Spreading the Bonney affliction!

[GrayFlattop]

Whether you ask or not, to protect my reputation I have to disclose that at one time T worked in an enforcement branch of the government. I still don't understand why someone would want to shovel buckets of brain cells out when it is so hard to get by on the ones we have got.

No worries, I suspected you were either in law enforcement or chemistry.

Brain cells, I sure could use more of those, the ones I’ve got are getting tired!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Whether you ask or not, to protect my reputation I have to disclose that at one time T worked in an enforcement branch of the government. I still don't understand why someone would want to shovel buckets of brain cells out when it is so hard to get by on the ones we have got.

I am in full agreement. People are stupid enough already withought drugs.

 

[LesserSon]

I am in full agreement. People are stupid enough already withought drugs.

Messing around today (third day off work in the polar vortex) with some display ideas. At first I was thinking mini supermagnets behind a thin back panel, which would allow easy on/off and reorganizing as the collection components change, but they’re also a potential hazard (though I have some ideas for keeping them contained), and expensive in the numbers I’m thinking of.
Also entertaining stove wire twisted through holes (cheap, classic, and unobtrusive) and ceiling tile staples (probably the least attractive option). Not ready to fully commit, yet, as I only have one E-series mini DBE, and am unsure how many S-suffix electrical wrenches there might be (opening sizes are reversed). I have a E28S and a E30S.
Pretty sure burgundy is not the best color for the background. And glass may not be an option, because of the depth of a couple of the ignition tools, so it will get dusty. Have to think about that.

 

[LesserSon]

What do the WWII collectors think of this? Looks like a 1943 (or maybe 1944) 1027C in cosmoline. The wrench itself doesn’t seem all that rare (commonly sold in the civilian market, too), but the provenance of the Oct1956 ordnance depot label...does that add a premium for a collector?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/352180071321

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We call them re-packs. Starting in 1947 (earliest date I have seen), the ORD started packing older wrenches up for long term storage at their depots, such as Rossford, where that wrench is from, for reuse. Most have labels from the early 50s. Most got sold as surplus. Desirable for military provenance, as you said, but fairly common. Not all repacks are wartime, though, which creates alot of misaprehension and debate.

 

[d42jeep]

Some eBay sellers think that they can charge a premium for repack wrenches. The 27C is not a particularly rare wrench and even Username, who is a wartime Bonney collector, would be unlikely to pay the sellers asking price.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...the provenance of the Oct1956 ordnance depot label...does that add a premium for a collector?

Some eBay sellers think that they can charge a premium for repack wrenches.

Maybe we need to define "premium." You seem to be defining it as "too much," while I am defining it as "more." I am interpreting LS's question to be, "Are re-pack wrenches worth more than their equivalent wrench without re-pack provenance?" and the answer is yes. I would sell a Bonney date code 1943 DOE wrench cake in cosmo with an Ordnance Dept re-pack label for more than a Bonney date code 1943 DOE wrench in plain steel without an Ordnance Dept re-pack label. And I would expect to pay more for a re-pack than an equivalent wrench. That has nothing to with this particular eBay sale, which I didn't even look at, and still haven't. While that seller may be asking too much, asking more for a re-pack is routine. Regardless of the market. I was confirming his instincts.

 

[d42jeep]

Right. In my opinion, paying over $25.00 for one of the sellers repack 27C Bonney wrenches seems excessive. I've bought plenty of repacks on eBay for considerably less. Since the exact markings on the wrench aren't able to be seen there is always an element of risk. On the other hand, the repacks are often NOS.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Understood, Don. I have no comment on the price of that particular re-pack wrench or on any other re-pack wrench being sold in any other market except that it would (and furthermore should) be worth more than the same wrench without provenance. To put the finest point on it possible, if there were two Bonney 27-C DOE wrenches side by side on a fleamarket table (or in a sales photo on G503.com or eBay or right here on GJ), one plain steel, and one caked in cosmo with a 1953 ORD repack band around it, one would expect the re-pack to be higher in price. The plain steel wrench may have served. Or it may have be in commercial/civilian rotation. The re-pack did serve.

