Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: anglesmith on March 14, 2013, 12:21:59 AM

Title: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: anglesmith on March 14, 2013, 12:21:59 AM

I haven't seen one like this before!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Old-Tools-Antique-Tools-Vintage-Tools-Apkogrip-Hand-Brace-RARE-/221195302873?pt=AU_ToolsHardwareLocks&hash=item33804477d9

Graeme

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: Branson on March 14, 2013, 08:54:42 AM

Quote from: anglesmith on March 14, 2013, 12:21:59 AM

I haven't seen one like this before!

That makes two of us.  Pretty strange.

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: gibsontool on March 14, 2013, 11:58:15 AM

I wonder how effective a wrench this would be. It looks to me like you would loosen the wing nut to tighten the jaws onto a nut or bolt. When you apply pressure it seems like the spring is the only thing holding the jaws on the nut or bolt and the spring looks a little lite for the job. There must be some thing that I'm missing???

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: gibsontool on March 14, 2013, 12:02:29 PM

Please ignore my last post, had a little brain fart there.

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: Plyerman on March 14, 2013, 10:10:48 PM

Don't feel bad, I looked at it the same way at first.

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: anglesmith on March 15, 2013, 12:57:45 AM

You certainly have to look closely to register that it has a pliers type half joint. I like the brass name plate and the amount of effort they took in getting it made and fitting it in! Makes you wonder if they sold enough of them to cover their tooling and setup costs? The seller doesn't show the end view but I assume it was for square nuts which would take it back into the horse and buggy era!
Graeme

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: scottg on March 15, 2013, 12:59:50 AM

I really love it! Cool! Gizmocity!
 I doubt they will get the asking price though.
 Braces seldom fetch this much.
 yours Scott

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: Lewill2 on March 17, 2013, 07:26:42 AM

Another unusual one showed up. This one has a socket adapter with it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1873-Wright-Patent-Combination-Buggy-Wrench-Brace-W-Rare-Bit-Holding-Attachment-/160991702712?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257bda6eb8

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: Plyerman on March 17, 2013, 09:44:30 PM

I get a kick outa that whole brace-wrench concept. Makes you think about life before there were air impact wrenches and cordless electric nut drivers.

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: mvwcnews on March 17, 2013, 10:38:25 PM

Quote from: Lewill2 on March 17, 2013, 07:26:42 AM

Another unusual one showed up. This one has a socket adapter with it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1873-Wright-Patent-Combination-Buggy-Wrench-Brace-W-Rare-Bit-Holding-Attachment-/160991702712?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257bda6eb8

It has to be totally amazing that the socket adapter stayed with a Wright brace wrench all  these years.  I've never seen one, although I've seen a goodly number of Wright brace wrenches.

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: mvwcnews on March 17, 2013, 10:44:35 PM

Quote from: anglesmith on March 14, 2013, 12:21:59 AM

I haven't seen one like this before!
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Old-Tools-Antique-Tools-Vintage-Tools-Apkogrip-Hand-Brace-RARE-/221195302873?pt=AU_ToolsHardwareLocks&hash=item33804477d9

Graeme

Did a quick google books search & it was announced to the world as a "new product" in 1928.  One might surmise that the financial crash of 1929-1930 ended the venture as it did so many other tool makers of the 1920s.

Here's the snippet: "  The Apkogrip adjustable wheel and rim brace, which has been lately introduced by the Apko Patent Tool Co., Ltd., 10, Brent Street, London, N.W.4, "  The intended market was for demountable wheel rim bolts on automobiles.

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: john k on March 17, 2013, 11:40:01 PM

I am thinking it was aimed at farmers, and the last surviving wagon makers, just to make it easier to undo all those square nuts and bolts.   Never seen anything like it at all.

Title: Re: Unusual adjustable brace wrench?
Post by: 1930 on March 18, 2013, 05:00:21 AM

I had one of these at one time, I am not sure if I do still but I guess prob. not since my tool collection has really weened itself down over the years