Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: stanley62 on September 03, 2012, 01:24:24 PM

Title: Cleveland Wrench Company
Post by: stanley62 on September 03, 2012, 01:24:24 PM

Not sure how old this guy is.  I have a feeling that it is not that old.  Marked Cleveland Wrench Company on one side, "Cleveland" on the other.

 Jim

Title: Re: Cleveland Wrench Company
Post by: kxxr on September 03, 2012, 01:50:28 PM

  I like that one. The jaw design and USA made make it an especially nice one. You may be right that yours is not so old, I think the design has been around for a long time though, so maybe it is. I guess it depends on what we consider "old". Usually, when I see them, the COO is left off or is often China or something similar. I know Craftsman had them for a time and may still have. They were called "ClenchWrench".
  Here's an Award version, made in Japan. It's hard to see, but the lettering near the hang hole on the one side is "SANKI". I don't know the significance of that, but it's there. I thought I had a ClenchWrench, but if I do, I can't locate it right now. I'm sure someone else does and may be able to pop up a photo.

Title: Re: Cleveland Wrench Company
Post by: kxxr on September 03, 2012, 01:57:58 PM

I did a little looking and according to AA there was a patent for this design issued to the Cleveland Wrench Company in 1944. It was called the "Auto-Grip". AA has one pictured with the patent number on it. Yours may be pre-patent, and looks like it was made before they even settled on a name. I think it qualifies as old. Nice wrench!!
http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/other-makers.html#cleveland-wrench

Title: Re: Cleveland Wrench Company
Post by: lbgradwell on September 03, 2012, 01:59:24 PM

Quote from: stanley62 on September 03, 2012, 01:24:24 PM

I have a feeling that it is not that old.

It's older than you think: the patent is from 1944.

I have the same wrench marked "Auto-Grip" like this example from AA:

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/other-makers.html#cleveland-wrench (http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/other-makers.html#cleveland-wrench)

Title: Re: Cleveland Wrench Company
Post by: kxxr on September 03, 2012, 02:10:44 PM

The drawings for the patent issued in 1944 to Mr E Matthews shows serrations in jaws of the Auto-Grip wrench. He was granted an earlier patent in 1923 for a similar design with no serrations in the jaws. I think your wrench may be the earlier design, patented in 1923. Old indeed.
http://www.datamp.org/patents/search/advance.php?pn=1466136&id=22169&set=1

Title: Re: Cleveland Wrench Company
Post by: EVILDR235 on September 03, 2012, 02:46:46 PM

I have one marked MASTERENCH made by Heller Brothers Co. in Newark N.J. U.S.A.

EvilDr235

Title: Re: Cleveland Wrench Company
Post by: Lostmind on September 03, 2012, 03:42:24 PM

Here's a "one hander"

Title: Re: Cleveland Wrench Company
Post by: jimwrench on September 03, 2012, 09:05:54 PM

 Schultz 331 . One was included in King Herington auction.