Author Topic: Post up your Bonney tools!  (Read 27820 times)

Offline bonneyman

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Post up your Bonney tools!
« on: August 16, 2018, 09:44:26 AM »
Wrenches.
To me, wrenches and ratchets are the mainstay of a hand tool manufacturer. What kinds of wrenches they make, and what innovations the ratchets contain, define the company in my book.
First thing I look at when a new brand comes out is the wrenches. Combo wrenches are a good indicator, as they have a box end and an open end. You can see the overall length (is it well matched to the opening sizes), the shape (and thus comfort) of the shank, and the quality of the finish. Used to be that the combo wrenches were the backbone of the hand tools. I think that that has shifted to the double box wrenches. DBE's lack an open end, but in alot of applications today open ends have taken a back seat. DBE's provide more grip, are less prone to slip, and each wrench can have two sizes, making them more versatile. For me, the DBE's are the flagships of the tool line. (It might explain why I'm always buying them even though I have plenty!)

Bonney is no exception. Their DBE's since 1967 have the patented Loc-Rite broaching system. This rounded profile grips fasteners away from the corners and more on the flats. This reduces slippage, and allows for greater torque to be applied without damaging the fastener or the tool. Nowadays virtually every manufacturer offers some form of enhanced grip on their box ends and sockets. But back in the 60's, it was a true innovation, and I think Bonney did it better than anybody around.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2021, 09:20:45 AM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2018, 09:45:09 AM »
Ratchets.
During the Triangle Tool era Bonney employed a double see-saw pawl design that effectively doubled the tooth count of their ratchets. 36 teeth became 72 effectual teeth. Though I never considered Bonney ratchets "smooth" I'd have to say they are quite stout. (Think of the S-K roundhead times two)! I have seen my share of Bonney ratchets with a broken pawl - it's only recently that I discovered a way to keep using the ratchet with the single remaining pawl by doing a small mod. At least it keeps you form having to throw the ratchet away (or saving the parts for the next rat)!
The mainstay of the Bonney ratchet line during the last few decades of their operation were the -702K models. The first letter prefix designated the drive size (R=3/4, A=1/2, T=3/8, and V=1/4). In fact, they followed this same prefix code for all of the sockets and drive accessories.
Here's my complete collection along with a triple play glamour shot.
« Last Edit: February 02, 2021, 05:15:07 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2018, 09:45:41 AM »
Sockets and the Loc-Rite broaching.

These pictures clearly show the rounded profile of the Loc-Rite broaching in Bonney sockets. About the only complaint I have with these tools is the broaching doesn't go down the whole length of the deep sockets - they broached only the ends.
« Last Edit: February 12, 2021, 07:23:18 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2018, 09:46:17 AM »
Flare wrenches.

The Cam-Loc ratcheting flares design spun off into forged DFE wrenches, and the results were fabulous! Though the older normal 12 point flare wrenches were pretty good, too.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2018, 10:37:21 AM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2018, 09:46:42 AM »
Cam-Loc ratcheting flare wrenches.
In 1951 a gentleman by the name of Kavalar patented a design of moveable rollers held in relative position by a long coil spring, which would however permit some backwards movement. This created a sort of ratcheting action that was incorporated into a line of flare wrenches for automotive brakes and hydraulic system. A fore runner of Loc-Rite, it moved the contact away form the corners and onto the flats, thereby reducing rounding and slippage. very useful in pressurized systems. Eventually they moved on to HVAC, as soft brass flared fitting were routinely subjected to over torquing, damage, and distortion. In 1964 this round pin design was forged into alloy steel and became Loc-Rite, which became a Bonney anchor point from 1967 on.

Original patent: http://www.datamp.org/patents/advance.php?pn=2550010&id=40669&set=1

They were made in single and double ended varieties. Here's my set of DFE's.
« Last Edit: August 25, 2018, 06:34:08 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2018, 09:47:06 AM »
Specialty wrenches.

