Old Strap Wrench...not in DATAMP

[mikeswrenches]

I normally would never have looked twice at this thing since it looked like your basic strap wrench handle.  But, since it had a patent date I looked for it in DATAMP, very much to my surprise it wasn't listed.  It turned up on Google Patents rather quickly.

The patent was issued to a William Love of Bryn Mar, PA on June 3rd of 1902.  No. 701,489.
Overall length is 11 1/4 in.  It appears to be cast iron and not a forging.

I'm not exactly sure, but this may have been the patent for the very first strap wrench, since Mr. Love doesn't make any mention of prior designs.  It sure looks like most  of the current day designs.
Unfortunately, the strap is MIA.

Link to patent is below.

https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US701489.pdf

Mike

[scottg]

cool one!
 Ridgid still sells replacement straps, but they are spendy.  I am using a modern automotive serpentine belt on one of mine.  Works perfect and used belts are free.
    yours Scott

[mikeswrenches]

Good idea Scott, probably would last a bit longer than the original cotton webbing.

Mike

[amecks]

A strap can be made from an old nylon ratchet tie down strap.  Cut away the old end hook and you have the stitched loop to attach to your wrench and it's probably the perfect width, too.  To prevent slipping use resin like baseball players use.

Al.

[mvwcnews]

I'd seen a 1907 ad for the LOVE strap wrench & its in the Dec. 2011 MVWC Newsletter, pg. 28 , with a "please let me know if you have one or have seen one" --
Now I have the answer, so will do the DATAMP entry (and also an item in the Dec. 2014 MVWC Newsletter ).
The 1907 Scranton Specialty Co. said "galvanized malleable iron" -- any plating left on yours?

[mikeswrenches]

Stan, I had noticed spots of what looked like silver paint when I  was taking the pictures.  After you asked about the galvanizing I tried a couple of them with both lacquer thinner and acetone, and there was no reaction.  My guess is that it is/was indeed galvanized.

Mike