Torque!

[bmwrd0]

While browsing eBay, I ran across a vintage Williams metal box, from a period that I really like.

Well, a had an eBay gift card burning a hole in my pocket, so it was quickly shipped to me. Part of why I wanted it was the decals, and this was the one inside:

Why did I want a measure wrench box? Because I picked one up last year and never did find a good storage situation for it, so, now it was home:

Now, it will hang out with my other vintage torque wrenches. My Snap-on:


(That one actually ratchets!)
And my Plomb:


But, sometimes his little brother gets jelous:

I have more, but those are the ones I have good boxes for. So, what do you have in the way of vintage torque wrenches?

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Nice collection bmw. Very good to have the boxes they came in and I like the Williams for sure but I especially like that Plomb 5402 with the cardboard box. Ed.

 

[3baygarage]

Nice Williams logo. I especially like the orange boxes of theirs.

 

[WNYflyer]

Williams set

View media item 101510

View media item 101512

 

[bmwrd0]

Dang!

Those are nice. More pics please!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Here are a few of mine. The top one is a Snap on 3/4" Torque multiplier. Next are Ammco and Blackhawk torque indicators. A Plomb 5402 and Craftsman 3/8 inch lbs beam wrenches are in the middle. Bottom of pics is a Williams Measurrench with the original 64' sales slip and cardboard instruction sheet. Also a Craftsman 1/2" round head fine tooth Digitorque wrench I bought new in 79'. Ed.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm jealous of all the cases!

Here are my modest additions, Beemer. From top to bottom, there’s an APCO-Mossberg (1/2-inch drive), a Duro (3/4-inch drive), a Thorsen (1/2-inch drive), a Snap-on (3/8-inch drive), and three Richmont pre-set click-stops.

I’ve posted the Richmonts before.

As one could guess, they are way older than 1973, when Richmont and P.A. Sturtevant merged. The spinner/nut driver has a 1/4” hex. If you’re interested, I’ve posted more photos and info on my Richmont thread, linked here.

The Thorsen is fairly common.

The Duro isn't as far as I know.

The APCO-Mossberg is military with a wartime patent and FSN. They were a major suppliers of special socket drive tools to the Ordnance Dept. This one has a clutch-type ratcheting drive stud.

Note to Self: Add to Sticky

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It seems like everyone has the Snap-on U-boat jobbie Torqometers. But there’s probably not too many of this model floating around!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice tie clip. Here is my old Ammco clunker

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice tie clip.

Thanks

Here is my old Ammco clunker

Your "old clunker" is a WWII torque wrench issued to 4th Echelon Set No. 2. Basically, that means a depot in the rear, typically a fixed site. Where major repairs and overhauls were done. I have been hoping to run into one in the wild for quite some time now with no luck so far.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

When we get a trade figured out I will throw it in

 

[d42jeep]

I posted these in the Crown thread but it seems like they belong here too.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice! Still in the boxes too.

 

[Username already in use]

It seems like everyone has the Snap-on U-boat jobbie Torqometers. But there’s probably not too many of this model floating around!

I've got the one on the far opposite end of your tie clip. Probably not too many of this one floating around either.
TQ1003-AL - 1000 Ft. Lb. 1in drive

And the rest of the crew. The Blackhawk Torkflash, SK and 3/8" drive (in. lb.) Miller Mfg (Stuartvant).

 

[bmwrd0]

So, to add to the fun, these ones don't have factory cases, but are some of my favorites:


And for the really fine stuff:

 

[d42jeep]

Along with the obligatory Snap-on Torqometers, my favorite is my Jo manufacturered AC Spark Plug click type 3/8” drive flex head.
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

Don, I think we have the same three Snap-on Torqometers. I also have one of the Bell System ones.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

When we get a trade figured out I will throw it in

Let's do it!

I've got the one on the far opposite end of your tie clip. Probably not too many of this one floating around either.

