Tool Restoration
A Couple Old Wrenches Good As New
Two little pipe wrenches, a century of history, and another pair of workshop companions brought back to life.
I think I say this with every post but - this should be a short post. Today's offering is the cleanup of two pipe wrenches, one I picked up in June of '21, the other in September of '21. Another tidbit of note is that I cleaned these things up back in October of '21 but I'm just now getting around to writing about them! Nonetheless, here we are - let's get into it!
A Massachusetts Toolmaker
The Trimont Tool Company was founded in Roxbury, Massachusetts sometime around 1889 by the Ely brothers, and was known nationwide for their high quality wrenches and pipe-fitting tools under the Trimo name. I can't find much information on this but apparently, in 1949 Trimont sold tools under the Roxco name also. My guess is...Roxbury + Company = Roxco. I know, I know, hold the applause, I'm here all week! Anyway, it seems they closed their doors sometime around 1954.
The Original Trimo Wrench
This wrench was a wonderful find at The Tool Box back in '21. They have a wall full of all types of wrenches, and this little Trimo quickly caught my attention. First off, it was small and I didn't have any pipe wrenches of that size.
Next as you can tell... it was in excellent shape with just a very little bit of that light orange surface rust.
A couple minutes on the wire wheel and the buffing wheel made quick work of the cleanup.
And a few minutes of light brushing in the hard to reach areas left the parts ready for a little shining!
Protecting the Finish
At some point along my tool restoration journey, I either saw someone on YouTube or it dawned on me that a good way to prevent the tools from rusting was to apply some car wax. I love the smell of carnauba wax, and I get a little nostalgic about Turtle Wax so I have both - why not right? In this case, a couple coats of carnauba wax ought to ward off any more rust for awhile.
And just like that, this old wrench was good as new, ready for the next hundred years!
I've been devoting quite a bit of my time to harmonic studies on my own, in libraries and places like that. I've found you've got to look back at the old things and see them in a new light. - John Coltrane
The Little Roxco
The next wrench in '21 was this little Roxco pipe wrench. I think it's only about 6" long (we'll take a look at that shortly) and is incredibly nimble. I think it has become a bit of an adjustable wrench replacement for me (at least on small jobs! I know some wrenches had factory-applied red paint on their handles back in the day, but this one looks like it was more likely used as a stir stick in a small can of red paint.
The rest of the wrench was a kind of blue-gray paint, which also looked owner-applied as opposed to factory. Either way, the paint was coming off...in a bowl of Citristrip!
I also want to point out the near pristine teeth on the jaws. I used a small triangle file to clean them out, about a three minute task!
After the paint stripping, and a little time with the metal polish and the Dremel tool, this little wrench was really looking good!
I also did a little grinding to clean up the Roxco logo a little. It was in decent shape, but a couple spots on the lettering had gotten a little boogered up over the years.
Monkey wrenches and pipe wrenches look the same to the untrained eye, and the name is often used interchangeably. These tools have two main differences: the monkey wrench has a smooth, flat jaw, while the pipe wrench has serrated teeth on its jaw. Pipe wrenches have a stationary lower jaw and movable upper jaw, while monkey wrenches have a stationary upper jaw and movable lower jaw. - Dan Miller, Fine Power Tools
Why Small Pipe Wrenches Matter
I have no idea why it took me so long to post about these little wrenches, I mean - two years? Nonetheless, here they are. One of my favorite things about these wrenches is that they're so small - so many uses!
They're the kind of tools that disappear into one hand and fit into places where a full-size pipe wrench simply becomes awkward. I've found myself reaching for them to tighten small plumbing fittings, grip odd-shaped hardware, and even hold stubborn parts while filing or polishing. It's funny how some of the smallest tools in the shop end up getting used the most.
Here they are lined up with the tape measure. I know they don't look lined up, but this shot is more of a commentary on the photography skills of yours truly!
Oh, and here's a shot with some similarly-sized wrenches I have with them...
Natural Habitat
And here's the now almost obligatory natural habitat shot. I decided they would reside on the new tool board I put in last December out by the drill press.
And with that - I have finally reported on the two little wrenches restored over a year ago! Hey, thanks for stopping by and, as always - see ya' next time!
As someone who enjoys old American-made tools, this post hit all the right notes. You gave just enough history to explain why Trimo mattered without turning the post into a museum exhibit. I especially appreciated that you restored these as working tools rather than polishing every trace of age away.The little Roxco was my favorite. Those compact pipe wrenches are incredibly handy, and they're becoming harder to find in good condition. Your habit of showing each tool in its "natural habitat" always makes me smile because it reinforces something collectors sometimes forget: these tools were built to work. Seeing them hanging on a tool board instead of sitting in a display case somehow feels exactly right. - The Tool Collector
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are vintage Trimo pipe wrenches still sought after?
Trimo wrenches earned a reputation for durable forgings, precise jaw alignment, and high-quality machining. Many remain fully functional decades after they were manufactured.
What's the difference between a pipe wrench and a monkey wrench?
A pipe wrench uses hardened serrated jaws that grip round pipe more tightly as force is applied. A monkey wrench has smooth jaws designed primarily for square or hexagonal fasteners and is not intended for gripping pipe.
Why remove old owner-applied paint during a restoration?
Removing later paint reveals the original casting details, maker's marks, and surface finish while allowing rust to be properly removed and the tool protected for future use.
Is carnauba wax a good protectant for restored hand tools?
Yes. A quality paste wax creates a thin moisture barrier that helps reduce surface rust while preserving the appearance of polished steel. It also leaves the tool feeling smooth without attracting excessive dust.
Why are small pipe wrenches useful in a home workshop?
Six- to eight-inch pipe wrenches excel in tight spaces where larger plumbing tools won't fit. They're especially handy for small plumbing repairs, loosening stubborn fittings, and gripping irregular round objects without requiring a large toolbox.
Keywords
Trimo pipe wrench, Roxco wrench, vintage pipe wrench, tool restoration, antique hand tools, Trimont Tool Company, vintage wrench restoration, workshop tools, House 173, Made in USA tools