Spreading the Bonney affliction!

[Private Lugnutz]

Also picked up a Krieger 1040 today. AV(Jan1944) date - I suppose the date of the Krieger contract (with Bonney) would help confirm the current interpretation of the date codes.

Krieger's contract with the Ordnance Dept, which began in late 1943 and ended in early 1944, coincides precisely with Bonney date codes. See posts #10, 13, and 15 in this thread.

 

[LesserSon]

Thanks for the link. I think I’m done entertaining the words “theory, supposed, interpretation,” etc in connection with Bonney date codes.

 

[bonneyman]

It is hard to resist the urge of buying from eBay. Oh well the latest additions from eBay a MT13 a 13 MM shallow socket and a AT5 wobble foot long 3/8ths extension.

Nice snag on the long wobble extension!

I've only recently seen the utility of wobble extensions, so all I have now are Taiwan clone brands. Gotta start looking for those Bonney's!

 

[Mikeske]

Nice snag on the long wobble extension!

I've only recently seen the utility of wobble extensions, so all I have now are Taiwan clone brands. Gotta start looking for those Bonney's!

I actually did not know that Bonney made the wobble extensions until I saw the eBay listing so I have to grab it as I also only had the Taiwan extensions also. The extensions do not move as much as a actual universal socket but enough to have a slight offset to clear some areas.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They work ok but sockets like to fall off of them

 

[Provincial]

I bought wobbly extensions in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive back when Snap-On first offered them. Like everyone else, I found them useful in certain situations, but rarely encountered those situations. Sockets not retained as well as regular extensions, and the socket flops the "wrong" way often enough to be frustrating.

But when conditions are just right, they are the only way to access the fastener.

 

[Mikeske]

I have used the wobbly extensions before as I was replacing a fuel pump on a 1966 Ford Falcon and the bolts were behind the main part of the fuel pump body. The worked fine there but it is the only time I have used them so far.

 

[bonneyman]

I tend to think that wobble extensions were one of those tools that some mechanic somewhere needed it, and took an extension and ground down the knuckle to get the offset. It worked, and others copied it, till enough people were doing it that manufacturers started offering them as new tools.

Just a guess - they look like the kind of solution I might come up with.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Good guess bman.

 

[Mikeske]

I tend to think that wobble extensions were one of those tools that some mechanic somewhere needed it, and took an extension and ground down the knuckle to get the offset. It worked, and others copied it, till enough people were doing it that manufacturers started offering them as new tools.

Just a guess - they look like the kind of solution I might come up with.

I do know that the wobbly extension did have a weakness in them with the shave down end and that was enough torque and pressure the ends used to snap off. Been there and done that one myself. I used to try and get a boxed end wrench on the fastener first to break it loose then use the wobbly extension and correct socket after that just for that reason.

 

[bonneyman]

I bought a Bonney AT-5 with a damaged end knuckle. I just mounted a 3 inch extension to it with a set screw. Lost the wobble function but gained a long 3/8" extension.

 

[Username already in use]

Here's a few Bonney pieces that I've picked up over the last few weeks.
Couple of 3/4" drive sockets, 3/4" to 1" drive adapter, 1/2" drive socket, Metric combo, and a pair of DOEs.

I don't see a lot of the bigger drive Bonney stuff, so I snag it when I can find it for a reasonable price.

 

[LesserSon]

Uaiu,
Is that adapter 3/4dr to 1dr?
I suppose “reasonable” varies from area to area, but I wonder what I should pay locally for 3/4dr stuff. I paid $5 for a 1/2dr to 3/4dr adapter last week, and maybe something similar for a single 3/4dr socket. I see a stray ratchet or hinge handle every so often, but haven’t bitten yet.
With enough adapters, why even bother with a big ratchet, right?

 

[Username already in use]

Yeah, the adapter is 3/4" to 1" drive. I've never seen any Bonney 1" drive stuff. Pretty neat. I think I paid around $5 a piece for them. That seemed reasonable to me at the time.

That picture is hilarious! I suppose that's a good way to destroy a midget ratchet!

