Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: stormking on April 20, 2014, 10:49:01 AM

Title: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: stormking on April 20, 2014, 10:49:01 AM

This might be an easy one but I don't remember ever seeing one. Stamped (May Motor Company Portland Ore).

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7330/13950771264_8b208ec91d.jpg) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/119819727@N06/13950771264/)
DSCN2032 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/119819727@N06/13950771264/) by [url=https://www.flickr.com/people/119819727@N06/, on Flickr

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: lbgradwell on April 20, 2014, 12:37:53 PM

I'd say that's an old tire iron...

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: Flatland Dave on April 20, 2014, 12:48:25 PM

Tire iron or tire jack wrench.

Nice old Oregon plate Stormking. 

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: Aunt Phil on April 20, 2014, 03:27:11 PM

Valve wrench/ removable.
End hole is for breaking it loose, center hole is for spinning it open or closed fast.

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: stormking on April 20, 2014, 03:34:46 PM

The end is shaped like a tire spoon. I couldn't find any info on May Motor Co. on the net. Thanks

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: oldgoaly on April 20, 2014, 03:35:27 PM

got one, but don't know what all it does but one end is a tire tool, the wrench part maybe for the rim nuts for wooden wheels?

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: turnnut on April 20, 2014, 06:05:53 PM

I have a few with garage advertising on them, and some with no writing.

look at patent # 1,454,320   Jan. 13, 1922   

yes, the days of the wooden rims.

the patent states:  combination wrench & tire tool, to loosen demountable rims from wheels and to remove the tire from the rim.

if you look at your tool, you will see that the small curve is needed to get below
the edge of the rim,   

these are the type of rims that the spokes and hub stays on the vehicle.
sometimes you may need the Y shaped tool with a crank to split the rimsalso.

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: mvwcnews on April 20, 2014, 11:10:32 PM

Jenkins Vulcan Spring Co. (Richmond Indiana) Model E combination tire iron & rim bolt wrench "good for FORD & 95% of other wheels in use circa 1922 according to their ad.   The flat surfaces made it ideal for auto & tire dealerships to use as an advertising specialty.   This was written up in recent issues of the Missouri Valley Wrench Club Newsletter.

I just donated one marked with the name of a local tire shop together with the 1922 auto trade journal article describing the wrench, and 1925 local newspaper ad announcing the tire shop to a local museum.   ( http://www.yorknewstimes.com/news/historical-wrench-given-to-wessels/article_396af322-c1f9-11e3-a77d-001a4bcf887a.html ) 

Patent no. 1,454,320  ( http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=1454320&typeCode=0 ) describes the wrench & illustrates the tire iron function.

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: Plyerman on April 21, 2014, 07:09:32 AM

That display looks to have been very well done Stan. Good for you on the donation.

Title: Re: Unknown whatsit.
Post by: stormking on April 21, 2014, 10:15:56 PM

Thank you for the info Stan. Very nice gift to the museum.