Tool Talk
Buying, Selling, and Trading => The Missing Link => Topic started by: john k on September 16, 2011, 02:00:03 PM
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I'd like to build a set of combo end wrenches. Am thinking a semi-industrial grade, dating to the 50s or 60s. These are one of the heaviest made common wrenches I've seen. There is a raised bar on the length of the body, inscribed, New Britain, in script, NDF, I have two that are a match, 15/16, 3/4. They are polished, metal finish, no chrome, or nickel. On the reverse side, FORGED, Made in U.S.A. Am more looking to trade, as I'm rather poor at this time. John K. Figured a pic is worth, so, very first pic post.
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Hi there, I've got a New Britain wrench that's 11/16, same style... looks like some great wrenches to collect. This one reads "NDF-60- 11/16.
I don't think you're looking for the double open ended wrenches, but I have a nice one that's 1 1/8 and 1 1/16 of the same era (NDF32).
Now that I'm looking at it, the 11/16 wrench is a pretty damn good lookin'!!! Maybe I should go on a date...... I take all too much interest in wrenches!!!!
No, but really, it is a nice wrench.
If you'd like to have it, I'd give it/ well, sell it, for three dollars plus shipping. Anyhow, let me know. In the mean time, I'll look around for some others. But, I think the only other New Britain wrenches I have are either open ended or offset socket type wrenches. But, I'll look around. My family makes fun of me for all of the tools in my house. I always tell them, "Well, at least I don't collect cars." Usually, that shuts them up.
Anyhow, I'll keep looking.
cheers, bird
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Those are good looking wrenches! I have never come across any up here. I will keep my eyes open for you though.
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I pick up the NBs when I see them, but I haven't come across that version in my travels. I do like all the New Britain tools though. Good choice to build on I would think. Hope you haven't picked a 'scarce' variation. What does AA say?
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AA says they were produced from the end of WWII til 1950 or so. They had pics of most of the sizes, so where are the rest? Don't think many people would trash a name brand tool.
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Bird, I'd like to get that wrench from you, its a start anyway, PM me the shipping and i'll get some cash together. John
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I picked up a DOE New Britain of this design (which we've already talked about) but passed on a DBE that the had. Price was way high for that little thing. Didn't know they were the same till I got home an d went to AA.
Interesting forging with the relieved areas.
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Here is a ready-made set I found in a flea market some years ago. From your description, this is not what you are looking for. Numbers stamped on the 6 wrenches in this set range from 726 to 731. The size combination on the first wrench is OE 5/16", CE 3/8". The largest combination is OE 7/8", CE 15/16". This set is unused.
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Have had some success, generous people here have stepped up, and found two affordable on the 'bay. Have decided to concentrate on the DOE, and combinations. So far have15/16, 7/8, 3/4, 5/8, in the combinations, and in the DOE a 3/4-7/8, and 1/2-7/16. Which is a whole bunch better than the two lonely ones hanging above my bench the past 18 years.
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Is that a Schrade bent wire handle pruning knife??
Sandbagging are we John??? heeheh
yours Scott
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An 11/16 version of the style you're looking for I believe, if you're interested.
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Geee, another one is found! That is a size that I've not seen yet. I have the 15/16-7/8-3/4-5/8, that 11/16 will fit right in. Double groove, NDF, no chrome. Maybe we can do some trading?
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Maybe we can do some trading?
I will put it to the side for you, John.
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I didn't really expect to come up with more to this set, and not this quickly. The two wrenches I've had for over 15 years is now four, with the promise of two more soon. Not really expecting to collect the set of double open end, but suddenly I have seven of those too, only 2 pictured. Different numbering on another two, thin jawed, and one is even nickel plated. All the rest are plain steel. The good folks here that have sent wrenches my way I thank you again.
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Found another, Oily here on the board came up with this one, and it is chrome, but probably nickel plated. Still needing the sizes smaller than 5/8 and a one inch. Also have been picking up double open ends, as well as a similar but earlier design. This is going along so fast will be hanging it up as a complete set this year. Thanks to all those here that have been spotting these for me.
