My Small But Growing Collection of BICYCLE WRENCHES (7 inches or less only!)

RTM · Sep 11, 2024

Here are two new ones to me, and possibly to the thread. These are part of an auction score. I was looking for a tiny 4", and then saw the Pexto, and knew I couldn't leave it behind.

The 4" is a Hayden Mfg Co, the 6" is a Pexto with sprung jaws. (The ****** wrench is an Urichs Best, but subject for another thread)

Stealing from @four.cycle 's list, mine seems to be a bit later than the one at Angelfire link, the patent date is corrected, and printed on the opposite cheek.

Hayden / Randolph Hayden, Middletown, Ct. / patent 228755 Jun 15 1880 / bicycle wrench / https://www.angelfire.com/wy/mttools/Hayden.htm / (* Reed and Co. probably was the sole maker of the wrench. *) /

Mike'smeatshop · Sep 13, 2024

I did my due diligence and searched hell and high water for a copy of this wrench to verify a maker. I like it because it is ten-gauge material and has some many different sizes to use. Anyone have an idea who supplied this wrench?

AntiqueBen · Sep 13, 2024

Mike'smeatshop said:
I did my due diligence and searched hell and high water for a copy of this wrench to verify a maker. I like it because it is ten-gauge material and has some many different sizes to use. Anyone have an idea who supplied this wrench?

I've seen these listed online as several things. A motorcycle/bicycle wrench, a Maytag wrench, a faucet spanner & a pump wrench just to name a few. Most of these have no markings, so not sure of the manufacturer.

pfaustus · Sep 13, 2024

Mike'smeatshop said:
I did my due diligence and searched hell and high water for a copy of this wrench to verify a maker. I like it because it is ten-gauge material and has some many different sizes to use. Anyone have an idea who supplied this wrench?

That looks like one of the gazillion wrenches given away with Raleigh made three speeds years ago. Raleigh sold bikes under all sorts of different brand names, so the wrenches weren't stamped "Raleigh". Measure to see if those are Whitworth sizes.

pelletman · Sep 13, 2024

I like this, notice the difference from a regular bike wrench of the era? I am not sure if I have seen one like this before, and I have seen many

slowtwitch73 · Sep 13, 2024

Spoke wrench?

pelletman · Sep 15, 2024

slowtwitch73 said:
Spoke wrench?

Yup, I am not sure I have seen another with a spoke wrench. Would love someone to ID it.

Private Lugnutz · Sep 15, 2024

pelletman said:
Would love someone to ID it.

I see that the lower part of the marking has worn off, but I can't read even what's there. Please transcribe what you can see at the top. PAT'D JUNE ? And is that a G inside the diamond?

RTM · Sep 15, 2024

The adjuster on that looks a lot like a Boos.

Boos adjustable wrench

Found this in an antique store, paid $6. Seems to be in excellent condition, some light tarnish. Question: how should i clean it? .

www.garagejournal.com

Private Lugnutz · Sep 16, 2024

@pelletman It's a Gendron. See post #23. Yours has the spoke grip attachment. 4.c's does not.

four.cycle · Sep 16, 2024

@pelletman - ^ The "Gendron" model came both with and without the "Spoke Wrench" feature at the back of the jaw.

@RTM - RTM's "Hayden's Patent" model above is a rare one. I have one of those here somewhere.... never got all the way through the bicycle wrenches on the photos.

The "Urich's Best" ****** grip (the correct term for that device) is by definition a "bicycle wrench". Urich had a patent on his tube repair tool, but I don't believe he held a patent on the ****** grip. I know mine surfaced here recently when I was sorting stuff but not sure where it is now.

@Mike'smeatshop -

Those stamped "multi wrench" tools are ubiquitous and were made by a plethora of different companies. That one does not look like any Maytag wrench. Looks German (with all those sizes and the pin spanner) - they got real creative in respect to incorporating every different size on one tool.

pelletman · Sep 22, 2024

four.cycle said:
@pelletman - ^ The "Gendron" model came both with and without the "Spoke Wrench" feature at the back of the jaw.

I see, the ad in that post shows it both ways. Thanks!

Mike'smeatshop · Sep 22, 2024

Mike'smeatshop said:
I did my due diligence and searched hell and high water for a copy of this wrench to verify a maker. I like it because it is ten-gauge material and has some many different sizes to use. Anyone have an idea who supplied this wrench?

I believe Whitworth was the company that produced mine. I have found a rabbit hole that explains the made in England but using standard American sizes.

B Halverson · Sep 26, 2024

Here is the spanner wrench to fit some special nuts used on the Tribune bicycles made in Erie, Pa by Black Manufacturing in the 1890s/early 1900s;

choonks13 · Sep 28, 2024

Three of mine I don't remember seeing in all the pictures

four.cycle · Sep 28, 2024

@choonks13 - there are no markings at all on the Hallner piece? How were you able to identify it?
any possibility of getting a clearer shot of that piece?

