Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: amecks on April 13, 2022, 02:58:52 PM

Title: Wakefield Wizard 9" Auto Wrench
Post by: amecks on April 13, 2022, 02:58:52 PM

 Last trip to Tom's for a while, picked up some missing pieces for the toolbox at work and while there I found this Wizard.  Not in bad shape except for minor rust.  Patent date Nov 14 1922.  Marked as a Wizard - no Wakefield mark.

Title: Re: Wakefield Wizard 9" Auto Wrench
Post by: john k on April 13, 2022, 05:19:01 PM

Wizard as in Western Auto?  Have a 1922 Western Auto catalog around here somewhere.

Title: Re: Wakefield Wizard 9" Auto Wrench
Post by: amecks on April 13, 2022, 07:20:54 PM

 According to Alloy Artifacts the Wizard brand was first used by Western Auto in 1937.  This wrench predates the Western usage of the name.  I believe AA is saying the Wizard name was used by Wakefield from '22 thru '30. 
 eBay prices currently start at about $14.  I paid $2 today for the lot!

Title: Re: Wakefield Wizard 9" Auto Wrench
Post by: four.cycle on April 17, 2022, 02:23:32 PM

^ yes. Wakefield's "Wizard" preceded Western Auto's "Wizard".
Wakefield's "Wizard" was preceded by Richard's "Wizard" (Patent 854174)

Title: Re: Wakefield Wizard 9" Auto Wrench
Post by: d42jeep on April 26, 2022, 11:45:08 AM

I have a cool Wakefield wrench made for Indian “Motocycles”. Looks like my or Bill’s Uncle Herb was an inventor for Wakefield. Or maybe someone else’s Uncle Herb.
-Don

Title: Re: Wakefield Wizard 9" Auto Wrench
Post by: skipskip on April 26, 2022, 01:07:32 PM

I found a Wakefield bicycle wrench stamped for Humber bicycles


(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52031947783_14a7772905_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ngTkiZ)apr295 (https://flic.kr/p/2ngTkiZ) by Skip Albright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/skipskip/), on Flickr

Title: Re: Wakefield Wizard 9" Auto Wrench
Post by: four.cycle on April 28, 2022, 03:08:03 PM

your "Humber" dates from 1895-1898

http://www.thewheelmen.org/sections/bicyclebrands/bicycle-brands-companies.php

I have one of those ratchets, Don. complete with the 8R socket set