Spreading the Bonney affliction!

[LesserSon]

Today's additions. Didn't need them, but the price was too good to pass up. RF55 & RF54 line wrenches in what looks like corroded cadmium. A(H?)U and BQ/** date codes. From the nearly identical condition of the finish, I'm inclined to believe they both date from 1943, with the extra Xs on the RF55 indicating the reuse of a 1939 die. The erection wrench has some bends in the line-up end. I would usually think paint on a wrench was an artifact from a previous owner, but it seems an exact match for the orange paint on Bonney soft face hammers, and on the striking ends of early Bonney chisels and punches. So I think it may be original. Date codes AO, USA, so Jan1951, I guess. The Zenel is a duplicate of one I already had, but I thought at the time of purchase it might be older or in better condition. Turns out to be about the same.

 

[zcbauer89]

The Bonney metric long wrenches are rather difficult to find and I have a set going from 10-20 MM missing the 13 MM and the 15 MM and I know that likely these were lost by my son years ago. I never needed metric sets working Boeing aircraft even to this day they still use SAE fasteners. So my set was left at home and I used them in the home setting. At this time I found on eBay the Matco wrenches in 13 and 15 MM and they work. I personally want to find those 2 sizes and I will eventually get them but for now the Matco set does work.

I also a 8 MM and 19 MM short wrenches and they are nice that I got it on a eBay auction and the items were in a group of metric sockets and such so I just got it with the sockets.

Very jealous of that metric set!

 

[Mikeske]

Very jealous of that metric set!

It has taken all of last year and the beginning of this year to get the metric set in all the sizes from 10 MM to 20 MM and I just found Bonney metric wrenches from 12 MM to 15 MM on eBay and I won the bidding on them, thanks to Lessorson for getting the info on them. So I have a spare 12 MM, 14 MM wrenches. My original set had a red vinyl roller bag with it that was so badly wore it was thown out years ago. Looking in the 1986 tool catalog it had 10 MM to 19 MM and then I added the 20 MM as I needed it for some job so I went to Grainger and bought it separate when I was living in Las Vegas in 1986.

The metric long wrenches were made from 10 MM to 32 MM but after 20 MM these were almost never used back then so most mechanics did not buy the larger sizes. I know as I passed on them back in the day and now wish I had bought them all the way to the 32 MM.

 

[Mikeske]

Today’s addition newly arrived in the mail via eBay. A 1950 tool catolog, a 12-15 MM wrenches, a 3/8ths wrench, a T40 extension and a deep well 9-19 MM 6 point socket set with a replacement off brand 13 MM socket. Now my metric socket deep well and metric wrench set are complete with what I started with 1984.

 

[LesserSon]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/263453067100
I think this pipe wrench is interesting: looks like, under the rust, the dynamic jaw is demarcated with opening sizes, in maybe 1/2” increments.

 

[Mikeske]

Last night I spent part of the night scanning the 1950 Bonney Tool Catalog C-3 that I got from eBay. Anyone interested just Private Message me here at this site with your email address and I send a PDF copy of the catalog.

 

[bonneyman]

Two more, but sae. I seldom come across metric

Hate to be the one that bursts your bubble - those flare/box combo wrenches came in SAE only.

 

[shanny19]

Hate to be the one that bursts your bubble - those flare/box combo wrenches came in SAE only.

Bonneyman, did they make a 13/16? That's the only one I'm missing.

 

[Mikeske]

Bonneyman, did they make a 13/16? That's the only one I'm missing.

Yes they did make a 13/16 X 1 1/16th Part number is RF57. good luck finding one as they do show up on eBay and are quickly snapped up for crazy prices

 

[shanny19]

Mike, I'm talking the flare/box combos, where both ends would be 13/16.

 

[Mikeske]

Mike, I'm talking the flare/box combos, where both ends would be 13/16.

It is skipped in the flare/box and the flare open end combos in the 1981 and the 1986 catalog.

 

[shanny19]

It is skipped in the flare/box and the flare open end combos in the 1981 and the 1986 catalog.

Thanks much, I'll stop looking for one!

 

[Mikeske]

Latest item picked off eBay. A brake spring pliers No. 2583.

 

[Mikeske]

Another day and these eBay items show up, got them on the cheap about $1.00 a piece. NOS pin punches 5 each C-30 and 5 each C-30-10

 

[Flinter987]

I'm about to breathe new life into a bonney rf22 (otherwise known as defacing). Stand by for news!

 

[bonneyman]

Bonneyman, did they make a 13/16? That's the only one I'm missing.

Mike already answered your question. 13/16" flare for Bonney was only available as the HD DFE style RF57. The lighter duty DFE's and flare/box combos skip 13/16". Unfortunately.

 

[bonneyman]

Another day and these eBay items show up, got them on the cheap about $1.00 a piece. NOS pin punches 5 each C-30 and 5 each C-30-10

NOS in the old red/white box. too!