Utica (a Bonney subsidiary from the late 50's) produced alot of tools designed for the aerospace industry. Of course those long thin enhanced broaching wrenches found use on modern cars. They also had this extended box end profile which facilitated reaching recessed fasteners like on jet engines. I've managed to get a set of three in sizes I use. In some situations they'll save your bacon for sure!
I never really used angle wrenches until I found the Bonney version - and then only because it was a "Bonney". Now I can't imagine working without them.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2018, 11:01:41 AM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2018, 10:38:18 AM »
Here's some of the single Cam-Loc flare wrenches, when space is a concern.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2018, 10:43:59 AM »
And though the Cam-Loc design is quite complex, it's possible to repair them if a pin snaps or the spring breaks. Not easily, but possible. At least on the bigger sizes. The one I repaired was a 7/8", and it had some tight spaces. I doubt much smaller ones could readily be fixed. But you might give it a try, since the moveable roller design of the Cam-Loc's is NLA. Even the Chinese - who duplicate every "out of date patent" for profit - haven't touched the Cam-Loc mechanism.  ;D
« Last Edit: August 19, 2018, 11:40:04 AM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2018, 10:59:24 AM »
Bonney offered two "grades" if you will of finish on their wrenches - full polish and satin. While the full polish looks great and cleans easily when greasy the satin wrenches provide a little more grip.
In SAE up to 3/4" I have both sets. Since most people are familiar with the shine of the full polish I'll post my satin combos for all you non-glare lovers. This particular set was assembled from several sources. I got a lead on Bonney wrenches being used in the oil industry, and managed to hook up with a company in the midwest which was a warehouse for the oil fields. I asked if he had these wrenches, and he said he had two. He then offered to call his other 3 locations and see if they had any. Between the 4 locations they had the entire set! He said he would have those satellite shops ship the wrenches to him (inter-company transfer, so, for free) and then ship the full set to me. IIRC he also sent me a trio of 20 inch 1/2' extensions, too.
You gotta jump on the horse while you can! lol

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2018, 08:38:17 PM »
One of the more obscure Bonney tools are the little square to square adapters they offered as part of the refrigeration line. they allowed a tech to use sockets with a female drive reefer wrench. They were typically 3/8" square to 1/4" square, with detent balls in both ends. You could use 1/4" drive sockets in a 3/8" female drive wrench, or 3/8" drive sockets in the more common 1/4" drive female drive. The waterwheel action of the reefer wrench gave you a ratchet action....and you didn't have to carry a regular ratchet or climb down the ladder to get one. Not a big thing, but a nice little thought.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2018, 08:45:17 PM »
A little mod that I was unaware of until a forum member told me about it. (Can't remember who he is. If you read this bud, let me know and I'll give you a shout out!) One could take a 1/4" Bonney ratchet and swap out the gear with a 3/8" torque wrench assembly. The TW drive gear was way smaller than the standard 3/8" ratchet gear, and it fits perfectly into the V-702K body. Gives one the ability to have a 3/8" gear in a 1/4" drive body....in Bonney! Not many folks can say that!

He was kind enough to give me one of his extra TW gears, and I slapped it into a spare 1/4"er I had. Haven't used it yet, but so what?
« Last Edit: August 16, 2018, 08:58:47 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2018, 08:52:51 PM »
I don't get into vintage Bonney much. My interest is in Triangle Tool era tools. 1967 on. Not that the old tools aren't good - I just prefer the Loc-Rite stuff.
But there are a few older Bonney's I like. They made some DBE's with a single offset, both box ends the same size. And the 707 Sweetheart ratchet (I call it that because of the heart-shaped bump on the body) is one smooth operator. I had a 1/2" drive, but just found out today it came in 3/8" as well. Will probably have to start looking for that.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #12 on: October 07, 2018, 10:17:53 AM »
Here's my 3/8" drive accessories and ratchets from another post. Figured they should be posted with some other Bonney's.
« Last Edit: October 07, 2018, 10:20:50 AM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #13 on: October 07, 2018, 10:23:21 AM »
Several people have asked how I got into Bonney. Here is that story:

