Blank space for trimming to correct size - Trim 30mm
SPANNER & WRENCH COLLECTOR
HAND TOOL PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA Inc. Reg No A0025953J Spanner Special Interest Group Newsletter www.htpaa.org.au No19, February2015
Welcome to Edition 19, Issued in conjunction with the "Tool Chest" number 115. Ifyou require a copy ofa back issue, contact the editor (see back page). Keep the contributions coming so that we can cover a broad range of topics. An index of spanners covered so far is available from the Editor. Ifyou have an email address, and would like a colour copy ofthis newsletter in .pdfformat, contact the editor.
Contents this issue: Pg 1 -The Coxhead TappetAdjusterNIB -G Radion (m) Pg 2 - 3 - The Dowidat Story - Ron Waterhouse Pg 4 -6 -WH Verity&Sons -J Hawking (m) Pg 7 - Feedback re: Basin Wrenches, CotterPin Pliers - W Hewertson & G Radion (m's) Pg 8 - MonsterSpannerChallenge - P Dickson, G Radion (m's) Pg8- Housekeeping.
Shown below are images of an as new, in original packaging, Coxhead tappet adjusting tool. This tool enabled adjustment of tappets with two hands instead of three.
The Spanner & Wrench Collector Issue 19 - February 2015 - Page 1 THE DOWIDAT STORY – Dowidat shifter wrenches By Ron Waterhouse, restorer at the Tractor Museum of WA, Whiteman Park
In 1919 three German brothers, Karl, Willi and Otto Dowidat, founded a small toolmaking business in the town of Reimscheild in Germany. When looking for a name for their products they settled on the name Gedore. This was a combo name representing “Ge” – brother, “Do” – Dowidat and ”Re” Reimscheild. Initially they concentrated on making shifting wrenches, later adding other wrenches until they found that the premises they were in were not large enough to cope with the expanding range of tools. The factory then moved to larger premises where the Gedore company remains today, being the company’s headquarters. In 1933 Karl Dowidat passed away and the remaining two brothers kept the business going. In 1949 the brothers decided to go their own ways. Otto kept the Gedore brand ofthe tool empire, while Willi founded a new company and called it Dowidat. The Gedore company flourished and set up branches in South America and South Africa and by 1972 had branches in many more countries. The Dowidat company merged with Belzer to become Belzer– Dowidat. Afew years later the Bacho tool company bought out BelzerDowidat ending any relationship with Dowidat. Karl, son of Otto, whopassed away in 1975, and Karen Dowidat, his grand daughter, succeeded in wresting back the Dowidat company establishment lost by Willi in the preceding years. The Dowidat Company set up branches in many countries including the American and African continents, Asia and Australia. This is a reason you can see Dowidat tools with “Made in Australia” stamped on them. The “Made in Germany” Dowidat shifting wrenches have long been regarded as being Shown are the RH knurled # 91's, the LH knurled #73's and among the best in the world. Car maker the elusive #72 maxi wrench above. I have recently obtained Mercedes Benz tool kits have traditionally been a 15" #73 in a swap, with the #73 8" still to go. German Dowidat for many years due to the quality of the various tools involved. Dowidat shifter collectors concentrate on the # 91 and #73 shifters. They must have been “Made in Germany” to qualify for value. The #91 shifters have traditionally been the prime collector target. However there has been an increasing number of #73 shifters being sought – but much harder to find. The #91 and #73 shifters are made in sizes including 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 15”, and 18”. The prime difference between the two sets are that the #73 have left hand knurls while the #91 have the traditional right hand knurls. Another obvious difference is that the # 73 shifters are regarded as “slimline” shifters similar to the chrome slim shifters, while the #91 are a heavy duty shifter. Both series are made from the same drop forged steel that has stood the test oftime so well. There is another series ofDowidat shifters that has surfaced, but I have not found any other than the #72 26” as yet. The #72 set ranges from 6” to 26”.and includes all the other series sizes, plus 26”, except for the 4” which is shown in the catalogue as a #73. (See Fig 3.) These shifters have a similar profile to the #73's being slim line with the handles being parallel, instead oftapered like the #91. I have yet to set eyes on any other #72's except fora 26” that was given to me and one I bought. They must be around, so I am hopeful one day to see more of that series. Other series ofDowidat wrenches are the Chrome plated # 88 in sizes 4” to 12” ( the latter often seen as “Made in Australia’). The versions of the wrenches produced centred on those with all over gun metal finish and those with polished bright ground surfaces. To cap off the series there are the very rare #92 polished version of the double ended wrenches. These include sizes 4”- 6”, 6”- 8”, 8” - 10” and 10” - 12”. I have come across other double ended shifters, but not Dowidat ones.’’
