools made by Vlchek or was I in the middle of a supplier change at the hardware store as the sockets were individually racked, not as a set.

 

[McBrownie]

I have some 1/4" drive sockets that I purchased at my local hardware store in about 1972. They were purchased as a set but some are stamped Vlchek and some are stamped Challenger. The tools and the stamping is visually the same for both and both use the same numbering system (10XX) with the ** being the size designation.

Were Challenger tools made by Vlchek or was I in the middle of a supplier change at the hardware store as the sockets were individually racked, not as a set.

From the link above:

"In 1964 Pendleton Tool Industries was acquired by Ingersoll-Rand, an industrial conglomerate. Under Ingersoll the Vlchek factory in Cleveland was finally closed in 1969, but it's not known whether the Vlchek brand continued in use after this."

Maybe you found some old stock or another manufacturer under Ingersoll-Rand started using the name. I would think you found some old Vlchek-made sockets.

 

[Travisnd]

Here's my Vlchek wrench set that I inherited from my wife's grandfather years ago.

 

[MShaw]

Thank you for the reply McBrownie. I guess we'll never know for sure but the Challenger sockets have stamping configuration that is all but identical to Vlcheck making me believe that they were a poorly advertised alternate brand for Vlcheck.

 

[MShaw]

I did some more digging and found that Challenger was a brand used by the Penens / Ingersoll Rand groups so were probably the same tools other than the stamping. This is reinforced by the fact that one of my Vlcheck sockets has the plating flaked around the stamping. We had this problem at New Britain as the tools were finished complete including chrome without stamping and stamped to the sales order in the warehouse.

I have also included a photo of my 24" Vlcheck pipe wrench and my 18" Challenger adjustable that were purchased at the same store in the same time frame.

 

[McBrownie]

I did some more digging and found that Challenger was a brand used by the Penens / Ingersoll Rand groups so were probably the same tools other than the stamping. This is reinforced by the fact that one of my Vlcheck sockets has the plating flaked around the stamping. We had this problem at New Britain as the tools were finished complete including chrome without stamping and stamped to the sales order in the warehouse.

I have also included a photo of my 24" Vlcheck pipe wrench and my 18" Challenger adjustable that were purchased at the same store in the same time frame.

MShaw,

New Britain? You need to start a New Britain thread!

 

[MShaw]

There already is a New Britain thread and I have made many contributions to it.

 

[DuroChrome]

Love the wrench set! Vlchek are great tools.

 

[Ratchet.]

I only have one Vlchek wrench, which i don't have a photo of on my computer

Its an nickle plated open end 11/16"-25/32" one (model W2225 i think) in fairly rough condition, nice solid tool though and almost never seen over here, possibly taken over by a serviceman or something?

 

[DuroChrome]

I picked this one up yesterday...

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Any new finds?

 

[Gerald O]

This is all I have. Not a new find though. It's been in my toolbox for about 40 years and gets used regularly.