When I graduated from high school one of my first real jobs was working at an automotive air conditioning shop (prophetic or not I don't know). Anyway I needed a starter tool set and one of the truck dealers came by who sold S-K as one of his brands.
Being my dad was a big S-K fan, I grabbed my first 3/8" socket set. I told the guy I also needed some wrenches, but couldn't afford Snap-On. He said he carried a line that was just as good as S-O but less expensive. I bought my first two vinyl-pouch sets of Bonney combos that day (1980). One SAE, one metric. Still have those tools. None have stripped out, broken, spread, or peeled the chrome. When I got started in HVAC the SAE's wrenches were in my tool bucket. Even today I'm still blown away by the toughness and durability of Bonney's steel.
I was into cycling in those days, and would carry my bike to the trails in my Toyota. I fabbed a bike carrier that bolted into the bed of the truck, and it had two cross beams that you could attach the bike forks into if you removed the front tire. Needed a wrench for that, so I carried my Bonney 13 mm combo. On one of those trips it was lost, and some time after I figured I should probably find a replacement to fill the hole. It was then (circa 2005) that I found out Bonney had gone under over a decade earlier. And my search began to find that one wrench. Along that journey I learned all about Loc-Rite, Bonney's different wrench styles, etc. After finding the one combo I just keep going. The rest is history.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2021, 02:22:52 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2018, 10:31:20 AM »
Here's my full polish DBE SAE set, missing a few of the larger combinations. I got the largest one (3/4 x 7/8) just for the 3/4" end as my gear puller at the time needed a 3/4" on the drive nut.

The DBE's to me are the real power behind Bonney. Sockets are a wear item in my book. In spite of all my care and best efforts, with use all my Bonney sockets will eventually wear out - it's just the nature of the beast. Combo wrenches are nice, but I don't use open ends all that much - and hardly at all for high torque jobs. So I've gravitated to angle wrenches for open end jobs, and long and short style DBE's for everything else.
Another nice thing is Bonney did overlapping steps with their SAE wrenches. For instance, they made a 1/2x9/16 as well as a slightly longer and thicker 9/16x5/8. I like to have both, as sometimes you need that little extra length for added torque on the smaller size. Gives one more options.
« Last Edit: October 07, 2018, 10:45:24 AM by bonneyman »

Offline Cruiser808

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #15 on: October 07, 2018, 12:30:15 PM »
Hi Bonneyman. Those wrenches are sweet. And I agree with you about the extra strength of DBE's. I do have some Bonney's, purchased at SK's urging and finding them at swap meets. The wrenches are by far the best feeling in my hands. And this comes from a Proto fanboy. speaking of Proto, Hey, how about a thread showing your outstanding collection of vintage Proto screwdrivers? I'll post my examples as well.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #16 on: October 07, 2018, 02:24:08 PM »
Hi Bonneyman. Those wrenches are sweet. And I agree with you about the extra strength of DBE's. I do have some Bonney's, purchased at SK's urging and finding them at swap meets. The wrenches are by far the best feeling in my hands. And this comes from a Proto fanboy. speaking of Proto, Hey, how about a thread showing your outstanding collection of vintage Proto screwdrivers? I'll post my examples as well.

Done!

Offline Davethorik

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #17 on: October 09, 2018, 05:05:36 PM »
I need to go take a cold shower after seeing those metric dbe's  :-\

Here are some recent Bonney finds.

What is the BS100? it is marked patent pending, it's the odd-shaped bar with rubber grip.

Next, an RF53 double line wrench with Cam-Loc, oops mean Loc-Rite.

E-10 stamped steel...looks new. Edit: 7/16"×3/8"

"DE1 for Delco" marked wrench. Is older, has B-shield on opposite side.
« Last Edit: October 09, 2018, 05:13:54 PM by Davethorik »

Offline oldnslo

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #18 on: October 09, 2018, 05:18:59 PM »
Dave, I have the same BS100, tho mine is sporting a red grip.

On our old site, before the crash, I had posted it. I think we all came up with a "bearing seal" tool. Thus the BS part designation. Perhaps used to pry out a seal in a typical drum brake application, and that would explain the curvature to wedge over the lip of the drum.  Seems it might work better for deeper set seals, perhaps even rear axle seals on 3/4T trucks.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #19 on: October 09, 2018, 07:18:19 PM »
Any day you find a Loc-Rite wrench is a good day! ;D

Offline d42jeep

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #20 on: October 10, 2018, 08:09:51 PM »
Here is a 1/4” drive set I found at an estate sale. I traded it to my buddy Jason, who is really into Bonney.
-Don

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #21 on: October 10, 2018, 08:12:41 PM »
Here is a 1/4” drive set I found at an estate sale. I traded it to my buddy Jason, who is really into Bonney.
-Don

Nice set of tools!

