46 woodie Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 My wife asked me where the term "Monkey Wrench" came from and I don't have a clue. I think it's a derogatory term for a bad mechanic and their tools. Anyone have an answer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul55 Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 I believe it is named for the inventor, who had the last name of Moncke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 That handy tool, the "monkey-wrench", is not so named because it is a handy thing to monkey with, or for any kindred reason. "Monkey" is not its name at all, Charles Moncky, the inventor of it, sold his patent for $5000, and invested the money in a house in Williamsburg, Kings County, where he now lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, Tinindian said: That handy tool, the "monkey-wrench", is not so named because it is a handy thing to monkey with, or for any kindred reason. "Monkey" is not its name at all, Charles Moncky, the inventor of it, sold his patent for $5000, and invested the money in a house in Williamsburg, Kings County, where he now lives. I think the Charles Moncky reference might be a hoax. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huptoy Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 My 1931 car came with a “monkey wrench” & other tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 2 hours ago, alsancle said: I think the Charles Moncky reference might be a hoax. Apparently so. https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/499522/when-did-monkeys-start-making-wrenches https://healthyhandyman.com/who-invented-the-monkey-wrench/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarlLaFong Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 (edited) Still living in the house. he is famous for his invention and for being over200 years old. His patents were purchased by Ebeneezer Screwdriver. Much later R&B singer Piercy Sledge boughtE. Screwdriver Inc. With the fortune that he accumulated from the sales of his eponymous hammer 3 hours ago, Tinindian said: That handy tool, the "monkey-wrench", is not so named because it is a handy thing to monkey with, or for any kindred reason. "Monkey" is not its name at all, Charles Moncky, the inventor of it, sold his patent for $5000, and invested the money in a house in Williamsburg, Kings County, where he now lives. Edited November 13, 2019 by CarlLaFong (see edit history) 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Since the term dates at least to the 1840s, anything later is doubtful. That said a true monkey wrench is not a crescent wrench but rather one with a swiveling jaw that allows one handed operation and a worm gear for adjustability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Sometimes the old legends are more fun that the truth.... Do you guys know how Ball and Ball Carburetors got their name? It's because when you turn the fuel bowl upside down two tiny ball bearings fall out and go bouncing across the shop floor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Also known as the “aw sh$t” carburetor in some circles. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Bloo said: Sometimes the old legends are more fun that the truth.... Wasn't that basically the plot of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance? " When the legend becomes fact, print the legend. " 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Bollman Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 How far back does the term Grease Monkey go? Maybe there is a connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 A monkey wrench comes with every trunk monkey. People have asked how it feels to be a legend before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbking Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 I inherited several "monkey wrenches" from my Dad. They were quite useful working on farm equipment when I was a youngster, as we couldn't afford the spanners and sockets in the larger sizes. I have at least a couple of different designs of monkey wrenches. Just Googled the term, and found some folks call a pipe wrench a monkey wrench. However, all of the monkey wrenches I grew up with have smooth jaws. Unfortunately, they aren't very useful in working on most carburetors (too large), although the hammer section of the monkey wrench can be a stress reliever when working with Marvels Since this thread is referencing "legends", please don't start on the Pogue or Fish "carburetors". Jon. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbking Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 52 minutes ago, joe_padavano said: Wasn't that basically the plot of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance? " When the legend becomes fact, print the legend. " Ah, another John Wayne fan! Jon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 A slender monkey wrench (I like the Ford script ones) is the perfect tool for adjusting the fan belt eccentric on Pierce 80/81, 8-cyl and 12-cyl engines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Kingsley Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 I've always heard that they are called that because they are so simple a monkey could use them. Somebody did post a chimp using one on Facebook, wish I had thought to save it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 5 hours ago, padgett said: That said a true monkey wrench is not a crescent wrench but rather one with a swiveling jaw that allows one handed operation and a worm gear for adjustability. Yes! A straight smooth pair of parallel jaws. The Stillson Wrench is similar, but has the advantage of 1. serrated jaws 2. swivel jaw action that helps grip the pipe/fastener/finger/etc.😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 (edited) Up in these parts, we call this type a "Ford Wrench". I suspect this is the type Grimy referred to. A Monkey Wrench would be more like this: Edited November 13, 2019 by Bloo (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Bloo, yep, the Ford wrench is an essential tool to me 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex D. Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 This is my combination Monkey-Pipe Wrench. An excellent self defense weapon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wowabunga Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 I'm just glad he invented it who ever he is.... those blasted chrome-reverse muffler bearings are impossible to remove without a monkey wrench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modeleh Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 One other feature of the monkey wrench is the hammer pad designed into it on the back side of the jaws. The bottom picture of bloo’s post shows that. I use a Ford wrench daily in my job as a millwright and often have guys want to borrow it, they are useful for holding hydraulic cylinder rods and clevises in tight spots where the angled head of a combination wrench or crescent wrench just won’t fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 The REAL reason for the name.... 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 Another legendary tool sometimes used with a monkey wrench is the BFH. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger914 Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 On 11/12/2019 at 1:20 PM, 46 woodie said: My wife asked me where the term "Monkey Wrench" came from and I don't have a clue. I think it's a derogatory term for a bad mechanic and their tools. Anyone have an answer? My best guess is that it was easier to say hand me the Monkey Wrench than it was to ask for the adjustable axle nut spanner, but who really knows why the Brits call cookies biscuits, drink warm beer, spell tire with a "y" and named this tool a Monkey Wrench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesR Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 2 hours ago, keiser31 said: The REAL reason for the name.... Where did you find that picture of me? It was supposed to have been destroyed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Paul Dobbin said: Another legendary tool sometimes used with a monkey wrench is the BFH. Ah, yes, the Big FORD Hammer. 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 13, 2019 Share Posted November 13, 2019 (edited) "Mexican Speed Wrench" "Blue Nosed Wrench" and then there is Whitworth... ps it is not true that the Brits drink warm beer. They drink it at room temperature. 38F. Once was visiting jolly old. People we were staying with complained about some Canadians who just left who turned the heat up to 55F. Edited November 13, 2019 by padgett (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 I walked into a pub in London once. They had a small glass door cooler behind the bar for guys like me. It even had some Budweiser in it. But it tasted like formaldehyde. The stuff on tap tasted like tar. But they were all friendly folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Dobbin Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 1 hour ago, JACK M said: I walked into a pub in London once. They had a small glass door cooler behind the bar for guys like me. It even had some Budweiser in it. But it tasted like formaldehyde. The stuff on tap tasted like tar. But they were all friendly folks. No cooler in the pubs I visited, only a trough of tap water about 1' deep with beer bottles standing in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted November 14, 2019 Share Posted November 14, 2019 just remember: Lucas heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHuDWah Posted November 15, 2019 Share Posted November 15, 2019 On 11/13/2019 at 3:19 PM, Digger914 said: My best guess is that it was easier to say hand me the Monkey Wrench than it was to ask for the adjustable axle nut spanner, but who really knows why the Brits call cookies biscuits, drink warm beer, spell tire with a "y" and named this tool a Monkey Wrench. They also don't know that a bonnet is a woman's hat, a boot is a man's shoe, a saloon is a place to drink beer, and a dickie is, well...not a seat. 😂 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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