SPANNER & COLLECTOR

HAND PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA Inc. Reg No A0025953J Spanner Special Interest Group Newsletter www.htpaa.org.au No 5 August2011 Welcome to Edition ... Some HTPAA members may have missed out on previous editions of this newsletter. If you require a copy, contact the editor (see back page). Keep the contributions coming so that the editor does not hog all the space.

Contents this issue: Page 1 - Index and Collection of- Daryl Symons Page 2 - Some Interesting Adjustable , G Radion Page 4 - AFew Wrenches (Paul Withers) Page 5 - Hanomag R45 Diesel tractor Parts List, D Capon, Mercedes Benz Museum Stuttgart, D Symons Page 6 - Meadowbank Co, Some Uncommon Spanners - BMH Patented, G Radion Page 7 - Hipswell Stud Wrench, W Hewertson Page 7 - M J Hooper-Auckland, G Radion Page 8 - We have the usual housekeeping, feedback, new finds, orphaned spanners and wanted to buy / sell Pictured below, some of Daryl Symon's spanners and cast iron collectables

The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 5 -Aug 2011 - Page 1 Adjustable Wrenches Wright Wrench Mfg Co, Canton, OH By George Radion This quick adjusting monkey wrench, marked “ Wright There seems to be a bit ofinterest in adjustable Wrench Tacoma Wash. / Pat – 04 Steel Forging”, has a wrenches, going by feedback I have had and by the maker's mark on the top jaw. It looks like a large letter number of collectors who concentrate on adjustables in “C” with tiny writing inside, but it is not readable, as an the main. owner has overstamped the wrench with “WEATON 1664” in several places, including over the makers Now let me declare my hand here – I collect agricultural mark. Fig. 2. spanners and wrenches, with an emphasis on Cope* covers this wrench, stating that “Wright took over Australian and New Zealand provenance. the Ideal Wrench Co in Tacoma in 1909, continuing However, in my constant search for new finds, I production under the Wright name in both Canton, OH occasionally come across an adjustable that is a little and Tacoma, WA. Also see A Harvey's Sons MFG Co different from the run ofthe mill type, and they end up at and Ideal Wrench Co” my place, seemingly by themselves, without much It appears that this same wrench come with different conscious intervention on my part. markings – readers, let us know ifyou have one. This quick adjuster is still functional and in reasonable So for this article, I will show some ofthe ones which condition, which is surprising for something over 100 have piqued my interest and have to be accommodated years old, and with a head that appears to in my already crowded shed. Some I have been able to have never been struck. Adjustment is by pressing the find info about which I will include, others not. Ifyou the back ofthe saddle with the thumb. This disengages a reader can add info, please contact the editor. lug from the rack at the front ofthe stem, allowing the operator to move the bottom jaw to the required The most unusual one is the W. Anderson of Dumfries position and letting go, whence an integral spring forces (presumably Scotland) Fig. 1. engagement with the rack. Asimple to use wrench. This 16.5” wrench has jaws that will open out to near 3inches, and would accommodate a square nut of that size. Ahex nut would only allow a slight grip with the jaws which extend out about two inches, so it would be ineffective on those. This indicates early days before hex nuts. Another feature is the 3/4” open fixed jaw spanner at Fig. 2 Wright Quick Adjust Wrench (12") the handle end. I have not seen this style before and the whole setup intrigues me. W C Wynn & Co QuickAdjusting Nut Wrench / Fig 3. Internet searches reveal loads ofAndersons in This wrench is marked “W & C Wynn & Co Patent No Dumfries in Scotland, but so far I have not been able to 19” Unfortunately, it has a piece missing, which pinpoint the main company. The Scottish town of engages the rack teeth on the back ofthe main stem to Dumfries dates back to before Roman times, but other lock it in position. As a collectable, it is not perfect, the possibilities are one of the many places subsequently part which grips the rack is broken off – however, named Dumfries – such as Dumfries, Virginia USA, thinking about it, and collectable in general – why Dumfries, New Brunswick in Canada, South Dumfries do we insist that an item be in perfect working condition Township, Ontario, Canada, North Dumfries, Ontario, when it will never be used for it's original purpose? (OK Canada, Dumfries, Grenada, Dumfries, Minnesota, I will get offmy soap box now). This item has some USA, Dumfries, Iowa, USA. decorative features predating Art Deco – Art Neuveau? Simple adjusting mechanism - just open the handles and slide the lower jaw into position, then squeeze handles to grasp the nut. Ifthe casting was in steel, it would have been an effective design for a quick adjusting nut plier / wrench. Graces Guide - The Best ofBritish Engineering 1750 to 1960's has an entry: "1849 Directory: Heavy Steel Toy and Tool Makers, and Edge Tool Makers". W C Wynn Fig. 1 W. Anderson, Dumfries shifter (16.5"). joined with Richard Timmins to form Wynn & Timmins in 1 889**.

