January 17, 201412 yr Taking another look at some of the Vintage wrenches that I have4 picked up lately. This is my collection of Monkey Wrenches. These will mostly date from 1920 to 1940's. If you see one and have some information on it, please jump in here and share. Some of you may have some of these so put your collection out there for us to enjoy also. The pictures are not the best, I was taking these in the house and really didn't have enough light. Here are a couple of the ones that have markings that you can see more on. The first one on the end is stamped. F.T.F. Cleve Fairmount Tool & Forging Company was founded in 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio. FTF Cleve contracted for automobile tool kits and specialized in tools for automobile body work. Fairmount Tool & Forging Company was incorporated in 1917 with J Wentworth Smith as the President. In 1953 Fairmount became a subsidiary of Houdaille Industries which was an industrial conglomerate. Fairmount reminded a division on Houdaille until July of 1984 and they were aquired by Martin Sprocket and Gear Corporation. The Fairmount operations were renamed as the Martin Tool Division. Martin contines to produce tools today but with their name on them. McKaig-Hatch was a tool manufacturer for the automobile industry. Located in Buffalo, New York they were making tools for GM and Ford from 1930's to the 1950's. Tools were in a pouch for the cars produced during that time. This one happens to be for a Ford and has the Ford Script logo on the top of the wrench. On the other side it is stamped T-1337 Several of them are marked 9 AUTO or 9 IN AUTO. And then the one on the very far right has stamped on the top RAILROAD and on the second line R'OUGH. The Girard Wrench Manufacturing Company made adjustable wrenches from 1875 through the 1920's. Located in Girard, Pennsylvania, they originally a reorganization company for Walton Wrench Manufacturing Company. It is very hard to make out the logo on the other side by the picture but with a good magnifying glass it is readable. And just to add one more piece I put this in the list. This is a Bridgeport Box Terrier Crate Hammer and Pry bar. Bridgeport Hardware Manufacture was founded in 1895 by Willis F. Hobbs in Bridgeport Connecticut. The company was successful and grew to about 200 employees by 1915. In the early 1960's Bridgeport was acquired by Crescent Niagara, a holding company for the previously acquired Crescent Tool , Billings & Spencer and the tool operations of Barcalo Manufacturing. Bridgeport continued under the management of Crescent Niagara until 1967. So that is the Throw Back Thursday for this week. Remember you never know what you might find under a coat of rust. Don't be afraid to pick it up and take if home and give it a little TLC. Share you special tools here with us on Throw Back Thursday. John MoodySite Administratorhttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.†Shaker Saying
January 17, 201412 yr John, I have a crate hammer just about like that one. How long is it?Ron DudelstonSite AdministratorAbove and Beyond WoodWorks
January 17, 201412 yr I have one of those too Ron. Seems like those are most common hanger ons in the home, they seem to follow you where you go. Mine came from an old friend who was in his 80's who gave it to my dad in the 80's and somehow it made its way to my box of tools so have it now, no telling how old that thing is. I dont' remember where it is though, now I gotta go out and rummage around and see if I can find it. Ron Dudelston said: John, I have a crate hammer just about like that one. How long is it? Ron DudelstonSite AdministratorAbove and Beyond WoodWorks John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
January 17, 201412 yr This hammer has no markings but it has this handy claw on the back of it. Â It is hard to read but the handle is stamped 9 IN AUTO. Ron Dudelston Site Administrator Above and Beyond WoodWorks
January 17, 201412 yr A few years ago, I found out that I had 3 half brothers and a half sister in WY. When one of the bro.s found that I worked wood, he gave me a metal folding angle finder that had been my bio. father's, whom I never knew. It may have originally been his father's. It was encrusted with grease, grime and rust. I cleaned it up and later today, I'll get a picture. Other than a huge shave and some old Stanley planes of undetermined age, that angle thingie is probably one of the oldest things in my shop. Well, if you don't count me, that is.Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
January 17, 201412 yr I'll not do a cross comment on age Gene but I do feel your pain. Gene Howe said:A few years ago, I found out that I had 3 half brothers and a half sister in WY. When one of the bro.s found that I worked wood, he gave me a metal folding angle finder that had been my bio. father's, whom I never knew. It may have originally been his father's. It was encrusted with grease, grime and rust. I cleaned it up and later today, I'll get a picture. Other than a huge shave and some old Stanley planes of undetermined age, that angle thingie is probably one of the oldest things in my shop. Well, if you don't count me, that is.Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
January 17, 201412 yr Author Gene that sounds really interesting. I look forward to seeing the picture when you get to post it. Ron, I like the looks of that crate hammer and pry bar. That is a bit different from this one. I really didn't see any markings on this one till I put it on the wire brush and knocked off the surface stuff. When it revealed its self it was exciting to find out what and who made it. Sometimes that is all it takes is just a little brushing back of the surface rust to see the surprise underneath. John MoodySite Administratorhttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.†Shaker Saying
January 17, 201412 yr Author John, see if you can find it and give us a look. Sounds interesting. I like the fact that yours came from your dad. Makes them even more special. I am sure there is a young boy there that will one day cherish it also. John MoodySite Administratorhttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.†Shaker Saying
January 17, 201412 yr ROn, that hammer almost looks home made.Ron Dudelston said: This hammer has no markings but it has this handy claw on the back of it. Â It is hard to read but the handle is stamped 9 IN AUTO. Ron Dudelston Site Administrator Above and Beyond WoodWorks John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
January 17, 201412 yr John, if it wasn't for the claw I'd say it was home made.Ron DudelstonSite AdministratorAbove and Beyond WoodWorks
January 17, 201412 yr True true, after looking at it more closely, that little pop out small nail puller would be hard to produce from a home shop.Ron Dudelston said: John, if it wasn't for the claw I'd say it was home made. Ron DudelstonSite AdministratorAbove and Beyond WoodWorks John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
January 17, 201412 yr Went out to take a pic or two. "Battery Depleted".If it takes a charge, I'll have some pics later.Otherwise, I'll draw a picture. (- :Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
January 17, 201412 yr Battery charged! Here are two pics of that angle finder. The thumb screw locks it in place. Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
January 18, 201412 yr Author Gene that is so cool. I have a Stanley just like it. I'll get a picture tomorrow and post it. Thanks for sharing it. John MoodySite Administratorhttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.†Shaker Saying
January 20, 201412 yr Author I was in the shop for a while today and got to take a picture of the angle finder that I had. It is very much like the one Gene posted only this one is Stanley. I got this in a box of tools I purchased for $5.00. I didn't even know it was in the box until I started going through it. Thanks Gene for posting yours, it reminded me on the one I had. John MoodySite Administratorhttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.†Shaker Saying
January 20, 201412 yr John, I cleaned mine a little more yesterday. According to google, it was likely plated with nickel. It's worn off in several places. Not nearly as pretty as your Stanley. Mine was pat. in Feb. '07. The Marshall-Wells Hardware co. was founded in 1884 and went out of business in 1960. According to a page of their catalog, they made and sold all sorts of edged tools. From axes and hatchets to planes, routers and scrapers.If you are interested, here is an old tool museum in Maine where I got my info. It looks like a nice place to visit, if just online.Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
January 21, 201412 yr Author Gene, that is really interesting and thanks for the link. I have bookmarked it so I can go back there later and look some more. It is fun to find that information and have it available. John MoodySite Administratorhttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.†Shaker Saying
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