The Spanner & Wrench Collector Issue 19 - February 2015 - Page 2 THE DOWIDAT STORY – Dowidat shifter wrenches [contd] Some time back I bid on a 10” #73 wrench. It was advertised as being brand new, made in Germany and the seller was located in Thailand. When the shifter arrived I found that it had subtle differences to the genuine German models. The variations included a heavier handle section, the jaws do not open quite as far and the knurl differs in that the screw is square cut on both sides as against the genuine knurl which has a taper on the return side ofthe screw. It was overall quite a good copy – but again just that - a copy!! I queried it with the seller who immediately replied and said he vowed he would improve his workmanship, apologised profusely, refunded the purchase and freight charges and insisted I keep the wrench. – how could I refuse?? Values of Dowidat shifters have varied considerably over recent years. I was out bid on a top of the range #73 15” shifter– I went to around $72 for it, but a number more bids resulted in a sale price well in excess of$80. – the eBay maxi bid took me by surprise!! The mostI have paid fora Dowidat was $81.50 for a good 18” #91. Then again I picked up a nice 6” #73 for$12 and a 10” #73 in the UKfor$10AUD –a mate brought it out for me. For the 12” and up sizes I estimate an average cost at around $45 – but freight boosts this by around $15. The smaller wrenches work out at about $25 plus freight. I have collected a number of shifters now that are surplus to my needs to complete the #91 and #73 sets. This came about by having to bid on more than one at a time when multiple shifters were offered during an auction. I will put these on eBay auction in due course. I am still on the lookout fora #73 8” shifter to complete my #73 set. Then I can rest my search. © 11/2014 Ron Waterhouse [email protected].
Editor Fig. 3 is a page extracted from a 1958 Dowidat catalogue A catalogue by Gedore from about the same period shows their #72 range from 4 to 26inch and the dies look the same as the Dowidat #72, and are described as Swedish pattern. Indeed both of the #72 patterns look remarkably like Bahco shifters, so perhaps that lot were outsourced to Bahco. If anyone can help Ron with his search for a 8 inch #73 pattern or any of the #72 range bar the 26inch, please make contact to either the Editor or Ron himself. Fig. 3. A page extracted from a 1958 Dowidat catalogue
The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 19 - February 2015 - Page 3 W. H. Verity & Sons. by John Hawking (m) William H. Verity established the W. H. Verity & Sons foundry in Francestown, Ontario, Canada in 1857. He entered a partnership with a Mr Bradson, but soon purchased his interest and changed the name to W. H. Verity & Sons Foundry. The company produced plows, stoves, straw cutters and saws. The company moved to Exeter, Ontario in 1870 and then to Brantford, Ontario in 1892. In this year the company’s name changed to the Verity Plow Co. Ltd and 40 percent of the company was sold to Massey-Harris. In 1896 Massey-Harris purchased the remaining shares in the company. The company suffered a major setback in 1897 when a fire destroyed much of the factory however the company recovered and expanded. In 1914 Massey-Harris took over running the company.
Verity agricultural machinery was supplied with a range of tools and some have become very collectable. Only four types of Verity spanners are known to have the Verity name marked, whereas most spanners just have the Verity part number embossed (and in one case impressed). The part numbers are prefixed by the letter “P”. Fifteen agricultural spanners are known to be issued by Verity, however currently only 11 are known from Australia.
Of the four spanners marked Verity, the largest is the 17 inch double end plough spanner with a hammerhead. It has Verity embossed on the shaft and the part number P2338 on the reverse (Fig. 1A).
