Wilde Valve spring compressor

[M-38CDN]

The patent No 2 119 128 was filed on June 14, 1937 by Ira J. Clark and issued on May 31, 1938.

The Clark-Feather CF-12 was rapidly modified without number change (second evolution identified here as CF-12-1). Through the years 5 evolutions were made by other tool makers or by Clark for them. Blue Point (Snap On) sold copies of all evolutions: CF-12 (~1938), CF-12-1 (~1939), CF-12A (~1946), CF-49 (~1953), CF 49A (~1962) and an irrelevant "CF-49B" (not a Clark but a copy of Zim 122). (Dates from Snap-On catalogs).

The photos on pages 17 and 44 of the Willys MB/Ford GPW manual TM 9-1803A (24 feb. 1944), are not of a Wilde No 675 but of the CF-12 (no curve on upper jaw and long shackle). The army had other suppliers since part number 41-L-1410 is printed on the original box of the Wilde. So the CF-12, CF-12-1, CF-12A and their clones should be period correct.

THE FIVE EVOLUTIONS:
1- Clark-Feather CF-12: the original compressor of patent No. 2 119 128 by I.J. Clark in 1938; long bent screw, 2 pairs of straight shackles of dissimilar lengh, small handle with ribs.

2- Clark-Feather CF-12-1: note the curve on the upper jaw and on the long shackle hinge, which are straight on the CF-12 and on the patent drawing, large handle with ribs, stamped CF-12.

3- Clark-Feather CF-12A : note curve of the bottom jaw.

4- Clark-Feather CF-49: flat riveted lower jaw fork (more space to replace locks), short straight screw on new shaft, outside straight shackle's plates, large handle without ribs.

5- Clark-Feather CF-49A: last evolution of the Clark-Feather (9¼"x 2 3/8" opening), lightweight and elegant design, 2 plates upper jaw, long straight screw pinned on new L end of the long shackle which is shorter and inside, one piece stamped lower jaw.

CLARK'S CLONES DOCUMENTED (there are certainly others out there…):
CF-12: Blue Point CF-12.
CF-12-1: Blue Point CF-12-1; Wilde No. 675; New Britain VL-151, 115A (french copy)
CF-12A: Blue Point CF-12A; OTC A-100, Cornwell VT-24.
CF-49: Blue Point CF-49; Lisle CF-49; Wilde 695, OTC A-150.
CF-49A: Snap-On CF-49A; Herbrand VL-540; Lisle CF-49A; New Britain VL-151; Cornwell VT-124A; Mac CF-49A; Kennedy VT-49; Indestro CF-49A; OTC; Blackhawk VT1002; Wilde 695A; Duro Chrome CF-49A; Toledo 304185; Bonney RC-120; Cal-Van 578.

POPULAR COMPRESSORS NOT FOLLOWING CLARK PATENT 2,119,128:
1- K-D 700 (Harry W. Kulp and Martin C. Dellinger) "K-D Mfg. Co.", "Lancaster, PA.", "Pat. 2,064,264", "Pat. 2,533,121", "Made in U.S.A.": (6 fingers on the knob, short screw (left hand threads) pushing against upper levers, 1950 patent).
2- Sunnen EL-100 (Sunnen Products Co. St. Louis, MO Pat Pend Made in U.S.A.); (patent 2,491,738: filed april 25, 1945; published dec. 20, 1949), spring on screw, removable lower jaw fork CF-49 style, lever type (no scissor action), 12" long.
3- Craftsman: lever type as the Sunnen with different lower jaw and screw bracket.
4- Zim No. 122 (April 13, 1943, patent 2,316,646 by Zim Manufacturing of Chicago): both jaws formed, one shackle and lower jaw pulled by a short screw on sliding shaft. Clones: Blue Point CF-49B, Goodson CF-122.
5- Zim No. 126: same patent as above; one shackle, flat lower jaw, left hand screw pushing on upper jaw as the K-D 700; very simple but cheap looking.

N.B.: The Toledo 304185 (CF-49A clone), the Zim(s), the Goodson CF-122 (Zim clone) & 115A (CF-12-1) are probably still made.

by Gaétan Gagnon (last update: 2018-05-21)

Below: Photos of 5 evolutions, Blue Point CF-12-1 and Wilde no 675

[M-38CDN]

Since editing is no longer permitted, use the following thread for the last update :
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showt ... hp?t=23086
Addition of Cornwell VT-124 (CF-49 style) and New Britain VL-151 (Sunnen style)

[Rustman]

You could also just post an update as a reply to a thread...

Matt

[M-38CDN]

To post a complete text when just a few words were added is not very efficient. Someone reads the first post then see the update and has to read it again, and again...
The author of a text should be able to edit it. The forum just has to save a copy for security until it is verified. If some edition is unacceptable, you freeze the post.

[Hartofoak]

Here is a link to an earlier topic concerning valve-lifters:
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=279776&hilit=valve+lifter#p1795657

[d42jeep]

More compressors.
-Don