The Ford Barn

townsedan29 · 01-30-2025, 08:30 AM

Did the adjustable wrench use a straight slot shoulder screw (instead of the staked pin) to hold the knurled knob? other wise identical to the may 28 to end of production wrench would this work for judging? only the pin style is mentioned in the standards thank you

Joe K · 01-30-2025, 09:39 AM

I have seen SEVERAL different wrenches of this form/style. About half of these were marked "Ford" in the usual manner.

To my knowledge nobody has done a "type study" or tried to correlate engineering changes of construction to car model years.

Since these components were probably provided by subcontractors, its possible that Ford didn't even specify or track the changes.

As it is, I suspect if it was marked FORD and nothing calls it out as being a "later" (or earlier) Ford, you can probably use the wrench - the judges won't know, or care.

Joe K

nkaminar · 01-30-2025, 12:09 PM

This brings up the question in my mind of when adjustable wrenches were invented. Probably about the same time that things started being put together with nuts and bolts. 18th century?

Y-Blockhead · 01-30-2025, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

This brings up the question in my mind of when adjustable wrenches were invented. Probably about the same time that things started being put together with nuts and bolts. 18th century?

I bet Wikipedia will tell you...

Joe K · 01-30-2025, 01:02 PM

Quote:

As it is, I suspect if it was marked FORD and nothing calls it out as being a "later" (or earlier) Ford, you can probably use the wrench - the judges won't know, or care.

I will qualify this statement. What is in the Judging Standards probably has a reason. Somebody knows what this is. I'm not a Judge.

I do know a lot of judging is "what do they catch." Being human - they can't possibly catch everything. And there are "grey areas" ALL OVER the Model A construction.

Good luck,
Joe K

townsedan29 · 01-30-2025, 02:08 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

thank you, this is a easier wrench to restore then the staked pin style maybe do both just to be sure

Joe K · 01-30-2025, 02:38 PM

Then there is the gentleman who is "restoring" a Ford Adjustable Wrench. Including dealing with the "staking."

They mark you down for "over-restoration" do they not? (RT 15:35)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNm1Q_aDH04

When he's done he's almost made the wrench a Japanese Import.

Joe K

Synchro909 · 01-30-2025, 04:26 PM

Did anybody else notice how he damaged the corner of the moveable jaw when he rapped it on the vice?
IMO, that spanner would be so loose and sloppy that it would be close to useless (ruined).

Joe K · 01-30-2025, 04:49 PM

Quote:

IMO, that spanner would be so loose and sloppy that it would be close to useless (ruined).

Another "wrench" video does similar - i.e. take it apart and start "grinding" all the mating surface "for appearance."

Admittedly this second wrench/video was less satisfactory condition. The video comments on the "pitting."

Unique in that to get past the staking part, he "cuts" the staked pin to remove it, then converts from a staked to a threaded pin using a lathe.

Meh. Fortunate for the surplus of the wrenches. I have at least half a dozen.

Joe K

nkaminar · 01-30-2025, 05:23 PM

These wrenches can be cleaned up without taking them apart by dumping them in Rust 99 or other rust treatment solution. The solution will get into all the nooks and crannies and free up the tool. This results in a usable wrench but not a work of art to hang on the wall. The jaws of the wrench can be cleaned up by opening the wrench and then using a file or grinder, being careful to make the jaws flat and parallel.

JoeCB · 01-31-2025, 12:01 AM

Not to be too picky... but then again , why not. To the best of my knowledge that was not a "Fliver" / Model T wrench as it has the square lug at the end of the handle. It's a Model A wrench. The "T" wrenched did not have the square lug. The Square lug for the differential lube plugs on the "A"
Joe B

stevests · 01-31-2025, 06:26 PM

I beg to differ, Joe - '26 - '27 T rear axle housing plug was square thus the redesign of the adjustable wrench then.

JoeCB · 01-31-2025, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevests

I beg to differ, Joe - '26 - '27 T rear axle housing plug was square thus the redesign of the adjustable wrench then.

No need to differ, we are all here to learn.
Thanks

Joe B

Tom F OHIO · 02-01-2025, 09:42 AM

When did they call it a cresent wrench??

