Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: pritch on April 04, 2013, 10:55:42 AM

Title: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: pritch on April 04, 2013, 10:55:42 AM

The guy that works with me has this old pipe wrench. He uses it all the time, says his uncle bought a box of tools at a garage sale and it was in it. I've never heard of this brand. Any history to it?
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/Spencerspipewrench002_zps0d5f2961.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/Spencerspipewrench001_zps8ce525a8.jpg)

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/Spencerspipewrench003_zps1e8df9ed.jpg)

Title: Re: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: mikeswrenches on April 04, 2013, 11:08:07 AM

Walworth is where a young man by the name of Daniel Stillson worked when he invented the "Stillson" pipe wrench.  There is an interesting story about Stillson and the owner of Wallworth that you can find on the net.

The wrench you pictured looks more like a Ridgid pattern than a Stillson pattern.  I don't think I've ever seen one quite like it.

Mike

Title: Re: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: lbgradwell on April 04, 2013, 12:15:43 PM

Quote from: pritch on April 04, 2013, 10:55:42 AM

I've never heard of this brand. Any history to it?

Very much so - and for the reasons mentioned by Mike...

http://users.eastlink.ca/~pspencer/nsaeta/walworth.html (http://users.eastlink.ca/~pspencer/nsaeta/walworth.html)

Title: Re: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: Papaw on April 04, 2013, 08:40:24 PM

Thew story is also related on Papawswrench- www.papawswrench.com

Title: Re: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: rusty on April 04, 2013, 09:02:53 PM

Rather uncommon version of walworth wrench with the jaw spring trapped behind the thumb nut. Probably a bad idea, it didn't last long....

The patent is from 1932, and i don't think that wrench was being made after the war.

Title: Re: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: pritch on April 05, 2013, 06:08:43 PM

Wow! Thanks, guys. I'll tell my guy to quit using a 3 foot cheater with it:) In fact, I'll tell him to quit using it altogether. Honestly, when I saw Walco on it, my first thought of some early Walmart brand or something. I've always known that pipe wrenches were generically called 'Stillsons' but I never really knew why. 

Title: Re: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: lbgradwell on April 05, 2013, 06:30:27 PM

Quote from: pritch on April 05, 2013, 06:08:43 PM

I've always known that pipe wrenches were generically called 'Stillsons' but I never really knew why.

To make sure you understand, your friend's wrench is not a Stillson-pattern...

Title: Re: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: pritch on April 06, 2013, 10:51:36 AM

Quote from: lbgradwell on April 05, 2013, 06:30:27 PM

Quote from: pritch on April 05, 2013, 06:08:43 PM

I've always known that pipe wrenches were generically called 'Stillsons' but I never really knew why.

To make sure you understand, your friend's wrench is not a Stillson-pattern...

I get that. I should have been more clear. I work with a lot of guys from Mexico, and if I want a pipe wrench, I have to tell them to fetch me a Yabbe Stillson:)

Title: Re: Walco/Walworth pipe wrench
Post by: Bjob on September 24, 2016, 05:38:54 AM

I just found the same brand wrench in a crawl space of my house that hasn't been opened in 62 years lol Sat Sep 24 2016