Heller wrenches

[john k]

What is the correct name for these spanners.   Or the regional name you've always heard referred to as?   Both these are Heller. 

[Papaw]

Heller called them Masterwrench. A German company made similar wrenches called Einhander ( one- hander).

[lbgradwell]

Heller called them Masterwrench.

Masterwrench, actually, Papaw...

And I have another: an "Auto-Grip" by Cleveland Wrench Co.

[Bus]

What is the correct name for these spanners.   Or the regional name you've always heard referred to as?   Both these are Heller. 

Collectors call them self adjusting wrenches. They can be found with smooth jaws or serrated for nuts or pipe.

[mikeswrenches]

These were nice wrenches, as were most tools that Heller Bros. made. 

They were made in 6 in. up to at least a 15-16 in. size(I think).  I don't have the big one with me to measure.

There is also a 6 in. that is an anomaly.  The diagonal line in the N in Newark goes the wrong way.  It goes from the top right to the bottom left rather than from left to right.  The die-maker must have done this on a Monday after a rough week-end.

Mike

[Bus]

A collection of all the Masterench variations would take quite a bit of wall space. Below is a list of the variations that have been sold on Wrenching News Auctions (three are probably more). Beside the smooth or serrated jaws and type of opening in the end variations there are several marking variations. The major ones are:

HELLER BROTHERS CO - NEWARK, NJ - PATENTED 4-14-25 - 7-5-27
HELLER - MADE IN USA - PATENTED
LYNCHMEAD MFG. CO. TURLOCK, CAL  NOV 21, 1921 - FEB 25, 1921 and  PATS. PENDING 


6" with smooth jaws and round hole.
6"  with smooth jaws and square opening.
6" with serrated jaws and square opening.
6" with serrated jaws and hex opening.
6" with serrated jaws and 12 point opening.

8" with smooth jaws and round hole.
8" with smooth jaws and square opening.
8" with serrated jaws and round hole.
8" with serrated jaws and square opening.
8" with serrated jaws and hex openig.

10" with smooth jaws and square hole
10" with serrated jaws and round hole.
10" with serrated jaws and square hole.
10" with serrated jaws and 12 point opening.

14" with smooth jaws and round hole.
14" with smooth jaws and square hole.
14" with serrated jaws and square hole.

18" smooth jaws and round hole (submitted by BRwrench)
18" serrated jaws and round hole
18" serrated jaws and square hole

Sizes listed are manufacturer's nominal sizes. actual lengths are longer.

I have managed to acquire all but three of the above variations.

The Apr. 14, 1925 patent can be found on DATAMP with links to the others.
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=1533602&typeCode=0

This self adjusting style of wrench was very popular, besides the Einhander and Cleveland already mentioned there are probably nearly fifty other brands

[mikeswrenches]

Bus,

Which ones are you missing?  I only keep the 6 in. ones.  Might have one of the larger ones, or I'll keep an eye out for them.

Mike

[Bus]

Bus,

Which ones are you missing?  I only keep the 6 in. ones.  Might have one of the larger ones, or I'll keep an eye out for them.

Mike

Thanks for the offer. I need the following:
6"  with smooth jaws and square opening.
8" with smooth jaws and square opening.
18" smooth jaws and round hole.
18" serrated jaws and round hole
Plus I don't have any of the Lynchmead Mfg. ones.

[rusty]

After you have all those, then there are the improvment variations ;P

[BRwrench]

One that may have been overlooked on the above list is the 18" with the smooth jaws.  I have one in my collection and it also has a round hole in the handle.

[Bus]

One that may have been overlooked on the above list is the 18" with the smooth jaws.  I have one in my collection and it also has a round hole in the handle.

I don't have that one and evidently have never had one to sell. I thought the 18 inchers with smooth jaws were probably manufactured. I added it to the list (and my wanted list).