Tool Talk
Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Papaw on March 11, 2015, 04:17:38 PM
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When we see or hear Barcalo or Barcalo Buffalo, we think of wrenches. Well, this tool has a "wrench" on it. Because I like alligator wrenches, I had to have it.
This a Barcalo Buffalo Combination Kitchen Tool from Patent D-111564 S of October 4, 1938 by Ernest Cullen, San Diego, Calif.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/papao55/Assorted%20wrenches/Barcalo%20Tool_zpsap5yidkx.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/papao55/media/Assorted%20wrenches/Barcalo%20Tool_zpsap5yidkx.jpg.html)
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A crazy combination tool to be sure. I've got one marked SEALY. Not sure if it came before the Barcalo ones, or after? (or both at the same time?)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/Bobbys%20II/Sealy%20combination%20kitchen%20tool_zpswgpuvn2c.jpg)
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the patent states that the patentee, Ernest Cullen assigned it to John B. Smiley of L.A CA.
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And the patent info says it was manufactured by Barcalo MFG . Buffalo , NY. I imagine they were offered as promotional items with company name imprinted.
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Never seen one before. As far as old wrenches, Barcalo Buffalo wrenches are probably the most common old wrenches i find. Unless they are like new or something odd, i don't bother to get them. In 10 years they will probably the most desired old tools and with sky high prices. Oh well.
EvilDr235
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A crazy combination tool to be sure. I've got one marked SEALY. Not sure if it came before the Barcalo ones, or after? (or both at the same time?)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/Bobbys%20II/Sealy%20combination%20kitchen%20tool_zpswgpuvn2c.jpg)
Where and how do you display your tools? Any pictures of your displays? I hope they do not sit in a box in the closet.
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From what I gather it's a kitchen tool. I can see a screwdriver tip and can opener, and the "alligator" opening looks like what someone would use to open a tight lid on a jar or bottle. The two other cuts/appendages I have no clue.
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The one I have is marked "BARCALO - BUFFALO U.S.A. // PAT. OCT. 4, 1938 - No. 111,564" so there are some marking variations.
I'm in the process of working up patent 2,230,376 for DATAMP. It is essentially the same tool, but as a regular patent has more information about the intended function of all the features.
Google that patent & read the specifications -- in particular the passage about the "carbonated beverage can opener" function. ;-)
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Mine looks like Papaw's. This is the only multi tool manufactured by a furniture company. Barcalo eventually sold off their tool division to concentrate on manufacturing BarcaLounger easy chairs.
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One of the Gaier's from the wrench collecting family in Ohio did an article for the Fine Tool Journal on the history of Barcalo. I'll have to see if I can find the issue.
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Mine looks like Papaw's. This is the only multi tool manufactured by a furniture company. Barcalo eventually sold off their tool division to concentrate on manufacturing BarcaLounger easy chairs.
I didn't know that. So I wonder if my "Sealy" wrench means that somehow the BarcoLounger furniture maker and Sealy mattress maker are somehow related?
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A crazy combination tool to be sure. I've got one marked SEALY. Not sure if it came before the Barcalo ones, or after? (or both at the same time?)
Where and how do you display your tools? Any pictures of your displays? I hope they do not sit in a box in the closet.
I'm in the process of putting together some displays right now. Hopefully I'll have something to take to the fall MVWC meet.
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...I wonder if my "Sealy" wrench means that somehow the BarcoLounger furniture maker and Sealy mattress maker are somehow related?
More likely Barcalo offered them for companies to use as promotional items.
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Per the Fine Tool Journal article Barcalo began making tools in 1914 when they acquired the Charles E. Hall Co which made tools and wrenches. In the 1960's they sold their furniture line to Mohasco Industries and they sold their tool line to Crescent Niagara which also acquired Billings and Spencer and Bridgeport Hardware. Barcalo sold their tools through distributors and hardware stores. The article shows the patent drawing for the combination tool but doesn't mention anything about it in the write up. It also shows a patent drawing for design patent 59,786 patented November 22, 1921 for the handle design on their adjustable wrenches. The article appears in the Summer 2011 issue, Volume 61 Number 1
"Starting in 1896 Barcalo founded Barcalo and Boll Manufacturing Company in Buffalo New York." Edward Joel Barcalo was born in 1870.
