Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Plyerman on July 22, 2012, 08:23:22 AM

Title: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Plyerman on July 22, 2012, 08:23:22 AM
I picked this crazy contraption up at an estate auction last year. It's built pretty solidly. I've got an old Popular Mechanics ad for it from 1911, so the tool itself must be about 100 years old.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/old%20iron/MathewsNSa.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/old%20iron/MathewsNSb.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/old%20iron/MathewsNSc.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/old%20iron/MathewsNSd.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/old%20iron/MathewsNSe.jpg)
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: amertrac on July 22, 2012, 09:58:58 AM
That there son is what tool collection is all about. great find ,   bob w.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Lewill2 on July 22, 2012, 03:12:41 PM
Nice find, usually the thumb screw is missing.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: HeelSpur on July 22, 2012, 03:49:43 PM
That thing is crazy looking, I think I'm in love.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Plyerman on July 22, 2012, 03:51:38 PM
Thanks!


Uh, what is the purpose of the thumb screw anyhow?
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: rudeawakening55 on July 22, 2012, 08:12:37 PM
  An old Never Stall Windmill wrench........used in many different jobs.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: amertrac on August 15, 2012, 04:06:14 PM
the thumbscrew does not show up on the 1902 patent.I just got one mheelspur .according to the patent it is used on windmills . the motto was  the only wrench you need up on a windmill this one needs some tlc  but the challenge will be fun   bob w.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Wrenchmensch on August 15, 2012, 05:12:24 PM
Bob W.

You watch your step climbing up on the windmill. We are all concerned for ya'.

Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: mvwcnews on August 24, 2012, 10:51:24 PM
The thumb screw on this version was to clamp it to a 2" plank  so the adjustable wrench jaw could be used as a small vise or work holder.  Just enough holding power to provide that 3rd hand you need sometimes.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Fins/413 on August 25, 2012, 06:33:27 AM
That is cool and I wondered about the thumbscreww too.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Plyerman on August 26, 2012, 01:01:40 PM
Ah, that makes sense now. Thanks!
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Plyerman on August 26, 2012, 01:06:48 PM
By the way, I've since managed to land one of these without the wrench. It's still labeled as a Never Stall, and looks to be forged from the same tooling, but no adjustable wrench.



(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/old%20iron/NeverStallwithoutwrench.jpg)
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: mikeswrenches on January 21, 2015, 03:30:23 PM
Interestingly these were also made without the thumb screw nor do they have spot for it.  Got  it at Flywheelers last week.

 I also had one with the thumb screw that looked like new.  Both sold immediately.

Mike
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: EVILDR235 on January 21, 2015, 06:03:33 PM
I want to see a windmill now that you all have been talking about them. I worked on one about 33 years ago for a friend. Had to re babbit the fan shaft and a good friend loaned me some bearing scrapers to finish the job. My friend said it is still working after all this time.

EvilDr235
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Yadda on January 21, 2015, 07:28:41 PM
There is another version with a hammer face on the opposite side of the pipe wrench.

I have one of these, but it is missing the lower jaw on the pipe wrench.  If anyone finds a loose jaw grab it!
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: oldtools on January 21, 2015, 10:53:33 PM
WOW!!  that is a cool tool!!!
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Bus on January 22, 2015, 11:31:50 AM
There is another version with a hammer face on the opposite side of the pipe wrench.

I have never seen one with the hammer head. Got a photo?
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Yadda on January 22, 2015, 01:29:58 PM
There is another version with a hammer face on the opposite side of the pipe wrench.

I have never seen one with the hammer head. Got a photo?

Bob (Plyerman) sent me a link once with a photo.  I'll see if I can locate it.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Yadda on January 23, 2015, 03:43:13 PM
Never stall with hammer head.  Check out #353 in the photo below.

Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: mikeswrenches on January 23, 2015, 04:58:04 PM
That makes 4 variations that we are aware of.  Yadda, thanks for the picture!

Mike
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Bus on January 23, 2015, 05:54:28 PM
I sold those wrenches on the Fall 2010 Wrenching News Auction in Davenport, Iowa. They were from the King Herrington Collection.

http://wrenchingnews.com/herrington-auction-2010/catalog.html (http://wrenchingnews.com/herrington-auction-2010/catalog.html)

I guess I didn't realize that the variant without the automotive type adjustable wrench came with and without a small hammer poll. I just checked mine and as luck would have it that's one I needed because mine doesn't a hammer head. Price realized in 2010 was $55.00.
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Yadda on January 23, 2015, 07:03:51 PM
That makes 4 variations that we are aware of.  Yadda, thanks for the picture!

Mike

I can't take any credit.  Bob has the keen eyes!
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: HeelSpur on January 24, 2015, 12:38:37 PM
I sold those wrenches on the Fall 2010 Wrenching News Auction in Davenport, Iowa. They were from the King Herrington Collection.

http://wrenchingnews.com/herrington-auction-2010/catalog.html (http://wrenchingnews.com/herrington-auction-2010/catalog.html)

I guess I didn't realize that the variant without the automotive type adjustable wrench came with and without a small hammer poll. I just checked mine and as luck would have it that's one I needed because mine doesn't a hammer head. Price realized in 2010 was $55.00.
Do you recall what the #360 went for?
Title: Re: Mathews Never-Stall wrench/pliers
Post by: Plyerman on February 23, 2015, 01:15:40 PM
I've been watching for a hammer-pol version for a couple of years now, with no luck.  :rolleyes:


Also, I'd like to find one with the PATENT PENDING and TRADE/ THE NEVER-STALL /MARK markings, like the one pictured below. (photo pirated from an old ebay auction)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/Bobbys%20II/MNSvariationa_zps356c8346.jpg)


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/Bobbys%20II/MNSvariationb_zps92401df9.jpg)