Tool Talk
What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: Wrenchmensch on January 29, 2013, 04:13:07 PM
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This 9-inch No. 2 alligator wrench is embossed with a "P inscribed in a Keystone". I cleaned it up and photographed it hoping someone can identify this wrench's maker. I checked the Wrenching News makers marks page published several years ago, but didn't find this mark.
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My first guess would be a Philadelphia maker. Did Disston make alligator wrenches?
American Saw Co. made alligator wrenches, and they had a plant in Beaver Falls, PA.
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The American Saw alligator wrenches have AMERICAN SAW CO. TRENTON N.J. MFGS. embossed on one side of their their handles.
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AA only shows an L in a keystone for Lakeside Forge. But you probably already looked there.
Mike
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Yep, already checked that!
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Phoenix something? (iron/manufacturing? I can't remember )
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Rusty:
Phoenix Steel was a specialty steelmaker. As far as I know it was located in Claymont, Delaware, right on the Delaware-Pennsylvania border. It also had, at one time, major operations in Phoenixville, PA. I don't believe they ever made tools, though.
Bob
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What was the purpose of the alligator wrench? I assume it was intended to fit a variety of sizes of both square and hex nuts, but I don't see how it could grip anything very well. Can someone help educate me? Thanks
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Grip square & hex nuts by one flat & one corner -- the teeth usually were cut at an angle so they also would grip pipe & other rounds.
When the teeth are sharp they work pretty well for grip, but in the aftermath whatever they worked on looked pretty well chewed -- like an alligator had been at work!
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My 1960 Williams catalog has this entry for their Bull Dog alligator wrenches:
"Designed for all-around service, these wrenches will grip round, square, hexagon or any shape that will fit between their tough jaws."