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Still on the hunt for these New Britain combination wrenches. Still needing a 1 inch, 1/2 inch, 9/16 inch, and if it comes my way a 13/16. Have tripled this set in 5 months due to the efforts of the people on here. Am also mildly looking for the combination box end, and combination open end. Have even come up with some open end thin, tappet wrenches. Chrome or steel. Thanks
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Still on the hunt for these New Britain combination wrenches. Still needing a 1 inch, 1/2 inch, 9/16 inch, and if it comes my way a 13/16. Have tripled this set in 5 months due to the efforts of the people on here. Am also mildly looking for the combination box end, and combination open end. Have even come up with some open end thin, tappet wrenches. Chrome or steel. Thanks
I have a 11/16" combo with "Jack" engraved on open end if you want to start a 2nd set!
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Please return my wrench!
Jack
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I am still on the look out for the fore mentioned sizes of this New Britain wrench set. Making progress, but is slow again, let me know if you find some of these. John
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Still working on a set of combo box/open end wrenches. New Britains, am in need of the 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 13/16, 1 In. chrome or steel finish. Am also mildly interested in the combo box ends, and combo box offsets. Plus have been acquiring a few combo open ends. Let me know what you have.
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I can't hang up a complete set yet, but its close. For the combination open and box, am still needing the 3/8 and 1 inch. Am nearing a set of combination open ends. Have only a couple of box ends, and found 3 combination box end offsets. 4 different types, when I started out with a solitary 5/8 combination. Thanks to all those that have helped fill this out.
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Howdy John! Nice style in a wrench. I really like it. Question for you; is this the only style New Britain wrench you are seeking? I ask because I've seen so many. I'd like to see a thread showing all the styles of NB wrenches (yes, I've already read up on AA).
Merry Christmas!
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I'm not sure Papaw would want a separate column that it would take to highlight the NB wrench types. There seem to be dozens. I am concentrating on this set, that dates from 46 to 53, but have been coming across a similar set with a raised back bone from the late 30s. Have a number of chrome NB wrenches from the 60s and newer. Something just spoke to me about this cut out set when I first spied one, guess they're just so different. I can't collect everything, tho I think SWMBO would deny that! (sitting and touching a 19th century Stanley as I ponder).
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Still looking for the one inch size in these New Britain wrenches. Have also come close to a whole set of double open end, double box end and double box end offset. Way more than I started out after, and have the guys here to thank. So, what do you have?
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Very cool style wrench! Your quest has moved along much faster than my Superrench collection though. I've worked patiently at this for many years. Many good things have come from my search including finding this web site. I'm afraid the last three wrenches could take years for me to find if they even exist out there.
Good luck!
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Still hunting old New Britain wrenches. The double groove style, combo box/open, in 3/8 and 13/16. Maybe any over one inch also? Also an mildly looking at combo box end, deep offset, in 3/8 x 7/16. A nd shallow offset wrenches. Was just gifted a double box end combo, 1-3/8 X 1-1/4 NDF 218. But the next size in that pattern I have is a 3/4 NDF 206, so a bunch still missing there. Getting serious with the earlier series with the single bar backbone, especially in the combo open and box styles. See what you have, Thanks to the folks here, this is getting out of ha----is going great!! Thank you
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John, I'm afraid we are going to have to insist on some pictures !!!
Brian
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What Brian said!
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OKay,,, taken tonight, the BIG double box, and smaller sizes. Then the older 1930s single bar series, all that I have. At the bottom are the virtually complete set of combo opens, standard and tappet style. Not shown are the combo deep offset box ends. Getting to be work to dig these out.
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John that is a nice collection of a beautiful style of wrench!
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Those are nice! I believe I might help you with the top picture style. Let me dig.
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No doubt, those NB's have a nice style, but I will let John hunt them down as I have only seen two of the them!