 

[LesserSon]

Alright. Total price kept hypothetical, how much more does the the tag command? 10%, 25%, 50%, more? I assume a collector would never remove such a tag, either?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Generally speaking, 10-25%, not 50%, in my experience.

 

[d42jeep]

Alright. Total price kept hypothetical, how much more does the the tag command? 10%, 25%, 50%, more? I assume a collector would never remove such a tag, either?

Maybe 10% in my experience. Just rip off the tag, clean off the cosmoline and throw it in your set. Seriously, I’ve done both. I bought three of the dark wrenches in the first picture. I put two of them in my keeper sets and one is in my small cosmoline museum.
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

Thank you both for sharing your experience and thoughts...the best thing about this site!

 

[RubiconJK]

Bonney PWA 1397, 3/8" drive hinge handle.

 

[flynlow8740]

Is this set missing more than just the 12 and 13 wrench?


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[bonneyman]

Is this set missing more than just the 12 and 13 wrench?


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There's also a 6 x 7 mm wrench. Epstein's has it for $4.80.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/open-end-metric-bonney-6x7mm.html

Nice set, by the way.

 

[flynlow8740]

There's also a 6 x 7 mm wrench. Epstein's has it for $4.80.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/open-end-metric-bonney-6x7mm.html

Nice set, by the way.

Thank you. Always good information on this site.


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[bonneyman]

Thank you. Always good information on this site.


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Just helping where I can. They didn't have the 12 x 13, though.

 

[Mikeske]

Is this set missing more than just the 12 and 13 wrench?


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I have very few of the double open end wrenches as I have in SAE and metric full sets of the long combo wrenches and recently I bought a full set of the short Bonney metric combination wrenches. I just no need for those except in the rare occasion that they would fit in a tight location. But each person is different and that is probably why they were produced.

 

[LesserSon]

I’ve had a project (slowed by various set-backs) to recreate the back board to a Utica retail display case. This weekend, I was inspired to learn how the adhesive-backed velour fabric would behave, so I created two 12x16” back panels for displaying my collection of 1930s & 1940s ignition and electronics wrenches. I had picked up the stained oak picture frames at a garage sale, maybe three years ago, and hadn’t found a use for them. There is a channel around the back, which I don’t understand. Possibly for some kind of retaining clips, but I’ve been unable to figure them out. I had some glass from a broken storm window, which I cut to size. Mrs LS came home to find me dressing the edge with a sharpening stone in the kitchen sink, which did not thrill her.
I realized the edge of my back panel would have to have a ridge around it to maintain the distance between the glass and the wrenches, especially the offset DBEs. So glue and a table saw were my best friends. Masking tape was very useful to maintain where the velour stuck and where it didn’t.

 

[flynlow8740]

There's also a 6 x 7 mm wrench. Epstein's has it for $4.80.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/open-end-metric-bonney-6x7mm.html

Nice set, by the way.

I ordered that wrench. It’s my first time to order from Epsein’s, but I’m sure it won’t be my last. Thank you again.


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[LesserSon]

I’m glad I did this as a prelude to the larger Utica panel, though I expect that will be simpler, as the surface is entirely flat. Here is the final result. I used stove wire to secure the tools. From the marks on some of them, I wonder if they’d been in a similar display.
I have to source some more glass for the second display, because my other piece has a big X-shaped scratch on it.
Contents of this one: E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 E8 E9 E10 E11 E12 No.2572 E14 E16 E18 E20 E22 E24 E26 E28 E30 E30S E42 E46. A couple are place-holders from later decades. Missing the E40 and E44 DBEs.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Looks beautiful, LS! Good color choice on the Bonney red. (I might've been tempted to see if I could source a Bonney red and black plaid felt, like the quintessential corners on all their leatherette roll-ups.)

I was lamenting on the Garage Sale thread earlier this year about having so many tools in drawers, some of them in original roll-ups, where nobody can see them, instead of in a display case. It started with the original tool boards I picked up, and now your glass case only reinforces that. I would like to do something less permanent, though, where I can lay the roll-up out and open, along with loose tools, and I am actively looking for affordable barristers or something similar.