The second is a 9 ½ inch flat plate “S” spanner, which differs to the previous spanner by having Verity stamped on the shaft (Fig. 2) and lacks a number.
The third is a 6 inch cut-out implement spanner, with Verity in the cut-out and with P61 embossed on reverse (Fig. 3A). The later version of the P61 had a series ofrods in the cut- out area, which resembled a ladder, and is commonly known as the “P61 ladder” (Fig 3B). These spanners were supplied with Verity’s small orchard and garden cultivators.
The fourth is also a cut-out spanner: the Verity 3, ia shown in Fig. 3C. This item came from the UK and has not been found as local issue to our knowledge.
Seven spanners, P315, P337, P3641, P3642, P4881, P4973 and P11326 are unbranded. The P3641 is 12 ¼ inches long, has a hex-box one end and three jaws on the other end (Fig. 1b). It is very collectable, but it is hard to find an example without broken jaws.
The Spanner & Wrench Collector Issue 19 - February 2015 - Page 4 W. H. Verity & Sons. by John Hawking (m)[contd] The P4881 is a 15 inches long “S” spanner with a hanging hole to hang the spanner on the plough (Fig. 1c).
The P3642 is 11 inches long. It has a small square box behind the open jawon one end and a larger square box with a hammer end above on the other end. This spanner is often found with the symbol of“I” over “M”, which is the mark of the Illinois Malleable Iron Company, Chicago, a maker of agricultural spanners and Clevis hitches (Fig. 1d).
Another with this logo is the P4973, multi jaw spanner, which is often found damaged (Fig.4).
The P11326 is a very large, 15 inch long S-shaped open end spanner (Fig. 5).
The P315 and P337 are both open end spanners with a square box behind each jaw.
The Verity version of these spanners are unbranded (Figs 6a, 6b), whereas some with the Illinois Malleable Iron Company logo may also be Verity issue spanners, made under contract by this company (Fig. 6c).
These spanners are also found with the
Information on Verity provided here is limited and incomplete, so if anyone has additional information could they email it to the editor. References Rathbone, P.T The History of Old Time Farm Implement Companies and the Wrenches They Issued including Buggy, Silo, Cream Separators, Windwill and Gas Engine Companies. P.T.Rathbone: Marsing, Idaho. Volume I -(1999) Volume II, (2006) Volume III (2013).
The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 19 - February 2015 - Page 5 Editors Note Variations Some obvious variations to note, starting from the top are: The Verity / P2338 hammer wrench is often found un- named. The P3642 is found in parts lists with or without the hammer. (I have one which has obviously had the hammer hack-sawed off for some reason). The P337 comes with multiple ends. The P61 comes with an "M" on the other side (not MH). There is a spanner similar to the P61 ladder marked "10" - who made that? For spanner and wrench collectors: The "P" prefix to a spanner is not necessarily an indicator that it was a Verity item. There are spanners by Massey Harris, Cockshutt, International Harvester, Osborne, Stoddard, Sandwich, Deere and many others, even our own H V McKay which used the P prefix. Another complication is that Massey Harris continued to make Verity plows and presumably their spanners for some time after 1914. I have parts lists forAustralian issued Massey Harris implements (dated 1924), some of which are described as verity plows etc, and the spanners supplied are numbered the same as those for plows designated as Massey Harris plows. Wrench collecting in the US and Canada is very much more advanced and intense when compared to Australia, with multiple wrench auctions held during the year. In Australia, a spanner auction would probably be a waste oftime. We seem to be stuck on the view that wood working tools, are the only real collectable tool category, and mostly from overseas. Overseas wrench collectors are far more numerous and generally collect to a specialty such as type: adjustable, agricultural, motoring, or to a particular company: John Deere, International Harvester, Massey Harris etc. Those who collect company product often collect all the wrenches issued by the other companies taken over by the named company along the way. For example John Deere collectors usually include any Lanz items as Lanz was taken over by Deere. Similarily, Massey Harris collectors often collect any product of companies that were taken over by Massey Harris such as the Verity company which is the subject ofthis article, and closer to home - H V McKay / Sunshine. Now the point ofthis long addendum is that if, for example, a spanner is marked P337, does it matter ifVerity made it prior to Massey Harris (
