My name is Dan Kral - I live in Minnetonka, Minnesota and found this site through a contact with Papaws on e-bay selling a set of Auto-Kit wrenches with a not original tapered screw and knurled nut to hold the set together. I collect J P Danielson tools and Auto-Kit Wrenches were made by the J.P. Danielson Company in Jamestown, New York. John Peter (J.P.) Danielson is my great-grandfather on my mother's side. My grandfather, Fred Moynihan married Lillian Danielson, first born of the Danielson children, and ran the die shop at J P Danielson for a good part of his career until the company was sold to Plomb tool Company on December 31, 1946. My mother, Mary Catharine Moynihan worked at J P Danielson during the summers she was in college. And that is why I collect and am interested in J.P. Danielson tools. One quick note - most folks get information about J P Danielson Company from the Alloy Artifacts web site. Alloy Artifacts has a ton of great and correct information, but one thing I believe they have incorrect is the introduction of the chevron pattern as the knurling on pliers made by J P Danielson. The Alloy Artifacts web site gives 1942 (I think) as the introduction of the chevron pattern. I believe it is much before that. I am working on putting together the information to substantiate my belief, and at some point that will be coming. What I know about the chevron pattern is that it was my grandfather's "trademark" that set J P Danielson pliers apart. More on this later, but just to throw that out for consideration and discussion. I will check back as I can.