The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 5 -Aug 2011 - Page 2 information, there was a reply that exact origin was not known, but surely Irish, going by the name.

Double Jawed, Doubel Barred Coachman. No maker's mark on this double barred coachman's wrench. It has that austerity of military or Germanic origin, with solid, strong components, but with some Fig. 3 W &C Wynn & Co Adjustable Nut Pliers (12.75") pleasing design features as well, such as the finial on the handle and the elliptic jaws. Fig. 6. Van Duijl type wrench Fig. 4 No info on this one, seems quite different to the usual This design utilizes the swelling in the middle to British coachman design, so Continental is my guess. accommodate the adjusting knurl as do many wrenches, including Tower & Lyon dating back to 1865, and many other makers. What is different is the strengthening bar at the back of the top moveable jaw, obviously providing support to stop the casting from failing under load. This example is not marked by a maker, but it has the symbol ofan open umbrella on the top jaw and “2-1/2” on the bottom ofthe handle (presumably meaning 2.5 inch opening jaws). Fig. 6 Double barred coachman's (12") This design still looks a bit fragile, regardless of the strengthening pillar at the back of the top jaw. Tool Co / Attwood* Fig 7 Nevertheless an interesting adjustable wrench. Roller type produced by AttwoodWrench, Tool & Stamping Co, 1912, LaterAttwood MFG Co., 1913, Later Craftsman Tool Co., 1914. It has a powerful spring holding the geared roller in position against the pipe when in use.

Fig. 4 Van Duijl type Adjustable Wrench (11.5") Hammel Double Jawed Adj Wrench Fig. 5 This is the type ofadjuster which has the screw mechanism within the hollow handle, and has two Fig. 7 Craft Pipe Wrench (11 "). opposing sets ofjaws at the top. It has always puzzled myself and other collectors – why the double jaws? Thinking back on my opening statement, perhaps I was What advantage do they confer over the normal “F” kidding myself - I think I do collect adjustable wrenches. type shifter? Send in your unusual wrenches to share with the Possibly to circumvent someone's patent, and thus readers. provide novelty of design. Any ideas or knowledge on this is welcomed. This type ofwrench come in about 3 References: sizes, most often unmarked, but sometimes has a name *American Wrench Makers 1830 - 1930, K L Cope, 2nd on the end ofthe handle. Ed 2002. One interesting thing about this example, is that it has a maker's mark, “O. Hamel & Co” heavily stamped into ** A History of Early English Adjustable Wrenches the top jaw. found in Australia, J Hawking & R Geesin, Tool Chest When posted to the Wrench Forum in the past, seeking no 87, Feb 2008. Also good reading: A History ofAdjustable Wrenches (Shifters) Made in Australia, J Hawking, Tool Chest no 83, Feb 2007.

Fig. 5 O. Hamel & Co (12")

The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 5 -Aug 2011 - Page 3 A Few Wrenches by Paul Withers.

My hobby is to search the auctions and markets for old and antique tools. I have included some pictutes of recent finds, see at right. These are wrenches that I have picked up in the last month. It is almost like whiteants coming out of the woodwork. Most of them are rusty and need a little tender loving care to bring them back to their former glory.

There are a lot ofstyles and brands ofwrenches out Fig. 8 Paul's ZH Fairlane there to be found. Figs 9, 10 & 11: Elkare, Red Devil, King Dick, Keystone Works, Footprint, W&B, Garrington (including a 6"), Record, Shelly, Coes, Ford, J&S, J&S Ford, King Dick Ford, Ford Dagenham, Massy Harris, Snail Brand, early Holden Wrench, Wizard, Gordon, W&B Hercules, Buck & Hickman, Palmer & sons, Coachmaker's wrench, Sidcrome, Diamond Calk, Horseshoe Co., Webmore, PW MFG USA, Stilson USA, Dowidat, Reid MFG USA, . It was at an auction the otherday that I acquired a Henry Boker wrench shaped like a curved English pattern Clyburn, which I thought was quite exciting.

So then, there are the spanners that I found as well, including Early Sidcrome, Dufor, Shelly, Snail Brand, HKL-OCW 416W, King Dick, Superslim, 7812024, Fig. 9 a selection ofAdjustable Wrenches, recent finds Bedford, Ford 01A17016, Reform, Jay Ben set of Whitworth Ring Spanners in a leather pouch, Aceca, , Austin, Sabre, Dowidat Australia, Dufor, Triumph, W-21, Jaguar, Equip, Challenger, Gordon, Hazet, 1945 12/2472, , Britool, Facom France, Steinalder. I have a Fairlaine ZH (1976–1979 Fig 8) so I am in an historical car club where members go and visit places of interest and this weekend they will visit my mini museum where I will have all the tools displayed in my shed.

