Stahlwille Wrenches - Info please...

[BirdMobile]

Hi all.

Found these 2 Stahlwille double-open end wrenches yesterday at a thrift store. They are in very good condition, a few minor dings and discoloration, but no chrome chipping or major problems.

They are both stamped with "BS" and "W" sizes next to the heads, and fon't match up to any of my SAE wrenches. I assume the "W" is for Witworth... don't know what the "BS" means.

What are they? What are they worth? Does anyone here want them in trade or for cash? I'm pretty sure they are of no use to me.

Thanks!

 

[BirdMobile]

P.S. The large opening on the large wrench is a little over 1".

 

[Monte]

BS = ********

British Standard Whitworth = BSW

 

[BirdMobile]

BS = ********

British Standard Whitworth = BSW

Hmmm...
They have both a "BS" and a "W" measurement stamped on each head, and they're different numbers. No "BSW" stamped anywhere.

 

[Dave455]

Correct! W is short for Whitworth!

The original Whitworth threads however, are fairly coarse. They are the equivalent of National Coarse in the U.S.

Finer threads for steel are called British Standard Fine or just BSF. The original Whitworth threads used relatively large bolt heads too, but BSF use one size smaller in the same range - thus a wrench will be marked say 1/4 W and 5/16 BSF. This refers to the bolt thread size, not the 'Across Flats' size!

During the war, the smaller size bolt heads and nuts were used for Whitworth sizes as well, so many modern wrenches are simply marked BS for British Standard!

Sometimes you see BSW, short for British Standard Whitworth instead of just the W!

 

[BirdMobile]

Correct! W is short for Whitworth!

The original Whitworth threads however, are fairly coarse. They are the equivalent of National Coarse in the U.S.

Finer threads for steel are called British Standard Fine or just BSF. The original Whitworth threads used relatively large bolt heads too, but BSF use one size smaller in the same range - thus a wrench will be marked say 1/4 W and 5/16 BSF. This refers to the bolt thread size, not the 'Across Flats' size!

During the war, the smaller size bolt heads and nuts were used for Whitworth sizes as well, so many modern wrenches are simply marked BS for British Standard!

Sometimes you see BSW, short for British Standard Whitworth instead of just the W!

OK. That makes sense. So, the measurements on the heads refer to the bolt diameter, not the across-flats measurement.

Any idea what these wrenches might be worth?

 

[rice rocket]

Only people who want whitworths are people who own Nortons and old Triumphs.

 

[ttpete]

Only people who want whitworths are people who own Nortons and old Triumphs.

Also Rolls-Royce aero engines.

 

[Piece-it Pete]

And Bits of String and All sorts?

Pete

 

[dutchgray]

During the war, the smaller size bolt heads and nuts were used for Whitworth sizes as well, so many modern wrenches are simply marked BS for British Standard!

I believe the head sizes never changed back after either.

 

[BirdMobile]

OK.
Sounds like they're not very desirable tools, which is OK - I only paid $3 each, so I'm not hurting too much if I'm stuck with them.
What would be the best way to go about unloading them? Ebay? CL?

 

[2oolhound]

What are the sizes in W? I'll check to see if I have them or not.

 

[BirdMobile]

What are the sizes in W? I'll check to see if I have them or not.

Small Wrench: 7/16BS,3/8W and 1/2BS,7/16W
Large Wrench: 9/16BS,1/2W and 5/8BS,9/16W

 

[2oolhound]

Thanks for checking, I already have those sizes. I paid big bucks for my set of combos and the "stabil" doe wrenches that are a little shorter than yours. I bought the set of doe wrenches like you have in separate lots and shipping made them dam expensive when I was done. You might get the best price on CL as there is no shipping costs that way. They would sell on classified here too as shipping within the USA won't be too bad. I'd have snapped them up real quick for $3 each if I'd seen them around here for that.

 

[BirdMobile]

Thanks for checking, I already have those sizes. I paid big bucks for my set of combos and the "stabil" doe wrenches that are a little shorter than yours. I bought the set of doe wrenches like you have in separate lots and shipping made them dam expensive when I was done. You might get the best price on CL as there is no shipping costs that way. They would sell on classified here too as shipping within the USA won't be too bad. I'd have snapped them up real quick for $3 each if I'd seen them around here for that.

If I list them on the classifieds here, what would you recommend I ask for them? I'm obviously not planning on selling them at $3... I'd just as soon keep them.

 

[2oolhound]

It's hard to say as they are worth different amounts to different folks. While you and the po were happy to value them at $3 others may pay more but then you may have to wait or try harder to find the right buyer.

When I pulled my brit bikes out from 25 years of storage and was eager to get some whitworth tools I coughed up $250 for this set of stahlwille tools:



I've also since, compiled these doe wrenches like you have by buying them a few at a time and paying for a lot of shipping as most were from international destinations.



In the process I have a few extras but this set has each size twice ( I have what you have:

Small Wrench: 7/16BS,3/8W and 1/2BS,7/16W
Large Wrench: 9/16BS,1/2W and 5/8BS,9/16W
plus one more in between,
Middle Wrench: 1/2BS,7/16W and 9/16BS,1/2W)



I likely paid about $13 - $15 for each wrench including shipping. Today I have most of what I need so I only buy wrenches like this for the $2 - 3 prices locally. You need to try to find a buyer like I was a few years ago and provice good clear photos so we can see and wear, rust or other imperfections. I bought on ebay mostly but cl eliminates shipping costs so you may be able to get more for the wrenches. Quite often you can do ok trading for something you want as you both have to cover shipping costs that way but it seems more worthwhile on these small transactions.

 

[Dave455]

I believe the head sizes never changed back after either.

Correct!

If you go out and buy a BSW bolt today, it will have the smaller hex the same as the BSF!

There was a revision to British Standards in the mid 50's that regularised the wartime situation, and that is still current!

 

[wild cowboy]

OK.
Sounds like they're not very desirable tools, which is OK - I only paid $3 each, so I'm not hurting too much if I'm stuck with them.
What would be the best way to go about unloading them? Ebay? CL?

ebay will almost always generate many times the price of CL, especially on obscure specialty items like this, because you have the whole world bidding against each other, rather than just people within driving distance.

 

[Gmonkee]

Its a feast or famine product. Not undesirable as much as limited usefulness to fewer people. Sets can be costly making used pieces a better buy.

I have a small pile of whitworth myself, never had to use them on anything. Lots of dupes in common sizes too.

Bide your time, you'll find the person willing to buy them at a fair price to both buyer and seller. I've been holding out over 5 years on mine.