Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Branson on March 13, 2013, 11:13:04 AM

Title: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Branson on March 13, 2013, 11:13:04 AM

How difficult, and how expensive would it be to get a Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench or a Merricks screw wrench?

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Lewill2 on March 13, 2013, 01:28:06 PM

I guess you have to be a little more specific or give a picture of what you are looking for. Some of the early Taft's are real expensive. Like $1,500 for a 12 or 15 inch size. That would be the the May 25, 1858 patent #20,379. Some of the Merricks are pretty expensive too.

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Bus on March 13, 2013, 01:58:07 PM

There are several on the Wrenching News Spring Auction. See lots 112, 117, 118, 207, 219, and 220

Catalog text (in progress) is at:
http://wrenchingnews.com/2013-york-auction/catalog.html (http://wrenchingnews.com/2013-york-auction/catalog.html)

All the photos (taken so far) are at:
http://wrenchingnews.com/2013-york-auction/all-pics-one-page.html (http://wrenchingnews.com/2013-york-auction/all-pics-one-page.html)

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/buswrench/shockman-2013/Y13-112-121_zpsc6aef84d.jpg)

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/buswrench/shockman-2013/Y13-199-210_zps2fee7141.jpg)

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/buswrench/shockman-2013/Y13-211-221_zps61916be4.jpg)

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Plyerman on March 13, 2013, 08:10:26 PM

Quote from: Bus on March 13, 2013, 01:58:07 PM

There are several on the Wrenching News Spring Auction. See lots 112, 117, 118, 207, 219, and 220

So what you are saying is, one way or another Branson is going to have his answer by the time the auction ends.  :-D

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: rusty on March 13, 2013, 08:13:20 PM

Chuckle...

'Easy' may have been the wrong question....

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: john k on March 13, 2013, 10:00:10 PM

When I put together a set of monkey wrenches I just bought what came at me first and at a low price.   Little did I know that one of them is a twin to 112!   

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: gibsontool on March 13, 2013, 10:07:26 PM

Good for you John. Congratulations.

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Branson on March 14, 2013, 08:47:36 AM

Sigh.   Back in May, Bus identified a wrench from a Civil War photo as a Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench.   With that kind of documentation, one of these would be an ideal example of the screw wrenches issued by the army.   So I thought I'd look into getting one.  Size?  The manual says the screw wrench issued weighed 2.6 pounds.  That's all I know about the wrench that is supposed to be in the kit.  Looks like the price makes it out of the question -- unless I find one at a garage or farm sale, or a flea market.

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Lewill2 on March 14, 2013, 11:38:27 AM

That isn't the style I referenced in my first response. The one you are looking for is probably a lot more reasonable. :)

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Branson on March 14, 2013, 04:27:11 PM

Quote from: Lewill2 on March 14, 2013, 11:38:27 AM

That isn't the style I referenced in my first response. The one you are looking for is probably a lot more reasonable. :)

There's a happy thought!

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Bus on March 14, 2013, 07:15:27 PM

Lots 112, 219, 220 would be what you are looking for and should go for under $50 maybe quite a bit under.

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Branson on March 15, 2013, 08:01:56 AM

Thanks, Bus, for the insight.  This is a doable price range (though not at the moment).   What is needed is whatever one weighs in at  2.6 pounds.  So some more research is necessary. 

In the meantime, would a Coe's pattern be true to 1860?  I have several of those.

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Bus on March 15, 2013, 11:30:29 AM

Quote from: Branson on March 15, 2013, 08:01:56 AM

Thanks, Bus, for the insight.  This is a doable price range (though not at the moment).   What is needed is whatever one weighs in at  2.6 pounds.  So some more research is necessary. 

In the meantime, would a Coe's pattern be true to 1860?  I have several of those.

The very first Coes would. They would be marked L & A. G. Coes or L & A. G. Coes Worcester, Mass. on one side and either Patent or L. Coes Patent on the other.

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Branson on March 15, 2013, 03:46:49 PM

Are there any major differences in appearance between the L & A. G. Coes or L & A. G. Coes Worcester, Mass. examples and those made later?
Nobody but me is going to get close enough to read the marks.  If it looks right, it's alright.

Title: Re: Taft's pattern Railroad Wrench
Post by: Bus on March 15, 2013, 10:29:25 PM

Quote from: Branson on March 15, 2013, 03:46:49 PM

Are there any major differences in appearance between the L & A. G. Coes or L & A. G. Coes Worcester, Mass. examples and those made later?
Nobody but me is going to get close enough to read the marks.  If it looks right, it's alright.

Yes there is but most people wouldn't know the difference. You would want one with the round wood handle rather than the knife type slabs.

Herb Paige's book on Coes wrenches would be the definitive source for the subtle differences.