Speaking of floating... That's not a torque wrench - it's a canoe paddle!

 

[lowercanada]

Dear sir
It's 10 years since you posted this, so I hope this finds you well and in decent health
If you can tell me, I'd love to know those Williams torque wrenches work....I'm familiar with the simple split beam pointers, and the click type and dial gauge type, but have never seen one of these, and it's not obvious how they are used.
Thanks in advance
Bill

 

[piehammer]

APCO Mossberg from the 1940's. Not sure of the model number but seems to be military issue due to the markings on the back.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not sure of the model number but seems to be military issue due to the markings

It is definitely military. Those are federal stock numbers. The first number (41-W-3631) is from WWII. The second 11-digit number is from no earlier than 1953. I posted a similar one upthread. See post #7. Mine has only the wartime FSN and a clutch type ratcheting drive stud.

 

[piehammer]

Good information, thanks. So you would date this in the mid to late 1950s then?

It is definitely military. Those are federal stock numbers. The first number (41-W-3631) is from WWII. The second 11-digit number is from no earlier than 1953. I posted a similar one upthread. See post #7. Mine has only the wartime FSN and a clutch type ratcheting drive stud.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So you would date this in the mid to late 1950s then?

I would say it's closer to 1952 and no later than 1953.

The first Federal Standard Stock Catalog was administered by the Treasury Dept., believe it or not. From the 1930's through the war up to 1952. It's too esoteric even for Wiki to know about it, but trust me, all WWII collectors are very familiar with it. Class "41" was hand tools. The middle letter was phonetic, hence wrenches, whereas screwdrivers were 41-S-xxxx, and so on. The last set of numbers (in this case, 3631) was the actual stock number. And there are all kinds of manuals that cite these numbers. In 1953, several joint service pre-cursors to what would become in 1961 the Defense Supply Agency began a new 11-digit system. Class "5120" was hand tools.

What's interesting about your torquer is that it has BOTH numbers. That tells me it was stamped in a time of transition. Hence, why I would not put it much past 1952 or 1953.

I don't have a single tool like that, and I don't think I have ever seen one before. Pretty cool.

 

[Ricky Joe]

.

 

[Mintgrun]

The Thorsen is fairly common.

The Duro isn't as far as I know.

I've got a 1/2" DURO torque wrench (# 8099 1/2) and a slightly smaller version of the 1/2" THORSEN (T 100) as well.
( : Second fiddle? : )



I didn't see this little 3/8" inch-pounder posted above. I'm not sure how old it is, but I'll share it anyway.







Tom

 

[Ricky Joe]

.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Second fiddle? : )

Nope. Different sizes. So, more like Variations on a Theme, by Haydn, of Brahms!

 

[Ricky Joe]

.

 

[d42jeep]

Nice! I don’t think I ever added my Powr-Kraft example to this thread.
-Don

 

[piehammer]

I would say it's closer to 1952 and no later than 1953.

The first Federal Standard Stock Catalog was administered by the Treasury Dept., believe it or not. From the 1930's through the war up to 1952. It's too esoteric even for Wiki to know about it, but trust me, all WWII collectors are very familiar with it. Class "41" was hand tools. The middle letter was phonetic, hence wrenches, whereas screwdrivers were 41-S-xxxx, and so on. The last set of numbers (in this case, 3631) was the actual stock number. And there are all kinds of manuals that cite these numbers. In 1953, several joint service pre-cursors to what would become in 1961 the Defense Supply Agency began a new 11-digit system. Class "5120" was hand tools.

What's interesting about your torquer is that it has BOTH numbers. That tells me it was stamped in a time of transition. Hence, why I would not put it much past 1952 or 1953.

I don't have a single tool like that, and I don't think I have ever seen one before. Pretty cool.

Once again, great information. Thank you!

 

[c1504]

A Wardmast’r I picked up a while back

 

[slowride66]

APCO Mossberg from the 1940's. Not sure of the model number but seems to be military issue due to the markings on the back.