I am always on the lookout for tools and I especially like it when a friend says that they know someone who wants to sell all their shed contents. I drag my wife along to help me, it can be hard work and very dirty, but when I find a gem ofa tool it is just very rewarding. My Figs.10 & 11, more of Paul's Finds wife would like to know ifthere is anyone else out there who complains about finding a wire from the wire wheel in the carpet/lounge or even the bed, after all that tool cleaning?

If anyone should be visiting Adelaide (Kapunda) feel free to give me a call and come and see my collections. 0434 851 271. Happy Hunting...

Fig. 11

The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 5 -Aug 2011 - Page 4 Parts List for the Hanomag Type R45 Diesel Wheeled Tractor Parts list supplied by David Capon (M) to help readers identify orphan tools

Mercedes Benz Museum by Daryl Symons "My visit to the Mercedes Benz Museum last year. The museum is in Stuttgart, . Stuttgart is also the city where Mercedes vehicles are made now. I have never experienced anything like this place before. It has about seven levels, and is ofultra modern design. It has a module that you carry with you and point it to the different exhibits to get a commentary on them. This is not just a museum for Mercedes vehicles, it also gives a progressive history of the automobile as well as a social history ofwhat was going on in the world at the time and does it both visually and audibly. It is really worth visiting if you are in that part ofthe world and you don't have to be a Mercedes enthusiast to enjoy it. I have no idea what vehicle this tool kit (Fig. 12) is made for, but one would imagine either a truck or a bus. Daryl" Note - the interference line is on the glass case which houses the kit.

Fig. 12 - Photograph of a Tool kit for a Vintage Mercedes Benz taken in the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 5 -Aug 2011 - Page 5 Meadowbank Mfg Co, Meadowbank near Sydney by George Radion

The Mellor Brothers (of South Australia) formed a Farmers' Cooperative Co Ltd in 1891, and to widen the scope of business, set up branch factories in Sydney (Meadowbank Manufacturing Co) and Melbourne (Baybrook Implement Co). Mellor Bros Cooperative Co Ltd was wound up in 1895. The Baybrook Implement Co was wound up and H V Mckay purchased the plant in 1904* at what later became Sunshine Harvester Works. The Meadowbank Manufacturing Co survived the demise of its parent (Mellor Bros Coop) and must have prospered, as there was an advertisement for their ploughs in the 1911 Pastoralist's Review, and listings in the Sydney Sands & McDougall's Directories from 1904 to 1933. In addition to Fig. 13a Meadowbank Co malleable iron spanner agricultural implements and machinery, they made trams for the Sydney Tramways.

Meadowbank spanners are not common and for a long time I only knew ofone, (Fig.13a) however Steve Bower (m) has sent photos ofa similar shaped one, but with different markings, see Fig.13b. Fig.13a is unmarked on the back, wheras Fig.13b is marked "IMPLEMENT & FACTORY NEAR SYDNEY", see inset Fig.13b. Fig. 13b Meadowbank & Co malleable iron spanner, broken jaw digitally repaired for this article * ref "Old Farm Machinery in Australia...", M & P Simpson

Some Uncommon Spanners by G Radion Bridgeport Hardware Co (BHM) Fig. 14 shows a **BHM 9/16 x 1/2 open-end wrench with a distinctive X-Center design, consisting ofa central "X" with elongated darts on either side. The wrench is marked "U.S.A. Nickel Molybdenum" with "Patent No. 97325" on the reverse. The patent notice is a reference to design patent #D97,325, filed in 1935 with assignment to Bridgeport Hardware. **ref Alloy Artefacts website (http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/bridgeport-hardware- mfg.html). I bought this spanner because it looked like something reasonably modern, certainly not old enough to have a patent for an open ended spanner in my opinion, and the number is fairly low for a Fig 1 4 mid 20th century patent. Fig 1 5 Following the links on Alloy Artefacts website, the design patent can be downloaded for the US Patent Ofice. The design patent, issued in October 1935 to Harry B Curtis (and assigned to BHM) was for the decorative features on the sides ofthe spanner. See patent description Fig. 15 and picture Fig. 1 4.

