Author Topic: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench  (Read 5813 times)

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Offline Lostmind

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'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« on: July 22, 2012, 01:56:52 PM »
I bought this just to share with you guys.The jaw has a pipe cutter ,and it flips over to use as a pipe wrench.It's a hammer and nail puller also.
I never saw one , but it's probably pretty common to you guys.
The rust was worst at the name , and it seems the more I did ,the harder it got to read.
Could be Bonney vise &tool co. or donney vise & tool Co.?Phil. Pa.
Says "The Masterpiece" Established 1876.
I tried to google it , but not sure of the name.
Also got the Vise at same place, don't know if it's same period?
Let me know your thoughrs
Thanks Roy
« Last Edit: July 22, 2012, 01:59:57 PM by Lostmind »
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Offline johnsironsanctuary

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2012, 02:40:09 PM »
Roy, That is a Bemis & Call Combination wrench. I have never seen one with the pipe jaw that you have. Your is called a long nut. What is probably stamped in it is Bemis & Call H and T co.  'Hardware and Tool' Excuse me for drooling a little, but would you care to part with it? PM me.

« Last Edit: July 22, 2012, 02:46:51 PM by johnsironsanctuary »
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Offline rusty

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2012, 02:43:23 PM »
It is The Masterpiece, and it is by Bonney Tool & Vise Works,Phila,PA.
It is shown in 1906 Hardware Dealers Magazine. Adv claim patents of
Mar 3, 1903 ; Aug 9, 1904

Very nice :)

Mar patent: http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=721660&typeCode=0
Aug patent: http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=767,199&type=
« Last Edit: July 22, 2012, 02:58:58 PM by rusty »
Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline Plyerman

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2012, 02:47:18 PM »
Sweet! That's really a special one there.

You ought to think about spinning up a new wooden grip for it Lostmind.
My friends call me Bob. My wife calls me a lot worse.

Offline johnsironsanctuary

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2012, 02:48:29 PM »
OOPS! I assume that it was a way to get around the Bemis and Call patents.  Thanks Rusty.








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« Last Edit: July 22, 2012, 02:52:58 PM by johnsironsanctuary »
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Offline rusty

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2012, 03:05:01 PM »

It is the classic Bemis & Call pattern, but the patents on the basic B&C dogged jaw were  25+ years old and long expired...
Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline Lostmind

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2012, 03:37:56 PM »
Fast work Rusty.I'm going to try Bing , haven't had much luck with google.
It seems like they always direct me somewhere to buy something.
I have seen quite a few Bemis and Call S Wrenches , but none of the interchangable jaw wrenches.
Of all the things I've lost , I miss my mind the most

Offline Lostmind

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2012, 03:44:58 PM »
Well , I went back to Google and there is a lot of info.I originaly thought it was Bonley,
and didn't go back to Bonney.Thanks again ,
Roy
Of all the things I've lost , I miss my mind the most

Offline Branson

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2012, 05:43:05 PM »
That * Ford carb , hubcap wrench looks more like a small saw vise to me.

Offline Lostmind

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2012, 07:12:08 PM »
Yes it is , that's my file ID , it's in with some items I have for sale.
I know there is supposed to be a way to hide it, but I'm still learnig
this computer stuff.
The vise came from the same stash as the wrench.
It's cast iron , with a number three cast in it. Can't find any other markings.
I thought it was a small saw vise?
Works good , I'll probably keep it on the workbench as a third hand.
Of all the things I've lost , I miss my mind the most

Offline rusty

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2012, 09:02:49 PM »

I like the saw vise, it's a nice simple, clean design.
Don't squeeze too hard with it, it's likely cast iron...
Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline Lostmind

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #11 on: July 25, 2012, 12:19:56 PM »
Here is The " Masterpiece " with a "borrowed" Handle from a Stilson pipe wrench and a photo of the "new" handle to go on the Stilson.
Of all the things I've lost , I miss my mind the most

Offline scottg

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #12 on: July 25, 2012, 12:34:37 PM »
Not a saw vise.
  People always think they are but they are wrong. 
 If you tried to mount a saw in it, you'll find its not deep enough and the saw sticks up above the jaws 2 or 3 inches! Its nowhere near heavy enough either.
 Filing a spring steel saw blade with a file, that is held in very thick cast iron vise jaws? Right up close only 1/8" below the file?  Is already hard enough on files. They don't last long at best.
 Trying to file one free hanging in space by 3"? 
 The file wouldn't last 4 strokes!   Screeeeeeeech!

 On the other hand, .....say your wallet blows out a seam?
 Or your keychain/coin purse loses its stitching?
  Your harness needs repair????    Again???? Already??

 Try a lacing pony!!!
  Holds the leather just perfect. You can stitch right above the jaws and it doesn't squirm around on you at all! You can even stitch "both ways" with a needle in each hand, just like a pro!
  yours Scott
« Last Edit: July 25, 2012, 12:36:13 PM by scottg »

Offline rusty

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #13 on: July 25, 2012, 06:03:29 PM »
>a lacing pony...

Ahh!
Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline Lostmind

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Re: 'The Masterpiece" Wrench
« Reply #14 on: July 25, 2012, 06:17:12 PM »
Always a daily lesson here at Tool Talk,
Thanks
Of all the things I've lost , I miss my mind the most