Spreading the Bonney affliction!

[four.cycle]

^ May have been a year or so earlier. I do not have the hard copy here - it's at ITCL - but the Herbrand catalog No. 66 (presumably published in 1966) shows an aerial photograph of the new plant in South Carolina (and unless I'm mistaken also has a notation on the rear cover about "Kelsey Hayes".)

 

[four.cycle]

I defer to you guys on how bad that got across all the tool types.

Todd and I went back and forth several times about later production Herbrand, which he insisted was of such poor quality that it had to be outsourced from Asia.
We're way off topic here, but after acquiring a couple more Triangle-era 1/4" drive sets after those communications, I tend to agree with him. Oddly, the very late-production Canadian-made Herbrand stuff I have is top-notch. Go figure.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

There are alot of guys here who swear by their later Bonney tools, particularly chromed and highly polished 80s, if I have that right, but I don't have any to judge, and no dog in the quality fight, if it even is one.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Bonney and Plomb are two brands I steered clear of - I own no Bonney and own only one or two little Plomb 1/4" drive sets.
For reasons I don't even understand myself, I thought Herbrand would be a good choice as a "collector" line, not knowing at the time that the company and the product quality kinda-sorta shared the same fate as Thorsen.
I cannot speak to "Bonney" at all - only Herbrand - which was top-shelf stuff until the whole Kelsey-Hayes/Triangle corporate merger/acquisition thing happened.

 

[bonneyman]

I'm just thinking that when a company acquires another company/group of companies, immediately investing in a whole slew of new forgings probably isn't in the cards. Like when Ideal bought S-K. You remember how we heard all this talk of new design tools and it seemed to take years before we actually saw them. I think that's probably how it usually goes in acquisitions.

Bonney got access to the Loc-Rite design - It's too bad we just don't know the specifics.

In any case I grab later era Bonney tools regardless of whose name is on it. Matco, JD, Utica, etc. having spares, too, is fine for me with those.

From what I remember Steve at Epsteins telling me, Cooper bought Bonney just for the Utica pliers division. Makes sense to me, as later I found out Bonney needed some capital reinvestment, and Cooper wasn't interested. So, they closed.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Bonney got the Loc-Rite patent in 1964 - but didn't produce tools with it right away.

We've been through this before. The Loc-Rite patent is not a Bonney patent and Bonney had nothing to do with its design. It was invented by Alfred Kavalar (same guy as the CAM-LOC patent, also not a Bonney patent!) and the patent was assigned to Kelsey-Hayes. Bonney's use of the Loc-Rite name is due exclusively to being owned - a few years later, by Kelsey-Hayes, no different than K-H or Utica use of the name.

EDIT: I think as "Bonney guys" perhaps we tend to ascribe things to them in this era. At one point I remember postulating that maybe it was Bonney's earlier experience licensing the CAM-LOC design from Kavalar that later brought Kavalar to K-H with the 1964 Loc-Rite design, but K-H didn't own Bonney yet.

 

[bonneyman]

OK, ammended my post.

The main question I was addressing was the fact that the member has a Utica marked ratchet that looks indistinguishable from Bonney marked ratchets I have. (Apparently the same design was used for the John Deere ratchet I've seen posted as well). Somewhere along the way - I don't know the year yet - the selector changed to the later design. But as I recall the internal mechanism is the same.

The 1967 catalog shows the tri-wing selector (though the 3/4" drive ratchet looks very similar to the old Herbrand design. Perhaps the sales of the 3/4"ers wasn't large enough to justify retooling them to the newer round head style)? And no Loc-Rite on the box end.
The 1977 catalog I have shows the ratchets with a single ridge selector, with Loc-Rite available on wrenches and some sockets. When the changeover occurred still eludes me. Somewhere during this decade the change(s) happened. My mistake is trying to nail down the timeline. The pictures in the catalog are not distinct enough for me to be sure of the features.

The feature that screams "Bonney" to me is the quality of the chrome. It has a grayish quality to it, not shiny like a mirror silver. Always stands out in a bin of tools. Even the Bonney-made Matco's have this color to them.

 

[bonneyman]

^ May have been a year or so earlier. I do not have the hard copy here - it's at ITCL - but the Herbrand catalog No. 66 (presumably published in 1966) shows an aerial photograph of the new plant in South Carolina (and unless I'm mistaken also has a notation on the rear cover about "Kelsey Hayes".)

