Author Topic: unmarked wrenches (Read 10945 times)

bird · « **on:** July 08, 2011, 02:07:36 AM »

Why were so many wrenches left completely unmarked---- no sizes stamped on them? Were persons able to look at a wrench, know what size it was, and have no reason to depend on "etched in" sizes?
I may have asked folks this before. But, I have boxes full of wrenches that have absolutely no "markings" on them. ... not "drop forged," "made in the USA," "controlled steel," and NO SIZES marked on the wrenches.
First of all, it's surprising to me that a company wouldn't put some kind of marking on their wrenches. Secondly, a wrench without sizes marked on it seems like it would be difficult to use. Thirdly, well, it doesn't make sense to me.
I'd love to know what you folks have to say...
cheers, bird

J.A.F.E. · « **Reply #1 on:** July 08, 2011, 04:48:04 AM »

In general I don't read the size markings on wrenches or sockets while in use I've learned to recognize the opening sizes. But I wouldn't buy them unmarked.

bonneyman · « **Reply #2 on:** July 08, 2011, 05:04:11 PM »

Quote from: J.A.F.E. on July 08, 2011, 04:48:04 AM

In general I don't read the size markings on wrenches or sockets while in use I've learned to recognize the opening sizes....

I learned that "skill" from my dad. :)

1930 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 08, 2011, 05:16:48 PM »

Find some that are flat stamped steel and sell them to me.

kxxr · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2011, 06:40:50 AM »

Quote from: bird on July 08, 2011, 02:07:36 AM

Why were so many wrenches left completely unmarked---- no sizes stamped on them? Were persons able to look at a wrench, know what size it was, and have no reason to depend on "etched in" sizes?
I may have asked folks this before. But, I have boxes full of wrenches that have absolutely no "markings" on them. ... not "drop forged," "made in the USA," "controlled steel," and NO SIZES marked on the wrenches.
First of all, it's surprising to me that a company wouldn't put some kind of marking on their wrenches. Secondly, a wrench without sizes marked on it seems like it would be difficult to use. Thirdly, well, it doesn't make sense to me.
I'd love to know what you folks have to say...
cheers, bird

Yours is a very interesting question. A few thoughts come to mind as I ponder your query. In the days those wrenches were made, it is possible that the manufacturer attributed no more significance to the wrenches than they would the bolts they were designed to turn. Many bolts are unmarked; maybe they just didn't' think it mattered. Had they only known there'd be guys like us so many decades later. It could be that when the maker asked the question "Will I sell more wrenches if I put my name on them?", in many cases, it appears the answer was "no".
If most of them were made under contract, they were sold before they were made, so the marketing or sales pitch had already been done. It is interesting to wonder though. I think the clues may lie in the difference between how things were marketed, sold and distributed in those days compared to today. It seems that you could make a quality product and sell it without logos and media blitz advertising just because the product was good for it's purpose. Today, the opposite is true. Quality often doesn't matter so long as you can create a cool logo and image. Back then, they could achieve success by making something people needed, and making it well. Today, you can just make any ol' thing of poor quality and sell a lot of them by making people think they need it.
It's another fascinating aspect of the history to consider as we sit and hold these old things in our hands.

kxxr · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2011, 06:43:03 AM »

Quote from: 1930 on July 08, 2011, 05:16:48 PM

Find some that are flat stamped steel and sell them to me.

I know right now of a couple of hefty stashes of such wrenches. What are some of the significant factors to watch for as I sort through them? Any particular markings to watch for?

strik9 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2011, 07:27:06 AM »

Unmarked tools might make sense in another aspect also.
Back in the days when you bought an item it came with the tools needed to service it. And you left them with that item.
People back in teens and twenties didn't need a red tin monument full of tools to service a car or in the case of a farmer, the tractor and a few implements.

Now that most old cars and equiptment have been scrapped these relics hang around to irritate us. A wrench with 3 seemingly random sizes that may have come with an ancient Hupmobile or Maytag washer motor. And it was all it needed. We don't have many of those now but we do find the wrenches frequently. To top it off many have been modified later on to serve again for another lost machine. As if time and need got together and said, "let them figure this out in 80 years!" And then had a good laugh on us.

kxxr · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2011, 08:55:42 AM »

Quote from: strik9 on July 09, 2011, 07:27:06 AM

Unmarked tools might make sense in another aspect also.
Back in the days when you bought an item it came with the tools needed to service it. And you left them with that item.
People back in teens and twenties didn't need a red tin monument full of tools to service a car or in the case of a farmer, the tractor and a few implements.