 

[dutchgray]

NOS punches, very nice find, going to put them to use? Or just for the collection?

 

[Mikeske]

NOS punches, very nice find, going to put them to use? Or just for the collection?

As of right now I still have my originals that I bought in 1983. They both are well wore and I have have had to grind the mushrooms off several times. I will probably put one to use in both sizes and the rest will be in the collection.

 

[Mikeske]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bonney-11-...881589?hash=item2cce4f8f75:g:rZsAAOSwL9pabNxc

Anybody interested in this flare set on eBay... Includes a roller bag which looks to be in pretty good shape considering its age.

 

[Mikeske]

Found this Bonney 9/16ths one half inch drive socket at a pawn shop for 25 cents today.

 

[LostBoy(IRL)]

Hate to be the one that bursts your bubble - those flare/box combo wrenches came in SAE only.

I did check that out after buying, I ment it as in in finding SAE only in general, not the metric I could actually use on a more regular basis

 

[dutchgray]

There is a lot less metric flair stuff available than the sae, I only rarely see singles listed on Ebay that will ship here, dont recall ever seeing a metric set, same with the angle wrenches, I think all Bonney stuff is rarer in metric though.

 

[bonneyman]

There is a lot less metric flair stuff available than the sae, I only rarely see singles listed on Ebay that will ship here, dont recall ever seeing a metric set, same with the angle wrenches, I think all Bonney stuff is rarer in metric though.

Yes, the metric side of Bonney is much rarer. There is less Bonney metric out there because they made metric tools for fewer years, and in far smaller volume compared to their SAE stuff.

 

[Mikeske]

Yes, the metric side of Bonney is much rarer. They are several reasons for this, IMHO. I'm sure others will chime in with their thoughts.

Bonney was a government contract and military supplier for many years. Virtually all of that stuff was SAE. And (I think) Bonney got settled and complacent with their cushy gov contracts, and didn't really invest in and develop private sector avenues. When the military got hit with cash crunches and budget woes in the late 70's and 80's, Bonney suddenly found themselves without their #1 milk cow. So they tried setting up and distributing their lines elsewhere. By this time foreign cars and appliances were taking over, and the demand for metric tools soared. Bonney adapted and started making more metric stuff. They did have some metric, but - as we all know - the Asian invasion of the 70's caught many manufacturers off guard, and that trend continues.
They didn't have the name recognition among professionals in the private sector like other brands, and their sales reflected it. (As you've probably realized, very few people today - even tool people - have never heard of Bonney. Though, that is changing!) They didn't have the distributors and dealers like say Snap-On, and just couldn't/didn't adapt fast and well enough.

So there you have it. There is less Bonney metric out there because they made metric tools for fewer years, and in far smaller volume compared to their SAE stuff.

That is how I got my Bonney tools as I was in the Air Force active duty at the time when I bought my basic set. Since I knew I would be leaving active duty and going into the Air Force Reserve I started shopping then to get the tools I needed for when I went into the civilian world. I do have a set of metric flare wrenches made by Bonney and they are rarer then a dinosaurs tooth. I would not ever give these up as I have used them for years. I got lucky as my son never found them and I never "lost" them. I had those wrenches locked up in a separate area.

I lost a lot of my metric regular wrenches and only recently finally got that set rebuilt by way a pawn shop for one and the rest from eBay.

The other day I posted about the box/flare wrench set and I waited to see if anyone was interested and no one made a offer on them on eBay so I offered $125.00 for the set and the counter offer was $135.00 I accepted and these came in today. From all appearances they are new and the roller bag has NSN 5120-00-895-9566 and the number is still in use today. After doing a google search the number was established in 1962 and is still in use today. I was ebay again tonight and a different set was on there. Wrenches are sized from 3/8 to 1 1/8 skipping 13/16 and is not listed as a part in the original NSN number.

Ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bonney-fla...935551?hash=item41da18d83f:g:JhgAAOSwvGlac5xw

 

[McFarmer]

Anyone need this refrigeration wrench ? I paid $1 for it, the postage might be too much but if you need it I'll send it your way.

 

[bonneyman]

That is how I got my Bonney tools as I was in the Air Force active duty at the time when I bought my basic set. Since I knew I would be leaving active duty and going into the Air Force Reserve I started shopping then to get the tools I needed for when I went into the civilian world. I do have a set of metric flare wrenches made by Bonney and they are rarer then a dinosaurs tooth. I would not ever give these up as I have used them for years. I got lucky as my son never found them and I never "lost" them. I had those wrenches locked up in a separate area.

I lost a lot of my metric regular wrenches and only recently finally got that set rebuilt by way a pawn shop for one and the rest from eBay.

