Spreading the Bonney affliction!

[bonneyman]

A quick question, guys. Do Bonney drivers have the "stinky handle syndrome" like the Craftsman and other brands?

 

[Mikeske]

A quick question, guys. Do Bonney drivers have the "stinky handle syndrome" like the Craftsman and other brands?

I never ran into that as I have a bunch of old 1970's Craftsman that I got from father and older brother and the Bonney and neither of those have the syndrome. Some of the Chinese ones I had do stink and I simply ignored it but I have eliminated most of my screwdrivers as I with with a set of bits and my Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver bodies. Of course I never did a real sniff test as I was always in places that worse smells from chemicals, greases and aluminum being cut and drilled.

 

[LesserSon]

Winter closure of local flea sources is taking its toll. I’ve been hankering for a 12” Stillson to go with the 10” and 14” I had. Recent eBay purchase arrived (more to follow, I am afraid) - with less patina than I like to leave when de-rusting - looks to have been stripped on a wire wheel right down to bright steel. My feeling is keeping steel bright results in the gradual loss of detail as the surface is polished away. It's going to keep getting a skin of oxidation over time anyway. By leaving a thin layer of magnetite ("oxide" or "plum blued"), oil clings better, protecting what's beneath. I cleaned and shellacked the wood grip, removed the rust where the PO left some bits on the metal, and did my best to clean the gritty crud out of the pivot and springs. Oh, yeah, I had to straighten the tang, too.
It seems a bit younger than its mates: the Bonney shield is stamped instead of forged in, no date codes, “USA” instead of “Made in USA” in a rounded depressed panel instead of rectangular panel, and some other design changes. The ferrule at the top of wood grip is more turned-over than in the two earlier versions.
I know where there's two more 12-inchers, both rusted, one missing a leaf spring, but the seller wants $20ea. Hmmm, might have take another look at them. I've seen a couple more with the chin of the pivot thing broken. I guess it could be welded...
There’s at least one more era of these, with stamped lettering on the shaft, so maybe I’ll look into expanding down sizes.

 

[LesserSon]

Did a quick inventory of my OLD Bonney 1/2dr sockets. A handful arrived from eBay today, though I lost another auction for two CVscript flex adapters. I've been building up a set of CVscript LD-series (not shown) and D-series, and a set of knurled A-series, with a fair amount of redundancy and crossover (basically, just buying any Bonney sockets I see at flea markets). The nickel plating on the CVscript has two tones, one silvery and the other almost brassy. Not sure if that represents different years of production, but did see that some are broached to make a ring on the inside, while others just have discrete furrows. I'll do more comparison when I get more examples.

 

[Mikeske]

LessorSon, All I can say about you finds is Nice Those are nice sockets and at least I will not compete with you as I go after the newer full polish sockets but if I see any Bonney I grab them. What I got of the older ones is in half inch is 13/16th LD26T, 1 1/16ths A34, 19/32nd A19, and a deep 7/8ths LD28T

3/8th is 3/4 deep, 3/4 short and 5/8 short none of these have numbers on the sockets.

These are the knurled sockets and I have a recent one is a 1/2 drive 9/16ths that has plating loss and is not knurled but a older socket.

I have almost complete set of the full polish SAE 1/2 inch drives, 95% complete on the 3/8ths and 90% complete of the 1/4". on the Metric I have around 90% complete in the 3/8ths and 1/4". I have no metric half inches.

 

[bonneyman]

LessorSon, All I can say about you finds is Nice Those are nice sockets and at least I will not compete with you as I go after the newer full polish sockets but if I see any Bonney I grab them. What I got of the older ones is in half inch is 13/16th LD26T, 1 1/16ths A34, 19/32nd A19, and a deep 7/8ths LD28T

3/8th is 3/4 deep, 3/4 short and 5/8 short none of these have numbers on the sockets.

These are the knurled sockets and I have a recent one is a 1/2 drive 9/16ths that has plating loss and is not knurled but a older socket.

I have almost complete set of the full polish SAE 1/2 inch drives, 95% complete on the 3/8ths and 90% complete of the 1/4". on the Metric I have around 90% complete in the 3/8ths and 1/4". I have no metric half inches.

I was fortunate enough to get an almost complete set of Bonney 1/2" drive metric sockets in Loc-Rite from a forum member some years back. Think I'm lacking only 3 sizes. (MA26, MA28, and MA30). Don't use them often but they are nice when you need em.
Have them stored in an old refurbished SK box.