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Since I was reorganizing my Barcalo tools on Tuesday, I took some pictures. The first picture is raised panel stamped DOE wrenches. The second is what Barcalo calls Double Grip DOE wrenches. Next is Barcalo auto wrenches. Last is Barcaloy combo wrenches.
-Don
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A few more Barcalo adjustable wrenches. The first picture is of the unique double panel adjustable wrenches. The next wrenches are a similar style but with reinforced hanging holes. The last picture is of their conventional adjustables except the bottom wrench was made by Danielson.
-Don
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Nice collection Don! Those double panel adjustables have unique styling. Do you have a time frame of when they were manufactured?
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This is from 1920. One recently turned up in a picture of a WW2 specialized toolset.
-Don
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They are pretty sexy-looking. And thanks for posting the pictures. Nice collection!
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My pleasure. Here is some more 7 in 1 info.
-Don
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My pleasure. Here is some more 7 in 1 info.
-Don
I have a 7-in-1. Couldn't resist. Hit me high on the quirkiness meter.
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While we're on the Barcalo brand, I admit having an affinity for the modern tool (1958) with the distinctive box end.
http://alloy-artifacts.org/Photos/tools/barcalo_c24_wrench_combo_scoop_panel_f_cropped_inset2.jpg
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My pleasure. Here is some more 7 in 1 info.
-Don
I have a 7-in-1. Couldn't resist. Hit me high on the quirkiness meter.
Welcome to the international 7 in 1 club!
-Don
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While we're on the Barcalo brand, I admit having an affinity for the modern tool (1958) with the distinctive box end.
http://alloy-artifacts.org/Photos/tools/barcalo_c24_wrench_combo_scoop_panel_f_cropped_inset2.jpg
When I saw this on eBay, I couldn't resist it.
-Don
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Well played, d42.
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While we're on the Barcalo brand, I admit having an affinity for the modern tool (1958) with the distinctive box end.
http://alloy-artifacts.org/Photos/tools/barcalo_c24_wrench_combo_scoop_panel_f_cropped_inset2.jpg
Is the box end a design feature or does it have a practical applicability?
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Don't know whether the design is cosmetic or structural. It does, though, allow for a flatter profile, FWTW.
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'Transitional' pattern providing the advantage of an offset wrench while eliminating the offsetting process in manufacture.
See AA for more info.
Patent D177636.
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'Transitional' pattern providing the advantage of an offset wrench while eliminating the offsetting process in manufacture.
See AA for more info.
Patent D177636.
Don't know whether the design is cosmetic or structural. It does, though, allow for a flatter profile, FWTW.
Great info, led to some great reading. Thanks!
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'Transitional' pattern providing the advantage of an offset wrench while eliminating the offsetting process in manufacture.
See AA for more info.
Patent D177636.
( http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=177636&typeCode=2 ) is my DATAMP entry for design patent D177,636.
( https://books.google.com/books?id=MSwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA164#v=onepage&q&f=false ) Is Dec. 1958 Popular Science "new tool" summary of the TAPER DESIGN wrenches from BARCALO.
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lots of other interesting articles in that issue. Some pretty corny.
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Here are some more of that style on my Barcalo board.
-Don
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Pretty, and pretty complete, as well!
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Very nice.
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Ya, that's a sweet looking display.
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Here are some other Barcalo tool rolls.
-Don
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Whooowee!
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Whooowee!
+1!
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A few more.
-Don
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Nice! I like that chisel and punch set.
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They are interesting in that the punches and chisels aren’t marked. Just the holder. I was lucky that the set was intact.
-Don
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They are interesting in that the punches and chisels aren’t marked. Just the holder. I was lucky that the set was intact.
