Spreading the Bonney affliction!

[Ricky Joe]

I am intrigued by those two sockets. I can’t think of anything automotive that they could be. The decidedly offset drive broaching of the drive end is very curious, combined with the odd configuration of the fastener. I’m interested to see how this turns out.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Kinda shaped like a weatherhead socket, but enclosed on the flat end

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The decidedly offset drive broaching

That aspect reminds of some stud removers, though I don't quite see how they could be used that way.

 

[four.cycle]

^ yeah. very weird. hence my contacting Wright to ask them. it's just TOO curious to not ask. the offset broach on the drive end is definitely puzzling.... made to remove something that was installed in a tight corner?

 

[Ricky Joe]

To be used in a tight corner, the optimal location for the drive broach would be in the center.

^ yeah. very weird. hence my contacting Wright to ask them. it's just TOO curious to not ask. the offset broach on the drive end is definitely puzzling.... made to remove something that was installed in a tight corner?

 

[four.cycle]

^ hey, it was my best wild-*** guess!

hopefull Wright will get back to me on it.

 

[Raineman]

Those P38 can openers I grew up knowing as "John Wayne can openers". My Dad taught me to use one when I was very young, probably to keep me occupied. I'd "practice" on empty cans, because as some of you may remember, the tops and bottoms of cans were all the same then. Everyone in my first Scout Troop was taught to use them (Scoutmaster and both Asst.Scoutmasters were all Marine Colonels). When we went camping, if you didn't bring your "John Wayne" and knew how to use it, you didn't eat.

They bring back great memories for me and I grab them when I see them. Everyone in my family knows how to use them too. After all, gotta eat.

 

[Mikeske]

Lesserson the drag link is used on vehicles to tie the steering gear box to the tie rod. Mainly drag links are found on older vehicles mostly today the drag links are used on pickup trucks and the older style Jeeps.

 

[LesserSon]

It took me this long to relocate the Bonney 5E edger to pose with the newly-acquired 16J. The rusted screws belong to the 16J, but I will replace them with longer/stouter ones; they spin freely in the wood handle. I’d have done that already, but plain steel round head slotted wood screws are not something I use much, nor keep on hand. EDIT - neither does Home Depot.
I’ll probably refinish the 5E to match; I’d only scraped the cement off it till now.

 

[Ricky Joe]

it took me this long to relocate the Bonney 5E edger to pise with the newly-acquired 16J. The rusted screws belong to the 16J, but I will replace them with longer/stouter ones; they spin freely in the wood handle. I’d have done that already, but plain steel round head slotted wood screws are not something I use much, nor keep on hand.
I’ll probably refinish the 5E to match; I’d only scraped the cement off it till now.

I’ve got a ton of screws. Give me dimensions and I’ll send

 

[Username already in use]

It took me this long to relocate the Bonney 5E edger to pose with the newly-acquired 16J. The rusted screws belong to the 16J, but I will replace them with longer/stouter ones; they spin freely in the wood handle. I’d have done that already, but plain steel round head slotted wood screws are not something I use much, nor keep on hand. EDIT - neither does Home Depot.
I’ll probably refinish the 5E to match; I’d only scraped the cement off it till now.

I would get some wood splinters, coat them in wood glue, jam them into the holes in the handle, cut them flush and then screw the old screws back in. Works like a charm.

 

[mritchie77]

I am in a Facebook group related to the now closed Janesville, WI GM plant. They posted this picture with the caption of the "40's". I think these are Bonney boxes.

 

[LesserSon]

That’s a cool photo.

 

[ararat]

I read where Bonney made some of the John Deere branded tools. I got a set of these USA 1/2" drive deep impact sockets recently. Any opinions about whether these are Bonney?

 

[LesserSon]

I don’t have any JD tools. I think the wrenches may have more-distinguishing characteristics than that socket. The only thing I can think would be to compare the font of the numerals and the mm marking. The “m” on yours curves over smooth like Roman arches, with no initial downstroke. I can’t say I’ve seen that on a Bonney socket.
On the other hand, the Triangle-era-and-later Bonney sockets were smooth-walled with no knurl. So maybe.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That’s a cool photo.

Annoyingly, this is one of a few threads that glitches on my alerts for some reason.

