[R-390] Tools

[Roy Morgan]

> On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 3:05 AM, Roy Morgan <k1lky68 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> The military manuals (at least used to) use the term “bristo wrench”.  The original amerrican manufacturer is the Bristol Wrench Company

I was no doubt in error.  I can’t say what the earliest military equipment I’ve seen is, but it may be an LM frequency meter.  It may well that it, and earlier militarily things, have Bristo set screws and perhaps tools in them.

> According to the original patent dug up by the astute and knowledgeable Mike Hanz of AAFRadio fame, the original wrench was indeed a Bristo. Designed by Dwight Goodwin of the Goodwin Hollow Set Screw Company in Waterbury CT. 
> 
> http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=42304&pn=1,075,710

I’m glad to see this and have added it to my notes file on the topic.

> The confusion comes in due to the wrenches being manufactured by the Bristol company, also of Waterbury. I think they bought the rights to the design.

There is a chance here for a bit more confusion.

From 1922 Through 1925, the Bristol Company of Waterbury CT made radios and radio speakers.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/dsp_hersteller_detail.cfm?company_id=2079
They also made recording instruments: the kind which had a rotating paper dial, marking pen, and clock mechanism to record such values as pressure, temperature and vacuum.  These were apparently used throughout the world.
https://archive.org/details/BristolsRecordingInstrumentsManufacturedByTheBristolCompanyWaterbury
(Many clock and watch companies were located in the area - the Union Station clock tower still stands and houses a Seth Thomas clock.)
It appears that the Bristol Company factory building still stands on Bristol Avenue, though derelict.  See a picture at:
https://foursquare.com/v/bristol-company/50ecc634183f75b39ebad374


Further, the Wikipedia entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterbury,_Connecticut
includes this tidbit:
"One of the first full-length sound motion pictures was made in the 1920s at the studios of the Bristol Co. at Platts Mills by Professor William Henry Bristol, who experimented for years with sound pictures.”

I can’t find any online information that links the Bristol Company of Waterbury with spline wrenches, but it may well be out there.

The Bristol Wrench Company makes them now:
http://www.bristolwrench.com/
Bristol Wrench Co., Inc.
PO Box 4317
Salem OR 97302 USA
info at bristolwrench.com

Their web page says:
"The originators of the superior Bristol multiple spline drive wrenches for socket screws offer a wide range of spline wrench sizes and styles. Quality hex wrenches are also manufactured, with a focus on custom hex keys and bits.
All products are Made in USA.”
and:
"Decades ago, Bristol engineers invented the Bristol Spline Drive System for use in electro-mechanical instruments. They required screws and wrenches that could stand up to industrial environments, vibrations, and frequent removal and resetting. The effectiveness of their invention, for that original application and thousands more since, has never been surpassed.
…
Bristol wrenches have been in continuous production in the United States since their original introduction. … ”

So, there is still room for wonder.  But the good news is that you can still get gen you wine Uh Murrican made spline wrenches of verily good quality.

My notes file has this line:

(If you want to pay more than anyone else has for spline wrenches, contact Snap-On Tools.)
Their .096” L-wrench lists fir $6.55 each, and their set,  "Set, Wrench, L-Shape, Multi-Spline (15 pcs.) (.033" to .454”)” lists for $152.45.
See:  http://store.snapon.com


Roy




Roy Morgan
RoyMorgan at alum.mit.edu
K1LKY Since 1958