Spreading the Bonney affliction!

[bonneyman]

Sweet angle wrenches!

Once you use them you'll wonder how you ever did without them.

 

[Username already in use]

I've been slowly putting together this metric DOE set. Still missing a few but getting there.

Those Metric DOEs are sweet! I pick up all the metric Bonney I come across which, sadly, isn't very much.

 

[LesserSon]

I think it comes off with some solvents and less scrubbing. It irks me when I see eBayers describe it as “gold-plated,” since it is obviously a yellow-tinted clearcoat of some kind.

 

[Mikeske]

I think it comes off with some solvents and less scrubbing. It irks me when I see eBayers describe it as “gold-plated,” since it is obviously a yellow-tinted clearcoat of some kind.

The yellow tinted stuff what ever it is also does not stand up to very aggressive wiping with even windex window cleaner. I discovered that years ago when I worked at a Chrysler dealership mechanic before I got my job at Boeing. I went to a Chrysler seminar and they handed out a spark plug socket and 3" extension and ratchet. Of course I misplaced my primary spark plug socket so I used the one I got from the seminar. Later on I wiping it off and used windex to clean it and wipe off the gold on the throat of the socket.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I haven't collected any internal company award boxed sets, or anniversary boxed sets, from any era or brand, but this is making me wonder if the examples that have popped here on GJ from time to time have been as cheesily gold-coated. Those as I recall were still in their boxes, so, coating still shiny and intact. I suppose these Chrylser Bonney MTSC Award wrenches got like that through use? Were they supposed to be used? Or put on a wall?

 

[Ricky Joe]

I haven't collected any internal company award boxed sets, or anniversary boxed sets, from any era or brand, but this is making me wonder if the examples that have popped here on GJ from time to time have been as cheesily gold-coated. Those as I recall were still in their boxes, so, coating still shiny and intact. I suppose these Chrylser Bonney MTSC Award wrenches got like that through use? Were they supposed to be used? Or put on a wall?

Like all wrenches: put on a wall!

What, use them? They might get dirty!

 

[Mikeske]

I haven't collected any internal company award boxed sets, or anniversary boxed sets, from any era or brand, but this is making me wonder if the examples that have popped here on GJ from time to time have been as cheesily gold-coated. Those as I recall were still in their boxes, so, coating still shiny and intact. I suppose these Chrylser Bonney MTSC Award wrenches got like that through use? Were they supposed to be used? Or put on a wall?

If it was a tool I always used them. I was never a fool polisher until I retired and then I still use them just not as often.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Frankly, I've always found the whole "tool polisher" slur to be quite idiotic and ironic, since a clean, well-maintained tool is more effective and safer than a dirty tool, but I am not trying to re-open that can of worms, or the whole Collectibles vs. Utilitarian debate, and I also have no interest in re-stating my thoughts or in knowing where GJ members fall on that spectrum.

I am asking a very simple, direct question.

When OEM's produced and gave out special "Award" or "Anniversary" type wrench sets (that is, "gold-plated" or gold-coated and arranged for appearance in a nice, fancy box), was it their intent for the wrenches to be used?

Or was the intent for them to be treated like a trophy or a certificate or memento or a keepsake or, well, like the "Award" they were called? In other words, displayed, or kept under glass or in a drawer to be ogled as a deservedly prideful signification of someone's long service or completion of something important?

Not a challenge. Not a critique. I really don't know the answer!

If the former, why gussie them up in gold-coating?

If the latter, is it any surprise that the gold-coating wears off in use?

Bringing it back specifically to the CHRYSLER BONNEY MTSC AWARD angle wrenches...

Were they part of that kind of boxed set? And from Chrysler's perspective - were they intended to be displayed or used?

 

[swshawaii]

Chrysler MTSC angle wrench set came with a fugly gold lined wrench roll, not a presentation box. I have every intention of using them, especially at $29 shipped. As for displaying the wrenches, I'll find a good place to hide the roll even though it's in pristine condition. Tacky IMO.

