Garage Gazette

TOOLS AND THE SHOP => MECHANIC HAND TOOLS WE USE => Topic started by: Davethorik on July 21, 2019, 10:35:17 PM

Title: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: Davethorik on July 21, 2019, 10:35:17 PM

Went to a pretty cool man cave type sale today. Got some cool stuff, but does anyone know what's up with this wrench set?

The combo wrenches are odd, they look more like older Wright or Mac wrenches and have the V-jaw or gullet shape. They are only marked:
"(Size) MADE IN USA (Size)
On one side, other side blank. Sizes 3/8 thru 3/4.

The ignition wrenches are marked "KD USA" and part numbers 4081 thru 4087.

All wrenches are full polish.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: Davethorik on July 21, 2019, 10:36:29 PM

Wrenches.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: Davethorik on July 21, 2019, 10:40:27 PM

Closeups.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: skfarmer on July 21, 2019, 11:09:14 PM

now that is something different.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: lostmind on July 22, 2019, 06:41:32 AM

A first for my eyes. Nice find, look to nice to use. Looks like the previous owner felt the same way.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: coolmercury on July 22, 2019, 07:28:47 AM

I would say a keeper, too nice to use. :)

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: RustFarmer on July 22, 2019, 08:28:07 AM

Nice Haul!

The open ends of the your combo wrenches are angled to the left when the box end is angled up.  I don't have a Mac or Wright in front of me, but I recall the Macs are angled to the right.

Angle to the Right
Mac
Cornwell
Vanadium Tool Company of Athens, Ohio


Angle to the Left
Your mystery wrenches
Bonney
Armstrong
Wright
Most other combo wrenches

It would be interesting to know if these were made before or after K-D was acquired by Danaher.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: goodfellow on July 22, 2019, 08:43:18 AM

Very nice haul! The packaging suggests an older production (maybe 1980's), and the larger wrenches were probably made pre-Danaher due to the angle cut profile of the open end. I don't know if KD ever produced their own wrenches, but the design of these look like the typical Stanley/MAC production.

Just an educated guess on my part.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: Davethorik on July 25, 2019, 07:41:14 PM

Well judging by the ignition wrenches alone, this was made under Danaher  :D

Would you like metal sliver, or ULTRA LOBSTER CLAW???

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: Uncle Buck on August 27, 2019, 09:25:23 PM

You made out well that day! very enviable indeed!

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: Davethorik on August 29, 2019, 01:50:42 PM

Thanks UB!
IMO, the best find that day was the Hollands no. 625 Renner-patent 4" swivel jaw fixed base vise. It was made before WWI, and is very uncommon. I gave it to my dad, he already got it freed up, de-rusted, and coated in BLO.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: stokester on August 29, 2019, 05:44:51 PM

Looks like a classic Estwing hatchet there.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: bonneyman on August 29, 2019, 10:07:40 PM

If wrenches have a V-gullet then they're good to go in my humble opinion!  :P

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: Davethorik on August 19, 2020, 06:54:16 AM

Digging this up from the dead. I think I figured it out.

K-D Tools bought Mecto, Inc. of Greenfield, Ohio in 1969 per the tool archives. Mecto is a portmanteau word for Mechanic's Tool Co. This company was formed in 1962, and produced V-gullet combo wrenches. Mecto had ties to the Vanadium Tool Co of Athens, Ohio who made nearly identical wrenches. They also show up branded Wright, Cornwell, Mac and probably more.

No direct proof, but it explains the KD v-gullet wrenches.

Title: Re: KD Tools "First Edition" wrench set in roll
Post by: fedwrench on August 23, 2020, 07:21:06 PM

I've never seen those before. Those are some huge lobster claw looking open ends.

Has anyone pinned down a when made date?