Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: dowdstools on July 17, 2014, 07:17:13 PM

Title: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: dowdstools on July 17, 2014, 07:17:13 PM

This is a 12 inch Crescent style wrench marked POWR-KRAFT 100 that I just picked up with a load of tools from an estate. What I find interesting is the lock on the nut to hold the jaw in place. The opposite side of the handle is marked DROP FORGED CHROMIUM ALLOY MADE IN THE U.S.A. It's marked patent pending, so it's going to be a little tough to date this one.

(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/lynndowd/powrkraft1.jpg)
(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/lynndowd/powrkraft2.jpg)

Lynn

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: bonneyman on July 17, 2014, 07:57:18 PM

That is a very cool tool! I think that locking feature would come in handy.

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: EVILDR235 on July 17, 2014, 09:19:26 PM

I also having a locking adjustable wrench out in the shop.I don't think it is a Powr-Kraft brand tho.

EvilDr235

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: mvwcnews on July 18, 2014, 12:30:51 AM

POWR-KRAFT appears as a Montgomery Ward  tool brand in 1960s-early 1980s.  So if anyone has an early-mid 1960s Montgomery Ward catalog, they could check to see if this one appears.

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: amecks on July 18, 2014, 09:02:07 AM

Nice looking wrench.  Maybe the "D" and "84" are the date code?
Al

Oops! Probably not a date code - there's an old socket set on AA and they are marked with a D and 84 as well.
Al

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: rusty on July 18, 2014, 05:47:42 PM

This might be patent 1,729,640, which was assigned to Barcalo.
Does it look like any Barcalo adjustable?

datamp says not known to have been made...

The detail in datamp's patent pic is not good,but google's shows a toothed piece...

The patent is from 1929....seems a bit early...?

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: bear_man on July 19, 2014, 02:07:42 AM

I've never seen a locking option on an open-end-adjustable.  Neat.

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: lauver on July 30, 2014, 03:10:21 PM

Gang

The "D" on the handle makes me think Duro/Indestro.  D/I made a lot of contract tools for other companies like Western Auto.  And the "D" is present on Duro made Western auto tools.

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: lbgradwell on July 30, 2014, 04:13:34 PM

But I don't think Duro made adjustable wrenches, Gary...

I'm inclined towards Diamond myself...

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: kxxr on July 31, 2014, 11:11:40 AM

  The Duro adjustable shown on AA is described as having a "square shouldered keyway",
https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/duro-indestro-p5.html
which is further described as a patented construction feature of Williams adjustables. Mr AA deduces that the presence of this feature identifies the wrench as Williams made.
  I see this same feature on many brands of  adjustable, some of which I would not expect to have been Williams made (disclaimer: not an expert). The ones I have are marked Crestoloy, Herbrand, Barcalo, New Britain, Channelock, Diamond, McKaig-Hatch, Proto and even Craftsman. I suppose anyone could use the square shouldered keyway if the patent expired.
  Here is the Duro I have. It does have the square shoulder keyway and a Williams look, but not a vee opening like the AA example. 
  I'm just kicking the can (of worms) here, but does the Powr-Kraft have a square shouldered keyway? It doesn't seem it would help in identifying the maker at all; just curious. That is certainly an unusual and interesting wrench.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/duro1crop.jpg) (http://s301.photobucket.com/user/kxxr/media/tools/duro1crop.jpg.html)

Title: Re: An Interesting Powr-Kraft Wrench
Post by: Twilight Fenrir on July 31, 2014, 04:59:45 PM

I wish MY adjustable wrenches all had locks on them... That's awesome! They always have about an 1/8" of wiggle though...