Bonney Tool 5pc 4-Way OpenEnd Wrench Set (Gold Tool Award) Metric BNIB USA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Bonney Tool 5pc 4-Way OpenEnd Wrench Set (Gold Tool Award) Metric BNIB USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Tacky IMO.

Concur! The hems looks like a fancy girl's purse or stripper's *******!

And thanks. Categorically, that is not at all what I expected. They clearly look like they were intended for use. My take is that they tried to combine intentions and failed miserably. A glitzy pouch and a glitzy wrench finish that would not survive use.

What does MTSC stand for? Master Tech Service Course?

 

[swshawaii]

^ Almost a ding-ding. Master Tech Service Conference.

Google Search

www.google.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks. I just jumped on eBay to look for examples of what I was talking about, and while there, I ran a search and up popped dozens of Chrysler MTSC gold tool awards. Wrench sets, plier sets, chisel sets, you name it, they plated it, and stuck it in a glitzy pouch! And again, clearly meant to be special, but definitely for use.

Apologies for something that was apparently quite commonly known for you later Bonney guys.

 

[Mikeske]

It was not my intent in that manner on tool polishing. Actually the way I work is to use all the tools to do a job. As I worki place the tools I am no longer using on the top of my toolbox and leave them there if I am not using them. When I finish the the job and before I close up what I am working on I completely clean the tools and then place them in there respective place in the toolbox.

As far as the Chrysler MTSC awards I have a set of Bonney universal sockets in a nice plastic carrying case that I got off eBay and once I have time later tonight I snap a picture and show what a a unused award set looks like. I also have a Bonney/Chrysler MTSC flex head ratchet I got in 1984 that I did use as my original flex head ratchet broke and I used it and the gold tone did wear off and I will also snap a picture of that.

Having been wrenching and working for over 40 years I just was using whatever as it was what is

 

[Provincial]

Mikeske's comment just above made me reflect on how I work. I do essentially the same process as Mike. I keep the tools I have used in one spot and clean, inventory, and put them away at the end.

One story about that. I was working in Alaska flying a DC-3 for an air taxi operator. When I wasn't flying, I worked on the -3 and the operators other aircraft. One day I was doing a 100-hour inspection on the Pratt & Whitney R-985 engines of his Grumman Goose. He was in a big hurry to get it done so he could pick up a group of fishermen. He jumped in the Goose and started the engines as I was putting away my tools. I noticed that I was missing a screwdriver just as the airplane started to move. I tried to stop him, but he just kept going. When he returned, we found my screwdriver jammed in a landing gear door, and the tip had been rubbing on the main gear tire. Fortunately, it did no significant damage, but it it had punctured the tire, the airplane would have ground looped on landing, and probably been seriously damaged. I hate it when the boss is the one flying.

 

[Mikeske]

OK time for the Chrysler Gold Tool Award I mentioned in pervious post. First up is the metric universal socket set. I got this set off eBay a couple years ago. By 1991 I already was already working at Boeing and no longer as a ASE vehicle mechanic. so in regard yes I am also a tool polisher as I never have used these and yes they are nice and likely never will be used by me as I want to keep this set perfect.

The 3rd and 4th pictures are the flex head ratchet I got in 1984 and I used it and I did wear off the gold tone. When I was flat rate mechanic time was money and I decided since I broke the main flex head ratchet. At that time I needed a flex head ratchet to get in to a tight spot, oh well the ratchet was there and available as it was in my eyes a back up and I got to get the job finished. I actually preferred Snap-on ratchets but I had a Bonney flex head ratchets as the Snap-on was even then ungodly expensive so I just bought the fixed head ratchets from Snap-on only and speciality ratchets I get from Bonney and Craftsman.

 

[Mikeske]

Were they part of that kind of boxed set? And from Chrysler's perspective - were they intended to be displayed or used?

