Author Topic: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19  (Read 7364 times)

Offline lauver

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Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« on: March 03, 2019, 11:33:53 AM »
Gang,

The dirt market was a total bust this Saturday; cold, rainy, few venders, no tools.  On the way home I decided to hit a few pawn shops.  I struck out at the 1st pawn shop and headed for the second one.  Found some goodies, including a Williams 12" adjustable wrench and 8- GP 1/2" drive impact sockets.  They were already priced fairly, but I decided to haggle a bit.  I ended up getting all nine pieces for $8 + tax.

Here's a quick pic of my newly acquired goodies:


It just goes to show that a little persistence can really pay off.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2019, 07:46:44 PM by lauver »
When my wife leaves me, my dog dies, and they repossess my home, I'll still have my tools.

Offline bmwrd0

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2019, 11:57:44 AM »
Nice find Gary, but what is a GP socket? I am not familiar with that.

Offline lauver

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2019, 06:28:18 PM »
bmw,

GP = Grey Pneumatic Tools.  A U.S. company, but most of their tools are made in Taiwan these days.  Nevertheless, it's good quality stuff, priced well below Snappy, MAC, Cornwell, and Wright tools.  Pricewise, their tools are similar to GearWrench... maybe a little higher.
When my wife leaves me, my dog dies, and they repossess my home, I'll still have my tools.

Offline bmwrd0

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2019, 08:41:48 PM »
Gotcha, wonderful find.

Offline DeadNutz

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2019, 09:54:25 AM »
You did well Gary. A clean Willy like that is worth the $8.

Offline lauver

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2019, 02:08:05 PM »
DeadNutz,

Agreed.  The Williams adjustable was love at first sight.  It's clean, snug, and shows no signs of abuse.  It has a few small spots of light surface rust; should clean up easily.

I have no clue as to the date, but it strikes me as vintage 1980's (TRW era).
« Last Edit: March 07, 2019, 10:27:03 AM by lauver »
When my wife leaves me, my dog dies, and they repossess my home, I'll still have my tools.

Offline muddy

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2019, 08:38:20 PM »
Great grab Gary!

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk


Offline Davethorik

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2019, 02:48:13 PM »
DeadNutz,

Agreed.  The Williams adjustable was love at first sight.  It's clean, snug, and shows no signs of abuse.  It has a few small spots of light surface rust; should clean up easily.

I have no clue as to the date, but it strikes me as vintage 1980's (TRW era).

I think the adjustable is newer than that, as it is made by WF. I'm not sure when Williams stopped making their own adjustables, sorry I can't be more help.

Offline lauver

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2019, 10:06:30 AM »
DeadNutz,

Agreed.  The Williams adjustable was love at first sight.  It's clean, snug, and shows no signs of abuse.  It has a few small spots of light surface rust; should clean up easily.

I have no clue as to the date, but it strikes me as vintage 1980's (TRW era).

I think the adjustable is newer than that, as it is made by WF. I'm not sure when Williams stopped making their own adjustables,[/b] sorry I can't be more help.

Dave,

You may be right on both points; there is a "W F" marking near the hang hole, but there is also a "P T" marking in the same location on the flip side.  Also, Williams was acquired by Snap-on in 1990.  I don't think Snap-on has ever subcontracted any tool to WF.  This makes me think  the W F marking is a "red herring" and probably means something else (perhaps a date code or forge mark?  Who knows?).
« Last Edit: March 09, 2019, 10:09:32 AM by lauver »
When my wife leaves me, my dog dies, and they repossess my home, I'll still have my tools.

Offline Davethorik

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2019, 04:32:28 PM »
I am fairly certain that WF makes, or made wrenches for Williams. Here is a pic I found that illustrates this point.



I have even speculated that nowadays WF is about the only adjustable wrench game left in the USA. At some point Proto dropped the JP Danielson pattern wrenches they have had forever, and now WF makes theirs too as you can tell by the pic.

I have also seen Williams wrenches made in Sweden, which makes sense as Snap-on owns Bahco, but I'm not sure how these fit the timeline either.

Offline Matt_T

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2019, 05:20:57 PM »
I have also seen Williams wrenches made in Sweden, which makes sense as Snap-on owns Bahco, but I'm not sure how these fit the timeline either.

I think Bahco production moved to Spain/Portugal in the 2000's. So at least 10 years between Snap-on aquiring Williams and moving Bahco production.

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2019, 05:22:16 PM »
Interestingly Bahco no longer makes adjustables. The Sanp-on group adjustables are now made by Irimo, a Spanish company. Irimo is owned by Bahco which is in turn owned by Williams which is owned by Snap-on.

You got it Matt_T.

People who confuse etymology and entomology bug me in ways I can’t put into words.

Offline lauver

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2019, 10:27:44 PM »
OK gang,

Thank you all for your thoughts on the Williams adjustable wrench.

What is the consensus on likely date?  1970's, 1980's, 1990's, or later?

And given the likely date, who is the likely OEM?  Or, have you already concluded this and I missed it?

Regardless of the likely date/OEM, I am pleased to own the sweet little adjustable wrench.  But like most of you, I am curious about it's age and heritage...
When my wife leaves me, my dog dies, and they repossess my home, I'll still have my tools.

Online Lookin4_67GalaxieConv

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2019, 11:40:52 PM »
That Williams is the bees knees!  :D
boop/bop/beep

Offline jabberwoki

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #14 on: March 13, 2019, 11:02:06 PM »
Gary you have a nice 12 inch willy there mate.
Is the need enough? Or does the want suffice?

Offline lauver

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Re: Dirt Market Fail/Pawnshop Redemption: 3/2/19
« Reply #15 on: March 14, 2019, 08:18:21 PM »
Jab,

Thank you sir.  I like it mucho and it works great.  Can't ask for much more in an adjustable wrench.
When my wife leaves me, my dog dies, and they repossess my home, I'll still have my tools.