Wingnutt's GMTK

[Wingnutt]

Colleagues,

While not 100% complete, I'm pretty darn close, there's always room for improvement, and the missing items are either exotic/negligible, fairly scarce, or I am being highly selective about acquiring them, so I thought I would post the current status of my collection, compliments of Wingnutt Arsenal Photography Department (WA PD).

This has some warts and also some bright spots and I look forward to continuing to work on it here.

Thanks to all the other GMTK collectors out there for your continued collaboration.


Notes:
A17 – As shown, I need a WALDEN 3116 1/4 Sliding Tee, preferably in Black Oxide finish, but natural steel will be acceptable.
B1 – Though vintage and nearly identical in appearance, the leatherette roll was not acquired with the tune-up wrenches; it was a SNAP-ON C-100A set screw wrench set, and is marked that way on the inside (the wrenches fit great though – and there’re enough sewn pockets for the tiny DURO-CHROME ignition pliers and screwdriver, too!); I need to eventually replace it with a DURO-CHROME.


Notes:
AA – The STARRETT steel ruler might be the best, single most valuable specimen I have acquired. It has the second set of graduations on the flip side, and came with a little leather case with a pocket clasp.
G-Q, S-T, V-X – I like that my entire 1/2 square drive socket set is matching, and that there is some consistency with the ignition set, given the inextricable relationship between DURO-CHROME and INDESTRO.
R – Though vintage, I would like to replace the HUSKY universal joint with a set-matching INDESTRO SUPER example.
U – The drag-link bits set (which came from Workdawg!) is not INDESTRO SUPER either, but WALDEN matches my 1/4 sockets and I am very happy with these for now. (
(NOTE: The size noted for the 1131 in the figure above has a typo: it should read 1 - 3/16, NOT 13/16.


Notes:
G - The BLUE POINTS-CHICAGO 050 offset screwdriver is a spot on specimen and well worth the looooooong wait and search.
Q – The Champion-DeArment CHANNELLOCKS are dated 1953. I may replace; I may not. (These were my dad’s.)
R – Although vintage, I am also looking to replace the unmarked 8” flat-nose pliers.
C – Still looking for a brand-matching No. 2 Cross-Recess. In addition to the Stanley No. 3, I also have a Vlchek No. 3. I am saving that for now for a Dodge WC kit I am assembling, so I might stay with Stanley. (They did supply tools – including No.2 and No. 3 Phillips tips to the military.)


Notes:
L-N, R-W, X-Z - I am happy with all the Vlchek engineers' and box wrenches.
D, E, F, H – Looking to eventually replace the unmarked punches and chisels with marked branded examples, and it would be even nicer if they all matched, but I am in no hurry on that.
P – While it meets the spec, and it’s old, I am unable to date the SHUR-GRIP handle, and I have some doubts that it’s vintage 40’s.


Notes:
A, B-C, L-M – I like that my pipe wrenches, adjustable wrenches, and hammers match each other.
E – Although I am convinced the lady’s foot pry bar is vintage, I am looking to eventually replace it with a marked verifiable example.
K – Still looking for a brass drift that meets all the specs.
J – Ditto the brush.

[OldGPW]

Good set, like the way you've got them like the SNL illustrations.

[Hartofoak]

Hi Wingnutt. You are to be congratulated on a truly wonderful piece of work. I may have missed it, but could you tell us about your dad's part in this quest. I think I'll be waiting a long while before I can approach your set here in the UK.

[Wingnutt]

Thanks, OldGPW. It was fun preparing them for presentation like the SNL RA PD figures. Roger posted a partial set muted of color and layed out in the same configuration as the figures in the past, and I took it a step further by duplicating the entire figure, and then taking some liberties with it, to provide more details than the original G-27 provided on the migit, carb, and drag-link bits sets, and as a handy correlated reference for what manufacturers I have used.

Thanks for the compliments, Hartofoak. You'll get there. I've seen bits and pieces of your set, which you're underestimating. And if I can help from this side of the ocean, let me know.

I haven't said anything about my dad other than the fact that he was a WWII veteran and I inherited a ton of his old mid-century tools (split 5 ways with 4 brothers), some of which are in my kits. He had an amazing workshop. He was in the Merchant Marines prior to the war, Navy during the war. He was a quartermaster (pilot), served on a Destroyer Escort (US Newman, DE-205) in the Pacific. One of his brothers was a Ranger, died on the first day of the battle of Saipan, and I was fortunate to be the first person in the family to see his grave in the Punchbowl on the island of Oahu when my job took me to Field Station Kunia a few years ago. Another was a supply sergeant in England, then re-assigned infantry in the surge across the continent in 44 (Rhinleand and Ardennes-Alsace). Another went to Mechanics and Drivers School and got the badge but also involuntarily assigned to the Infantry as a Rifleman and shipped to Europe after the breakout.

I've been collecting WWII militaria for 15 to 20 years. When I bought an MB (just last year) I had little to no interest in the on-board toolkit or the GMTK. Now I feel as if that interest revitalized my research of my dad's tools, which sat idle for many years (he died in 1998).

[Brandon]

Looking good wingnut!! Keep up the hunt. I enjoy looking and building my MB tool kit. I actually found one of my DC circle X GMTK wrenches in my grandfathers garage a couple of years ago. It completed my GMTK wrench approach. While adding another good wrench to my complete DC set.

Brandon

[Wingnutt]

Thanks, Brandon. Good for you with your grandpa's wrench. It's a good feeling knowing an ancestor held some of these... Your comment reminded me of one other 'hidden' wart. Five of the Vlchek open enders do double duty in my on-board tool-kit right now, so I will either be looking for DC Circle-X or G code or maybe something different for the GMTK, or, something different for the MB.

[Kevin Monahan]

Wingy, that is a superb collection of tools you have there, matched by a clever photo take on the original SNL G manuals.
Hope you complete it soon and display it for all to see. wow!

Kevin UK.

[Wingnutt]

Thanks for the comments, Kevin. Glad you like it. I couldn't have done it without the expertise found here, including yours. (I have your Indestro SS 28-S in my little black search book, btw... In 4 months of flea market, pawn shop, etc, searching for my own on-board and GMTK stuff, I have never seen one. Seems like it should be more common, but it isn't for some reason.)

[Roger]

Very Nice Wingnutt!

[Wingnutt]

Thanks, Rog! Glad you like it.

[Greaser]

I usually lurk over in the Weapons and Living History forums - but I occasionally take a look through the tools forum.

Wow! Really impressed with this and the approach to showing the contents. Hot $H1T!!! Nice presentation.

Chris-

[Wingnutt]

Thanks for taking a look and the feedback, Greaser.

[Hartofoak]

I really enjoyed reading about your Dad's history.. sounds like he was a great guy. By the way, you must have found out just how heavy the GMTK was when complete. Mine has quite a way to go and its getting weighty already. Thinking about it I would have been a lot fitter 40 years ago!

[Ralph]

Wingnut,
A benchmark display; the detail and accuracy is noted...to say,'well done'- certainly is in order..To look at the layout sheets,then the photo of the tools in the toolbox......thanks.

[Wingnutt]

Thanks much, Ralph. I think I'll print your reply and have it handy the next time my wife questions my sanity.

I was just noting the heftiness of the set, Hartofoak, in a PM conversation with GMTK afficianado Greg Hines, who is recovering from back surgery (EDIT: I hope he doesn't mind me saying that!). "Definitely not the time to be lifting your GMTK," I told him! It puts a crimp in the palm of your hand, and makes you walk funny carrying it, that's for sure.