has anyone seen wrenches like this? if so can you tell us more about it? found this in an antique tool chest I aquired.
The older ones have a square on the end for drain plugs. When they want $10, I dont buy them but when they are a dollar or two I do buy them.
Generically known as a monkey wrench. What they used before Crescent adjustable wrenches got popular.
I grew up calling'em monkey wrenches too. alloyartifacts says they are auto wrenches and the small version is bicycle wrenches
Ford made 15 million model T's,and over 4 million model A's. They all had a tool kit,and most every tool kit got saved when the car was junked. I inherited several from my grandfather,several more from my dad,and more from my father inlaw.
I was told years ago that Ford included those wrenches in their vehicles's tool kits because it fit nearly every fastener on the car because of it's adjustability. Not sure how true that is, but it sounded legit. I have worked in aerospace for over 30 years, and we still use Ford-style wrenches for running down large diameter tubing B-nuts. I have a few adjustable wrenches made by Diamond that have smooth jaws and won't mar aluminum nuts. We save the torquing of the fittings for a torque wrench and a crowsfoot, but the adjustable wrenches work great for running down fittings. And in the aerospace business, we still refer to the wrenches as Ford Wrenches, no matter who's name is one the tool. Harley Rider: What are you planning on doing with the wrench?
I'd love to get some to add to my collection, I love (and still use!) old tools. I just won't pay what people ask for the ones I have found.
Ford tractor people would also keep these & a couple other tools in there tool box to work on there tractors in the fields. the last couple of years I've been learning about old tractors (I have two) from old time tractor guys. Now I'm trying to learn about old cars (a little bit more complicated) from all of you out there. Thanks. *Hope i didn't spoil your post Harley rider.
yup ; they used them back in the fiftys...or 60's, to tighten the monkeys . you dont want any loose monkeys...
I keep one in my tool bag that I use at work. They are super handy because they open so wide. Great for working on Sloan plumbing valves and Pitman arm nuts at the junkyard!
When did they stop putting tool kits with new cars? I know I've seen several complete kits for 40' Fords.
That is one from a Ford Tractor. The Model A monkey wrench has a squared end for open drain and fill plugs. Ironically I own an 8N tractor but have a Model A wrench! Note the large wrench on the Tractor set. It has increments on it... That's your fuel gauge! The slip joint pliers have a blade screw driver on the end of one arm.
I have one in my tool chest. The monkey wrench with the Ford script. It came with my grandfathers new 1926 Touring.
Ford supplied kits similar to what Virgil shows through 1948...after about the mid 1930's they often left out the grease gun, hand crank, and tire pump but all that was available on request. My '48 got the whole shebang as it was an export car. There were slight changes in the styles of the tools, plug wrench, hand crank, and jack changed to fit the application, etc. For a looong time when I was a starving child the 1948's tool kit was most of my entire collection. with that and some abuse of the adjustable there was very little that I couldn't do.
I found the Model A adjustable wrench in the bed of a '58 Ford p/u I dug out of a junkyard in central Kansas. Still has a little black paint on it and is not frozen. I also have what I suspect to be a Model A (era, anyway) screw jack and regular open end wrenches. It's amazing what comes up as you cruise through life!
I buy them for twenty five to thirty five cents apiece... but when I can sell them for a dollar, I do. Sam
I believe the wrench in the original post is for a Model T, the ones that have a square forged in the end are for drain plugs in a Model A. Like all things Ford they were made by many outside suppliers and the forging marks differ from makers. You can go nuts trying to collect all the different ones.
I have quite a few Ford tools I have collected over the years. Even a Ford oil can. I haven't looked a them in a few years. I would let them go if some one were interested.
Here is the tool page from the Ford Model T parts price list, the tools in the upper left corner would have been in the car tool kit. The tools with a Z in the part number are dealer repair tools.
Im a newbie to collecting Ford tools, so ill keep an eye on this thread. Ive managed to get 3 wrenches so far. Looks like theres a bit to all this.
I have 4 or 5 different Ford script pliers, subtle differences but all different. I also have a set of Fordson script tools in a Fordson toolbox. My 1400 mile 48 F5 has an unusual tool bag with ties and some different tools than the car kits.
The Jalopy Journal