In a quick reply yes they were a boxed sets and each year was a different set of tools. I got when I I was a flat rate mechanic the first year after the Air Force I got a set of screwdrivers (long since vanished but probably in a separate box in my house someplace) The next year a 3/8" flex head ratchet, a 3" extension and a 5/8" spark plug socket, I did use the flex head ratchet but the spark plug socket was useless to me as Chryslers of the era I worked on all the spark plugs were 13/16ths. My son has the spark plug socket as he had a bunch of GM's and Toyotas that used that size.

 

[Raineman]

Holy cow! Those swivels are candy!

 

[bonneyman]

Concur! The hems looks like a fancy girl's purse or stripper's *******!

Well, if they're foreign strippers at least the metrics will come in handy!

 

[bonneyman]

I had a gold 1/4" Bonney driver I gifted to a forum member who was missing the driver in a gold set of 1/4" sockets he was selling. The only other gold Bonney I have is a double flare end 1/2" x 9/16". The plating seems to be pretty good.

 

[Mikeske]

As for displaying the wrenches, I'll find a good place to hide the roll even though it's in pristine condition. Tacky IMO.

You do have to look at the era that those wrenches came from. Heck in most civilian shops I saw in during that era there was at least one poster of gals ala natural at least from the waist up. In automotive repair shops back then it was a totally mens world and a good lady would never be there.

 

[LesserSon]

“displayed or used”
Why either/or?

My take is that they tried to combine intentions and failed miserably.

I think you may have been commenting on the pouch, but applied to the tools, I don’t agree. The ephemeral nature of the yellow tint matches that of the conference, and the longevity of the functional tools matches the application of whatever know-how was absorbed there - the tech is expected to put the tools and knowledge to use, and the tools gradually become just tools, as the learning becomes experience.

The “strippers *******” look of the pouches could commemorate unsanctioned after-hours entertainment for some.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You do have to look at the era that those wrenches came from. Heck in most civilian shops I saw in during that era there was at least one poster of gals ala natural at least from the waist up. In automotive repair shops back then it was a totally mens world and a good lady would never be there.

The “strippers *******” look of the pouches could commemorate unsanctioned after-hours entertainment for some.

Definitely goes with the whole pinup calendar theme.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think you may have been commenting on the pouch, but applied to the tools, I don’t agree.

No, I was commenting on the whole thing, which still seems counterintuitive to me. If you're going to give away tools as a token of appreciation or reward meant to use, don't coat them with fake gold **** that just seems to remind people you used a cheap *** finish year after year after year, and if you're going to give away golden "Award" tools mean to ogle and impress people, plate the hell out of them and put them in a nice box - has been my experience base. The Chrysler Bonney MTSC series just confuses me relative to other golden tool sets. The sets Mike has not used are impressive and re-open my question/wonder, if only to myself. I'm less sure of Chrysler's intent now than I was before. Maybe they did think guys would put them on a shelf or an I Love Me wall. I don't know. I'm not losing sleep over it. HAHA. Just one of those logical dilemmas, again, if only for me.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Found some solid proof of the intent in a 1997 Chrysler Press Release, linked here if anyone wants to read the whole thing.

"Beginning in 1962, the Master Tech program progressed to include incentive
awards for qualified participants. These incentives, known as "Gold Tool
Awards", have included high-quality tools that technicians use in their
everyday activities."

EDIT: It should go without saying that is not any comment on guys who chose to save them instead of using them, obviously. If anything, it makes them look prescient, since the shiny examples in mint original-preserving condition now have far greater value on the collector's market.

 

[Mikeske]

Yes that is the thing that originally Chrysler probably gave out the incentives to qualified participants but by the early to mid 1980's it was everything they could do to get a **** in the seat at the seminar. That is the main reason you see a lot of the golden tools from around 1980 to the early 1990's. Chrysler and the dealership had to give additional incentives for the mechanics to go to the seminars. Everybody that went to the seminar got the choice of different tools all gold color.