-Don
Not marked Barcalo?? I see something stamped on the shanks....can't read what it says though.
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They are simply marked with the Alloy makeup. Silico Manganese.
-Don
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Here are some Barcalo Buffalo offset adjustable wrenches in sizes 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 inches. I assume the 14 inch is uncommon as I have never seen another one. Note some duplicates which are somewhat different in design.
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Those are nice! I only have an 8” and a 12” in that style.
-Don
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Here are some Barcalo Buffalo offset adjustable wrenches in sizes 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 inches. I assume the 14 inch is uncommon as I have never seen another one. Note some duplicates which are somewhat different in design.
Did the two hole handle come before or after the one hole design? Just wondering if it was cost savings (before) or design adjustment (after) or quite possibly any number of other reasons....
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When Barcalo bought Hall tools, the one hole design was already in place. Here is a Hall’s ad from around 1908.
-Don
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The two hole design is of finer quality than the single hole design and holds up better to hammering. I am guessing, but I think it is the later design. Most offset S adjustable wrenches are of the single hole design.
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I get the feeling that "holding up to hammering" was an important feature on wrenches 100 years ago. Not so much these days.
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I still see plenty of tools with damage from hammering, particularly defenseless ratchets!
I got started collecting Barcalo tools from trying to put together the onboard toolset for my ‘42 Ford Jeep, made in Richmond, CA. Here are pictures showing the current results of that quest. Only 4 of the items shown are repros. The last two pictures are the Barcalo tools.
-Don
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Collecting tools for my Jeep onboard set got me started on collecting other wartime sets. These Barcalo tools are from my Motor Vehicle Mechanic’s Tool Set (MVMTS) as it would have appeared in November of 1942 when my Jeep was made.
-Don
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Here are some early Barcalo DOE wrenches.
-Don
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looks like some of those are stacked up knee deep. :grin: :tongue:
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That sometimes happens. My tool buddies seem to send me the early ones on a regular basis. Here are some of the last Barcalo marked wrenches.
-Don
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I broke a Barcalo mini-drought at the Tahoe flea on Saturday. The large DOE is a pad stamped 1” x 15/16”. The smaller DOE is a Jeep and GMTK correct 731A and the starter/manifold wrench is 3/4” x 5/8”. The pictures are as found and after a evaporust bath.
-Don
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Nice!!! Those cleaned up well!! Regards, Lou
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The second is what Barcalo calls Double Grip DOE wrenches.
Hi Don and all, I’ve really enjoyed this segment due to me finding a Barcalo on Saturday, it looks a though it’s one of the double grip designs mentioned by Don. I didn’t know anything about them. I quite like it’s design, looks old school to me.
I have two questions, when we’re these manufactured?
When did they Start/Stop stamping Buffalo? Mine doesn’t have it.
Jimmy
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Barcalo made quite a few wrenches for other companies so it isn’t too unusual to find wrenches obviously made by Barcalo but unmarked. I found this unmarked example a couple of weeks ago. There aren’t many catalogs that have been found but here are a couple of listings to give you an idea of when they were made.
-Don
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Thanks Don, I see 1941 on that page. That looks like your Sweet Spot of era’s too!
Thank you
Jimmy
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Here are some more Double Grip DOE wrenches. From top to bottom the sizes are 7/8" x 25/32", 3/4" x 5/8", 11/16 x 19/32", 9/16" x 1/2" and 13/32" x 5/16".
-Don
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Nice collection!
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Thanks! Tool Talk member Gibsontool generously sent me a double grip 7/16” x 1/2” wrench that I was missing. Thanks! Here it is after Evaporust worked it’s magic.
-Don
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A tool buddy sent me this early set with holder. Here is a before and some after derusting shots.
-Don
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I received two double grip wrenches that I was missing from a colleague in the UK today and promptly added them to the ones I had. I now have 9 of the ten in the catalog. I’m still missing the 3/4” x 7/8”. A shoutout to Gibsontool for the offer of one of my missing wrenches!
-Don