u/JStevenYork

Found another Diamond Calk Horseshoe adjustable wrench thrifting

So, after finding a 6" adjustable wrench from Diamond Calk Horseshoe Company, a manufactured I'd never heard of, less than two weeks later I've found ANOTHER one, 50 miles away from where I found the other, in a Goodwill store a couple blocks from my house! This time it's a 8" wrench, so I'm going for the set! Picture shows both wrenches, plus a Wizard 6" wrench that I've had for a while. I include it because it looks suspiciously similar to the Diamond Calk 6" wrench, though it was likely made 20 or so years later. "Wizard" is a house brand used by Western Auto stores, and could be made by a variety of manufacturers. I think Diamond Calk had been absorbed into other companies by then, but I wonder if the Wizard wrench could have been made in one of their old factories, or at least, using some of their old tooling?

https://preview.redd.it/uhf4g3t87e2h1.jpg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f5e08b042988d02ff9daa18eb0dc8de28539b8e3

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u/JStevenYork — 2 days ago

Another vintage adjustable wrench (and more on Diamond Calk tool)

I was looking for this vintage 6" adjustable Wizard wrench today to post some pictures when I realized that it looked a LOT like the Diamond Calk wrench that I posted previously. Indeed, side by site they seem VERY similar, other than markings, and a slightly rougher finish inside the hanging hold on the Wizard wrench. Though, based on Alloy Artifacts, they were probably made 20 or so years apart (50s for the Wizard, 30s for the Diamond Calk) I have to wonder if they were made by the same company, or at least using the old Diamond Calk dies. Wizard was a registered house brand for the Western Auto store chain, so it could have been made by any number of companies. Anyway, when I spotted the "WIZARD" wrench in a thrift store back in the winter, I had to have it. What mechanic or tinkerer wouldn't want to own a WIZARD wrench!

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u/JStevenYork — 11 days ago

Another old tool sighting (power this time)

Seen at a different Habitat store this week, a Sears branded 6 1/2" circular saw, I think from the early 60s. Said to be tested and working. I really dug the deco inspired design of the heavy, cast-metal casing. $15 and theoretically tested and working. Also that it was branded Sears and not Craftsman. I was tempted a little, but I've got no use for it and no place to put it.

u/JStevenYork — 14 days ago

Vintage wrench from a company I'd never heard of until now.

Diamond Calk Horseshoe Co. 6" adjustable wrench, picked up at a Habit Store last week. From the late 30s early 40s I think. They started out making actual horseshoes with a "calk" that cushioned the hooves or was non-slip or some such, then pivoted to tools. Think I paid a buck or two for it.

u/JStevenYork — 14 days ago

Spotted this cute little adjustable wrench today in a Habitat for Humanity store, and grabbed it on a hunch (and also because it was only 50 cents!). Did a double take when I read the manufacturer: Diamond Calk Horseshoe Co.! Apparently they started in 1908 making horseshoes and pivoted to tools later. This one is from the 1940s I'm pretty sure. I love an old wrench from an obscure brand.

u/JStevenYork — 22 days ago