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Getting a Grip on Antique wrenches
Equipment Makers Put Lasting Mark on Tool
By Gary Van Hoozer; submitted photo
As interest grows in old tractors and implements, collectors' passions are spilling over to related collectibles - like wrenches
In Cunningham, Ky., Linmo and Verene Biggs have filled a 12-by-20 foot building with wrenches.
"Linmo built the building especially to house and display his collections," says Mrs. Biggs. "The neighbors call it Linmo's museum." Biggs, 72, started farming in the horse-drawn era. But his collection of tools and wrenches is only about 15 years old. Biggs says wrench collectors in his area collect some railroad wrenches, but most collections are farm related. Many implements - mowers, cultivators and plows, for instance-came with their own wrenches. Often the wrenches were housed in mounted tool boxes, also big on the collectible circuit now. Tractor and threshers usually came with several wrenches, some of which were adjustable.
"To my knowledge, I have more different Chattanooga wrenches than anyone else in the U.S.," he says.
It's a collector's collection, but he's not afraid to play favorites.
"I still like wrenches best of all," he says, "because they do so many things, and represent so much history."
Antique tools are a good fit for the city-dwelling collector, says Glenn Lofdahl, Emporia, Kan. Since he lives in town, he doesn't have room for tractors and machinery. So he collects wrenches and related memorabilia instead.
"That includes mower, toolbox and planter lids, and other items," Lofdahl says. "I started out with International Harvester only, but have expanded on the wrenches to most lines of farm machinery."
There's plenty of challenge, Lofdahl says, in finding and identifying wrenches. "Looking at old equipment, manuals, parts lists and the like all help give a picture or number to look for," he says, "especially for the wrenches not well marked."