 

[Mikeske]

I was fortunate enough to get an almost complete set of Bonney 1/2" drive metric sockets in Loc-Rite from a forum member some years back. Think I'm lacking only 3 sizes. (MA26, MA28, and MA30). Don't use them often but they are nice when you need em.
Have them stored in an old refurbished SK box.

When I bought my set back in 1983 I went without the metric 1/2" as most vehicles were just then slowly going metric. I also had a set of Craftsman 1/2 drive metric and they still had somewhat decent quality and did use them. If I known better I could of got the metrics in 1/2" drive from 10-25MM for something like $28.00 and I should of picked up a set. I figured back then that I could just go to Granger and get them. With me ending up working for Boeing I never needed them so I waited to long to acquire the set. I do have one one Bonney deep 10MM a MALH10 6 point that was included in a eBay order I got a couple months ago.

IN hindsight I should of bought them but I keep my eyes open on eBay and Harry Epsteins and I could still fill out the metric 1/2 drive.

 

[bonneyman]

As most of you know, though I am a Bonney man, I don't really like their ratchets much. Yesterday I was using one while working on a vehicle, and the thing was really a pain. Today I thought, "Well, maybe it needs some cleaning and lube". And indeed it did!
When I got through, I still didn't like the feel of the handle. Round and knurled (which I like) but it was too small of a diameter. After goofing around a bit I found a solution I could live with. I forced a piece of gas hose on to the end, and created a "Tootsie Roll" Bonney rat. What do you'all think?

 

[Mikeske]

As most of you know, though I am a Bonney man, I don't really like their ratchets much. Yesterday I was using one while working on a vehicle, and the thing was really a pain. Today I thought, "Well, maybe it needs some cleaning and lube". And indeed it did!
When I got through, I still didn't like the feel of the handle. Round and knurled (which I like) but it was too small of a diameter. After goofing around a bit I found a solution I could live with. I forced a piece of gas hose on to the end, and created a "Tootsie Roll" Bonney rat. What do you'all think?

OHHH now we have a Bonney Comfort Handle. Personally I have all the ratchets from Bonney and I like them but I like the Snap-on ratchets better and I actually bought the Snap-ons 30 years ago and am happy with them.

I found rebuild kits for the ratchets and ordered one of each for the 1/4", 3/8" and the 1/2". from ebay. I have a 2 of the half inch and one of the ratchet needed a rebuild but back in the day Granger just gave me a new ratchet and hand back to me the wore ratchet.

 

[dutchgray]

Got a good set of angle wrenches
View media item 80563Cost $280 with the shipping and taxes, but its the first set I have seen that would ship to me, buying individuals costs at least $20 in international shipping alone per wrench usually and they dont come up over here much, though there is a 1" on ebay here at the moment, so cheaper overall getting a set.

 

[bonneyman]

Got a good set of angle wrenches
View media item 80563Cost $280 with the shipping and taxes, but its the first set I have seen that would ship to me, buying individuals costs at least $20 in international shipping alone per wrench usually and they dont come up over here much, though there is a 1" on ebay here at the moment, so cheaper overall getting a set.

And it includes the elusive 13/16".

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I’ve been hankering for a 12” Stillson to go with the 10” and 14” I had.

I don't collect this style pipe wrench, but those are beautiful, LS. Do you know who the OEM was?

Not sure if that represents different years of production, but did see that some are broached to make a ring on the inside, while others just have discrete furrows. I'll do more comparison when I get more examples.

I have a number of wartime era orphans, LS, D- and A-series. I'll group them and snap some photos, including the broaching. They are identical to the plated pre-war sockets, less the plating. Some of them made in early 1943 still have the CV marking.

 

[6PTsocket]

I had a set of Bonney, full polish, black, metric combo wrenches at work. I loved those wrenches but they were not mine and stayed with the job. Anybody know if any are still around? After Bonney went under, somebody selling NOS only had a few sizes.

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[dutchgray]

I had a set of Bonney, full polish, black, metric combo wrenches at work. I loved those wrenches but they were not mine and stayed with the job. Anybody know if any are still around? After Bonney went under, somebody selling NOS only had a few sizes.

