Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Yadda on April 11, 2021, 12:13:56 PM

Title: Wizard Wrench
Post by: Yadda on April 11, 2021, 12:13:56 PM

This Wizard DBE wrench was in the box I bought at the estate sale Saturday.  This appears to be a wrench manufactured by Barcalo for Western Auto.   Anyone seen more like this?

Title: Re: Wizard Wrench
Post by: john k on April 11, 2021, 09:48:44 PM

Have a few stamped Wizard, but of a very different style.

Title: Re: Wizard Wrench
Post by: p_toad on April 11, 2021, 10:28:46 PM

Well, apparently they made these, too.

Title: Re: Wizard Wrench
Post by: Yadda on April 12, 2021, 12:23:51 AM

After rereading the Barcalo section of Alloy Artifacts I located a brief mention of Barcalo contracting with Western Auto to provide wrenches. No examples.  The Barcalo versions of my wrench were made in the early to mid '60's.

Title: Re: Wizard Wrench
Post by: bonneyman on April 13, 2021, 09:17:55 AM

Yeah, the "scooped" box ends are Barcalo production.
Interesting concept on those. They didn't bend on the box end 15 deg for the knuckle clearance. Instead, they kept the shank straight and angled the broaching! Said it was a stronger box end as it wasn't bent.

Title: Re: Wizard Wrench
Post by: mvwcnews on April 15, 2021, 08:36:05 PM

[ https://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=177636&typeCode=2 ] is the relevant patent for that BARCALO design.

Title: Re: Wizard Wrench
Post by: d42jeep on April 16, 2021, 03:00:58 AM

Patented in 1956 and advertised prominently in the 1958 Barcalo catalog. Barcalo also supplied similar tools to Wards. Besides Barcalo, Western Auto seemed to use many manufacturers to source their tools. The tools marked Wizard seemed to be their highest quality offerings but they had several lesser brands as well.
-Don

Title: Re: Wizard Wrench
Post by: genog on May 31, 2022, 01:24:07 AM

Old thread, but what the heck.....

I recently bought this Wizard DBE
Real nice piece.

It would be nice to find the rest of the set

Title: Re: Wizard Wrench
Post by: Yadda on May 31, 2022, 05:40:02 PM

Thread revivals are always welcome.