There are certain special people who can smell out a good antique find. Scoutcrafter you definitely know how to find those special tools! I love how you get these wonderful tools back in the tool game! My family and friends say the same about me and my H.K. Porter tools and vintage power tools. The one thing that bothers me is seeing tools from my dad's and Grandfathers time just rusting away. I feel I have to buy them to save them from their cruel existence! My dad taught me one thing I will never forget. TAKE CARE OF YOUR TOOLS and they will last forever!
Hey scout, I went to a barn auction on sat and I won a bid on a Parker vice for 40 bucks!!! It has alittle surface rust... she's in good shape jaws are goodand she even has the locking wrench!!! I saw that vice and remembered watching your video of you fixing up your parker I hope I do a good job restoring it!!! I'M SO STOKED I HOPE I MAKE YOU PROUD!!!
Just found one very similar to this, a Heldstrom industries Larc-O-Matic wrench and I was wondering how these works! Thanks for the vid! And I found out why my buffing wheel wasn't doing as good as a job as yours, I guess I got a soft one... Thanks for all the tips there! Stay safe!
The zenith for tool making in my opinion was the first half of the 20th Century. The US, Germany and UK produced the best tools when they took pride in their products and they were not dumbed down to sell as cheaply as possible. A beautiful tool with many more years left in it.
I agree Tony, the golden age... The worst time was the 70's when it seemed like many manufacturers put out absolute garbage just to make a dollar. The good thing is now there seems to be a resurgence in some quality tools from many companies. Taiwan is making some beautiful expensive tools and Germany is keeping up their high standards! Thanks Tony
have one made in UK which my father called gipsy wrench. but it does not have the spring device. and i think it's older than the one you restored. I love it and use it from time to time. all the best. great wrench!
Hello Cristian, Of the many joys I have experienced, few compare to the joy of using a wrench that belonged to your Father or Grandfather... I wonder if future generations will get to experience that feeling. Thanks for watching and your story! 😃👍
Cool restoration on a very cool tool that I have never owned either . I also use S.O.S. pads to remove rust & brighten up some of my tools as well . I find that a lubrication spray called "ZEP" will unfreeze rusty tools quicker than any other lub spray I have tested . Give that a try if you can find it . I have sprayed it on rusty & froozen 'C clamps' and within an hour it is usually workable .
This is a particularly awesome wrench. As you have pointed out in other episodes, it is equally intriguing to explore why some really great tools never got a hold in the public mind - and some have stayed even though they are junk. I would posit that the funky clip connected to the rivet makes the wrench appear less solid or clean in design. I bet if Channellock, Craftsman, or Crescent - for the brand confidence - made this as well as Speednut did in 1916 and engineered a cleaner looking way to manage the pin - it would be a solid seller today.
I too am always amazed what turns up in the trash... It's a shame, often there are rare examples of beautiful workmanship long gone that wind up in landfills... My problem is that I'm a bit of a hoarder when it comes to tools so I have more coming in then going out. 😋 Thanks for stopping by! 😃👍
Nice find . Stuff u love and there it was . Must of been a nice moment . I also like old tools. I found a rusty socket on the streets . After the vinager wash I was able to read the letterings .IGoogle it and nothing came up. Maybe u have heard of it .DD 13 folowed by a spear head pointing down then reads plomb another arrow Head same as the first one Bellow that it reads Los Angeles OB 13 on top of 16 the bottom. Do u know ?
i have a similar wrench made by Cochran i believe dated around the same time as well. mine doesnt have the spring feature,and i am not sure it ever did. new sub by the way,i am a bit of a tool junkie myself.
Cochran Manufacturing & Forging (Chicago) www.jalopyjournal.com/?p=35828 James Cochran and William Sheffler (co-owners) manufactured tools together for more than two decades, but eventually sold the outfit to the Great Lakes Forge Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1921.
Another great video. I was just curious why on this wrench you didn't fix the jaw that was worn/deformed from use. On other projects you often use your sanding belt to flatten out the deformed part. Is there a reason for not doing it on this project? Michael
Hello Michael! What's so cool about going back to these early videos is you can see my progression in restorations! At the time of this video my skill set was limited (still is) and I didn't know how to fix the jaw! Later on thru trial and error I was able to use a couple different methods to correct this problem! Hopefully I'm getting better at this! LOL Thanks!!!!!
I have started my own restorations. I have a pipe wrench with the movable jae's but the pin is missing that holds together....it's got a nail holding it together. What can I use to make it correct? Also have Starrett calipers and a Stanley Handyman 233 H..... thanks man.
Been watching you for awhile. Have a question about your wire brush motor. Is it a bench grinder with wire wheels on it or something else. I want to set up some wire brushes and don’t know how to power them. Thanks for any help. You do some great projects.
Hello David! The best results I have found is from using a slow speed grinder or motor (1750 rpm) and a 6 0r 8" wire brush... If you use a regular motor all you need is a Arbor adapter to be able to use a wire brush or buffing wheel... The key is slow speed (1600-1800 rpm) thanks!!
Hello meyaw, I looked up Vata tool company and they still make those today! Slightly more modern but the same ratcheting design! I'm a big fan of Taiwanese tools as they are very high quality. Thanks for commenting! 😃👍