The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 5 -Aug 2011 - Page 6 Hipswell Double Socket Stud Wrench by Warren Hewertson Astud, in an engine block or a brake drum for example, may be removed or inserted with a pair oflock-nuts and a spanner. However, a much simpler way is to employ a stud wrench away from the threads. These usually comprise a socket fitted with an eccentric knurled wheel. This machined cam will automatically lock on to a stud when the pillar is turned with a bar. Astud puller can be used to insert or extract a stud by flipping the work head around. Fig. 16 shows a simple example taken from the 1951 McPhersons’ (Engineers) Catalogue Page 407 catalogue numberA2103.

Arecently acquired cast steel one-piece double socket and pillar model allows studs, up to ½ inch and ¾ inch respectively, to be unfastened or tightened (Fig. 17). Both sockets are served by a single skew-cut (c.10º) angled cam. The tool carries a large embossed mark “HIPSWELL’ on the back ofthe pillar. The front is fluted so that two channels (one for each socket) can accommodate the respective diameter studs. An Internet search for Hipswell produced only one result; it 's the name ofa village in North Yorkshire. Without other evidence, the provenance of this sturdy tool has not been established. Can readers help? Fig. 1 6 Editor's note - a recent item listed for auction on Ebay is advertised as a HIPSWELL spark plug tester. This and the stud wrench (Fig 17) by the same name suggests that Hispwell, whoever they were, supplied mechanic's and Fig. 1 7 garage equipment at the very least.

New Zealand Spanners by G Radion

Atrip to the land ofthe "Long White Cloud" several years ago sparked my interest in NZ spanners. I managed to bring back a handfull from my trip, and my collection has grown considerably since. Most spanners I have managed to acquire are from agricultural companies, issued very many years ago. Companies such as Andrews & Bevan, Booth, Booth Macdonald (BoothMac), BoothMacNicholsons, Hooper, (Fig. 18) P & D Duncan, and Reid & Grey were the backbone of agricultural manufacturing from the 1880's until the mid 1900's. They all supplied wonderful cast spanners with their implements and machinery. Apart from agricultural implement makers, the only other spanners from NZ I have found so far are by Masport who make mowers and patio equipment, and have some inhouse spanners, as well as imported spanners overstamped. Also, New Fig. 1 8 Zealand Railways have both inhouse spanners and imported ones overstamped with NZR. If anyone knows of other locally made NZ spanners I would like to know the names so I can add them to my collection. International Harvester and Massey Harris had branches there, but I am not sure ifthey supplied locally made spanners.

The Spanner& Wrench CollectorIssue 5 -Aug 2011 - Page 7 Feedback and Updates Refer Whitworth Jaw Sizes Edition 4, Page 4. In the abovementioned article, the question was raised as to why Sidchrome Whitworth jaw sizes from the 1960's still complied with British Standard (BS) 190, dated 1924, rather than BS 1083 dated 1951, as Australia adopted British Standards for these things. No answer as to why, but the following extract from a Sidchrome catlogue dated 1968, Fig 19, states that Sidchrome Whitworth spanners conform to the "original British Standard Whitworth for bolts and nuts" sent in by Graeme Plaw, thanks Graeme.

Correction Refer Minerva new finds Page 8, Edition 4. I mentioned a collector of Minerva cars, thinking his name Fig. 1 9 was Bill Wheeler - it is Bill Sides from Wheeler's Hill.

Orphans Nothing known about these two recent finds. M G Co could possibly be Murray Goulburn Co, but that is pure speculation. H L & Co - nothing reasonable suggest itself to me. Perhaps readers may recognise the initials, ifso please make contact.

A to Z ofAustralasian Spanners and Wrenches I am working on an "Ato Z" book ofAustralian & NZ spanners and Wrenches. Ifyou have any unusual spanners or wrenches that were made by local companies or blacksmiths or coach builders etc, and would like them to be included, get in touch with me. Details below. George Radion.

Info Wanted Vin Minogue wants to know anything about the English Company who made Millenium spanners. He has a Millenium bicycle block spanner and other tools by them. Vin is on 03 9752 6308. Wanted to Buy, Sell or Swap Section Wanted to buy or swap - Farm implement spanners - (named ones only please), double ended shifters, cast iron seats, machinery nameplates, parts lists and spanners for tractors, vintage motor vehicles and vintage motorbikes. Spanners marked "Barger, Bolden, Buncle, Clyde, Falla, Ferguson, Gibbins, Hicks, Meadowbank, McKay, Grant, Wain & Hyland" etc, also Blacksmith made spanners with names on them. Also other interesting shifters and spanners & tool company catalogues. Tool kits and Parts Lists for vintage cars, bikes and trucks - ring George on 0406 687 980 or email [email protected] Interesting Websites, Blogs, Books, etc Send in your interesting links or other resources for inclusion in this newsletter

Issue 5 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 CollectorIssue 5 -Aug 2011 - Page 8