Though I always hated those cheesey plastic totes.

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #22 on: October 10, 2018, 09:55:28 PM »

... Though I always hated those cheesey plastic totes.

At least this one gives you a little flexibility most have spots for everything and you can't add anything.
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Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #23 on: October 11, 2018, 09:48:08 AM »
Just don't drop it full though, or the coat hanger wire hinges will break.

Offline slip knot

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #24 on: October 12, 2018, 05:30:12 PM »
A few for the B-man.

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #25 on: October 12, 2018, 05:47:00 PM »
I don't think I've ever seen a 3/4 before. Nice one slip!
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Offline slip knot

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #26 on: October 12, 2018, 05:54:29 PM »
I don't think I've ever seen a 3/4 before. Nice one slip!
Sadly its not a 3/4 just a long 1/2er. I posted a 3/4 over in the big stuff thread a while back.may have to bring a pic over here too.

And I found a pic of this. ;D

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #27 on: October 12, 2018, 05:56:22 PM »
Nice 50's vintage rat and the stud remover is cool, tool. Wouldn't mind getting one of those in NOS shape for less than an arm and a leg! 

Because then I'd be an amputee stud.  :D

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #28 on: October 12, 2018, 06:11:35 PM »
Ooops! really looked like a 3/4 to me.

Is the tape made by Barlow?
People who confuse etymology and entomology bug me in ways I can’t put into words.

Offline Cruiser808

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #29 on: October 12, 2018, 10:55:28 PM »
I don't think I've ever seen a 3/4 before. Nice one slip!

Me too. That ratchet  is just fine and as rare as a one legged man winning an ass kicking contest.

Offline oldnslo

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #30 on: October 12, 2018, 11:32:13 PM »
My 3/8 set.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #31 on: October 12, 2018, 11:55:24 PM »
Primo! 

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #32 on: October 12, 2018, 11:58:32 PM »
Interesting the 3/8-9/16 are six point and the rest twelve. That set is as Bonneyman said primo.
People who confuse etymology and entomology bug me in ways I can’t put into words.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #33 on: October 13, 2018, 12:00:01 AM »
Interesting the 3/8-9/16 are six point and the rest twelve. That set is as Bonneyman said primo.

My set like that was the same way. Don't know why.

Offline J.A.F.E.

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #34 on: October 13, 2018, 12:22:17 AM »
Maybe for people who can't decide which they want.
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Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #35 on: October 13, 2018, 10:09:05 AM »
It was probably a cost-cutting thing. They put 6 point sockets into their budget sets instead of Loc-Rite ones in certain sizes to save money.

Offline oldnslo

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #36 on: October 13, 2018, 11:01:35 AM »
SK did the same thing....6/12 point. The way I figure it, the smaller sizes ARE more prone to rounding off the nut (when using 12pt), and 6pt wins every time in my book.

Looking at my Thorsen combo wrench set, those smaller sizes are 6pt, and are 12pt on the box end.

Then again, PROTO might think they know something when I have 3/8 drive sockets in 12pt down to 5/16" sizing.
« Last Edit: October 13, 2018, 02:33:45 PM by oldnslo »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #37 on: January 25, 2021, 02:21:14 PM »
Made some additions to the Bonney stockpile today. A 5/8 x 11/16 DBE, a pair of 6" extensions and a 3" ext. $20

Gotta love that Bonney chrome!  :93:

« Last Edit: January 26, 2021, 04:57:44 PM by bonneyman »

Offline Midnitemack

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Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #38 on: January 25, 2021, 02:32:40 PM »
Nice to see this thread pop up again , I’ll have to dig out my stash and post a pic or two ......


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« Last Edit: January 25, 2021, 05:04:18 PM by Midnitemack »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #39 on: January 25, 2021, 02:58:23 PM »
Glad to bring it up for ya!

