Tool Talk
What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: Okey dokey on October 18, 2017, 09:02:19 AM
-
Hi good folks
I bought this wrench for a nominal amount in a local odds and ends store today and would love to find a little about it - anyone know who made it where and when --- that sort of stuff.
Its made in the USA but I cant find a makers logo fingers crossed the photo attached and is readable - I'm a newbie and this is the first attempt at photo upload and btw its hard trying to make one small enough!
-
Another photo
-
The logo looks like Whitman & Barnes. The Alloy Artifacts web site can probably provide more information.
Mike
-
It is a Whitman & Barnes logo. Look here- http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html#whitman (http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html#whitman)
Alloy Artifacts is a treasure for wrench collectors !
-
You've got what's called a "monkey wrench," an adjustable-jaw wrench. Versions are still made, but they're kind of specialty wrenches now; the more common version is often called a "Crescent" wrench, after one of the major manufacturers of the design (if you're new to using tools, or your area uses a different term for crescent wrenches, this is what I mean):
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Adjustable_wrench.svg/260px-Adjustable_wrench.svg.png).
Also known as an adjustable wrench, but that's a bit vague.
You've got a good one: the jaws pinch closed at the tips, rather than splaying out. Many monkey wrenches are made from iron or steel that's not spring-tempered, and frequent use will lead to the jaws splaying out, making for frustration.
One of the sad-but-all-too-true sayings about any kind of adjustable-jaw wrench is that they're perfect for rounding off nuts. A splayed monkey wrench is especially good at this task.
Hold on to it. You may use it infrequently, maybe even never; but if you ever encounter a really large nut/bolt that needs turning, this is a good tool for the job.
-
Thank you all for advice and comments, never heard of Whitman and Barnes (have now!) how old is the item likely to be --- 1950's?
Bill in UK we would call a Crescent wrench an adjustable spanner or adjustable wrench thanks for the info.
So coming back to the alloy artefacts site I found also listed under the Whitman/Barnes a reference to Bull Dog brand, which opens another can, as I also have from same source another small but Bull Dog Branded adjustable wrench photo attached of the brand mark no other markings as far as I could see. The wrench itself is only 4" overall is this another W.. B.. product? Same sort of vintage?
regards
-
another photo guess I will work out how to d0 2 at a time in due course.
-
I think this one is British. I have one with the same shape and knurling on the adjuster. While not marked "bull dog" it is British.
Follow the link below, for how to post pictures.
http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=61.0
Mike