JoeCB · 02-01-2025, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom F OHIO

When did they call it a cresent wrench??

Cresent Tool company , 1915... but the Ford wrench is of a different style and , for me will always be known as a "Ford" wrench... and I might add not a Monkey Wrench, which is a different style yet.

Joe B

ModelA29 · 02-01-2025, 08:15 PM

Don't monkey with my wrench.
Paul Shinn gets a lot of flack on his videos for using a crescent wrench. I don't know why it's far more advanced than the one Henry provided.

Joe K · 02-01-2025, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModelA29

Don't monkey with my wrench.
Paul Shinn gets a lot of flack on his videos for using a crescent wrench. I don't know why it's far more advanced than the one Henry provided.

Coes Wrench - from the inventor Loring Coes in Worcester, MA. Common pattern commonly copied. Nice in that unlike the Ford pattern wrench, this one embodies a hammer. But large sizes (up to 4') don't really fit in your pocket.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coes_Wrench_Company

Joe K

ModelA29 · 02-01-2025, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe K

Coes Wrench - from the inventor Loring Coes in Worcester, MA.

A refinement of the English Coach Wrench of the 17&1800s.

01-30-2025, 08:30 AM	#1
townsedan29 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Branch, MN Posts: 44	adjustable wrench Did the adjustable wrench use a straight slot shoulder screw (instead of the staked pin) to hold the knurled knob? other wise identical to the may 28 to end of production wrench would this work for judging? only the pin style is mentioned in the standards thank you

01-30-2025, 09:39 AM	#2
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,610	Re: adjustable wrench I have seen SEVERAL different wrenches of this form/style. About half of these were marked "Ford" in the usual manner. To my knowledge nobody has done a "type study" or tried to correlate engineering changes of construction to car model years. Since these components were probably provided by subcontractors, its possible that Ford didn't even specify or track the changes. As it is, I suspect if it was marked FORD and nothing calls it out as being a "later" (or earlier) Ford, you can probably use the wrench - the judges won't know, or care. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

01-30-2025, 12:09 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,855	Re: adjustable wrench This brings up the question in my mind of when adjustable wrenches were invented. Probably about the same time that things started being put together with nuts and bolts. 18th century? __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

01-30-2025, 02:08 PM	#6
townsedan29 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Branch, MN Posts: 44	Re: adjustable wrench Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) thank you, this is a easier wrench to restore then the staked pin style maybe do both just to be sure

01-30-2025, 02:38 PM	#7
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,610	Re: adjustable wrench Then there is the gentleman who is "restoring" a Ford Adjustable Wrench. Including dealing with the "staking." They mark you down for "over-restoration" do they not? (RT 15:35) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNm1Q_aDH04 When he's done he's almost made the wrench a Japanese Import. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

01-30-2025, 04:26 PM	#8
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,043	Re: adjustable wrench Did anybody else notice how he damaged the corner of the moveable jaw when he rapped it on the vice? IMO, that spanner would be so loose and sloppy that it would be close to useless (ruined). __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

01-30-2025, 05:23 PM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,855	Re: adjustable wrench These wrenches can be cleaned up without taking them apart by dumping them in Rust 99 or other rust treatment solution. The solution will get into all the nooks and crannies and free up the tool. This results in a usable wrench but not a work of art to hang on the wall. The jaws of the wrench can be cleaned up by opening the wrench and then using a file or grinder, being careful to make the jaws flat and parallel. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

01-31-2025, 12:01 AM	#11
JoeCB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Farmington MI Posts: 366	Re: adjustable wrench Not to be too picky... but then again , why not. To the best of my knowledge that was not a "Fliver" / Model T wrench as it has the square lug at the end of the handle. It's a Model A wrench. The "T" wrenched did not have the square lug. The Square lug for the differential lube plugs on the "A" Joe B

01-31-2025, 06:26 PM	#12
stevests Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Longbranch, Washington Posts: 629	Re: adjustable wrench I beg to differ, Joe - '26 - '27 T rear axle housing plug was square thus the redesign of the adjustable wrench then.

02-01-2025, 09:42 AM	#14
Tom F OHIO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mansfield, Ohio Posts: 593	Re: adjustable wrench When did they call it a cresent wrench??