Coes Screw Wrench: Understanding The Right Size For The Job

The Coes Wrench Company, founded in 1888, manufactured the screw-type wrench invented by Loring Coes, commonly known as a monkey wrench. The company was based in Worcester, Massachusetts, and offered wrenches in a variety of sizes, ranging from 6 to 21 inches. The Coes wrench was unique in that it could be adjusted with one hand, in contrast to other common wrenches of the time, such as the English patent wrench and the Merrick (or Springfield) wrench, which required two hands. The Coes Wrench Company's products included the Knife Handle wrench, featuring a wooden handle attached using Loring Coes' patented method, and an all-metal version.

Coes Wrench Company history

The Coes Wrench Company was a tool manufacturing company based in Worcester, Massachusetts. The company was originally part of the L. and A. G. Coes & Co., a partnership formed in 1836 by brothers Loring Coes and Aury Gates Coes.

Loring and Aury Coes initially worked for Kimball and Fuller, a firm that made machinery for the woolen industry. In 1836, the Coes brothers purchased the business and continued making wool machinery until 1839 when their facility was destroyed by a fire.

The brothers then moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where Loring Coes invented the screw wrench—also known as the monkey wrench—while working as pattern makers in the foundry of Laurin Trask. The invention of the screw wrench was significant because, unlike the common wrenches of the time, it could be used and adjusted with one hand.

In 1841, Loring Coes was granted a patent for the screw wrench, and the brothers' company, L. & A. G. Coes, began manufacturing the new wrench. Over the years, the company expanded its operations and continued to innovate and improve the design of the wrench, acquiring several patents along the way.

In 1888, the Coes Wrench Company was merged with the Loring Coes & Company. The company continued to operate under the leadership of Loring Coes, who served as president with his nephews as partners.

In 1902, Loring Coes purchased the interests of his nephews to become the sole owner of the company, which he later consolidated and incorporated with Loring Coes & Co. Despite the consolidation, the wrenches and knives continued to be made under the names of the respective companies.

Loring Coes died in 1906, and in 1928, the patented wrench designs of the Coes Wrench Company were purchased by Bemis and Call, who later sold them to Billings and Spencer in 1939.

Screw wrench invention

The screw wrench, commonly known as the monkey wrench, was invented by Loring Coes, an American inventor, industrialist, and Republican politician. Coes was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1812. He and his brother, Aury Gates Coes, worked for a firm that made machinery for the woolen industry. In 1836, the Coes brothers purchased the business and formed the L. & A. G. Coes company as a partnership.

In October 1839, the facility where they worked was destroyed by a fire, forcing the brothers to move to Springfield, Massachusetts, to work as pattern makers in the foundry of Laurin Trask. It was during this time that Loring Coes invented the screw wrench. Prior to the invention, the two common types of wrenches, the English patent wrench and the Merrick (or Springfield) wrench, required two hands to adjust. The new screw wrench could be used and adjusted with just one hand.

The Coes brothers sold the pattern for their spinning machines that had been rescued from the fire and used the money to pay for the patent on the screw wrench, which Loring Coes was granted on April 16, 1841. After they were granted the patent, the brothers' company, L. & A. G. Coes, resumed operations and they began to manufacture their new wrench.

The Coes Wrench Company, founded on April 1, 1888, manufactured the screw-type wrench invented by Loring Coes. The company was based in Worcester, Massachusetts, and was originally part of the L. and A. G. Coes & Co. The Coes Wrench Company was the quintessential 19th-century maker of screw-adjusting wrenches, with roots going back to the 1840s partnership between the Coes brothers.

Screw wrench patent

The Coes Wrench Company was a tool manufacturing company based in Worcester, Massachusetts. The company was founded on April 1, 1888, by Loring Coes and his brother, Aury Gates Coes. Prior to inventing the screw wrench, the Coes brothers worked for the firm of Kimball and Fuller, a company that manufactured machinery for the woolen industry. In 1836, they purchased the business and formed the L. & A. G. Coes company as a partnership.

In 1839, a fire destroyed the facility where they worked, and the brothers were forced to move to Springfield, Massachusetts, where Loring Coes invented the screw wrench, commonly known as the monkey wrench. The English patent wrench and the Merrick (or Springfield) wrench were the two most common wrenches at the time, but they required two hands to adjust. Loring Coes' new design could be used and adjusted with just one hand.