This, too, I haven't a clue. I remember Bonney having facilities in various cities and states but when and where I don't know.

 

[Raineman]

All I know is that a tri wing selector 3/8” Bonney ratchet is my Unicorn.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haha. That's a laser focused perspective!

 

[d42jeep]

Here are my Bonney finds at a Friday estate sale.
-Donald

 

[Username already in use]

@d42jeep i think you sent me an empty pouch for those Bonney offset wrenches a few years ago. So far I’ve found zero wrenches to put in there!

 

[d42jeep]

When you add this wrench, you will have one less to find.
-Don

 

[Shelbylex]

Bought this ratchet in an online auction thinking I was bidding on an A702K, only to pick it up and discover otherwise. First Utica branded tool if it's kind I've seen. Has anyone else seen the sockets or other drive tools? Seems to have more teeth than it's Bonney sister, as I click the square drive around to count them, it feels like it has an alternate stagger (very fine-less fine-very fine-less fine, etc) Anyone know more about this?

I have couple of Utica sockets awaiting cleaning. There is a Utica thread on GJ - https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/show-your-vintage-utica-tools.484066/. Please add it there
Eventually I will clean sockets up and post them there...

 

[JjKk40]

Here's a 1st of a bunch of rescent acquisitions to the Bonney "pile"!!! Its in great shape and I believe its an original Bonney blade but unfortunately I can't say for sure as the markings are worn off. This saw is almost identical to many other brands as well. The plastic handle insert is marked coming from the Alliance OH factory.

 

[Mikeske]

Here's a 1st of a bunch of rescent acquisitions to the Bonney "pile"!!! Its in great shape and I believe its an original Bonney blade but unfortunately I can't say for sure as the markings are worn off. This saw is almost identical to many other brands as well. The plastic handle insert is marked coming from the Alliance OH factory.

I kind of doubt that the blade is a Bonney blade but it might be. I have a original Bonney blade which is black on the blade and white background with black lettering. My hacksaw has a similar overall style handle but is obviously cheaper design as it only has a wing nut to adjust the tension on the blade and it only takes one specific length of hacksaw blade on my black handle Bonney hacksaw. I also have a older Bonney hacksaw and it is totally different design that came a period before the plastic handles. I got the older version from eBay and the plastic handle hacksaw I bought new in 1983 and it is obvious I never really used it much.

 

[JjKk40]

More of the haul. Finally found an Ell handle with "made in usa" ! Then something very interesting, the special single deep offset box end is marked 9/16 which it is, on one of the ends. The other end is 1/2 but it isn't marked anywhere .

 

[mogandave]

Here's a 1st of a bunch of rescent acquisitions to the Bonney "pile"!!! Its in great shape and I believe its an original Bonney blade but unfortunately I can't say for sure as the markings are worn off. This saw is almost identical to many other brands as well. The plastic handle insert is marked coming from the Alliance OH factory.

Is there not a Ridgid version of this same saw with red plastics?

 

[JjKk40]

Is there not a Ridgid version of this same saw with red plastics?

I have one called "Thompson Bros(or something like it)" also which is exactly the same too even the grips are black.

 

[Lesserstore]

Those hacksaws were made by Drier Bros., later a division of Easco. They seem to have made them for everybody, including, but not limited to: Craftsman, Klein, Disston, Ridgid, and Bonney.

 

[four.cycle]

^ do you have any idea what year Dreier Bros. was acquired by Easco?

Dreier / Dreier Bros. Inc., 7301 Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL / saws /

 

[RTM]

Those hacksaws were made by Drier Bros., later a division of Easco. They seem to have made them for everybody, including, but not limited to: Craftsman, Klein, Disston, Ridgid, and Bonney.

You should add this info to the hacksaw thread.

hacksaws?

Doing some organizing in the garage, trying to be able to get two cars in my "two car" garage again, I am finding tools that I forgot I had. I realized today that I evidently collect hacksaws. Shown is probably half of my collection. I will continue to buy old, American made hacksaws. I usually...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Provincial]

More of the haul. Finally found an Ell handle with "made in usa" ! Then something very interesting, the special single deep offset box end is marked 9/16 which it is, on one of the ends. The other end is 1/2 but it isn't marked anywhere .

That unusual single open end is for adjusting the anchor pins on Bendix brakes. It fits the tab on the end of the anchor pin you rotate to cam the toe of the shoe into proper alignment with the drum.