 

[ararat]

I don’t have any JD tools. I think the wrenches may have more-distinguishing characteristics than that socket. The only thing I can think would be to compare the font of the numerals and the mm marking. The “m” on yours curves over smooth like Roman arches, with no initial downstroke. I can’t say I’ve seen that on a Bonney socket.
On the other hand, the Triangle-era-and-later Bonney sockets were smooth-walled with no knurl. So maybe.

Yeah, I agree. I started thinking they look like they are probably newer than the classic Bonney era. Also, I found a great way to remove the black oxide finish, Evaporust. Lol

 

[Mikeske]

I read where Bonney made some of the John Deere branded tools. I got a set of these USA 1/2" drive deep impact sockets recently. Any opinions about whether these are Bonney?

It is hard to determine if those sockets are Triangle era sockets made by Bonney for John Deere. The best way to tell on that socket is a picture of the broaching inside the socket as instead of sharp cuts it will have rounded cuts where the socket meets the fastener. If it is rounded cuts it loc-tite and that was Bonney. If it is sharp cuts likely the socket was made by another company.

 

[ararat]

It is hard to determine if those sockets are Triangle era sockets made by Bonney for John Deere. The best way to tell on that socket is a picture of the broaching inside the socket as instead of sharp cuts it will have rounded cuts where the socket meets the fastener. If it is rounded cuts it loc-tite and that was Bonney. If it is sharp cuts likely the socket was made by another company.

Thanks. Here's a picture

 

[Mikeske]

That’s a Bonney from all appearances here is a picture of my 1/2” drive 16 MM socket. My set is 6 point on the 15 and 16 MM and then 10-14 and 17 to 22 are 12 point in the 1/2” drive. Obviously the 6 points were replacements for broken sockets.

 

[ararat]

That’s a Bonney from all appearances here is a picture of my 1/2” drive 16 MM socket. My set is 6 point on the 15 and 16 MM and then 10-14 and 15 to 22 are 12 point in the 1/2” drive. Obviously the 6 points were replacements for broken sockets.

Nice. This set is all 6 point. Glad to know who made them.

 

[Mikeske]

Nice. This set is all 6 point. Glad to know who made them.

I am happy to help where I can. I forgot to mention my sockets are used and have usage in their appearances. I had my set of Bonney for the past 40 years so usage is normal.

 

[ararat]

The world famous Bonney BS-100 hub cap removal tool. The transmission on my tractor got stuck in neutral and this came in handy getting the forks aligned again. You have to go in through the transmission fluid filler hole unless you want to take half the tractor apart.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

The world famous Bonney BS-100 hub cap removal tool. The transmission on my tractor got stuck in neutral and this came in handy getting the forks aligned again. You have to go in through the transmission fluid filler hole unless you want to take half the tractor apart.

Wow. That is a life saver. I bet you would not sell it? What tractor has a big enough hole to see and rearrange your forks?

 

[ararat]

Wow. That is a life saver. I bet you would not sell it? What tractor has a big enough hole to see and rearrange your forks?

Massey Ferguson 250 mid eighties. The hole is about 2 inches across. It's not really enough room to do much. There's a spring that gets worn out and if you shift too quickly it can get stuck in gear or neutral. It happens about once a year to me. Usually it is stuck in gear and you use a pry bar to slide the gear over to get unstuck. Going to try to fix it properly this winter sometime.

I didn't know what the tool was for until I used it. There's a few online for sale, but I'll put mine back in the bottom drawer where it was living with random tools like basin wrench, brake spring tools, etc.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Massey Ferguson 250 mid eighties. The hole is about 2 inches across. It's not really enough room to do much. There's a spring that gets worn out and if you shift too quickly it can get stuck in gear or neutral. It happens about once a year to me. Usually it is stuck in gear and you use a pry bar to slide the gear over to get unstuck. Going to try to fix it properly this winter sometime.

I didn't know what the tool was for until I used it. There's a few online for sale, but I'll put mine back in the bottom drawer where it was living with random tools like basin wrench, brake spring tools, etc.

Yea. I know just what your working on. Good luck on the fix. Hope it goes well.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some bon-e-con

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Picked this stuff up at a yard sale, don’t know if the holder is for them or not. Not partial to them, so if you need them hit me up, down to trade.

 

[Mikeske]

Well I found an older set of Pre Triangle Corp Bonney wrenches probably made in the early to mid 1960's as they have a satin finish and around 1967 Bonney went with high polish finish. What I found in a pawn shop was a 23720 a 5/8" wrench, a 23728 a 7/8th inch wrench and a 23732 a 1" wrench. I do know the 23728 and the 23732 were former Boeing Co owned tools as they have a circle around the letter B and that is the tool room marking for them.