I kinda lose track of what and where I post things. Especially with Bonney stuff, as I'm a huge fan.
« Last Edit: February 12, 2021, 07:25:23 PM by bonneyman »

Offline coolmercury

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #40 on: January 25, 2021, 04:59:56 PM »
Here is a partial set of Bonney line wrenches (flare and box end) wrenches I picked up lately.  So far I haven't been able to pick up the missing wrenches, 13/16, 1 1/16 and 1 1/4".  Can anyone help?  I have needed this set for awhile, as I have aged the short flare wrenches are hard for me to turn on my larger equipment. 

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #41 on: January 25, 2021, 05:27:46 PM »
Here is a partial set of Bonney line wrenches (flare and box end) wrenches I picked up lately.  So far I haven't been able to pick up the missing wrenches, 13/16, 1 1/16 and 1 1/4".  Can anyone help?  I have needed this set for awhile, as I have aged the short flare wrenches are hard for me to turn on my larger equipment.

I hate to break it to you CoolMerc, but Bonney didn't make flare/box combos in those sizes.  :'(

They skipped 13/16", and the only size larger than 1" is a 1 1/8".

Offline coolmercury

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #42 on: January 25, 2021, 06:36:41 PM »
Thanks bonneyman, I just figured since the pouch had space for them they existed.  Guess the pouch was for something else. :a102:

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #43 on: January 25, 2021, 07:51:56 PM »
Yeah, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I found this out some years ago, when I started looking for a 13/16" flare (very common in HVAC fittings) and discovered my fav Bonney wrench style didn't exist. So I grabbed a double flare with one end of 13/16" and still looking for an angle wrench in that size. They are hard to find and expensive when they do pop up.

Offline Midnitemack

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Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #44 on: January 26, 2021, 12:52:57 PM »
Dug this out of the collection......






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Offline Midnitemack

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #45 on: January 26, 2021, 12:54:52 PM »



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Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #46 on: January 26, 2021, 01:45:44 PM »
Nice!

That 2804DL DBE is a rare bird. The 3/8x7/16 and 1/2x9/16 DBE's are quite common, but that 7/16x1/2 is hard to find.

And your metric combos are worth their weight in gold. I'd have them under lock and key....and Smith and Wesson! :lol_hitting:

Offline coolmercury

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #47 on: February 02, 2021, 04:58:33 PM »
I think I posted these on the old site, all are nos in the original boxes which all say "Utica".  The pouches all say Utica/Bonney and are from the Triangle Corp.  All the wrenches are Bonney.  Was this about the time that Bonney was no more??

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #48 on: February 02, 2021, 05:24:04 PM »
Bonney "went out" of business in 1994 or so. Cooper Tools bought the tool division from Triangle mainly for the pliers production of Utica. Bonney was profitable at that time but needed some capital investment to update worn tooling. Cooper decided to just drop the line.
Those red vinyl pouches are the same as my 1981 wrenches came in.

Offline Midnitemack

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #49 on: February 02, 2021, 05:38:56 PM »
Bonney "went out" of business in 1994 or so. Cooper Tools bought the tool division from Triangle mainly for the pliers production of Utica. Bonney was profitable at that time but needed some capital investment to update worn tooling. Cooper decided to just drop the line.
Those red vinyl pouches are the same as my 1981 wrenches came in.
So that explains the boxes for the NOS pliers I posted above ? They are in fact Utica pliers and nothing really to do with Bonney apart from the combined company ownership of that era ?


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Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #50 on: February 02, 2021, 09:00:49 PM »
I think I read that the Cooper acquisition was like 1990 or something, so they probably just kept selling existing inventory in existing boxes. (I never even heard of Cooper Tools "owning" Bonney until probably a decade after they shut them down). And all the Bonney tools I've ever bought that were still in boxes were the same red and white with the Triangle logo one them.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #51 on: February 03, 2021, 06:07:40 PM »
A "new" Bonney tool.
I've had this 3/8" extension for awhile. It was pitted and rusty, 16" long, never used it. Finally decided to clean it up and see if any shine was left (nada). So I sanded it smooth and painted it high temp silver. Then I noticed a detent ball in the female drive end, and realized it would take a crossbar. Found a suitable piece of steel rod in my scrap box, fit it in and put some rubber caps on the ends to keep it form sliding all the way out. I think it'll make a decent long reach T-driver. (If the paint isn't durable enough I might try a DIY nickel plating idea I saw on Utube).

