Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Branson on July 03, 2011, 05:01:54 PM

Title: Matco wrench set
Post by: Branson on July 03, 2011, 05:01:54 PM
Came across this little set at the flea market.  It was in decent condition, in its plastic pocket, and no money to speak of.  I don't know anything else about it, but it came home with me.
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: 1930 on July 03, 2011, 05:30:23 PM
That would have come home with me also
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: Papaw on July 03, 2011, 06:34:41 PM
Wonder what the application was? Bicycle, maybe?
The alligator wrench caught my eye.
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: lbgradwell on July 03, 2011, 11:49:33 PM
Quote from: Papaw on July 03, 2011, 06:34:41 PM
Wonder what the application was? Bicycle, maybe?

LOL! Yes, bicycle...

And it's not Matco, but rather MAFAC (Manufacture Arvernoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycles). They were a well-known French maker of brakes & tool kits for bicycles...
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: Branson on July 04, 2011, 09:03:04 AM
Quote from: lbgradwell on July 03, 2011, 11:49:33 PM
LOL! Yes, bicycle...
And it's not Matco, but rather MAFAC (Manufacture Arvernoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycles). They were a well-known French maker of brakes & tool kits for bicycles...

(Looking sheepish) Yep, MAFAC.  Bicycle... that explains the elastic band. Well, I bought it for fun, but now it's going into my bike tool kit!

You guys are batting a thousand today!
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: rusty on July 04, 2011, 09:46:18 AM

Ahh...there's a visual....Broken down in the woods, lost  somewhere in France, trying to fix my bicycle with a stamped sheet metal alligator wrench...
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: Papaw on July 04, 2011, 06:24:00 PM
Rusty, imagine me in Yugoslavia in 1969, on a Honda CB77 (Dream), with a very loose chain, little experience, and only the Honda tool kit to use! The chain came off several times before I figured out that the rear axle needed to be set further back to take up the slack. I had already torn up the top and bottom chain gaurds and thrown them away.

Longer story could be told some other time.
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: Branson on July 04, 2011, 07:28:40 PM
Quote from: rusty on July 04, 2011, 09:46:18 AM

Ahh...there's a visual....Broken down in the woods, lost  somewhere in France, trying to fix my bicycle with a stamped sheet metal alligator wrench...

There's a reason the French drink so much wine.  And hey, it's almost my first alligator wrench.
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: Papaw on July 04, 2011, 07:44:46 PM
Quote
my first alligator wrench.
Almost certainly not your last! They are addictive.
Title: Re: Matco wrench set
Post by: lbgradwell on July 04, 2011, 07:57:36 PM
When I was a kid, I remember my "father" had a French racing bike that had MAFAC brakes. It also had a tool kit; I don't remember that it was also MAFAC, but it's likely...

I do recall I wasn't allowed to play with (or even near) the bike as it was his treasure!