 

[four.cycle]

just an FYI:
Bonney "Vixen" alligator: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333968539931

 

[Mikeske]

Here's a few Bonney pieces that I've picked up over the last few weeks.
Couple of 3/4" drive sockets, 3/4" to 1" drive adapter, 1/2" drive socket, Metric combo, and a pair of DOEs.

I don't see a lot of the bigger drive Bonney stuff, so I snag it when I can find it for a reasonable price.

Bonney made a lot to f the sets in these sizes for John Deere and sold at the dealers. I have a fairly complete set of JD tools in 3/4 inch. Heavy and well made and as with all my Bonney tools used almost daily

 

[humber2]

Here's a few Bonney pieces that I've picked up over the last few weeks.
Couple of 3/4" drive sockets, 3/4" to 1" drive adapter, 1/2" drive socket, Metric combo, and a pair of DOEs.

I don't see a lot of the bigger drive Bonney stuff, so I snag it when I can find it for a reasonable price.

I suspect the top DOE is Whitworth sized.

 

[JjKk40]

Some of this stuff came in that red Bonney toolbox that was for sale in the Midwest. Some other stuff I picked up from other venues. I have some other stuff that I'm cleaning up that I'll get pics of later!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice old stuff!

 

[Provincial]

The (Pratt & Whitney Aircraft) PWA1396 3/8 extension is so beefy because it was used with a socket that slipped over the valve end (which also has the lash adjustment screw) of the rocker arm. Side force was applied to actuate the rocker arm and compress the valve spring and allow the push rod to be removed or replaced. It also allowed removal and replacement of the push rod housing/seals, and replacing those seals was the most common repair.

The angled 9/16 crowfoot was a PWA tool for removing/replacing the starter. The starter mounting flange was smaller than the body of the starter, and there was often obstructions in the way. This is why the crowfoot is both angled in the opening and in the drive end. The PWA1396 was paired with this tool, too.

 

[swshawaii]

Still doubt Bonney would put their Loc-Rite on Matco wrenches. Why would they want to? Matco was direct competition to Bonney, so why give the competition what was then, a superior designed box end? Making wrenches is one thing, giving away the patented design to a competitor, doubt it very much. Furthermore, the box end on a Matco is no different the the older Bon-E-Con wrenches (yes they also had the V-open end), so the tooling was already there.

Selling Loc-Rite tools to Deere isn't hurting business because Deere wouldn't be considered competition. Same as Snap On selling through Cat. I have Deere snowmobile catalogs from the early 80's and late 70's and they all show Bonney Loc-Rite tools.

If someone could come up with a Matco wrench with Loc-rite box ends, then I would believe it. But after years of searching, I still only see a chromed Bon-E-Con wrench labeled Matco, and not true Bonney-branded type tools.

^ Almost six years later, but here's proof. Bought these two years ago, just forgot to post pics.


Matco conventional broaching vs. Loc-Rite

 

[JjKk40]

The 3 1/2" drive Bonney speeders were in that box as well. The 2 BonECon 3/8" speeders i got a while back. The 1 longer 1/2" speeder i can't tell what make it is. There are no markings. Heres some pics....

 

[humber2]

Those speeders look pretty but they all need a selection of sockets to make them useful.

Now the Bonney 2551 speeder has one permanently fixed pinned on automatic socket which solves that problem by clamping down on the hexagon nut in either direction.

I see Patent Pending on this "socket".

If I receive a PM with an email addy I can send some shots of this rare tool to someone who can attach them to this thread.

 

[LesserSon]

The 1 longer 1/2" speeder i can't tell what make it is. There are no markings.

That one looks like Duro/Indestro to me.

 

[HeelSpur]

Won this 6" stillson in an auction. Paid waaaaay to much for for it.

DSCF3749 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF3750 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[LesserSon]

Maybe not. They don’t come cheap. Now you need the trifecta: Motorcycle, Automobile/Automotive, Truck!

 

[HeelSpur]

Maybe not. They don’t come cheap. Now you need the trifecta: Motorcycle, Automobile/Automotive, Truck!

All 6"?

 

[LesserSon]

No; the 1919 & 1923 catalogs list:
6” Motor-Cyle
8” & 10” Automobile
12” Auto-Truck
However, I have seen some variations on eBay (I don’t have any myself). What distinguishes them from regular Stillsons is the very fine teeth in the jaws.