More on Basin Wrenches. by Warren Hewertson & George Radion (m's) Further to the note on Monument basin wrenches (SWC #17), two interesting American examples by Ridgid were sighted at the July Tool Sale. Fig. 1. Ridgid, of Elyria, Ohio, USA, 12 inch The first (Fig. 1), about 12 adjustable basin wrench inches long, had a simple single knurled hook able to swing through a wide arc to address the tap nuts. It was similar to the adjustable wrenches described earlier by Monument Tools. The second was somewhat more noteworthy. It had an adjustable throw allowing use from 12 inches to c. 18 inches (Fig. 2). This is achieved using square section Fig. 2. Ridgid’s doubly adjustable basin wrench. tubular steel. Adjustment is step-wise using a sprung button to the internal tube. This permits discrete positioning in four steps. Such tools would be ofvalue in working on deep drawn (laundry) sink and bath fittings. Another variation (Fig. 3) on the modern basin wrench has features similar to the Monument Brand discussed in SWC #1 7. This example was purchased at a swap meet, and there were several others of like design. The interesting thing about them was that they were each embossed with the same info in Fig. 3 Basin wrench embossed "DBGM raised lettering as per Fig. 3, 160540 * CHROM-VANADIUM* and also but that each had a different stamped "Henry Boker" maker / seller stamped in the flat panel ground out of the original round forged profile. and enlarged in the inset picture for the Boker example. More Cotter Pin Pullers Fig.4 - Stanley Proto Cotter Pin Puller (G Plaw) KNUT KING
Fig.4
Steve Sullivan (m) and Secretary SAHTAsent this update on the Knut King bicycle wrench written up in S&W #1 8. Steve's example has a small button which sits in the slot rather than a cheezehead stop screw as described by Ron Geesin. The top ofthe button is flush with the side ofthe wrench and does not protrude to catch in the pocket, presumably.
The Spanner & Wrench Collector Issue 19 - February 2015 - Page 7 Monster Spanner Challenge From Peter Dickson (m)
Peter has offered this example of a big spanner for the "Set" spanner category. It is 5' 1" long (1550mm). The handle is 3" wide, and the ring opening is 59mm, weight is 15Kg. It is seen here propped against a quad bike and below in use on the axle nut of an International Harvester disc harrow offset plough, 2 row, model 3-5, made c 1970. Peter comments that it was evidently not long enough to provide sufficient leverage to loosen said axle nut - evidenced by the marks left after a flogging with a heavy hammer sometime!
From George Radion Alarge adjustable wrench 3'9" long or 1140mm, seen below lying on my brick paving. This primitive wedge (nail?) adjuster has a handle reminiscent of the handle used to change track points for a railway siding. Perhaps it was re-purposed for this purpose.
Wanted to buy or swap - Double ended Crescent shifters, cast iron seats, machinery nameplates, parts lists and spanners for tractors, vintage motor vehicles and vintage motorbikes. Spanners marked "Ferguson, Barger, Gibbins, McKay, Buncle, Grant, Bolden, Wain & Hyland" etc, Also other interesting shifters and spanners & tool company catalogues such as Sidchrome, Britool, Bahco, Hazet, T Williams (UK & USA) etc. Tool kits and Parts Lists for vintage cars, bikes and trucks. Wanted: Info, pictures and catalogue listings of vintage Australian made jacks, needed for this webpage: http://www.ozwrenches.com/jacks.htm - contact George Radion. Wanted: Fastnut No 3 step jawed spanner. Call Vin Minogue: 03 9752 6308
Feedback from those who find this newsletter useful would be appreciated. Continued contributions are required to keep it interesting. Thanks to those who have sent content, your stuff will all be used eventually. This Issue Edited by George Radion. Aims ofthe Spanner & Wrench SIG: Contact by snail mail: PO Box 4021, McKinnon, Vic 3204 Promote the conservation, identification and Contact by email: [email protected], phone 03 9557 1178, collection of spanners & wrenches and to mob 0406 687 980 share information with the group to that end. The Spanner & Wrench Collector Issue 19 - February 2015 - Page 8