Now that most old cars and equiptment have been scrapped these relics hang around to irritate us. A wrench with 3 seemingly random sizes that may have come with an ancient Hupmobile or Maytag washer motor. And it was all it needed. We don't have many of those now but we do find the wrenches frequently. To top it off many have been modified later on to serve again for another lost machine. As if time and need got together and said, "let them figure this out in 80 years!" And then had a good laugh on us.

Oh yeah, and they're still laughing. Some of those things we'll never figure out. Good one!

rusty · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2011, 09:35:44 AM »

>Re: unmarked wrenches
>Any particular markings to watch for?

Ehhhhh......LOL!

Given that *bolts* aren't size marked, I don't think it occurred to the old timers that there was any point in marking the sizes on the wrenches. after all, if you don't know what size bolt you have, what is the point of knowing the wrench you have fits a 1/2" bolt?

Sizes are more important from the point of view of determining if your wrench set is complete, Eg, that you havn't gone and lost one of them. If your washing machine only came with one wrench, you are porobably going to know if you lost it, so there isn't much point in marking that one either.

On the other hand, unmarked wrenches are a nightmare when you are running a service organization and some farmer in Iowa mails you a letter asking for a replacement wrench for his plow....And there are 6 models, with 5 wrenches each...and you aren't even sure it's your plow.

As for the auto tool kits, I'm convinced the idea the average driver was going to use the supplied tools to fix their own car was marketing smoke designed to make the buyer sign the sales contract. The manufacturers knew perfectly well that 99% of the tools would stay in the trunk until the car reverted to ferric oxide.

>it's surprising to me that a company wouldn't put some kind of marking on their wrenches.
$$$, nothing more.

kxxr · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2011, 10:13:05 AM »

I have seen some of the stamped wrenches with markings, unique forge/stamp characteristics, sizes or shapes. I was wondering if 1930 had some particular characteristics in mind.

1930 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 09, 2011, 05:08:07 PM »

KXXR, here are the wrenches I seek, some are stamped with numbers some are not, you would really need to post photos of what you have either here or send to my e-mail jhason2@yahoo.com.
I can send you better pict. of what I seek ( larger ) than what i can do here. Thanks
Ok the pict, thing is a joke here so contact me thru the e-mail and we can exchange there. Thanks again

Papaw · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2011, 06:33:15 PM »

Quote

Ok the pict, thing is a joke here

Bob, I still don't understand why you have trouble posting pictures here. The process is essentially the same as elsewhere, and others don't seem to have so many problems. I see your pictures on GG, and it is the same forum software.

kxxr · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2011, 07:53:49 PM »

As I mentioned, I know where they are; I don't own them myself. What I was thinking was that if you could give me an idea of what you are looking for, then I would see if they have any. They don't see much interest in those in the shops here, so they keep them in the 'almost free' buckets. I was just thinking I could check those out for you.
You can post good pictures here. What ever you have tried must have given you trouble though. Frustrating. It can be done in a few easy steps. I could describe them if it would be helpful. The 'attachment' option doesn't seem to be the way to go for large clear pictures. If you can get a good picture on your computer, you can get it on here too.
Let me know, kr.

v8garage · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2011, 11:10:08 PM »

Quote from: J.A.F.E. on July 08, 2011, 04:48:04 AM

In general I don't read the size markings on wrenches or sockets while in use I've learned to recognize the opening sizes.

Yeah, me too as far as standard wrenches go. Now when it comes to metrics that is another matter.
V/8

rusty · « **Reply #14 on:** July 09, 2011, 11:22:44 PM »

>metrics that is another matter...

It gets really fun with some vehicles. I have a 96 dodge that I work on occasionally, it had both metric and SAE bolts. It is really a head scratcher when you have both wrench sets out and *nothing* fits on the bolt...

OK, is it a rusty metric bolt that should fit a metric wrench? Or a rusty SAE bolt...or..???

Before we sell it I am going to put some Witworth bolts in it also, just for the next guy...

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Author Topic: unmarked wrenches (Read 10945 times)