 

[HeelSpur]

No; the 1919 & 1923 catalogs list:
6” Motor-Cyle
8” & 10” Automobile
12” Auto-Truck
However, I have seen some variations on eBay (I don’t have any myself). What distinguishes them from regular Stillsons is the very fine teeth in the jaws.

Awesome, I didn't even notice the fine teeth, thanks.

 

[LesserSon]

Tree pollen allergies hit me HARD today, stirred up by 50mph gusts. That, and an unannounced overhaul of the graphical interface to the main software I use at work, and...well, you know what all goes on with life and work, don’t you?

Anyway, I came home to a box (MrsLS took my MIL to OCNJ, LSJr took LesserDogJr to our cabin).
I already know it doesn’t have pesticide in it. But did the contents arrive safe?

Yes!

I tried to persuade the seller to remove the cast brass door handle before shipping it. Das macht aber nichts; gut genug.

From what I can see in the catalogs, this box is from the 1930s, and NOW I have a great place to keep my early CV.

Eagle Lock catches. I’ll clean it up a bit and attach a leather handle this weekend.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice box ls. I kind of like the door handle, gives it character.

 

[JjKk40]

LesserSon, the jealousy is real!!!!!! Jk!!!! What a score on that box!!!

 

[Provincial]

That one looks like Duro/Indestro to me.

I agree. Earlier version of the 3208, before they put the flange on the square drive.

 

[Mikeske]

Newest item from eBay a VL9 9/32nd socket. This is a older version of the full chrome socket then what I have but it will fill in a missing one in my set of 1/4” drive sockets

 

[LesserSon]

Bonito catch of the day. I actually threw three others back, not being particulary interesting to me.
The stamped steel guy is, I believe, far older than he looks.
I find it as the largest member of a 5-wrench set in catalog
1914 (available semi-finished or polished & nickel-plated),
1919 (semi-finished w polished heads),
1923 (semi-finished),
but not 1926 or 1932.

This one seems to be nickel-plated, though someone seems to have tested it against a grinder, right over the Bonney shield logo. Photos failed to capture the reflectiveness (diffuse illumination).

 

[Mikeske]

Newest eBay tool appeared today. A MEB23L a 23 MM open box wrench. Now I need a 21MM a 22MM, a 24MM and a 25 MM go from 10MM to 26MM with no skips

 

[bonneyman]

Nice full polish!

 

[Mikeske]

Nice full polish!

Those sure are full polish and working tools. I fully use them in my shop. I never stopped using them and never will. I never really got into the older tools as much as the full polish tools. I just flat out don’t have the room for a vast collections of the older tools. Depending on conditions I will snag a older Bonney tools but mainly I focus on the later full polish tools from just before and during the Triangle era

 

[LesserSon]

Full Polish era tools are beautiful. Their stark aesthetic flows from the utter elimination of any ornamental flourish. Every feature (radiused edges for chrome retention, for instance) is present for a legitimate functional reason. In their careful balance of function and fit in the human hand, they resemble surgical instruments, which in a way they are.
My main focus is collecting old Bonney, older the better. Four eras I find unappealing are forged-in Made In USA (late nineteen-teens), parallel-shank Bonalloy (late nineteen-forties), Outline (early nineteen-sixties), and whatever you want to call what Cooper did...maybe “Decline” (late nineteen-nineties). If the history of tool design is a quest for the peak of perfection, and each redesign a stage along the way, then they are hesitant minor advances toward the Full Polish summit. Abandoning it to heed the siren song of profit margins was precipitous. (mixed metaphor)

What do you call textured finish tools contemporary with Full Polish?
“Half Polish?”

 

[bonneyman]

Those sure are full polish and working tools. I fully use them in my shop. I never stopped using them and never will. I never really got into the older tools as much as the full polish tools. I just flat out don’t have the room for a vast collections of the older tools. Depending on conditions I will snag a older Bonney tools but mainly I focus on the later full polish tools from just before and during the Triangle era

Same here. While some of the older styles made by Bonney have some appeal to me (their single offset DBE's for example), I too mainly look for the Triangle Tool era examples. Full polish or satin finish - if it's a tool I can use then I grab it.