 

[JjKk40]

That unusual single open end is for adjusting the anchor pins on Bendix brakes. It fits the tab on the end of the anchor pin you rotate to cam the toe of the shoe into proper alignment with the drum.

I also have a later version, if I remember correctly, a bonoloy or just Bonney.

 

[humber2]

An interesting poser is the 2852 wrench. Maybe it was never cataloged?
My three images are from Cat#34.

I deduce it is certainly a special application.

 

[JjKk40]

An interesting poser is the 2852 wrench. Maybe it was never cataloged?
My three images are from Cat#34.

I deduce it is certainly a special application.

good question! I'll take a look in my cat's. Its so odd, 1 end is 9/16, the other 1/2. Its clearly marked 9/16 too and that is the only size marking. Odd.

 

[JjKk40]

Picked up another dbl box single offset circle CV 1 1/16. Its a big'ol boy! The markings seem to be orientated totally different than the normal ones I have and seen. It must have been forged from a die that was repurchased as there are olde cross outs and whatnot that I can see from the old die. Last pic is it compared to my other ones.

 

[LesserSon]

That is a big fella! My CV single-offsets only go up to 2832, but I think there are 2836 and 2837 wrenches out there waiting to be found.

 

[Raineman]

Got this nice drum brake spring tool by chance to add to my collection. Lots of cleaning to do.

 

[JjKk40]

I'm sure my fellow Bonney crazies have seen this! Lol!!!! I think I remember seeing it a little while back for sale on the 'bay! Pretty cool tho imho!

Link...

Rare Bonney Forge & Tool Works model T A rim tire tool 1924 collectible auto lot | eBay

Because of this, they are sold AS IS, as found. WE WILL NOT!

www.ebay.com

 

[outofbounds]

For your consideration I found this Brown Socket box (sans any vestige of a label) with a Black Oxide? 4098 Ratchet and 9pcs A14 thru A28 sockets. Love some insight as to whether this is in fact a Bonney Box (the gnarly poop brown matches my 1939 top chest) Closest I could discern was that it appears perhaps to be the remains of an RS1 Set as seen in 1941 catalog.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sure looks like one

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Maybe looks more like ws set

 

[Ricky Joe]

I'm sure my fellow Bonney crazies have seen this! Lol!!!! I think I remember seeing it a little while back for sale on the 'bay! Pretty cool tho imho!

Link...

Rare Bonney Forge & Tool Works model T A rim tire tool 1924 collectible auto lot | eBay

Because of this, they are sold AS IS, as found. WE WILL NOT!

www.ebay.com

I often see tools misidentified as model A or Model T application. Model A was produced from 1928-1931. 1924 would be a T model.

 

[Ricky Joe]

More of the haul. Finally found an Ell handle with "made in usa" ! Then something very interesting, the special single deep offset box end is marked 9/16 which it is, on one of the ends. The other end is 1/2 but it isn't marked anywhere .

What size opening is on the Bendix wrench?

 

[JjKk40]

What size opening is on the Bendix wrench?

The opening on the brake tool is 3/16.

 

[Mikeske]

Found this Stillson Pattern wrench with Allentown on it a Goodwill store today $3.00. Back side is marked 10.

 

[LesserSon]

Nice find, Mike. “Bonney Vise” makes it pre-1921. Looks like everything is there but the wood grip. It’s fairly easy to straighten the tapered handle with a vise and a length of iron pipe, if you’re looking to restore it, though that sharp bend at the threads could break.

 

[Mikeske]

Nice find, Mike. “Bonney Vise” makes it pre-1921. Looks like everything is there but the wood grip. It’s fairly easy to straighten the tapered handle with a vise and a length of iron pipe, if you’re looking to restore it.

When I attempted to remove the nut on the bottom it just snapped off I had been soaking it for a couple hours in PB Blaster. Otherwise it is probably best to leave the bend in it and if someone is interested in it they can PM me. It does appear to have been used hard and put away wet, it has what appears to me as hammer marking on the side opposite the Bonney name.

 

[LesserSon]

I recently picked up a MDF Stillson with a bend. The nut was still on the remaining couple threads of a mostly sheared-off tip. (I’m not sure how the PO did that.) The wood handle was buggered at the upper end because of the bend, so I trimmed it down and re-threaded the tip. It’s a bit shorter than what it should be, but still functional.
Just saying, the tool can still be saved, if anyone wants to.