I’m looking for a Billings Adjustable Pocket Wrench but the prices I’m seeing on
eBay seem high to me > $20

Is that really what they are worth? I’d like to get one but I’m cheap and that
seems like a lot.

That’s pretty cheap. Unless you find it at a garage sale.

I find that I only regret the tools I didn’t buy, when I had the chance

Michael

On Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 3:02 PM Dan Beck  wrote:

> I’m looking for a Billings Adjustable Pocket Wrench but the prices I’m
> seeing on eBay seem high to me > $20
>
> Is that really what they are worth? I’d like to get one but I’m cheap and
> that seems like a lot.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
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> OldTools@s...

-- 
Michael

There is a guy on YouTube that reproduces a similar wrench. His video's have
upped the demand a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/user/erzzi6




Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S10.


-------- Original message --------
From: Michael Suwczinsky 
Date: 6/20/19 18:51 (GMT-05:00)
To: Dan Beck 
Cc: oldtools@s...
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Billings Adjustable Pocket Wrench

That’s pretty cheap. Unless you find it at a garage sale.

I find that I only regret the tools I didn’t buy, when I had the chance

Michael

On Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 3:02 PM Dan Beck  wrote:

> I’m looking for a Billings Adjustable Pocket Wrench but the prices I’m
> seeing on eBay seem high to me > $20
>
> Is that really what they are worth? I’d like to get one but I’m cheap and
> that seems like a lot.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> https://oldtools.swingleydev.com/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> https://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: https://swingleydev.com/ot/
>
> OldTools@s...

--
Michael
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.

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To read the FAQ:
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OldTools@s...

Dan,

Which model number of Billings Adjustable Pocket Wrench are you seeking?  The
#97, with the adjustment at the edge like an “automobile wrench?  Or the earlier
type with the adjustment in the center of the handle and an 1897 patent date?

Are you looking for a user, or a pristine collectible?

Many Porch members will be haunting the Flea Markets, etc. this Summer - let us
know what you’re after, and we’ll keep our eyes peeled!

John Ruth

Sent from my iPhone

Interesting. It looks like he took a classic design and made some improvements
on it. Very nice. Sadly, a little too rich for my blood.

Hey John,

I’m pretty smitten with the style that has the adjustment in the center of the
handle, like this:

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0kx9v6fRmL-9GVHtDD5v9IULQ#Colonie,_NY

I’m looking for a user. It seems like a very handy wrench to have close at hand
in the shop. It def does not need to be in pristine collectible condition.

Is Billings the only one who made a wrench like this? Because it doesn’t NEED to
be a Billings (assuming other companies made a similar wrench).

If anyone has one or comes across one for a few dollars, please let me know.
Thanks!

-Dan

Mine as well. Plus too pretty. I like my tools a little more used. Usually with
some work to do.
As old Sneelock says, I am a bottom feeder.



Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S10.


-------- Original message --------
From: Dan Beck 
Date: 6/20/19 21:14 (GMT-05:00)
To: Matt Cooper 
Cc: oldtools@s...
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Billings Adjustable Pocket Wrench

Interesting. It looks like he took a classic design and made some improvements
on it. Very nice. Sadly, a little too rich for my blood.

On Jun 20, 2019, at 7:07 PM, Matt Cooper
> wrote:

There is a guy on YouTube that reproduces a similar wrench. His video's have
upped the demand a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/user/erzzi6

Dan, 
I don’t think those Billings wrenches are at all rare, as they were popular in
the golden age of bicycling.  The likely production total is in the thousands.
I’ve seen several; never wanted one myself, but they have turned up.

There were likely competitors as soon as the patent expired.

The book you need is now out of print: “American Wrench Makers 1830-1930” by the
late Kenneth L. Cope.  I just looked at the price of used copies on Amazon and
I’m stunned!  Perhaps you can borrow it on inter library loan.

The Alloy Artifacts website may also yield useful information.

In my mind’s eye, I see a fellow on one of those early “Pennyfarthing” bicycles,
with the huge front wheel, carrying one of those in a pocket.

I agree with you that these wrenches are not worth $20.  Maybe that’s why I
don’t have one!

In the course of this thread, Michael Suwczinsky wrote something really
profound, something that rings true after about 45 years of tool collecting:
“I find that I only regret the tools I didn’t buy, when I had the chance.”

Oh, how true that is!!!  The same concept, in almost the same words, was
conveyed to me years ago by one of the world’s foremost tool collectors and
miniaturists!

A search of the archives will turn up some threads I’ve written about “the tools
that I’ve let slip through my fingers.”

