Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: international3414 on March 03, 2014, 04:08:59 PM

Title: is this 12" wrench rare.also question about S handle history
Post by: international3414 on March 03, 2014, 04:08:59 PM

i took some tools to work to clean in my spare time,i was asked "whats the story on the S curved handle"??...i really didnt have the answer other than it was like? a fad,,,back in what time frame????
also i like the replaceable jaw on this one!!
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll153/richpoor1/th_001-158.jpg) (http://s287.photobucket.com/user/richpoor1/media/001-158.jpg.html)
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll153/richpoor1/th_002-90.jpg) (http://s287.photobucket.com/user/richpoor1/media/002-90.jpg.html)

Title: Re: is this 12" wrench rare.also question about S handle history
Post by: HeelSpur on March 03, 2014, 05:38:47 PM

I've come across a total of 0 in my travels and have been looking for them.
Have no idea if they're rare or not.

Title: Re: is this 12" wrench rare.also question about S handle history
Post by: Lewill2 on March 03, 2014, 06:32:23 PM

In general I wouldn't say they are rare but that one pictured is rarer because it has pipe jaws instead of regular nut style jaws. Some makes are harder to find then others.

Title: Re: is this 12" wrench rare.also question about S handle history
Post by: mvwcnews on March 03, 2014, 10:06:31 PM

In particular, that version of the WESTCOTT "S" pipe wrench is distinctive because the pipe grip is on the "fixed" jaw rather than the movable jaw, and because the pipe grip surface is a separate hard steel insert held on by the "wavy" base & screw.    I had one in my "6 Inch Alphabet" display  ( http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=27647617@N05&q=westcott ).
The more common WESTCOTT "S" handle pipe wrenches had the pipe grip on the movable jaw, so one wrench body could be switched from nut to pipe by swapping out the movable jaw.

The idea behind the "S" or offset handle was to gain clearance for your knuckles.   They were introduced sometime in the last quarter of the 19th Century & produced until roughly mid-20th Century.  WESTCOTT by Keystone Mfg. is perhaps the most common name but there are several others -- a few that come to mind  include  PERFECT HANDLE,  ROBINSON, B&C,   BULLOCK,  the "Circle T" ones with the removable adjusting worm.  One "S" prize is the B&C "S" combination nut & pipe wrench. ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/27647617@N05/8336544754/in/photolist-dGEYjf )

Title: Re: is this 12" wrench rare.also question about S handle history
Post by: rustcollector on March 03, 2014, 10:15:08 PM

Quote from: mvwcnews on March 03, 2014, 10:06:31 PM

  One "S" prize is the B&C "S" combination nut & pipe wrench. ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/27647617@N05/8336544754/in/photolist-dGEYjf )

That would be this one here....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281277385519

Title: Re: is this 12" wrench rare.also question about S handle history
Post by: international3414 on March 04, 2014, 04:40:27 AM

thanks,also billings & spencer

Title: Re: is this 12" wrench rare.also question about S handle history
Post by: HeelSpur on March 04, 2014, 12:35:59 PM

Here is a Carll reversible adjustable.

(http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/Photos/tools/carll_wrench_adj_reversible_f_cropped_inset_w560_h224.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/Photos/tools/carll_wrench_adj_reversible_pipe_cropped_w560_h238.jpg)

pics are from AA