Perfect of those hard to reach areas where low torque is desirable. With a magnetic socket on the end it might make a nice bolt starter. :93:
« Last Edit: February 03, 2021, 06:12:44 PM by bonneyman »

Offline DeadNutz

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #52 on: February 03, 2021, 07:29:46 PM »
Great mod there George. :great:

Offline slip knot

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #53 on: February 03, 2021, 10:11:49 PM »
I acquired a 3/8 T handle from somewhere and have begun to see the utility of a nice T handle. Very nice job on that one Bman.

Offline coolmercury

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #54 on: February 04, 2021, 07:34:20 AM »
Great idea! :cool2:

Offline john k

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #55 on: February 04, 2021, 01:40:02 PM »
More Bonneys are hiding out in my Cold shop

Offline jeffmoss26

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #56 on: February 04, 2021, 06:36:08 PM »
will try and get some pics over the weekend.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #57 on: February 04, 2021, 08:55:15 PM »
More Bonneys are hiding out in my Cold shop

I've got some of those smaller shorty old style double flare wrenches. Nice for in-furnace work.

Online skfarmer

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #58 on: February 04, 2021, 09:16:29 PM »
seems like i need to add a few pics to this.  :coffee2:
from the ashes shall rise a phoenix

i was here when the hangout turned into mexican food site!

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #59 on: February 04, 2021, 09:34:26 PM »
Here's a Bonney socket tray that needed a little love.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #60 on: February 04, 2021, 09:37:58 PM »
And my 1/2" drive Bonney SAE collection - in a restored Bonney box! Made a three-tierd shelving system to keep extension, sockets, and ratchet with accessories all neat and tidy.
The box holds three 20" extensions. Put together that lets me reach the bottom of the new AC condensing units (5 feet tall) for the compressor hold-down bolts.
« Last Edit: February 04, 2021, 09:39:52 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #61 on: February 04, 2021, 09:40:31 PM »
A pic of a ratchet with two of the extensions snapped on next to my (older) unit.
Alot better than killing your gut bending over or try to braze hanging upside down! :a102:

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #62 on: February 04, 2021, 09:45:36 PM »
Finally got a Bonney flex ratchet. In 3/8". Only size they made a flex in.

Along with a fairly current family pic for ratchets.

Online skfarmer

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #63 on: February 08, 2021, 09:11:31 PM »
okay, i know i been holding out but here goes.

bonney made matco long  full polish 3/8-3/4

bonney long satin  3/8-3/4

bonney made matco short full polish 3/8-3/4
from the ashes shall rise a phoenix

i was here when the hangout turned into mexican food site!

Online skfarmer

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #64 on: February 08, 2021, 09:17:38 PM »
bonney made matco full polish extra long 1/2-3/4 in upper.

bonney full polish long 6pt 3/8-3/4 in lower.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2021, 09:33:29 PM by skfarmer »
from the ashes shall rise a phoenix

i was here when the hangout turned into mexican food site!

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #65 on: February 08, 2021, 09:23:42 PM »
here is some you don't see every day.

full polish bonney long from 10-19 mm in the upper pic.

full polish bonney made john deere topper set from 20-32mm in the lower  pic.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2021, 09:31:13 PM by skfarmer »
from the ashes shall rise a phoenix

i was here when the hangout turned into mexican food site!

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #66 on: February 08, 2021, 09:35:14 PM »
how about nos?

bonney long full polish long  from 3/8-1 1/4 on top

bonney satin long from 3/8-1
« Last Edit: February 08, 2021, 09:39:03 PM by skfarmer »
from the ashes shall rise a phoenix

i was here when the hangout turned into mexican food site!

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #67 on: February 08, 2021, 09:42:36 PM »
partial sets and oddballs of bonney and bonney made matco, herbrand and van-chrome. some nos, some used and some rusty garbage.
from the ashes shall rise a phoenix

i was here when the hangout turned into mexican food site!

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #68 on: February 10, 2021, 03:36:10 PM »
 :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\  is all I've got to say, skfarmer!