My Landlord Passed away & I've been helping his wife clean up & Out his unit. Her kids keep throwing stuff in the garbage. I just garbage picked one of these & a few other Old name brand stuff. Put it in my vise & it still seems to work in both directions. thanks for narrowing down the ID of this unit.

SR66 .

 

[Stubby1743]

My 9/32" drive Sturtevant bendy-bar torque wrench. 40-200 inch pounds. Unfortunately, some surface rust.

 

[Mintgrun]

I pulled this one out of the metal scrap bin at a Habitat store. The manager, who'd put it in there chuckled as he said, "the world's oldest torque wrench." as if that made it garbage.



I pulled it out and carried it around with the rest of my loot, but then set it down in the tool aisle, telling myself I didn't need another torque wrench and figuring someone else would ****** it up. Well, two weeks later I brought it home. Poor little unloved torque wrench....



I like how the pointer works with both scales.



There are two patents on the underside, which were the only two patents granted to Paul Sturtevant. One of them is for the tapered beam, which is what initially caught my eye.




The pivot pin in the handle is cool, in that it sets the lever at a specific length. I have an old Craftsman wrench with a plastic handle that shares that feature. As for whether I 'needed' another one, I decided that it'd be okay if there was a possibility that this might be my favorite example. I suppose it is, in some ways.

US Patent: 2,283,707 - Torque Wrench

US patent 2,283,707 Torque Wrench was issued to Paul A. Sturtevant of Elmhurst, IL. It was granted on 05/19/1942. The main beam tapers toward the handle; alternate embodiments shown in the drawings and discussed in the specifications account for the need to accoun

www.datamp.org

US Patent: D112,888 - Wrench or Similar Article

US patent D112,888 Wrench or Similar Article was issued to Paul A. Sturtevant of Elmhurst, IL. It was granted on 01/10/1939. Deisgn for a torque indicating wrench. See also patent no. {2,283,707}. {br}Ames, Fliess, Olson & Mecklanberger - patent attorneys {br}Term of pate

www.datamp.org

Tom

 

[vf1000g24]

From the US, I have a 70's Snap-On Torqometer TC150 SN° 2814 in 1/2 and a 3/8 Jo-Line Jotite 750 ex USAF post WWII but certainly before 1966

From Germany I have a Dowidat with a simple "flick 'n click" system 0/20 MKg circa 60's/70's (looking very much like a contemporain Facom S or J203)

From France I have 3 Lauravia period 50/late 60's
- a Lauravia 107 0/2 MKg with a double slotted beam (a small peg held by a winged nut to remind the wished torque)
- a Lauravia M 108 0.25/3 MKg with a quite complex "flic 'n click" that shares the attachement with the 107, either in 1/4 or in 3/8
- a Lauravia S108 3/20 MKg in 1/2 with a slightly different complex "flick 'n click" that comes with ratchet plus a small set of ring spanner attachement

I'll put pictures ASAP

Fred

 

[Ayrhead]

I already had an S-57 torque wrench by Williams, but today I found one in the box with the instruction card inside as well….
Here’s a couple of pictures.

 

[Ricky Joe]

.

 

[Ayrhead]

I’ve got the large (200 pound) S-57. I have 3/4 of a set of S-58s. I prefer the S-58 because it torques in both directions. You can also get breakaway torque values. I use them frequently, really my first choice. As I get older, they are a little harder to see. Fine wrenches. I don’t know why they quit making them.

I guess I’ll keep my out for an S-58. They look totally different than the other style torque wrenches.

 

[Ayrhead]

Here’s my Utica and Sears Torque Wrenches. They look identical except that the Sears range goes up to 250 and that it has a dial preset that makes it easier to see when you get to the desired foot pound number that you want… I’m thinking Utica made the Sears torque wrench but not sure…

 

[slowtwitch73]

Anyone prefer the old TW's (to use) or are they dated/obsolete compared to modern offerings?