Garage Hangout

Tools And The Shop => Antique/Collector Tools/Boxes/Hand Only => Topic started by: j.a.f.e. on Jun 26, 2025, 01:12 PM

Title: Teletype Wrenches
Post by: j.a.f.e. on Jun 26, 2025, 01:12 PM
In the early days computer terminals were a keyboard and printer unit - not CRTs. They derived from telegraphy and one of the big names in the field was Teletype. Another brand name that became a generic like Kleenex or Plexiglass. They went on to produce printers, paper tape punches/readers, CRTs and other related equipment. For most of the companies history it was a subsidiary of Western Electric the research and development and manufacturing arm of ATT.

I came across these little wrenches at the Long Beach swap some time back. never seen Teletype branded tools before. No idea if they were part of a kit or part of a set. But either way I like them quite a bit.

When I first saw them I thought they were stamped but I'm beginning to think they were actually forged.

101_1977.jpeg101_1978.jpeg
Title: Re: Teletype Wrenches
Post by: bmwrd0 on Jun 28, 2025, 05:36 PM
I found this set a few years ago
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52468455177_098729cf66_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nWsxKx)
They are mainly Armstrong, except the two smallest, which are unmarked, stamped wrenches. All of them are very thin, which makes sense I guess.

I cleaned them up, and then threw them in a drawer. I should drag them out.
Title: Re: Teletype Wrenches
Post by: j.a.f.e. on Jun 28, 2025, 08:58 PM
That is pretty cool. Thanks for posting!
Title: Re: Teletype Wrenches
Post by: goodfellow on Jul 01, 2025, 04:12 PM
That's some interesting history. I've seen the Teletype name before, but never actually associated the name with the actual Teletype telegraphy company. I always thought they looked relatively cheap and assumed they were part of low budget household or automotive kit.
Title: Re: Teletype Wrenches
Post by: j.a.f.e. on Jul 01, 2025, 08:14 PM
No idea on the origin of the tools but I like the association. I did work on some Teletype stuff including a chain printer. Pretty cool tech but I used the same tools I used on everything else.