Offline goodfellow

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #69 on: February 10, 2021, 04:04:28 PM »
Very nice Harlan. Bet that inventory took a while to accumulate. Beautiful wrenches all -

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #70 on: February 12, 2021, 07:32:36 PM »
Some more pics!
Here's a Bonney oil filter wrench, and a 1" combo full polish that I originally intended to use for oil changes. (It had a previous owners mark scratched out but the box end (what I was interested in) was pristine). I had so much trouble getting old filters off because most repair shops really torque down on them. I discovered the brand K&N had 1" hex nuts welded onto the bottom of their oil filters. Got a one inch 12 point socket and this one inch combo to deal with that.
The combo cost me $3.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #71 on: February 12, 2021, 07:37:25 PM »
Some "oldies".
Brake service plier and a 1/2" speed handle. I know I've also got a brake spoon tool but can't find the pics.
« Last Edit: February 12, 2021, 07:38:58 PM by bonneyman »

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #72 on: February 12, 2021, 07:42:15 PM »
One you don't see everyday - an old obstruction wrench I no longer have. I was going to turn this into a funky door handle for my shop but someone wanted it, so, off it went.

Offline jabberwoki

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #73 on: February 12, 2021, 08:15:32 PM »
1 sweet Bonney body hammer
Is the need enough? Or does the want suffice?

Offline john k

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #74 on: February 13, 2021, 06:12:15 PM »
Braved the cold, 4 degrees in the garage

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #75 on: February 13, 2021, 06:32:31 PM »
Oooh, haven't seen too many 15/16"ers!  :bravo_2:

Offline john k

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #76 on: February 13, 2021, 07:39:58 PM »
Those top 3, including thr 15/16 I bought off a tool truck in the summer of 1972, so they like me, got a  lot of miles on them.

Offline DeadNutz

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #77 on: February 14, 2021, 07:25:40 PM »
Here are some of mine. The lighting and reflections make them look rusty but they aren't. 1st pic the top 1" combo is a BONALOY marked cadmium plated.
2nd pic is all the NOS stock I have left. I have 2 dozen of the long beam 7/16 x 1/2 DBE left in that pile.


Offline john k

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #78 on: February 14, 2021, 10:26:36 PM »
Hm, your post didnt say anything about Bonalloy, or Bon-e-con,  this expands things,  a little bit anyway.

Offline DeadNutz

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #79 on: February 15, 2021, 12:08:42 AM »
Hm, your post didnt say anything about Bonalloy, or Bon-e-con,  this expands things,  a little bit anyway.

That BONALOY is stamped Bonney on the other side. :)

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #80 on: February 15, 2021, 09:46:22 AM »
Hm, your post didnt say anything about Bonalloy, or Bon-e-con,  this expands things,  a little bit anyway.

Yeah, post up any Bonney related tools!

Offline Snaparxon!

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #81 on: May 28, 2021, 05:50:17 PM »
Bought this today just for the emblem.

Offline DeadNutz

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #82 on: May 29, 2021, 12:44:19 AM »
That would be hard to pass up grabbing and looks in pretty good shape.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #83 on: May 30, 2021, 09:34:25 AM »
Bought this today just for the emblem.

Don't look under that emblem because it might read "Made in China".    :a102:

I'm kidding, just kidding.    :lol_hitting:

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #84 on: December 25, 2021, 05:27:29 PM »
Found an internet copy of a 1960 Bonney catalog.

https://archive.org/details/BonneyToolsCatalog60/mode/2up

Offline Uncle Buck

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #85 on: November 17, 2022, 10:04:56 PM »
Sockets and the Loc-Rite broaching.

These pictures clearly show the rounded profile of the Loc-Rite broaching in Bonney sockets. About the only complaint I have with these tools is the broaching doesn't go down the whole length of the deep sockets - they broached only the ends.

Ya, that would be a deal breaker for me for sure on deep socket users.
You boys better hold on cause I'm gonna have to stand on it!

Offline Uncle Buck

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #86 on: November 17, 2022, 10:19:27 PM »
Here is a partial set of Bonney line wrenches (flare and box end) wrenches I picked up lately.  So far I haven't been able to pick up the missing wrenches, 13/16, 1 1/16 and 1 1/4".  Can anyone help?  I have needed this set for awhile, as I have aged the short flare wrenches are hard for me to turn on my larger equipment.