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I think I have only seen a single black wrench for sale over the last 6 months when I have been really looking for bonney.
I have this set of black Metric short, missing the 8mm, these I found here in the UK and were really cheap, they are mostly not very polished now, some rust over the years and quite a lot of use.
View media item 61363

 

[Mikeske]

I had a set of Bonney, full polish, black, metric combo wrenches at work. I loved those wrenches but they were not mine and stayed with the job. Anybody know if any are still around? After Bonney went under, somebody selling NOS only had a few sizes.

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Bonney did get discontinued selling tools in 1994-1995 time frame as Cooper Tools had bought them out. It took me from April last year to a week ago to get my full polish (Not industrial black) set of metric long wrenches From 10MM to 20MM. What really took time to find was the 13MM and 15MM and the ones I found are a bit on the rough side but still it completes the set. OHH how I love the Bonney wrenches SAE and Metric.

 

[bonneyman]

I've got my original set form 1981 of metric full polish combos (10-19mm), and a metric DBE (6mm-19mm) that took me 10 years to complete (2006-2016).

I have seen alot of individual pieces on ebay and such but to try and build up a NOS set from scratch now would be a tough climb I think. But guys keep finding sets - so, don't give up.

 

[LesserSon]

I don't collect this style pipe wrench, but those are beautiful, LS. Do you know who the OEM was?

I think so, too. I have two other 10"-ers: one is Parker Tool Co, NY (I did research, not the vise manufacturer), the other is Oswego Tool Co, NY. Also a 9"-er made by Walworth, the patent-holder. I think the Stillson design was manufactured under license all over the country.
I would be quite surprised to learn Bonney didn't manufacture them right here in Allentown. I would guess they sourced the wood tool handles, and maybe the nut that holds them on, but the forged components seem easily within the regular capability of Bonney. The 10" and 14" examples have Bonney-style forged-in double-letter date codes (1921), in addition to the forged-in B-shield.
Edit - okay, that's not 9" (must just be a habit of exaggeration). I replaced the wood handle, which I believe had been previously replaced.

 

[snapmom]

Bonney AT8069 wrench. 1-1/8W

 

[LesserSon]

Tonight I stopped into a local thrift store and picked up a ½" streamlined combo (not shown) and an intriguing line wrench. It is stamped Duro-Chrome U.S.A. and No372, but it clearly, obviously, irrefutably is a re-branded Bonney RF55. The depressed panel on each side has grind marks under the plating where "Bonney" and "RF55" must have been removed. It even has a small BQ forged-in date code, which I think must be Feb1939. The same date code (albeit larger letters) is on its frosty Bonney brother at top. Both are cadmium plate, I think. I know it's conjectural, but the extra dots and X-es under the letters may indicate later manufacture, suggesting (along with the cadmium) WWII-era. Not sure why else than time-sensitive demand Duro wouldn't have just made their own line wrenches in Chicago.
The younger RF55 at bottom is chrome plated, lacks date codes.

 

[four.cycle]

"...clearly, obviously, irrefutably..."

Even without the Bonney examples laying right next to it, it's obviously not of Duro/Indestro manufacturer - their flare-nut wrenches looked completely different - not even close to that depressed-panel design.

It's an earlier font style - later they went to a wider font.

Begs the question as to what was going on there that Duro had to outsource a wrench?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

LS,

Here's a shot of all my loose, orphan, not-in-sets Bonney right now, including, as promised, some sockets for your review. Left to right they are two 3/8-inch deep LT- series (post-war 'BONNEY U.S.A.'), two 1/2-inch straight wall A- series (pre-war 'BONNEY (CV) MADE IN U.S.A.'), and two tapered wall D-series (pre-/possibly wartime 'BONNEY (CV) MADE IN U.S.A.). Note the finish on the A- series is satin base and polished natural steel walls, while the finish on the D- series is natural steel. Note that the knurling is not the same on the two D- series sockets. Note that one of the A- series sockets is hot-broached, while the other is cold-broached, and the walls above the base are different for the same reason.

 

[Mikeske]

OK Private Lugnutz got me to post the pictures of my orphan Non-set Bonney's that I have. I don't have all the info but if you ID something you are interested in trading for shoot me a PM.

There is Indestro flare wrench and Herbrand wrenches I picked up that are also orphans that I have.

 

[bonneyman]

Thanks to the eagle eyes of Mikeske I got a RF57 with the elusive 13/16" flare end.
While posting a pic of it I figured I'd show you guys most of my Bonney flare wrench selection.