Brian
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John, maybe you should broaden your horizons..... check these out !!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-New-Britain-Nut-Master-double-end-wrench-7-16-3-8-1950s-Era-NDF514-/111174731279?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item19e287c60f&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-New-Britain-Tools-Large-Flare-Nut-Wrench-NDF-556-3-4-X-7-8-/190906063770?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c72e35b9a
They wont be hard to find !! Sorry, I couldnt resist!
Brian
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Those are downright strange looking, but imagine they work okay. Right now on the bay are several of the type I seek, but all ones I have already acquired. Except for one set that would cost me nearly $22 per wrench, ouch.
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I can offer these. They have seen nothing more than a wiping with hog lard at my hands, so it may well be they clean up. Note the grinding on the open end of the combo. Yours if you want them.
The combo is 3/4" x 3/4" - the DOE is 3/4" x 7/8"
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p534/alphinde/Tools%20Talk/CIMG6402_zps505e784a.jpg) (http://s1154.photobucket.com/user/alphinde/media/Tools%20Talk/CIMG6402_zps505e784a.jpg.html)
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Sure thing! Those are the earlier design from the late 30s, but am getting an assortment of them too. Hard to find the combo, and am also short that combo open end. We'll work out some sort of trade. Appreciate you digging these out.
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And the collection grows. On the double groove combo end wrench, am still shy the 3/8 and 13/16, have the rest up to one inch! Thanks everyone. The combo open end, combo box end, and combo box end offset are near completion. Now I have found there is a combo box end short! Going to start checking this collection in pounds! Just came across more of the earlier single rib combo and box open combo, so they are still surfacing. Have a white wall in the new garage, these may get arrayed there sometime.
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I have a 1/2" on my web site. oldtoolman.com Larry
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Nice looking wrenches to be sure. That double-grooved panel style is distinctive!
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What the problem of accumulating a set is, by the time one gets to near completion, those last few sizes seem to be slim and none. A year ago I saw near zip of these on the bay, Now there are over a half dozen wrenches there, and have every one of those sizes. It has been a fun ride. Never seen a tool rack for NB, anyone else?
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Just a bump, haven't found any more in months now. Still in need of the double groove style, in 3/8 cob, 13/16 cob, and anything over an inch.
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Bump it, once every six months, collection about where these photos indicate. Had to get them out of the house and into the shop, and now where did I put them?
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Found another, but had to buy an assortment to get it, 1-1/8 combo box and open. First time have seen one over an inch. Plus in the same week, a 1-1/16, combo. Still need the 3/8 combo box open. And a 13/16 combo. Think I'll do up a canvas tool roll for these. Thanks to every one that has helped out on finding this set. Been going on -4- years!
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New Britain wrenches, still on the lookout for the ones mentioned above. What is frustrating is the fact that all the ones on the bay right now, near a dozen, I already own or the prices are in the Stratosphere. Aren't hobbies wonderful?
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Have really filled in the holes on these sets. Just in need a few, all those on the bay are ones I already have, or prices are WOW. If you have one of either of these patterns, let me know.
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Nice work!
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hello John K,
you might want to list the ones that you need, then we will be on the lookout for you.
just a suggestion, Frank
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I was gonna look for these when you first posted years ago, but didnt get tuit.
All I have are:
NDF-106 DBE 3/4 x 25/32 double groove style
and
NDF-112 DBE 15/16 x 1 raised panel style.
and by now you prolly dont need those, but holler if you do.
Skip
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Well now Skip-skip, that raised bar 112 is one I do not have. Those were in the pre-war catalog. The ones with the double groove came about after the war up til about 53 or so. Seems like most any of them over one inch in jaw size is scarce. The short double box raised panel 404 and sizes up from there are missing too. The double groove combo box/open were tough to find but now have them up to 1-1/4. Never thought I'd see so many of these two types.
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What is pretty interesting is for the time period, late 30s, the variety of types these were offered. Combo open/box, combo open end, combo box in short and long. Combo box offset in short and long, plus the thin tappet wrench. 7 types in sizes 1/4 to 1-1/4, a pile of tools.