Hallner / John Hallner, Mead, NE / wrench / patent 643268 Feb 13 1900 John Hallner / https://negenweb.net/NESaunders/1983hist/saco83-p249.html /

choonks13 · Sep 28, 2024

four.cycle said:
@choonks13 - there are no markings at all on the Hallner piece? How were you able to identify it?
any possibility of getting a clearer shot of that piece?

Hallner / John Hallner, Mead, NE / wrench / patent 643268 Feb 13 1900 John Hallner / https://negenweb.net/NESaunders/1983hist/saco83-p249.html /

Everything on the wrench is the same as in the patent drawing except it has wrench jaws instead of one slanted pipe jaw, The screwdriver blade on my wrench has been broken off, but I can still see evidence of where it was.

four.cycle · Sep 29, 2024

thank you! :thumbup:

choonks13 · Sep 29, 2024

Here are a couple more. My pics. aren't that good but the adjustable says Victor Overman Wheel Co. Chicopee Falls Mass. Patented January 6. 1891 The pin spanner says Pat. July 11. 89 a swiggle mark (lightning bolt?) and Trademark. This patent is for an W H Fauber bicycle crankset. The spanner came with each crankset. I have seen photos of the same spanner with a lot more writing stamped into it and ones with an open end wrench on one end https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-bicycle-wrench-pat-july-11-1799594093 old ads https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/w-h-fauber-spanner-wrench.54692/

four.cycle · Sep 29, 2024

thanks again. I believe that is the first of those Fauber pin spanners we've seen here. the patent is definitely confusing - it's a design patent for the sprocket - the utility patent actually applies to the hanger mechanism, but the pin spanner was necessary for the installation of both.
it looks like different examples are stamped differently. I'm seeing four different iterations in photos harvested online.

Fauber / William H. Fauber, Chicago, IL / patent D31194 Jul 11 1899 & 492959 Mar 7 1893 W.H. Fauber / * the first patent applies to the design for a bicycle sprocket wheel. the second patent is for a velocipede. the patent dates are found stamped on pin spanners presumably used to install the sprocket and velocipede. known examples are stamped with a lightning bolt and "trade mark" * /

Private Lugnutz · Oct 13, 2024

X-linking a Cox & Tingley.

B Halverson · Oct 14, 2024

I ride bicycles a lot and always pick up the related tools when I trip over them at junk-shops and other second-hand venues. I used to own an 1899 Pierce road bike but it was too small a frame size for me, and if you like to ride bicycles that old are not going to help you, so I built up a road bike from cast-off parts that is the functional equivalent of a TOC bicycle and I have put about 4000 miles on it over the last few years and had a lot of fun. Anyway, here are some of the old bicycle wrenches I have picked up, and sometimes they even come in handy, I just have them in one of my regular bicycle tool boxes.

My "TOC" replica bicycle, an old Schwinn that is single-speed coaster-brake converted, I call it "The Toaster" as it is a LeTour with a coaster brake.....

B Halverson · Oct 14, 2024

The one wrench in the lot above that is marked "k94" is marked "Keen Kutter" on the other side, so it might be found in one of their catalogs and described as being for a bicycle or for some other use, but it is close enough in size and design to the other adjustable cycle wrenches that I threw it in with them.

And this beautiful little wrench I will add, the graduated markings are unusual to find on this design of wrench, a little gem;

Private Lugnutz · Oct 15, 2024

B Halverson said:
And this beautiful little wrench I will add, the graduated markings are unusual to find on this design of wrench, a little gem;

The 32nds on the dynamic jaw shank was a key feature of the Billings patent (212298) and the scale was found on several models of B&S pocket wrenches for decades.

In 1893, Pexto had a different take on opening precision and capacity (509,252), stamping graduated markings on the casing above a rectangular opening exposing the screw. It showed the user the opening in the jaws but as measured by how far up the **** end of the screw had traveled in the exposed opening against the scale marked there. Perhaps a result of the C.E. Billings patent still being in effect. 4.c posted an example in post #109 on page 3 of this thread.

Not sure what's going on with the "S" stamp on the fixed jaw and the handle. As far I can tell, it's a Model B. Then again, 4.c posted a later (1915-1926 logo) Model B on page 1 post #2 marked with a "D" there, so who knows? I posted an early Model A in post #91 on page 3 and it's marked with an "A" there. There are B&S bike wrenches out there with no model markings. OTG posted an unusual early Model A on page 3 post #95 with the milled slot for the dynamic jaw shank exposed on the flip side and his wrench has no Model marking. But old ads are pretty consistent about Models A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. If there a Model "S" variant, I am not aware of it. And since B&S used a sequential model system aligned with chronology, "S" would be very late, which doesn't jibe with your example being an early wrench. I would think "S" for Special, maybe, but again, it looks like a regular Type B from here.

B Halverson · Oct 17, 2024

B Halverson said:
Here is the spanner wrench to fit some special nuts used on the Tribune bicycles made in Erie, Pa by Black Manufacturing in the 1890s/early 1900s;

I also have one of the Lakeside Erie, PA adjustable small wrenches, I wonder if they were bought by and sold with the Tribune bicycles by Black Mfg. . Just a theory as Erie, PA back then was absolutely flooded with foundries, forges and machine shops.

slowtwitch73 · Oct 17, 2024

This thread and content has to be some of the best on the web for antique bicycles. Some real gems.

four.cycle · Oct 22, 2024

This Stevens "Perfect" ****** wrench arrived today.
This is the "Stevens of New York" that became "Stevens Walden" in 1928.
Not sure if they were ever issued a patent on this one.