Double flares, Loc-Rite and Non Loc-Rite

 

[bonneyman]

Cam-Locs and double Cam-Locs, flare/box combos

 

[Mikeske]

Thanks to the eagle eyes of Mikeske I got a RF57 with the elusive 13/16" flare end.
While posting a pic of it I figured I'd show you guys most of my Bonney flare wrench selection.

Double flares, Loc-Rite and Non loc-Rite

Glad you are happy that you got your RF57 Flare wrench and it arrived safely.

I got something in today that I consider rather rare in that I have never seen these before. They were rather expensive but I still wanted them so I got them.

 

[LesserSon]

eBay? I was watching some of those just to see if they would sell. I saw the V-size one sell, guess it's yours now! The seller still shows three A-size and a T-size available. I don't have any of those ratchets, so it was just idle curiosity.

 

[Mikeske]

eBay? I was watching some of those just to see if they would sell. I saw the V-size one sell, guess it's yours now! The seller still shows three A-size and a T-size available. I don't have any of those ratchets, so it was just idle curiosity.

Oh yeah and a bit expensive but my original 1/4" ratchet is well worn and could use the rebuild kit, I do wish that the tri-wing was offered as my 1/4" is a tri-wing. I got the others as I have the 3/8ths and 1/2" ratchets and they are not as worn as the 1/4". The 1/4" ratchet was used every day for over thirty years I was working on aircraft.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

So the Bonney half satin sockets, is there a list of what part numbers were made? I’m up to 12 on the A series, and 4 on the D series. And a single 4 series (8 Point). And anyone ever see if they were sold with a socket tray or anything? Pics for attention!




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[LesserSon]

Page 50 of the 1950 catalog lists those, I think. Tool Archives site has Bonney catalog pdfs spanning the relevant decades. Looks like Twertsy has chaged it so you have to register to download them?
I think there’s 20 12pt A-sockets listed (3/8 - 1-1/4), 11 8pt 4xxx sockets (3/8 - 1); don’t see D- on that page, hmmm.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So the Bonney half satin sockets, is there a list of what part numbers were made?

Hi Rick,

It depends.

According to the 1940 catalog, they made the D- series from D12 (3/8") to D40 (1-1/4"). At that time they only made the A- series from A14 (7/16") to A32 (1"). The D- and the A- series would've been marked "BONNEY MADE IN U.S.A." with the "(CV)" brand.

US Army WWII specs called for straight wall sockets from 7/16" to 1-1/8", and we WWII collectors have seen Bonney A- series straight wall sockets in sizes above 1", so we know they extended the A- series beyond 1" sometime during the war. And that is reflected in the 1946 catalog, which shows the A- series running from A14 (7/16") to A40 (1-1/4"). Those would be marked "BONNEY U.S.A." and no "(CV)" brand. The D- series of tapered walled sockets were discontinued by 1946.

Your A- series sockets look like they could be even later than that, and while I am not as familiar with 1950's production, I don't expect that they would've reverted, so I would expect to find A12 through A40 if you poke around later catalogs on the TA.

EDIT: In the 1940's the full sets came in a few different assortments (number of sockets, handles etc) in babysh*t brown crinkle finish boxes. (See thumbnails for a midget V- series set.) Sockets could be purchased loose or in replacement sets (without handles), and those came in either cardboard boxes or metal trays with hooks for hanging it off the side of a toolbox and a hinged metal strip that ran the length of the tray for locking the sockets in place in transit. Not sure if the trays were also the same babysh*t brown color. Again, not sure about the 1950's.

 

[bonneyman]

Oh yeah and a bit expensive but my original 1/4" ratchet is well worn and could use the rebuild kit, I do wish that the tri-wing was offered as my 1/4" is a tri-wing. I got the others as I have the 3/8ths and 1/2" ratchets and they are not as worn as the 1/4". The 1/4" ratchet was used every day for over thirty years I was working on aircraft.

Just a little tip that was passed on to me: a 3/8" TW rebuild kit will fit in a 1/4" drive ratchet body. Giving you a 1/4" rat with 3/8" drive gear. If that is of interest to ya keep an eye peeled for any Bonney 3/8" TW kits.

I've got two 1/4" drive rats and a third that's been converted to 3/8" drive. Nice when you need it (not often for me, though).