 

[bonneyman]

Some bon-e-con

Love the brass color!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Plucked this prewar uni joint out of a box at the flea this morning.

 

[themodernclassic]

As some may have seen from the Blackhawk thread. I originally picked up this set up about 3 weeks ago for $125 and a 1.5 hr. round trip. Without any badging I had taken a gamble as to what it was. All I knew was "its old, and it looks cool" = I HAD TO HAVE IT!!!! A "motto" I'm guessing most here on the Garage Journal live by. After speaking to the seller for a few minutes and getting the story of the box (which I find just as valuable) as the box itself, I was told that he believed it was a Blackhawk, after hours of research and reading thru what seemed to be an endless thread of Blackhawk related posts, noting a few Blackhawk boxes that were similar in design ,I just wasn't convinced. I posted these pictures and learned within literarily minutes that this was a Bonney set up.. Disappointing?? Not at all! Big thank you to the guys over in the Blackhawk thread.

From here on out I will be posting everything related to this Bonney set-up in this thread. My plan will most likely consist of a complete restoration, while I am a big fan of Patina and wear, I believe that preserving a piece of history is much more valuable. Any input would be greatly appreciated i.e.: badging, paint etc.








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[Mintgrun]

Very nice! What are the width and length of the aluminum trim strip and how was it attached to the box?

 

[LesserSon]

That strip is from a roller cabinet door.

 

[LesserSon]

If you don’t need it, @themodernclassic, I do.
Here’s the relevant part of my Bonney red repaint experiment.

 

[LesserSon]

But here is my discussion of readily-available sprays.
If you want to go really deep, VHT makes a red wrinkle engine block paint.

 

[themodernclassic]

Very nice! What are the width and length of the aluminum trim strip and how was it attached to the box?

Here are some pics to give you a better idea of how the trim piece was attached to the cabinet as well as measurements. Notice example one: the Steele rail attached to the door(probably spot-welded)on. These rails are on both doors top left (l) door and bottom right (r) door. Its a pretty simple design, although probably not that effective as most examples of the cabinet are either missing one rail, or most cases, both. You can notice in example two: the Trim is arrow shaped on both ends and is bent in a way were there is a tab that runs the entire length of each pcs. of trim. This design allows for the trim to easily be attached or removed. Hope this helps answer your question. Thanks

 

[themodernclassic]

VHT makes a red wrinkle engine block paint

I have actually been looking into this as well. They do make a red crinkle powder coat of a similar match thru prism colors. But now we are getting into a higher cost of restoration.

 

[themodernclassic]

That strip is from a roller cabinet door.

If you don’t need it, @themodernclassic, I do.

LesserSon: The set up I purchased actually came with the bottom roller cabinet as well. Albeit missing the opposite trim strip as your cabinet.

Funny story... about three yrs ago I purchased a Cornwell tool chest atop of what I thought was a strange looking roller cabinet. The roller cabinet, un- restorable( the left side of the cabinet was crinkled like an aluminum can and was missing the door) Along with the Cornwell tool chest was given to a co-worker. What I do remember of this strange looking roller cabinet is that it had an even stranger looking piece of trim. My co-worker ended up doing a complete restoration of the Cornwell top chest, but discarded the cabinet. Although being the fine keeper of junk he fancy's himself, he was intent on keeping this even stranger piece of trim. "That strange looking piece of trim" I later learned was the exact piece of trim I'm in need of for my latest acquisition. My Bonney cabinet!! Now...…. my co-worker being the wheeler and dealer of the finest junk on earth, says he will give me a good deal on this strange piece of trim. I can only imagine what this is going to cost, as his motto like most is "one man's junk is another's treasure" I will keep you posted.

 

[themodernclassic]

I am in a Facebook group related to the now closed Janesville, WI GM plant. They posted this picture with the caption of the "40's". I think these are Bonney boxes.

Picture speaks a million words as I was born and raised in Janesville Wi. Both my Grandmother/Grandfather retired from the Janesville GM plant. The city is a shell of it's former self since the plant was closed IMO. And the empty lot where the plant use to be located looks like a wasteland. Anyway.... enough about that... I will keep this tool related.