John Ruth
Metuchen, NJ
Sent from my iPhone

Hey Dan
  Forget it. No way you are getting a decent pocket wrench under 20. You 
thought this was K-mart? haahaha   I chased pocket wrenches for years.

   Billings made them, but I think King Dick of England was the first. 
If not the first they were certainly the most prolific. Several others 
made them but didn't mark them.

   A 6" wrench you can have the cheapest. This is the large size. I 
would suggest suspenders if you carry one in your pocket though. A belt 
won't do. $15 to 30 is the most likely.
   4" is the second most common size. The marked Billings I have is that 
size. Get ready for $30 to 40 in 1/2 decent shape. The one I found was 
cheaper, but it was so sad I had to clean and japan it.
  Hard baked japanning, it does look nice.

   The really rare ones are 3" and under.  About 2 3/4 is the smallest I 
have seen.
Bring money. I never saw one I could personally afford.
      yours Scott

*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html

John,

Thanks for the info. I agree - from my research, these wrenches should be
pretty common and, in my opinion, not worth $20 or more. That's the problem
with eBay, of course, is that I can find several wrenches that are $10-12,
but then they add $10 shipping. And sadly, the garage sales around me never
really turn up the things that I am looking for. Maybe I just need to go to
more garage sales. Finally, this isn't a tool that I actually *need* - I
have plenty of wrenches that work just fine. It's just that this particular
design "tickles my fancy".

And thanks for the book suggestion - I'll def look into borrowing it from
the library.

Best,
Dan

On Fri, Jun 21, 2019 at 9:13 AM Dan Beck  wrote:

>  And sadly, the garage sales around me never really turn up the things
> that I am looking for. Maybe I just need to go to
> more garage sales.


As others have pointed out over the years, the harder I look for tools, the
luckier I get.   I found my #1, and lots of other fun tools, just by
reading CL, showing up at garage sales early (but not obnoxiously so), and
looking at lots and lots of cruff.
-- 
Kirk Eppler in HMB, CA, who has a pocket wrench, but I think its a
Mossberg. Wasn't $20 at a garage sale.

I second that

Garage sales do not turn up a lot of old tools, in this area, especially when
looking for something specific. If I target garage sales I try and target areas
that have an older population, as they are more likely to have the types of
things I am looking for.
Another prolific spot for me are estate sales. Another more likely place to get
old tools. You also usually get more of an idea what is in the sale, as many
times pictures are posted on line. Just be sure to get there early. Most give
out numbers and you wait in line for your turn. It is not fun to be waiting in
line and see someone walk out with the item you were targeting.

There are some Items I have had to rely on ebay for. For some reason in our area
I could always find plenty of no. 5 planes. However never a 4 to be found.
However my first plane turned out to be a Stanley Sweetheart 5 1/2. It was
missing its brass adjustment nob. Easy enough to pick up on Ebay at a reasonable
price. It is still my favorite plane. I eventually found a Number 4, in poor
shape. (not long after caving and winning  one on ebay). It is on the lists of
to do's along with several Sargent no. 5's.

Good luck.

________________________________
From: OldTools  on behalf of Dan Beck

Sent: Friday, June 21, 2019 11:58 AM
To: John Ruth
Cc: oldtools@s...
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Billings Adjustable Pocket Wrench

John,

Thanks for the info. I agree - from my research, these wrenches should be
pretty common and, in my opinion, not worth $20 or more. That's the problem
with eBay, of course, is that I can find several wrenches that are $10-12,
but then they add $10 shipping. And sadly, the garage sales around me never
really turn up the things that I am looking for. Maybe I just need to go to
more garage sales. Finally, this isn't a tool that I actually *need* - I
have plenty of wrenches that work just fine. It's just that this particular
design "tickles my fancy".

And thanks for the book suggestion - I'll def look into borrowing it from
the library.