Stevens Perfect ****** wrench 102224 01.jpg

Stevens Co., New York, New York "Perfect" ****** wrench

Also its more diminutive counterpart, the Dudly "Perfect" ****** grip (patent 520562 May 29 1894 Albert Dudly of Menominee Michigan)

Dudly Mfg Co & Stevens Perfect ****** wrench 102224 01.jpg

Stevens Co., New York, New York "Perfect" ****** wrench (top)
A. Dudly Mfg. Co., Menominee, Michigan "Perfect" ****** grip (bottom)

There may be some confusion differentiating "A. Dudly Manufacturing Company" and "Dudly Tool Company". Trade journal blurbs about different Dudly products, hardware catalog listings, and contemporaneous advertising can be puzzling.
The datamp.org page for a later Dudly patent notes that A. Dudly Manufacturing was reorganized in 1905 as the Dudly Tool Company, with Albert Dudly as one of the officers.
One could logically infer that this example was made prior to the 1905 reorganization.

B Halverson · Oct 23, 2024

Another one of these that is laying around here. I know it is small, but it is much heavier and bulkier than the cheap flat wrenches that are well-known to specifically be TOC bicycle wrenches;

four.cycle · Oct 24, 2024

^ and not a mark on it anywhere, right?
I think that one is British?

B Halverson · Oct 24, 2024

four.cycle said:
^ and not a mark on it anywhere, right?
I think that one is British?

Right, no marks. Have had it for many years and I know I picked it up somewhere just because it was an oddball design.

four.cycle · Oct 24, 2024

^ I have seen it before. I have a folder full of images of "unknown" bicycle wrenches that I have yet to be able to identify.

HeelSpur · Oct 24, 2024

0388. Unmarked, (as usually found but a few have been seen marked REED MFG. CO. - ERIE, PA USA - GUARANTEED) - - 5.5" turn handle to adjust nut wrench with bulbous handle, closed frame variation. Good+, minor dings. (not listed)

B Halverson · Oct 24, 2024

HeelSpur said:
0388. Unmarked, (as usually found but a few have been seen marked REED MFG. CO. - ERIE, PA USA - GUARANTEED) - - 5.5" turn handle to adjust nut wrench with bulbous handle, closed frame variation. Good+, minor dings. (not listed)

Nice to know, thank-you.

Private Lugnutz · Nov 1, 2024

four.cycle said:
Park Metalware Co. 5-1/2" bicycle wrench (patent 1386217)

Private Lugnutz said:
Dang. If you ever see anything of mine you want, holler. I would consider trading something for that!

Never mind! It only took three years, but I finally ran into one at the flea this morning.

(If you no lookee, you no findee!)

Posted it on the Pre-Xcelite thread, here.

Private Lugnutz · Nov 2, 2024

This fully-hooded model was a flea market find from a few weeks ago that I didn't have time to post at the time. No markings. Similar to those found and posted with Lakeside Forge and Keen Kutter logos.

Private Lugnutz · Dec 21, 2024

X-Linking a new post from a brand new member who bumped an old GS thread about a cool Metz bike wrench @duddly found back in 2021, here...

2021 Garage Sale Thread

That cocoa dust covering looks just like rust and come off on your fingers in the same way--but tastes much better!

www.garagejournal.com

MajorTaylor13 · Dec 22, 2024

Here's a fairly obscure little c.1890s (?) spoke wrench made by the Overman Wheel Co. Boston, MA.

MajorTaylor13 · Dec 22, 2024

Sterling No. 1 & 2. I'm curious about the use of the different font for these since the patent dates are the same. Maybe to distinguish the different sizes ?

MajorTaylor13 · Dec 22, 2024

Rollfast Perfect spoke wrench

Private Lugnutz · Dec 22, 2024

MajorTaylor13 said:
Here's a fairly obscure little c.1890s (?) spoke wrench made by the Overman Wheel Co. Boston, MA.

Fantastic!

MajorTaylor13 said:
Sterling No. 1 & 2. I'm curious about the use of the different font for these since the patent dates are the same. Maybe to distinguish the different sizes ?

My hunch would be a different time period, earlier or later, not sure which. @four.cycle (the Original Poster (often abbreviated "OP" here on GJ)) posted a No. 1 with the same font as your No. 2 in post #6 on page 1, for example. Interesting that your No. 1 with the different font also doesn't have the < M > logos flanking it. I'll have to go through mine. I haven't paid too much attention to those distinctions before.

Note for 4.c: If you didn't see it, and lest you think I'm being rude not welcoming a new-ish member, @MajorTaylor13 took a rather unusual route to the thread, via an interesting, strange bump of the 2021 Garage Sale thread linked here.

My Small But Growing Collection of BICYCLE WRENCHES (7 inches or less only!)

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