Tuesday, August 03, 2010

DoubleHeader Wrenches!

Hi Folks,

Thanks for your patience during this long hot summer. It's been slow and everything is moving at a glacial pace it seems. But it's going to pick up very soon and here's a bit of that trickle that I promised a week ago.

The first wave of DoubleHeader Wrenches are finally done. These are closely based on a historical double ended alligator wrench design from the turn of the last century that I found in an antique shop and have always wanted to make. My version is all metric in sizes though and is made of premium CPM 3V tool steel which has a reputation as a ridiculously tough and hard steel for heavy duty applications. Keep an eye on it and apply some oil or other protection periodically as this one has less corrosion resistance than S30v. Part of the tradeoff if you want toughness.

The DoubleHeader, #2 in the Creature Series, features 5,7,9,11,13 and 15mm wrenches on the Oxygen Wrench and Atwood logo end (the odd numbers on the odd end!) and 6,8,10,12,14 and 16mm on the 1/4" Hex end. And a 5/16 hex in the middle. OAL is 4 1/2 inches and the thickness is 5/32. These have a somewhat shiny stonewashed finish.

I have one batch back from heat treat which I am sorting now. These first ones are plain and are $55 plus shipping.

More coming tomorrow, thanks!

13 comments:

Rick said...

I like the way these turned out. I think it will make a pretty good wrench to have around while working on bicycles. Are these all tumbled? I guess that would make sense if they will tend to rust easily.

Peter Atwood said...

Thanks Rick! Yes, these are all tumbled which will be the best possible finish for this steel.

Rick said...

They should look really cool after a few years if they see some use. ;)

Peter Atwood said...

Absolutely, use 'em and abuse 'em. They will get a beautiful patina after awhile.

nwomer79 said...

score thank you peter i am celebrating the new job all the cnc machines i will be maintaining are metric i hope this one is tough :P

B said...

Wonderful design Peter, they're an awesome modern Atwood interpretation of the classic Vaughan & Bushnell and Whitman & Barnes No. 1.

My Atwood is my totem ;).

Peter Atwood said...

Hehe, he speaks wrench! :D I can't remember who mine was made by but I think it's stamped Vaughan. I've also seen them in the American Wrenchmakers book from Astragal.

B said...

Haha. Your modern designs have turned me into a collector of the originals (V&B # 1 & 13, Roebing #1). Now I have to find one of these classics, so I actually have something cool to look for when the wife goes antiquing.

Peter Atwood said...

Check out Astragal Press. They have an incredible selection of books on antique tools and all sorts of neat stuff. Another fun resource is the Lindsay publications catalog. A Google search will turn both these places up.

vegassprky said...

Nice design!! But have to save my pennies for The Dace! Its hell being retired and poor!!!

B said...

Will check them out Peter, thanks for the info!

William Adams said...

Have you ever considered doing a hex / Allen wrench end on a tool?

Take-down bows usually need a 3/16" hex wrench and I'd love to have an archery-themed tool in my pocket.

nightmarefuel said...

thank you mr. atwood, i was able to get one of these.