Picked up this A. B. Co. wrench recently. It's the fourth wrench listed in Rathbone's first book with no indication of reverse side markings. Mine is marked "930 - FOR SLACK ADJUSTMER" on the reverse side. It's 11.5" long and 4" wide at the widest part.
Anybody have any info on the A. B. Co.?
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/buswrench/message-board/ABCo-wrench-1a.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/buswrench/message-board/ABCo-wrench-2a.jpg)
There was an American Brake Co and a slack adjuster is used to adjust air brakes. Found nothing definitive but wondering if it was for locomotive brake adjustment.
Jim,
I think you are correct. I found a catalog with parts lists for the American Brake Co, couldn't find a wrench but slack adjusters were listed. Thanks
http://books.google.com/books?id=P0FKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP11&dq=%22American+Brake+Co%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=T9AcUvGKDOm9sQSCj4HgCQ&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=wrench&f=false (http://books.google.com/books?id=P0FKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP11&dq=%22American+Brake+Co%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=T9AcUvGKDOm9sQSCj4HgCQ&ved=0CEYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=wrench&f=false)
I was involved for a short time, with the Kelsey Hayes Automatic Slack Adjuster program back in the early 80's. I found this with a search. At that time, SAAB was a brand that we competed with.
ge-reprints.com/catalog/1957-bromsregulator-svenska-ab-slack-adjusters-234406.html
I suspect Jim is correct, but will throw in Altorfer Bros Co,(Peoria,Il) which made washing machines (Farm Impl Buyers Guide V30,P315) , seems to have liked 'A-B-C" as a brand name tho...
How early would auto brake parts have to be to be square bolted? Any early tractors carry an A.B. name?