 

[Mikeske]

Someone the other day in a private message asked me about the Bonney 3/8ths ratchets and the differences in the ratchets. Actually the thing was I got a T-702K single lever and a T-703K flex head ratchet (the flex head is a warranty replacement I got in 1990 after a shoulder of my older flex head broke) when I bought my kit in 1983. All the others I bought off eBay except the TT-707 sweet heart ratchet and I found that in a thrift store. The tri-lever T-702K was the one that is hard to find as most of the production towards the end was the single lever.

The nicest to use of the 3/8ths ratchets was the TT-707 and the TT-707A as they are the smoothest in operation. The later ratchets are just don't have the smooth ratcheting operation of the older ratchets.

I did just a quick wipe down to take the light machine oil I have on these ratchets to prevent rust. I then took the picture. All of the ratchets except the flex head were really dirty and it has taken me the past 4 years to scrub them down to the fine chrome finish and as a former working mechanic grease, oil and grime is a part of a ratchet's life. Since I am now retired I do have the actual time to clean the ratchet, take it apart grease the internals and reassemble them if it is possible.

I do have more of the 3/8ths single lever ratchets and a couple more of the flex head but these are my best examples.

 

[four.cycle]

^ those look like they're brand new!

 

[Mikeske]

If you had seen those ratchets before I cleaned them you have to wonder if they would even clean up as well as they did. Since I worked I little to no time to really give them a deep clean until after I retired.

 

[Raineman]

Mike, the ratchet in the first picture above the flex head has a tristar selector on it. I have a 1/4” and a 1/2” like that and have been searching pretty hard for a 3/8” to match and can’t find one. Do they exist in the wild? I have seen one on the auction site, a worn Chrysler one that the seller claims doesn’t work so I passed on that one.

 

[Mikeske]

Yes Raineman the Tristar selector 3/8ths are rare and hard to find but do exist. I found mine on eBay auction it was on about a hour as I saw it and hit buy it now.

 

[LesserSon]

I saw a 3/8dr tristar selector Bonney rat (with a “matching” Herbrand 1/2dr) at Leesport flea two weeks ago. I STUPIDLY passed on it, despite a great price, because I already had a MTSC version.
I changed my mind and went back, but too late - the vendor had packed up and left for the day. This week, I spotted the vendor and the Herbrand, but the Bonney was gone.
They ARE out there, but don’t hesitate when you spot them!

 

[Raineman]

I’m ready to pounce.

 

[bonneyman]

The on-line 1967 Bonney catalog shows the ratchets with the tri-wing selector. The 1977 Utica catalog I own shows the ratchets with the single bar selector. So I'm thinking that design selector helps date your ratchets to sometime prior to '77.
I think I have a worn tri-wing 3/8" rat around here in storage. I'll try locating it and take pictures.

 

[3baygarage]

Nice ratchets.

Picked up a battery terminal puller today.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice. I always pick up old battery terminal pullers when I see them. Use them on wiper arms too.

 

[3baygarage]

I have used this style. My first one, an old Snap On.

 

[Boogerman]

Did not know Bonney made masonry tools:

 

[Mikeske]

My 1/2” and 1/4” ratchets. When I bought my set in 1983 I got the 2/4” in tri wing design. I never thought much about it until I got a single wing selector off eBay and I have another NOS that is in my car. My personal favorite ratchets are actually the snap-on and I have them all in sizes.

 

[JjKk40]

Here's a mix of some of my Bonney and B-Hex 3/8 & 1/2 ratchets. The Bonney AA707-H, IMHO, is one of the worst 1/2 models Bonney came out with. Im not a fan of it.... Then the T703-K 3/8 Tri- Wing flex head in the front, overbuilt, front heavy,, but very smooth. Definitely one of my favs! Then the older but sweetest IMHO A700 and 4080L in the back which are a tally my favorites!

 

[akasrick]

Did not know Bonney made masonry tools:

Catalog copyright 1915.


akasrick