The other day I posted about the box/flare wrench set and I waited to see if anyone was interested and no one made a offer on them on eBay so I offered $125.00 for the set and the counter offer was $135.00 I accepted and these came in today. From all appearances they are new and the roller bag has NSN 5120-00-895-9566 and the number is still in use today. After doing a google search the number was established in 1962 and is still in use today. I was ebay again tonight and a different set was on there. Wrenches are sized from 3/8 to 1 1/8 skipping 13/16 and is not listed as a part in the original NSN number.

Ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bonney-fla...935551?hash=item41da18d83f:g:JhgAAOSwvGlac5xw

Killer set of flare/box combos!

And it's too bad they didn't make a 13/16" of that. Dang it - most of the reefer fitting's I come across are 13/16". Gonna have to find a double flare RF57.

 

[bonneyman]

Anyone need this refrigeration wrench ? I paid $1 for it, the postage might be too much but if you need it I'll send it your way.

Very nice of you to offer that tool up. Too bad I already have 3 like it!

 

[Mikeske]

Killer set of flare/box combos!

And it's too bad they didn't make a 13/16" of that. Dang it - most of the reefer fitting's I come across are 13/16". Gonna have to find a double flare RF57.

Well there might be a chance on finding Bonney RF57.

 

[four.cycle]

just an FYI, gentlemen -

BONNEY 4-pc Chrome Vanadium wrench set
1/2 9/16 5/8 11/16
used (see photos)
$8.99 + $8.00 shipping "buy now"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Piece-BO...m-Made-in-USA-1-2-9-16-5-8-11-16/332541441797

 

[dutchgray]

Four.cycle, those are nice, to much to ship here and I only buy stuff I would use, and those labels would wear off to easily.
The box flair combination wrenches, I already have a set but that set Mikeske bought is a nice one, there is another listed but it has a couple double flairs mixed in.
I like that they are a bit longer than is normal for a flair wrench.

 

[LesserSon]

just an FYI, gentlemen -

BONNEY 4-pc Chrome Vanadium wrench set

Those are nice. 1929&1930 dates. I’m tempted, as they are better condition than any I have (and I don’t have a 405). I wonder where their pairs got to... Oh, I think “2 available” means they do have them. But the photos only show one each of the set. So, $34 for the whole eight, shipped (within USA), maybe $26, if they combine shipping. Mmm, wonder if the four not shown are as nice.
Edit - guess I’ll find out and let you know.
These are the ones I already have:

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I picked up a box of mostly wrenches the other day and it had a few Bonney screw drivers in it. These look to be pretty modern to me and I see a few singles for sale on ebay but am curious if they are very common or if Bonney even made them or just branded them. Admittedly I don't know much about Bonney. Thanks. Ed.

 

[LesserSon]

I picked up a box of mostly wrenches the other day and it had a few Bonney screw drivers in it. These look to be pretty modern to me and I see a few singles for sale on ebay but am curious if they are very common or if Bonney even made them or just branded them. Admittedly I don't know much about Bonney. Thanks. Ed.

Those are from the Triangle era, probably 1970s vintage. I have seen those very rarely (had one in my hands 2 weeks ago, didn't buy it because the tip was ground down). That style is nearly identical and contemporaneous with the much more commonly-seen Stanley 100Plus (see pic below - all Stanley). Throughout the catalogs, Bonney screwdrivers are typically identical to Stanley, with differences in paint color, model number, & branding. Some early examples have Stanley patent numbers. I seriously doubt that Bonney manufactured its own screwdrivers (or several other general-purpose tools). Bonney specialized in high-quality forged steel products (and still does - just not tools).
Whether Stanley manufactured them or they were produced by 3rd parties under Stanley license, I don’t know. I occasionally see other well-known tool brands stamped on these seemingly identical screwdrivers.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Thank you LesserSon for the detailed response. Pretty much confirms what I suspected. It does seem like more would still be around from the 70s but apparently not. I think I have a 1/4" socket driver in this pattern also. Ed.

 

[four.cycle]

"...guess I’ll find out and let you know...."

glad they found a home with a member here.

 

[LesserSon]

Yeah, but now I have to pick something to sell on eBay to balance my eKarma.

 

[Mikeske]

I picked up a box of mostly wrenches the other day and it had a few Bonney screw drivers in it. These look to be pretty modern to me and I see a few singles for sale on ebay but am curious if they are very common or if Bonney even made them or just branded them. Admittedly I don't know much about Bonney. Thanks. Ed.

I have several of the Triangle era Bonney screwdrivers and I always figured they were out sourced as I have a Great Neck screwdriver that is identical to the Bonney screwdrivers. I do not a picture of the Great Neck as I think that it is in a travel kit in my car. As Lesserson mentioned these are from that time period and I bought mine new back in the early 1980's

 

[bonneyman]

I've seen one or two Bonney drivers in these parts but that's it. Not very common at all.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I checked through my driver drawer and found a few more but I think this is all of these triangle screwdrivers I have. Still some life left in them and they aren't breaking down at all. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a few more this swap meet season. Ed.