Williams obstruction wrenches

Jim C. · December 03, 2016, 08:04:38 AM

During the past couple years, I went on a pretty serious Craftsman =V= (and some -V-) tool binge. It really got out of hand. At some point, I'll get around to posting a few photos....... Anyway, while on the hunt for Craftsman stuff, I came across a couple of these old Williams obstruction wrenches. I had nothing like them, and thought they might come in handy while tinkering with some old woodworking machines that I occasionally bring home. What drew me in was their angled heads and the fact that several of the wrenches are sized on 32nd increments. Some of the older machines I have are assembled with factory original fasteners sized on 32nd increments, so I'm always looking for another way to turn them.

I did a little research on these wrenches and found a nice writeup and photos on Alloy Artifacts (AA). What a great resource that is. I discovered that several of these wrenches were produced by Williams (and others) beginning in the late 1920s. AA lists more than 30 of them that were offered by Williams. What I also discovered is that they're not too common. My initial thought was to build a set, however, after about eighteen months I've only come up with those depicted below. (I have a few duplicates that are not pictured.) Putting together a complete set might be harder than I thought. Anyone else collect these?

Jim C.

bill300d · December 03, 2016, 08:49:41 AM

I would but haven't even found one in my travels. Only 26 more to go, good luck.

Jim C. · December 03, 2016, 10:00:44 AM

Quote from: bill300d on December 03, 2016, 08:49:41 AM
I would but haven't even found one in my travels. Only 26 more to go, good luck.

Hi,

Yes, they're a lot harder to find than I thought they would be, and Williams must have made a few that are not included on the AA list. If you take a look at the photo I posted above, the largest wrench in the foreground is stamped (on the right) with wrench number 2031 and the word "SPECIAL" right below it. The openings on that wrench are 1 1/16" and 7/8" respectively. AA lists the 2031 wrench as having 25/32" and 7/8" openings. The backs of the wrenches are usually stamped with their respective sizes. The wrench stamped "SPECIAL" has no size stamps on it. I had to measure the openings to determine their sizes. So, there could be several more that aren't on any list. Also about a year ago, I found another Williams obstruction wrench (in really rough condition) that was clearly stamped with Whitworth sizes. I saw it on eBay. I bid on it but didn't win. It's the only Williams made obstruction wrench in Whitworth sizes that I've seen to date, and I haven't found a list detailing any other Whitworth obstruction wrenches made by Williams..... This could be a really tough set to complete, partly because of their age, so they're kind of rare, and partly because I'm not sure a complete list exists, so I don't know what to look for. At this point, if I could even come close to completing the AA list, I'd be okay with that. If I find a few more oddballs along the way, that's even better.

Jim C.

jimwrench · December 03, 2016, 10:48:38 AM

Jim
Went to the basement to see if I had any of these Williams wrenchs. Don't collect them and would be glad to donate to your quest. Didn't find any but did find this Indestro wrench of similar construction. It is 9/16 as stamped on back. Another whole set you can collect. Good Luck

Jim C. · December 03, 2016, 11:07:17 AM

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the offer!!! I think I better stick to one set of wrenches. I have a tendency to spin out of control when it comes to collecting these old tools. I get a little obsessive to say the least and I'm running out of space. I'm going to try sticking to Craftsman =V= stuff and Williams obstruction wrenches.... oh yeah, and Stanley hand planes, and Sargent Autosets, and pre 1960 Delta woodworking machines..... and other non tool/machine/car things that I won't even mention. I probably need professional help.

Jim C.

gibsontool · December 03, 2016, 02:57:57 PM

I found 2 small Williams superrenchs wrenches this morning, and ya that's the way it's spelled on the wrench. One is a standard doe marked 6011 and is 5/16" x 3/8", the other is a 1/4" x 1/4" one end looks like a standard doe and the other end is 90%. Can't find my camera but I'll keep looking There yours if you want them, let me know.

Jim C. · December 03, 2016, 04:39:02 PM

Hi Gibson,

Yes, that's the way the spelling is on the wrenches. You got it right. I really appreciate the offer too!! The specific wrenches I'm looking for are the DOE obstruction pattern, where both heads are angled at 75 degrees. (See photo above) They're tough to find. Actually, a lot harder than I would have expected. Looking at the AA website, it appears that Williams started offering these particular wrenches in 1927 and discontinued them in the mid 1940s. This is the first wrench set I'm trying to build one piece at a time. I think I started out with hard one. When collecting anything, the hunt is part of the fun..... As I find more of them, I'll continue to update the thread.

Jim C.

skipskip · December 03, 2016, 06:08:20 PM

I cant read the numbers in your pic, but I have two of these if you want them.

2033A 15/16 and 7/8

and

2728 9/16 and 3/4

Skip

Jim C. · December 03, 2016, 06:47:20 PM

Quote from: skipskip on December 03, 2016, 06:08:20 PM
I cant read the numbers in your pic, but I have two of these if you want them.

2033A 15/16 and 7/8

and

2728 9/16 and 3/4

Skip

Thanks Skip. PM Sent.

Jim C.

bill300d · December 03, 2016, 07:27:43 PM

Jim
That wrench marked special was not part of the regular offering as far as I can tell. In most cases wrenches marked special were made under contract for some unknown company for some unknown reason.

turnnut · December 03, 2016, 07:51:22 PM

the one marked special would be a good filler until the proper one is found.

bill300d · December 03, 2016, 07:57:12 PM

Toolarchive.com has a pdf of the 1931 catalog which has a list of wrenches that were available in this style. They were also available in whitworth and metric also if I remember correctly.

skipskip · December 03, 2016, 09:27:29 PM

Pics of my 2

top one was painted and wire brushed by PO

second one I believe to be cadmium so I havent done anything to it.

DSCF2413 by Skip Albright, on Flickr

DSCF2412 by Skip Albright, on Flickr

Jim C. · December 03, 2016, 09:38:51 PM

I like them Skip...... I'll send you a PM.

Jim C. · December 04, 2016, 09:11:39 AM

Quote from: bill300d on December 03, 2016, 07:27:43 PM
Jim
That wrench marked special was not part of the regular offering as far as I can tell. In most cases wrenches marked special were made under contract for some unknown company for some unknown reason.

That was kind of my thinking. It's probably one of my favorites of the few that I have because it is unique. I'd like to know a little more about it and its history. I'm not optimistic however. I was just glad to find it.

Jim C.

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Williams obstruction wrenches