The Coes brothers sold the pattern for their spinning machines to fund the patent for the screw wrench, which Loring was granted on April 16, 1841. After receiving the patent, the brothers resumed their company's operations and began manufacturing the new wrench.

In addition to Loring Coes' patent, there are other patents related to the improvement of screw wrenches. For example, Rush S. Battles was granted a patent on July 20, 1875, for a set screw that secures a monkey wrench ferule to the main bar. This patent, along with Matthew Campfield's August 10, 1875 patent, formed the basis for the Girard Wrench Mfg. Co.'s wood handle monkey wrenches.

The Coes Wrench Company's products, including their screw wrenches, are now collectible items, with various models and sizes available on eBay and Etsy.

Screw wrench advertising

The Coes Wrench Company, founded in 1888, was renowned for its screw-adjusting wrenches, with a history dating back to the 1840s and the innovative partnership of brothers Loring and Aury Gates Coes. Their invention, the screw wrench, commonly known as the monkey wrench, revolutionised the tool industry. This wrench could be adjusted with one hand, a significant improvement over the two-handed English patent and Merrick (or Springfield) wrenches of the time.

Target Audience

The target audience for Coes screw wrenches includes both professionals and hobbyists who value high-quality, adjustable tools. This includes mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, and anyone else who relies on versatile and efficient tools for their work or passion projects.

Key Selling Points

• Innovation and Ease of Use: Highlight the fact that the Coes screw wrench is a one-handed tool, a significant improvement over previous wrench designs. Demonstrate how this innovation simplifies tasks and increases efficiency.
• Versatility: Emphasise the versatility of the wrench, showcasing its ability to adjust to different sizes and fit a wide range of fasteners.
• Durability and Craftsmanship: Promote the high-quality materials and craftsmanship that go into each wrench, emphasising their durability and longevity.
• Historical Significance: For collectors and enthusiasts, the historical significance of the Coes screw wrench is a selling point. The wrenches, especially the earlier models, can be marketed as collectible tools with a rich history.

Visuals and Demonstrations

Visual aids and demonstrations can powerfully showcase the features and benefits of the Coes screw wrench:

• Visual Comparisons: Use visual comparisons to showcase the advantages of the Coes wrench over its two-handed predecessors. Show how much faster and easier it is to adjust the Coes wrench with one hand.
• Close-up Visuals: Highlight the craftsmanship and attention to detail in the wrench's design, showcasing close-up visuals of the screw-adjusting mechanism, the sturdy handle, and any distinctive features like the company's logo or trademark designs.
• Demonstration Videos: Create demonstration videos showing the Coes wrench in action. Show how quickly and easily it can be adjusted to fit different fasteners, emphasising its versatility and ease of use.

Slogans and Taglines

• "Coes Wrench: The Original One-Handed Wonder"
• "Revolutionising the Way You Wrench"
• "Coes Wrench: When One Hand is All You Need"
• "Crafted for Versatility, Built to Last"
• "The Wrench that Started it All"

Call to Action

Encourage customers to experience the Coes difference by inviting them to try the wrench risk-free with a money-back guarantee or providing a list of authorised resellers or distributors where they can purchase the wrench.

In conclusion, by highlighting the innovation, versatility, and historical significance of the Coes screw wrench, and backing it up with powerful visuals and demonstrations, your advertising campaign can effectively promote this classic tool to a new generation of users and collectors.

Screw wrench models

The Coes Wrench Company was a tool manufacturer based in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded in 1888. The company produced the screw-type wrench invented by Loring Coes, commonly known as a monkey wrench. The Coes brothers sold their pattern for spinning machines to fund the patent for the screw wrench, which was granted in 1841.

The company's early "Knife Handle" models used Loring Coes' 1880 and 1884 patents for a method of attaching a wooden handle to a screw-adjusting wrench. These wrenches were offered in either a black or bright finish in sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, and 21 inches.

The Coes Wrench Company also produced all-metal monkey wrenches, with some of their smaller models measuring 6.5 inches and 8 inches.

Later models of the Coes wrench featured improvements to the design, with some incorporating the company's 1895 and 1900 patents. These wrenches were stamped with the company name and location, as well as patent dates. One such model measures 15 inches in length and has a maximum opening of 2.6 inches.

Today, Coes wrenches are sought-after collectibles, with various models available for sale on platforms like eBay and Etsy. These vintage tools are a testament to the company's legacy in the world of tool manufacturing.

Frequently asked questions