 

[bonneyman]

Oh yeah and a bit expensive but my original 1/4" ratchet is well worn and could use the rebuild kit, I do wish that the tri-wing was offered as my 1/4" is a tri-wing. I got the others as I have the 3/8ths and 1/2" ratchets and they are not as worn as the 1/4". The 1/4" ratchet was used every day for over thirty years I was working on aircraft.

It is a bit of a pain, buuuuuuuut....one can disassemble the gear and swap out parts in it. So, it's very possible to take your new rebuild kit apart and replace the single lip selector knob with the old tri-wing you have. It being a smallish 1/4" gear only adds to the work.
Being the Bonney drive gear has two pawls you have to compress two pawl pins inward enough for the selector knob shaft to clear the hole and slide out. But it is possible. Definitley want a clear plexiglass glove box to work in just in case you lose control and the compressed spring flings the parts everywhere. Some guys use a big freezer bag.

 

[Mikeske]

It is a bit of a pain, buuuuuuuut....one can disassemble the gear and swap out parts in it. So, it's very possible to take your new rebuild kit apart and replace the single lip selector knob with the old tri-wing you have. It being a smallish 1/4" gear only adds to the work.
Being the Bonney drive gear has two pawls you have to compress two pawl pins inward enough for the selector knob shaft to clear the hole and slide out. But it is possible. Definitley want a clear plexiglass glove box to work in just in case you lose control and the compressed spring flings the parts everywhere. Some guys use a big freezer bag.

I would probably just use the single lip selector as the old tri-wing on my 1/4" ratchet is pretty battered with some plating loss from all the years that I used it. I know it would be nice to do the removal of the tri-wing selector but it would probably better to replace everything as I have nicks scratches and generally worn that thing out.

 

[Mikeske]

MY latest item that I have acquired. A 3/8" inch pound Utica-Bonney torque wrench.

 

[LesserSon]

How fitting that on St Valentine's day, the US Postal Service has won back my heart.
eBay seller shipped me the CV tappets by Priority Express on February 5,
USPS tracked them until February 6,
and then they were "delayed" until today, February 14.
An entire week in parcel LIMBO!
Finally tore that box open...and...glory! they are beauties! I haven't even cleaned or derusted them (there are some spots), and the set includes three of the best CV decals I've seen.
They must have been tappet wrench set No.412, and most look hardly used. I wonder if they came in the cardboard box, leatherette roll, or the metal box...hmmm. All from 1929-1930.
I had been building that set here and there, and was pleased with the few that had decal remnants, but these put those to shame.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They must have been tappet wrench set No.412, and most look hardly used...All from 1929-1930.

Congrats, LS. By definition, it's Set No. 412 whether they were originally shipped together or not. (Edit: That came out wrong. What I'm saying is, while you could buy those individually, I wouldn't hesitate to call that the 412 set, sans original box or pouch.) And I agree - not a burr. Nice.

 

[LostBoy(IRL)]

Added another flared 'spanner' ;-)to the collection today, RF54B 15/16 and 5/8
Will look it later when I get home.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I finally acquired an original Bonney snap pouch, vis-à-vis an interesting joint eBay purchase involving LesserSon, completing my Bonney -Zenel- No. 20 Miniature Wrench Set.

I’ve had the five (5) wartime wrenches for several years now, all bearing an “ET” (May 1942) date code, just waiting for a proper home. The shanks are satin finish and the faces are brightly polished. The snap pouch is black leatherette with “BONNEY -ZENEL- WRENCHES” printed on the flap.

(The backstory: I am not much of an eBay shopper, but LesserSon alerted me to an auction for a complete Bonney No. 20 miniature wrench set, with pouch. He was interested in one of the wrenches in the pouch to complete a set he has been working on, but didn't want to spring for the full monty. I have no need of the wrenches, with another set and a half in the wings. So we split the purchase in half. I kept the pouch and sent the wrenches – all date code matching and fabulous in their own right – to him. Mutually feeling a tad guilty about separating the wrenches from what is very likely their original pouch, and vice versa, we have made a pact to reunite them whenever one of us runs into another pouch at a decent price.)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

For some historical context, here’s a page showing the set in the 1943 Bonney catalog.

The wrenches are also cited in the electrical and ignition duty wrenches section of the March 1945 ORD 5 SNL J-4, along with their mfgr/model codes (BF-H-10 through BF-H-18), which match the model numbers stamped into their jaw faces.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Finally, here are some shots of the “extended family.”