Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Northwoods on December 16, 2015, 08:30:23 AM

Title: Blue-Point help
Post by: Northwoods on December 16, 2015, 08:30:23 AM

Last weekend I picked up a few things--including what I call a dog's tongue bike wrench.  I am sure there is a better name for it (help me out here, guys).  It is a 6" adjustable that shows no sign of use--with no name and no finish.  But lots of rust.  Frozen solid. This style  https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=OIP.Ma3c5b64c443005feebed022b6228b644o0&w=250&h=187&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0
Back to my story.  I finally got it loose with lots of WD40 and tiny but persistent taps with my ball peen.
Swell.  That inspired me to try once more to free a couple of 8" adjustables.  One is a PENNCRAFT--9915/MADE IN U.S.A. (it has an 18 forged in code near the hanging hole).
The other is a FORGED BLUE - POINT ALLOY STEEL MADE IN U.S.A./SNAP-ON TOOLS CORP. KENOSHA, WISCONSON (No kidding, folks; they misspelled Wisconsin!)
I managed to get the Penncraft loose and operating smoothly.  I can't find out much on the web about Penncraft tools in general.  Do any of you folks collect them or have any info on when JCP offered them?
Unfortunately the adjusting wheel on the Blue Point is too far gone to use.  Looks like a previous owner went after it with a vise grip.  I thought to replace it with a donor, but find that all my prospective wheels are too large.  The Blue-Point is just a bit smaller than the others.
Any thoughts?

Title: Re: Blue-Point help
Post by: bonneyman on December 16, 2015, 09:24:15 AM

I have a small stash of corkscrew knobs for adjustables. If you PM me with the outer diameter of your knob and use a drill bit to determine the bore size, I can check my little supply and see if I have one that will work for you.

Title: Re: Blue-Point help
Post by: JUNK-MAN on December 16, 2015, 10:02:19 AM

Sounds useless to me, a lost cause, ship it my way and I'll dispose of it properly. :cheesy:

Title: Re: Blue-Point help
Post by: krusty the clown on December 16, 2015, 11:32:09 AM

blue-point adjustables were made by diamond calk and horseshoe. i'm betting a diamond donor would work.

penncraft tools were sold in the 70's (if my foggy brain remembers correctly) and I believe they sourced from S*K and new Brittan. but neither made their own adjustables. western forge and Williams are both possibilities.

Title: Re: Blue-Point help
Post by: JUNK-MAN on December 16, 2015, 12:51:07 PM

Since we're kinda on the subject of Penncraft what is a hand carry box by them worth?

Title: Re: Blue-Point help
Post by: mrchuck on December 27, 2015, 04:26:53 PM

In the late 1980's JC Penney had their tools for sale, but were slowly getting rid of them because of poor sales.
The quality was 1st class but JC Penney was a woman's store, and women rarely purchased tools for their husbands.
When my wife went in to shop, I also went in and straight to the tool section.