I have lusted after those long handle Bonney combo flare sets since the first time I saw a set hanging on the wall at the junkyard around 1982.
« Last Edit: November 18, 2022, 08:42:44 PM by Uncle Buck »
You boys better hold on cause I'm gonna have to stand on it!

Offline Uncle Buck

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #87 on: November 17, 2022, 10:31:22 PM »
Bonney high polish chrome finish was equal to and possibly better than any other brand tool out there including SO in my opinion.

The high chrome wrenches are literally a thing  of beauty in my opinion.
You boys better hold on cause I'm gonna have to stand on it!

Offline wantedabiggergarage

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #88 on: November 18, 2022, 12:25:42 AM »
Here is a partial set of Bonney line wrenches (flare and box end) wrenches I picked up lately.  So far I haven't been able to pick up the missing wrenches, 13/16, 1 1/16 and 1 1/4".  Can anyone help?  I have needed this set for awhile, as I have aged the short flare wrenches are hard for me to turn on my larger equipment.

I have listed after those long handle Bonney combo flare sets since the first time I saw a set hanging on the wall at the junkyard around 1982.

Are you talking the flare end, box end version?

I realize others used the same thing.  Those open end, hex or as I remember them, K end ones remind me of the Kobalt branded ones from JH Williams around the time Lowes bought the Kobalt brand.
The satin finish Bonney's early in this remind me of Wrights.

I do miss the mini DBE wrenches.  Most of mine are long handled, I have one short set that I bought to keep in the Superbeetle though.  An old timer years ago, tried to talk me into buying a DBE and a DOE wrench set.  I already had some import (India I think) combo wrenches from Wards, where I needed two of the same size.

Offline Uncle Buck

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #89 on: November 18, 2022, 08:25:56 PM »
Here is a partial set of Bonney line wrenches (flare and box end) wrenches I picked up lately.  So far I haven't been able to pick up the missing wrenches, 13/16, 1 1/16 and 1 1/4".  Can anyone help?  I have needed this set for awhile, as I have aged the short flare wrenches are hard for me to turn on my larger equipment.

I have listed after those long handle Bonney combo flare sets since the first time I saw a set hanging on the wall at the junkyard around 1982.

Are you talking the flare end, box end version?

I realize others used the same thing.  Those open end, hex or as I remember them, K end ones remind me of the Kobalt branded ones from JH Williams around the time Lowes bought the Kobalt brand.
The satin finish Bonney's early in this remind me of Wrights.

I do miss the mini DBE wrenches.  Most of mine are long handled, I have one short set that I bought to keep in the Superbeetle though.  An old timer years ago, tried to talk me into buying a DBE and a DOE wrench set.  I already had some import (India I think) combo wrenches from Wards, where I needed two of the same size.

Yes, they are pattern wrench length box on one end, 12pt line on the other. I never could find a set I could afford though, always terribly expensive every time I found a set.
You boys better hold on cause I'm gonna have to stand on it!

Offline wantedabiggergarage

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #90 on: November 19, 2022, 09:24:29 AM »
I remember when I bought my set, from HJE.  I think they were $100, and I figured, it was more of a collector piece then a use piece, and they were only going to be going up in price.  Then there is a part of  me that wanted them to compare with other flare nut wrenches I have used, or would like to try (still want to try Williams and Wright just no real project time).  Started out with a closeout Kobalt JH Williams set, that gets mistaken for Snapon, then built my Snapon set for around $8 a wrench on Ebay years ago.  Looked on Ebay due to this thread, and couldn't believe what they were asking for them now.

I find it amazing what all people collect.  I am around autographs and a bunch of sports crap all day (my view), and was so happy to see things like a golden glove quit sitting around being a dust catcher, yet those wrenches, which may actually get used on a friends project soon, I have no issues with sitting around being dust catchers.  Sometimes I think there are a lot of things I should sell and put that towards other stuff.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Post up your Bonney tools!
« Reply #91 on: November 19, 2022, 06:46:29 PM »
You can't go wrong with buying Bonney tools. I still keep an eye out for the few pieces I'm missing, but - since I've been looking for them since 2006 - they're probably not going to pop up. I still grab whatever I find though.

Not that I would sell mine, but they do appreciate in value. They're great users, and after I'm gone I'm sure the Mrs. will be able to sell them easily enough. Can't say the same about my Avon bottles!