Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: jimwrench on December 05, 2014, 11:09:42 AM

Title: F E Wells & Son Co pipe wrench
Post by: jimwrench on December 05, 2014, 11:09:42 AM
Got this little wells pipe wrench at auction last night. Has a steel handle rather than the normal wood handle. Looks factory. Find info on Wells lathes and threading machinery but no hand tool info. Anyone have a source for hand tool info ?
The Overland tire tool just followed me home. Other pipe wrench just a cute wrench (no markings)
Need to resize my pic again will add later.
Title: Re: F E Wells & Son Co pipe wrench
Post by: jimwrench on December 05, 2014, 11:22:00 AM
Heres pic
Title: Re: F E Wells & Son Co pipe wrench
Post by: Papaw on December 05, 2014, 02:12:16 PM
Not hijacking, but one of those tire tools would have been used by my Grandfather in the Overland Company Repair Room in Houston, Texas in 1916.
Title: Re: F E Wells & Son Co pipe wrench
Post by: Lostmind on December 05, 2014, 02:59:49 PM
Neat photo . Very nice wrenches also
Title: Re: F E Wells & Son Co pipe wrench
Post by: jimwrench on December 05, 2014, 07:07:57 PM
 They sold an Overland wrench but I wasn't sure which flat it was in. Retired mechanic in seat ahead of me got the flat. Before I left I asked if he would sell it;his response "what would you give for it ?"
 I offered $5 answer "no" I offered $10 answer "no" He gave $12 for the whole flat. Then he told me the guy behind me had told him the Overland wrench was worth more than the rest of the flat. Guy behind me tried to buy my tire tool also.
Title: Re: F E Wells & Son Co pipe wrench
Post by: turnnut on December 05, 2014, 08:29:17 PM
Jimwrench, f.e. wells & sons, sold many pipe wrenches,  they were located
in Greenfield,Massachusetts.

this week-end I will check to see if I have any ads on them.
Title: Re: F E Wells & Son Co pipe wrench
Post by: mvwcnews on December 06, 2014, 12:14:16 AM
( http://books.google.com/books?id=mIFVAAAAYAAJ&dq=wells%20greenfield%20wrench&pg=PA180#v=onepage&q=wells%20greenfield%20wrench&f=false ) will bring up a 1911 F.E. Wells & Son Co. pipe wrench advert.
 It looks like they had an ad in nearly every monthly issue of Engineering Review that year.
In June 1911, WALWORTH's Stillson ad was on pg 175 (The Walworth Stillson steel handle in that ad is marked AUTOMOBILE ) , & F.E. Wells & Son Co. was on pg. 176 proclaiming "The Jaw That Won't Break."
Title: Re: F E Wells & Son Co pipe wrench
Post by: jimwrench on December 06, 2014, 09:29:39 AM
Nice ad Stan. My real question is has anyone seen a wells pipe wrench which looks like it was made for a wooden handle with a steel handle as pictured. Realize a skilled craftsman could make such a handle but this looks like it was cast and fits perfectly.