 

[LesserSon]

Yes, I totally get the “less permanent” thing. I opted for this arrangement for these tools because there’s zero possibility I’m going to work on the vintage ignition or electrical systems of automobiles from the 1930s. These are no more practical to me than a collection of dead butterflies or seashells, which is sort of the look I was going for. I did consider that only one side can be examined this way, but the most interesting thing on the opposite sides is the alloy. My second display is going to house my H-series mini DOEs, which I have multiples of, so I’ll be able to show both sides.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My second display is going to house my H-series mini DOEs, which I have multiples of, so I’ll be able to show both sides.

That's a great idea.

On the barrister display concept, my goal isn't to be able to remove them for use (like you, you know I don't use my collectibles). I want to display them in their original roll-ups (laid out opened) or boxes (lid up). I'm probably just overstating the dilemma of having a lot of tools in chests, boxes and roll-ups, and stowed in cabinets or on shelves or under workbenches. I guess I'm getting to the point where I'm realizing I have all these tools and tool-sets, but they are largely un-viewable.

 

[LesserSon]

I am actively looking for affordable barristers or something similar.

Dunno if you can handle Paul Rudd playing a drumkit, but I found a barristers bookcase on the right side of the screen at 0:10:21 of Ant-Man and the Wasp. Looks to have folded laundry and cleansers in it.
I’m sure you’ll find one closer to home, and hopefully more accessible than inside the Marvel Universe.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hahaha.

 

[Mikeske]

Latest items I got 3 of these NOS Bonney gasket scrapers.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

pretty old bonney 4014 cv socket. Have not seen this part number before

 

[Private Lugnutz]

40xx were 6-points. 41xx were 4-points. Dxx were 12-points tapered. Axx were 12-point straight wall.

 

[bonneyman]

Latest items I got 3 of these NOS Bonney gasket scrapers.

Nice!

 

[bonneyman]

pretty old bonney 4014 cv socket. Have not seen this part number before

That looks like a cool old bulldog!

Now you just gotta complete the set.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have been picking up some old bonney sockets here and there, but they are always numbered dxx (d21 for example). This is first one with a 4xxx part number I have come across. Here are the other bits so far...

 

[d42jeep]

I found this shorty at a local Berkeley estate sale this morning. Before and after shots. I just cleaned it enough to see the markings.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

I found this shorty at a local Berkeley estate sale this morning. Before and after shots. I just cleaned it enough to see the markings.
-Don

Good looking tool.
Can't have too many 1/2" x 9/16" double box wrenches!

 

[LesserSon]

Interesting no.B-17 diagonals came from eBay yesterday. Danielson-made “herringbone” grips. I guess War-era contract(?) production.
This was one of the items in the deal mr natural posted a couple pages back. I actually pounced on it because of the streamlined combo, which I thoughtlessly believed to be a unicorn 12pt 1/4” combo (only offered in 6pt). After I paid, and gave the pics a better look, I realized the 1/4 combo had to be a Whitworth size, which it is. I’ll get a pic of that after I get the three colors of paint/goo off it. The 1943 T35 3/8dr rat was another incentive.
No regrets here, just some surprise.

 

[Username already in use]

This guy is a long way from home. First Gray Canada wrench that I've found.

 

[LesserSon]

Here is that 1/4” Whitworth W1163 combo, flanked by its metric and SAE blank-bros. I think it’s an HQ date code, though it might be HO.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Whoa, didn't realize they made metric in that style Lesser. Those I'm going to have to find.

 

[bonneyman]

That was an interesting guess based on the initials, and coincidentally not altogether unreasonable (i.e., an industry with machines with lines and fittings), but I am pretty sure the references I found nail TKF as The Kramer Fabricating Company. BTW I have asked Google to unlock the Product Engineering magazine so we can finish reading the rest of the snippet!

Hey Lugz, any word back from google on this?