Best,
Dan




On Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 11:02 PM John Ruth  wrote:

> Dan,
> I don’t think those Billings wrenches are at all rare, as they were
> popular in the golden age of bicycling.  The likely production total is in
> the thousands.  I’ve seen several; never wanted one myself, but they have
> turned up.
>
> There were likely competitors as soon as the patent expired.
>
> The book you need is now out of print: “American Wrench Makers 1830-1930”
> by the late Kenneth L. Cope.  I just looked at the price of used copies on
> Amazon and I’m stunned!  Perhaps you can borrow it on inter library loan.
>
> The Alloy Artifacts website may also yield useful information.
>
> In my mind’s eye, I see a fellow on one of those early “Pennyfarthing”
> bicycles, with the huge front wheel, carrying one of those in a pocket.
>
> I agree with you that these wrenches are not worth $20.  Maybe that’s why
> I don’t have one!
>
> In the course of this thread, Michael Suwczinsky wrote something really
> profound, something that rings true after about 45 years of tool collecting:
> “I find that I only regret the tools I didn’t buy, when I had the chance.”
>
> Oh, how true that is!!!  The same concept, in almost the same words, was
> conveyed to me years ago by one of the world’s foremost tool collectors and
> miniaturists!
>
> A search of the archives will turn up some threads I’ve written about “the
> tools that I’ve let slip through my fingers.”
>
> John Ruth
> Metuchen, NJ
> Sent from my iPhone
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.

To change your subscription options:
https://oldtools.swingleydev.com/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

To read the FAQ:
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OldTools archive: https://swingleydev.com/ot/

OldTools@s...

Thanks for this advice, Matt. I think I probably do just need to get out to
more estate sales and garage sales. A few other Galoots sent me private
emails with some good advice along the same lines as what you've mentioned
here. I also plan on hotting up Stromville Antique show and a couple of
other spots that were suggested to me.

If anyone else has tool-finding advice for the Upstate NY area, please let
me know! I live near Albany and I am not opposed to driving a couple of
hours if there is someplace good I should check out.

Best,
Dan

Scott,

Somehow I missed your contribution to this thread when you initially
posted. Thanks for this information - it's very helpful. It makes the idea
of shelling out the $45 for the new version made by Hand Tool Rescue, more
reasonable.

BTW- I have to admit that I now want a King Dick wrench. Mainly because
that I can proudly say King Dick whenever I "whip it out".

-Dan

Yeah, I also suggest that if you are searching Ebay using that search term, that
you be prepared for some of the results.



Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy S10.


-------- Original message --------
From: Dan Beck 
Date: 6/23/19 10:09 (GMT-05:00)
To: scottg@s..., old tools 
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Billings Adjustable Pocket Wrench

Scott,

Somehow I missed your contribution to this thread when you initially
posted. Thanks for this information - it's very helpful. It makes the idea
of shelling out the $45 for the new version made by Hand Tool Rescue, more
reasonable.

BTW- I have to admit that I now want a King Dick wrench. Mainly because
that I can proudly say King Dick whenever I "whip it out".

-Dan
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.

To change your subscription options:
https://oldtools.swingleydev.com/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

To read the FAQ:
https://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html

OldTools archive: https://swingleydev.com/ot/

OldTools@s...

Scott, 
Your Athol Machine Co. Rapid Transit Wrench is only the second one I've ever
seen! Of course this is Oklahoma and there aren't a lot of tools here.
roy
> On June 23, 2019 at 3:03 PM scott grandstaff  wrote:
> 
> 
> I took a picture in case everyone didn't know what we were talking about.
> Pocket wrenches are the teardrop looking wrenches to the left and right 
> of center.
> 
> In the center are spoke wrenches, small for bicycle/motorcycle and large 
> for cars and trucks.
> 
>     The keychain Crescent wrenches are actual tool steel! Keychain 
> wrenches you see are cast zinc, an imitation wrench. But these were tool 
> steel working wrenches!
>   I find things when I am looking for other things.
> 
>     On the left side second from bottom is a Standard Tool Co Athol 
> Mass, monkey wrench.
> This was the precursor to Starrett precision tools. It is a quick adjust 
> monkey wrench.
>   Press the bar and it releases the nut so you can slide the jaw up or 
> down instantly.
> 
> http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/oldtools
/pocketwrench-
rules.JPG">http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/oldtools
/pocketwrench-rules.JPG
> 
> yours Scott
> 
> -- 
> *******************************
>     Scott Grandstaff
>     Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
>     scottg@s...
>     http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
>     http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
> 
> To change your subscription options:
> https://oldtools.swingleydev.com/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
> 
> To read the FAQ:
> https://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
> 
> OldTools archive: https://swingleydev.com/ot/
> 
> OldTools@s...

roy griggs
roygriggs@c...

Dan,

“Get there early” also applies to Stormville, as the limited number of approach
roads jam up early, particularly between the Taconic State Parkway and
Stormville Airport.

Many attendees will be coming North on the Taconic State Parkway and taking the
exit for NY RT 52.

I’ve had some success looping around to approach from the northeast on NY RT
216.

John Ruth

Thanks for the tip, John!